Time for a motorbike list

[cj66]

I've had my test ride on RE Super Meteor.
Dem model is boring black and only taking forward orders at the mo so no piccies.
Anyhoos, I have to say it's a lovely machine, it shares its small siblings comfort and good handling. Despite the increase in weight there is definitely much more power available. It absolutely put a big cheesey grin on my face.
If I was after a second bike, especially for longer rides this would be it. As an intended cruiser I can barely find fault, just those rear suzzies would need a swap out at some point.
As it is I'm after an all rounder, this, despite being small for cruiser, is too big for nipping around town on so not a daily use bike, unless you lived out in the sticks!
More stuff coming next year....

 

[Darren L]

Has anyone here run an older machine than this?

For a short period of time I owned a 1937 UL, one of the ones that got away, I really should have kept it but found the rocker clutch and tank shifter difficult in modern traffic conditions. I've now a 1950 FL converted to hand clutch and foot shift using a later FL mousetrap, light as a feather, I could and should of done this conversion to the UL.

 

[Dowser]

Never contributed to this thread before, but after a 36 year break I recently bought a Yamaha Tenere 700. My previous bikes;
- Puch Maxi Moped at age 12 for burning around the local beach car park
- Yamaha DT175 at age 13 for same
- Puch Maxi Grand Prix as First Road bike at 16
Then switched to cars at 17 after losing a few good friends to accidents on bikes.

Now the T700 at age 56 Great fun! So much enjoyment pushing through twisties at 80-100 km/h - to get same feeling in my Evo X I need to be doing double that, and it’s just stupid on the road (I’m starting to think of selling the Evo and getting a well sorted Escort instead, to increase fun factor at more sensible speeds).

I’ve done 1700 kms in 8 weeks so far, but weather slowly turning. I also had to get an L plate and bike is restricted to 35kW instead of normal 54kW (0-60mph in around 5 seconds still) - if I done this before 2021 I would not have needed to, law here in CH changed then to align to EU. Will take test next year…but only once I learn how to ride slowly! In mandatory training I also had to do 12m in a straight line and have it take 12 seconds…best I managed was 7!

Ultimate goal is to use it off-road as well, as most of my early riding experience is there - need to get a bit more used to the weight first though, at 204kg it’s a bit heavier than my old DT175! Indeed, I dropped it for the first time a few weeks back at the top of the Susten Pass - stupidly tried to lift it uphill on gravel…foot slipped, click in spine, fractured vertebrae. I didn’t drag it round to lift it downhill as I didn’t want to scratch anything…stoopid!

Rambling post, sorry

Richard

 

[paulfromcamden]

Ultimate goal is to use it off-road as well, as most of my early riding experience is there - need to get a bit more used to the weight first though, at 204kg it’s a bit heavier than my old DT175! Indeed, I dropped it for the first time a few weeks back at the top of the Susten Pass - stupidly tried to lift it uphill on gravel…foot slipped, click in spine, fractured vertebrae. I didn’t drag it round to lift it downhill as I didn’t want to scratch anything…stoopid!

I loved reading Steph Jeavons' book about her round the world bike journey across all seven continents. She mentions early on that while everyone advised her to get a big bike that would do the distance she went for a CRF250 because she expected to be falling off a lot and wanted something light enough to pick back up.

Rhonda the Honda is now on display at the National Motor Museum.

 

[GT]

Ultimate goal is to use it off-road as well, as most of my early riding experience is there - need to get a bit more used to the weight first though, at 204kg it’s a bit heavier than my old DT175! Indeed, I dropped it for the first time a few weeks back at the top of the Susten Pass - stupidly tried to lift it uphill on gravel…foot slipped, click in spine, fractured vertebrae. I didn’t drag it round to lift it downhill as I didn’t want to scratch anything…stoopid!

Unfortunately, all these GS/Tenere/Africa Twin type bikes quoted as being off road bikes are anything but suitable for off road motorcycling. They are all far to big and heavy to be regarded as proper "Off Road" bikes. Most just use these as touring bikes and very few actually go off road. Remember, Charlie and Ewan have a whole team to support them and help get them through their adventures. For off road, stick to something like a CRF 250 or equivalent bike weighing less than 130kgs...

 

[GT]

I loved reading Steph Jeavons' book about her round the world bike journey across all seven continents. She mentions early on that while everyone advised her to get a big bike that would do the distance she went for a CRF250 because she expected to be falling off a lot and wanted something light enough to pick back up.

