Anyone Else As Crazy As I Am - Bikes

[Canuck750]

In the immortal and wise words of Cheryl Crowe; "If It Makes You Happy It Can't Be That Bad"

I look at bikes all the time and usually tell myself no more! and then along comes another Italian lost cause that just needs to be saved. As for new bikes I was looking at a line up of new Aprilia machines this afternoon, great detail on these bikes.

I took my Ducati 860 out for its second long run today, I really like this bike, its not too loud or too fast but it is fun to ride and gets a lot of attention. I can't wait to get my Morini 500 on the road once a new ignition coil arrives in the post. I would still like to get a Benelli 750 Sei and I have a friend trying to get me to bite on a Ducati 750 GT 'project' that is missing a lot pf parts and need of major surgery. Then there is the Aermacchi 350 TVR I am looking for, the Motobi 250 Barracuda, a Guzzi pre-war bacon slicer 500 ……...

[rschrum]

Just sold my MV Agusta F4, zx14R Kawasaki and Ducati S4RS. Sold the KTM RC8R last year. Now looking for a Tuono V4 Factory, Brutale 1090 Corsa and a Rosa Corsa. Yes its a sickness.

[Sykestone8886]

I too lust over lots of different bikes. It's probably a good thing I'm not rich. I wouldn't be able to get into my garage. Being retired I have to watch my pennies , I'm just thankful for what I have and healthy enough to still enjoy the ride !!!

[greer]

I am a nut case, for sure.  I need to enjoy looking at the bike as much as riding it.  My MT-07 is a fine motorcycle but it's about as fun to look at as our Exmark mower.  Right now I'm thinking on a blue V7 Special and the RE INT650 in Orange Crush.

Sarah

[Chuck in Indiana]

^^^^ either of those is much easier on the eyes than a modern insectazoid *thing* Sarah.. good choice. 

[LesP]

If there is a next bike it will be another old one to add to the old ones I have.

[Dave Swanson]

I am a nut case, for sure.  I need to enjoy looking at the bike as much as riding it.  My MT-07 is a fine motorcycle but it's about as fun to look at as our Exmark mower.  Right now I'm thinking on a blue V7 Special and the RE INT650 in Orange Crush.

Sarah

Sarah,  both bikes worth salivating over, but I think the V7 would be a bit more fun and shaft drive is always a good thing. Those REs do look nice.

I saw this V7 Special yesterday in the silver livery.  It was stunning!

[Dave Swanson]

If there is a next bike it will be another old one to add to the old ones I have.

Where's the "like" button!    Les, is this yours?  I forget what you have for old ones?? 

[JohninVT]

I'll probably get this as soon as they come to the states.

The only thing better than a new CT125 would be TWO CT125’s.  One for you and one for your wife/daughter/son/partner/etc.  They’re going to be too much fun not to share.

[wirespokes]

That CT125 reminds me of the Yamaha 80 a neighbor in 1965 had. He took me out to a nearby dirt road and showed me how to ride it. I've had bikes ever since.

[JJ]

If there is a next bike it will be another old one to add to the old ones I have.

In addition to what I posted previously (above), I would not mind having something like THIS vintage beauty as well!!

[s1120]

The only thing better than a new CT125 would be TWO CT125’s.  One for you and one for your wife/daughter/son/partner/etc.  They’re going to be too much fun not to share.

Yes!  Becouse its not like your out riding with your buddys on a GS1200 with it.. :)  Brings me back to the days hanging with friends. Me on my ATC90 or Mini Trail. Them on their ST90, ATC 70, or mini bikes..  They need to sell them in two packs..  :)

[blackcat]

I'd have to sell a bike to buy a bike as I can no longer put anymore bikes in the garage and the only bike I'd consider selling is the Norge but it's worth close to zip so I'm not going to give it away.  Plus, six bikes is way more than enough machines in terms of riding them regularly and maintenance rotation. 

[larrys]

 

Holy crap! $12.5K really?

I returned to the sport about a year ago after a ten year hiatus (back problems). From the late 70's to the mid 90's I had a big, to me, revolving stable. Brits and Guzzis for the most part, 6 to 10 bikes at any given time. My Cal and Bonneville are the last from those days. The Triumph I've owned since '74, the Cal since '01. They're keepers. I bought the Monster last fall. It scratched an itch that I have had since I saw one in the early 90's. I thought that my hopped up Lemans IV was fast, the Monster gives me new meaning for fast. I feel like Kev M does about his Ducati, real fun but not for long rides. My Cal fills that niche. The Bonneville hasn't run in ten years, it may be this winter's project.
I look at all the new bikes and think that they're all cooler than chunky peanut butter, but I have no desire to add another one to the gang. I just don't need or want any more stuff.
Larry

[John Warner]

If you're into Bikes, it's not 'crazy' to want another, no matter what (or how many) you have already, is it?