Rhonda the Honda is now on display at the National Motor Museum.

You beat me to it!

Also check out Noraly (Itchy Boots) on youtube and see what someone who actually rides around the world solo uses.

I can strongly recommend her South American adventure from the Tierra del Fuego to the top of Alaska. She did this about the same time as Charlie and Ewan started from the same point, but they got to and finished their trip in Los Angeles and that was with a whole team and support crew. Noraly got as far as Peru before Covid halted her trip and she was forced to be repatriated back to Holland. But she came back after Covid to complete it. Her trip started in Buenos Aries before riding down to Tierra Del Fuego, so several thousand miles before the start. On this trip you will see some of the most amazing sights and scenery you will ever see on this planet. Highly recommended. She doesn't have nearly 2M subscribers for nothing.

 

[paulfromcamden]

You beat me to it!

Also check out Noraly (Itchy Boots) on youtube and see what someone who actually rides around the world solo uses.

I can strongly recommend her South American adventure from the Tierra del Fuego to the top of Alaska. She did this about the same time as Charlie and Ewan started from the same point, but they got to and finished their trip in Los Angeles. Noraly got as far as Peru before Covid halted her trip and was forced to be repatriated back to Holland. Her trip started in Buenos Aries before riding down to Tierra Del Fuego. On this trip you will see some of the most amazing sights and scenery you will ever see on this planet. Highly recommended. She doesn't have nearly 2M subscribers for nothing.

Thanks Graham - that's my lunch break sorted for a good while! Tough bikes those CRFs : )

 

[Space is the Place]

Unfortunately, all these GS/Tenere/Africa Twin type bikes quoted as being off road bikes are anything but suitable for off road motorcycling. They are all far to big and heavy to be regarded as proper "Off Road" bikes. Most just use these as touring bikes and very few actually go off road. Remember, Charlie and Ewan have a whole team to support them and help get them through their adventures. For off road, stick to something like a CRF 250 or equivalent bike weighing less than 130kgs...

You can get larger capacity offroad bikes that are much more capable from KTM etc, at least in the dry and on faster more open terrain than the smaller Japanese bikes, this is riding abroad mind, not in the UK.
You can modify a GS too at a cost, in fact someone who rode a factory BMW recommend i get a KTM!
I guess the CRF 250 is like a slightly more capable Serow, it looks like a return to form for Honda.

Does anyone remember Mondo Enduro with Austin Vince? It was before the thing Ewan Mcgregor did.
I remember Chris Scott recommending in the program that they use bigger capacity bikes for their round the world trip other than the DR 350s they'd chosen, i think Austin Vince said they'd be fine...cut to the next shot in the film where they're rebuilding the gearbox on one of the bikes in Prague!
I think Austin's wife Lois Price also has some smashing books about motorcycle travel, obviously there's Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon too.

 

[GT]

Thanks Graham - that's my lunch break sorted for a good while! Tough bikes those CRFs : )

I think Noraly also used Royal Enfield singles in several of her adventures. A 350 Bullet and a Himalayan I seem to remember. Both appeared to be pretty robust and reliable.

 

[rocky raccoon]

I think Noraly also used Royal Enfield singles in several of her adventures. A 350 Bullet and a Himalayan I seem to remember. Both appeared to be pretty robust and reliable.

I think she's on one now in India.
My list:
MBK 49 cc Ovetto scooter. Then I learned about 2 strokes, which led to.......

MBK 70cc Ovetto, liquid cooled race engine, exhaust, internal rotor ignition, big reed box, 28mm carb, uprated transmission etc. Quite the rocket, but more time underneath it than riding it....

Honda CBR125RR. Significantly slower than the above, but more reliable and the fuel economy was incredible

Honda CBR600F3. Significantly faster than all the above, and it goes around corners. I rode it today !

Honda CBR 929 Fireblade. Significantly faster than all the above. A bit flighty on bumpy roads at full chat but a tremendous crutch rocket. I wish I hadn't sold it but I don't have the space for three bikes because I bought a

CBR1000RR Fireblade - Significantly faster than all the above. Rode it for a month and realised I was 10mph faster in known corners without trying. Fantastic rocket ship. You don't know what fast is until you try one and absolutely no drama. It flatters the rider.

 

[stevec67]

I'm no expert but I've ridden my pals DR350 off road, and that's heavy enough. Anything bigger would be very hard work to throw around off road and very definitely difficult to pick up. As others have said, nobody sane tries to take Teneres and GSs off road. They are superb road bikes though, 2 up cruising at 80 mph+ all day if laws and conditions and driver ability permit.