I'd like to have back some of the Bikes I've owned in the past;
 Le Mans MKII
 Yamaha IT465 Enduro
 CR500 Supermoto
 RD500LC
 RD400s,
 Guzzi 1100 Sport (a friend has that now, so I will get to ride it again, once he's finished the cosmetic do-over).

 My Stelvio does everything I want at the moment, and there's nothing really that tempts me in the way of modern/recent Bikes, as I really don't want/need all the complexity that they cram into them.

 When my Wife and I retire next year, and we downsize and move to Portugal, I'll be making sure I have enough 'spare' cash to get a few interesting 'toys'.
 Lots of dirt tracks/trails to explore out there, so a mid-size Enduro will be one of them.

If you like doing your own maintenance (or just hate forking out $$$/£££/€€€ for someone else to do it), I'd steer clear of KTMs/Ducatis.

[Guzzistajohn]

Nahhh not me man.

[LesP]

Where's the "like" button!    Les, is this yours?  I forget what you have for old ones??

Yes Dave.
From the dispatch record.


Way back in 1957 somewhere on the east coast someone got contacted to be told/informed their new Triumph was ready to pick up.

Your bike TR6 05938 was one of 200 USA spec bikes made in that batch.

The engine was built on Thursday 28th February 1957 with the following specs.
Lucas Auto advance magneto, E3610 (8.5:1 CR) pistons and Tachometer (RC109) and USA spec.

The bike was built on Tuesday 5th march 1957 US spec so high Flanders handlebars.

It was dispatched on Wednesday 6th march 1957 to Triumph Corp (east coast).

These specs make it a TR6A model which had low pipes on each side and twin instruments.
Colour would be Aztec Red and ivory.

[Perazzimx14]

Hard to tell???  Clearly it will be yet another GS!

Nah...............W ell maybe...……………

[LongRanger]

It’s the online auction sites that get me in trouble. It’s too easy to find a desirable bike from your past, don your rose-colored goggles, and jump in feet first. This pristine, low-mile RD350 that found itself in my garage was one such adventure. It brought me back 40 years but, sadly, we’ve all been spoiled by newer machinery. It simply wasn’t satisfying or enjoyable to actually ride. That one sobered me up pronto.

[JJ]

Back in 1977, my buddy Mike and I, (age 22), walked into Danbury Yamaha, in CT, and bought a matching pair of blue RD400's just like these.







They were two-stroke, light, 6-speed, quick and FAST, and were called "The Giant Killer" back then.  Brakes and handling were reasonable for the time.  I think we paid something like $1195 MSRP.  Those were the days....

[greer]

^^^^ Thank you for the V7 Special pictures, Dave!  That is nice but the blue is just flat out snazzy, to my eye.  The draw of the Interceptor is that beautiful polished engine, sucked me in right from the get-go.  I'm not sure the upswept exhaust will allow room for my SKB side cases, so that may very well knock it in the head.  I do wish I could touch down a bit better on the V7, those fat side plates make for a pretty good spraddle, and the easy reach on the Nevada has me spoiled.

Sarah 

[s1120]

Back in 1977, my buddy Mike and I, (age 22), walked into Danbury Yamaha, in CT, and bought a matching pair of blue RD400's just like these.







They were two-stroke, light, 6-speed, quick and FAST, and were called "The Giant Killer" back then.  Brakes and handling were reasonable for the time.  I think we paid something like $1195 MSRP.  Those were the days....

Rode a RD400 for years. Sold it about 10 years ago becouse it was just sitting. Kids, and new house and stuff took me off two wheels for a while.   

[Bulldog9]

Yes................

As we jus celebrated the 4th here in the USA, I was reminded of what my 'herd' looked like before I was infected with Guzzi in 2015.







I've owned the white XS since 1984(ish) and the Red since 2005 or so.  I rode the FJR from 2008-2015. I still have the XS bikes, and are in storage till I retire. Will be interesting to see how I feel about them after not riding for so many years. I put 134K miles on the XS from 84-96 when I mostly retired it from daily riding and entered the 'water cooled stage' with a Concours, FZ6, Fz1, and FJR..... That ended when I 'discovered' the Griso....

I bought the Griso in 2015, then the Norge 2016, then added a Stornello 2018. Last year 2019, I swapped the Norge for an MGX which was a mistake, but I sold the MGX this spring (thankfully with virtually no loss) and picked up a Convert which I truly love. I'm slowly building confidence in the Convert for making it a long distance bike, but I am learning that it isn't the best choice for twisties or canyon carving. It loves sweepes and a more sedate pace. NOTHING wrong with that.






I love the Griso, and still want to engage in higher speed LD rides with more technical roads, and was toying with the idea of adding serious luggage to the Griso, so I 'd  have the back/dirt road LD bike, the Convert for more sedate, and Griso for sporting. But I don't want to mess with it's brute sporting nature.




The Stornello "TT" is a ton of fun, and serves as the only 'dual purpose bike' I've done several dirt/gravel trips on it, and it is fine on al but the highway or trails. It is nice to have a bike that I don't have to turn around when the pavement ends.




I just love the Griso, can't imagine parting with it




The Convert is definitely a keeper for life, long term hope is to add a side car.







But because I am sick, and missed the sweetness of the Breva/Norge Chassis, and have always loved the look of the 1200 Sport, in 2 weeks I am doing a fly and ride to add this beauty to the collection, will likely be my LD sport/touring bike. buying from another WG member Ohiorider. Can't wait to give this well loved bike it's second home, and continue to put serious miles on it.








What's next???? I have no idea, but there will be something I am sure, but other than an older Eldo, there is not much out there creating an itch. Will be interesting to see what Guzzi has up it's sleeve.  If they do a street version of the V85 chassis with classic look (ala V7) I'm sure one will find it's way to me.....   Then there are cars.............. lol............

[Tom]

It’s the online auction sites that get me in trouble. It’s too easy to find a desirable bike from your past, don your rose-colored goggles, and jump in feet first. This pristine, low-mile RD350 that found itself in my garage was one such adventure. It brought me back 40 years but, sadly, we’ve all been spoiled by newer machinery. It simply wasn’t satisfying or enjoyable to actually ride. That one sobered me up pronto.

Did you get of it?

[Tkelly]

Ride one of those fine bikes to the Wisconsin rally.Joe Block has a lot of classic bikes near the rally and may give us a viewing.We will ride to wildcat mountain and Rockton for lunch Saturday.

[LowRyter]

I quit riding motorcycle when I got a car license and didn't ride again until I was 25.  I took my brother-in-law's Suzuki 550 triple for a couple of hours ride.  When I got the cash I purchased a Seca 550 Yamaha and kept it for 17 years.

[Canuck750]

I think I have found my go to classic ride - I have got my 1975 860 GT on the road and have put about 100Km on it this week, I am happy to report it is a very nice ride, smooth, brakes are good enough, has enough power to get out of the way and the riding position is upright and comfortable.

The seat could be more comfortable but that is an easy fix. Compared to the V7 Sport I find the Ducati to have a little more pep and more comfortable to ride for my 5'-9" frame. At highway speed the Ducati is very stable but I don't think I would want to take it for an all day ride, the Eldorado wins in that department.

[Tom]

 

[JJ]

I quit riding motorcycle when I got a car license and didn't ride again until I was 25.  I took my brother-in-law's Suzuki 550 triple for a couple of hours ride.  When I got the cash I purchased a Seca 550 Yamaha and kept it for 17 years.

Back in the day (1976-1978), living and working in the Danbury, CT area, we use buy and drive a "BEATER" winter car, (worth about $275-$300), then, sell it in the spring, and ride our motorcycles all spring / summer / fall...

Usually the car was  BIG, heavy, beater car, like a Ford Fairlane, Pontiac LeMans, Dodge Monaco,  etc....and then we would place one or two 50 pound bags of rock salt in the trunk for ballast...   Those were the days!!

[Lannis]

Since I have both old (60 year old) and new (5 year old) bikes to ride, it's not "chronological culture shock" or "rose colored glass" syndrome for me when I get on an R5 or T500 or CT-3 like I used to own and ride.   

My RD400, for example, was a great bike by even today's standards, power, handling, brakes, vibration, etc.   And even the less-refined '72 R5 ... I used to ride it a LONG way and still would if I had one ....

Lannis