 

[unclefz]

Indeed Noraly is riding a royal Enfield Himalayan in India right now (well right now on utube as her content is not ‘real time’) but she is riding a pre production Indian model of the brand new Himalayan model which is cited for release on 1st November. Quite a scoop for her really as This will be RE’s first water cooled model and is eagerly awaited worldwide.

 

[cj66]

Indeed, I've been watching her latest adventure on the RE. A larger engine at 450cc than the older model and looks are much improved.
It's slated for coming here as is the Triumph/Bajaj 400 speed & scrambler. The two next contenders on my list...

 

[unclefz]

Indeed, I've been watching her latest adventure on the RE. A larger engine at 450cc than the older model and looks are much improved.
It's slated for coming here as is the Triumph/Bajaj 400 speed & scrambler. The two next contenders on my list...

Yes, both on my list too.

 

[paulfromcamden]

obviously there's Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon too.

Dreaming of Jupiter where he retraces his trip 20+ years later is worth a read too.

 

[Svein]

I found some pictures.
The Yamaha DT50, photo from July 1980. Location is Larsbu by Randsverk - Jotunheimen. Together with a friend who ran a Gilera 50 we spent two weeks driving around in Jotunheimen during the summer holidays.

Suzuki GSX750, borrowed from a late friend. Photo dated July 1982 - my younger brother testing the bike before I drove away. Smooth bike, but somewhat lazy and very different compared to the GSX750ES I bought in 1984. I loved to drive the Suzuki GSX750ES, great feeling of the road. Fast, nimble, powerful and able to carry high speed. There are pictures in the existence of both this (the 750ES had the colour red) and a green metallic Kawasaki SR650 I owned, but I don't have access to them anymore.

The Honda XLV750R, photo from 1993. Powerful and stable no matter what the type of road - a joy to ride.

 

[richardg]

I just got rid of my long owned Yamaha XJ900s Diversion under the ULEZ scheme. I have ownded it for 25 years and was in just fair condition and high mileage of 70,000 but the engine had a few more years life in it. These are good bikes shame they are out lawed by pollution standards. If I get another bike I may get a Kawaskai VN900. I dont want a chain driven bike and a rubber band drive is as close to a shaft as you can get re-maintenance. And a 2007/2008 one can be bought for not much money 2nd hand with low miles & in good condition as these are normally "Sunday bikes", that will still meet ULEZ standards.

What's the problem with chains? I snapped one on 1986 on my MBX125 and that was through neglect. I have a shaft drive BMW and it feels rubbish. There is a clunk every time it engages. It's only done 6500 miles so I assume they all do it.

 

[richardg]

I found some pictures.
The Yamaha DT50, photo from July 1980. Location is Larsbu by Randsverk - Jotunheimen. Together with a friend who ran a Gilera 50 we spent two weeks driving around in Jotunheimen during the summer holidays.

Suzuki GSX750, borrowed from a late friend. Photo dated July 1982 - my younger brother testing the bike before I drove away. Smooth bike, but somewhat lazy and very different compared to the GSX750ES I bought in 1984. I loved to drive the Suzuki GSX750ES, great feeling of the road. Fast, nimble, powerful and able to carry high speed. There are pictures in the existence of both this (the 750ES had the colour red) and a green metallic Kawasaki SR650 I owned, but I don't have access to them anymore.

The Honda XLV750R, photo from 1993. Powerful and stable no matter what the type of road - a joy to ride.

XLV650R that is not a Transalp? I don't recognise this bike at all. Was it a rare rally / Dakar / enduro version?

 

[mercalia]

What's the problem with chains? I snapped one on 1986 on my MBX125 and that was through neglect. I have a shaft drive BMW and it feels rubbish. There is a clunk every time it engages. It's only done 6500 miles so I assume they all do it.

They wear out need lubing and go rusty if left out side & need adusting.. When they do need replacing you need to replace the sprockets and that is some thing you have to pay to get done. In the 55,000 miles of my Yamaha Diversion ownewrship all I had to do was to change the oil every so often. I will miss that bike a lot but living in London no choice as fitting catalytic converters would have cost £500+. sad day. I never had any shaft drive issues with my bike but then I am not a boy racer and dawdle around. Maybe its a BMW thing or maybe next service ask?

 

[Svein]

XLV650R that is not a Transalp? I don't recognise this bike at all. Was it a rare rally / Dakar / enduro version?

I don't know, some info here.