Author Topic: Bought meself a new used bike  (Read 853 times)

Online faffi

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Bought meself a new used bike
« on: June 10, 2026, 04:36:41 PM »
Although the Roamer is still looking for a new owner, a bike I have wanted since it first appeared in the summer of 2001 turned up for sale. Low mileage - 22kkm / 14kmi - and a very sensible price. The bike, a Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog, is from the factory what I have tried to make my Virago into. Basically, it has a much larger fuel tank, wide wheels for radial tires and strong brakes lifted from the original R1. And I dig its looks. But then again I also loved the looks of the original CX500, so my taste can be debated :grin:

Will pick it up during one of the coming weeks.
Current bikes:
2018 V9 Roamer
1982 XV750/1100 mongrel
1990 XT600Z
2001 NT650V in bits

Offline inditx

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2026, 04:50:09 PM »
I wish those were available here in the US of A
I’ve always liked those
Enjoy!
inditx
inditx

This is the day.....

Online Huzo

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2026, 05:03:36 PM »
Looks like an 1100 Breva in places.

Offline SIR REAL ED

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2026, 06:03:16 PM »
Although the Roamer is still looking for a new owner, a bike I have wanted since it first appeared in the summer of 2001 turned up for sale. Low mileage - 22kkm / 14kmi - and a very sensible price. The bike, a Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog, is from the factory what I have tried to make my Virago into. Basically, it has a much larger fuel tank, wide wheels for radial tires and strong brakes lifted from the original R1. And I dig its looks. But then again I also loved the looks of the original CX500, so my taste can be debated :grin:

Will pick it up during one of the coming weeks.

It is a funny duck, but something I have always wanted to try out.  Enjoy!!

2019 Beta EVO 250
1999 Suzuki DR 650 w/790cc kit
1994, 2001, & 2002 MZ Skorpions

Online faffi

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2026, 12:32:29 AM »
Looks like an 1100 Breva in places.

German magazine MOTORRAD loved it and tested it many times against all sorts of machines, including the Breva 750 and 1100, Harley Sporster models, Buell X9, KTM 640 Duke, Ducati 1000 Monster, Guzzi V11 something, BMW Scarver 650 and more. The Bulldog usually ended up in the lower positions.
Current bikes:
2018 V9 Roamer
1982 XV750/1100 mongrel
1990 XT600Z
2001 NT650V in bits

Online faffi

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2026, 05:31:16 AM »
For the odd and unlikely chance one of you may be interested https://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/yamaha_bulldog.htm

Simon Bradley is a former endurance racer and Nurburgring instructor. It must be said, though, that I have not found anybody else so full of giggles and praise :lipsrsealed:
Current bikes:
2018 V9 Roamer
1982 XV750/1100 mongrel
1990 XT600Z
2001 NT650V in bits

Offline blu guzz

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2026, 05:37:37 AM »
Congrats.  On bringing a bike to the states: Yamaha did that in the 80s with the bike they called the 650 Seca here.  It had only been available in Europe as simply the "650" and was much more European than the Seca 550 and 750 offered over here.  Those bikes were more cruiserish. (you could recognize the 760 by its 8 inch deer stalker headlight, 7 was the norm) One of the mags just gushed over the bike.  Yamaha responded by bringing it to the states unamericanized for 82 and 83, like a little BMW but with an inline 4 and shaft drive.  The only problem was it was priced about the same as the 750 and in America, bigger is always better, so it languished on the floor. I acquired one in 1995 for $500.  It needed the carbs cleaned and synched which I had to pay a shop $300 to do, tires and battery, a fork seal and a torn seat cover.  All told, I had $1,000 in it.  I found it to be a fantastic bike, very balanced and smooth.  When I got my first BMW in 97, I sold it for $950 which made it the most economical bike I have ever owned.
Ride on.
Blue Guzz

Online faffi

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2026, 07:12:04 AM »
I always liked the looks of the 650, very similar to the beautiful RD350 L/C from 198-82. When I bought by 750 Seca, which was just a bit more than the 650 (40k NOK vs 37K NOK back then) I was smitten by the extra power, anti-dive forks and instrument gizmoes of the 750. It was a daft move, but it was not my first nor my last... Today, I would have gone for the 650 guaranteed, and fixed the only issue it had, which was flaccid suspension.

It is strange, looking back, how rapidly the American riders went from the touring stance to race replicas in the early 80s. To shift the Honda CB400 Fours, they had to retrofit forward pegs and tall handlebars. Other bikes that had lower bars and rearward pegs outside USA include the CB750/900/1100F, KZ1000J, XS750/850/1100, KZ750 and XZ550 Vision, among others. Then came 1983, and suddenly clip-ons became the norm also in USA. I know it started in 1981 with the Katana and continued with the GPZ550/750 in 1982, but the Seca was not considered sporty enough, probably.
Current bikes:
2018 V9 Roamer
1982 XV750/1100 mongrel
1990 XT600Z
2001 NT650V in bits

Offline Bulldog9

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2026, 07:38:03 AM »
Looks like as if Yamaha made a Griso.
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The Living: 1976 Convert, 2007 GRiSO, 2012 Norge GT, 2016 Stornello #742, 2023 V85 TT
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Offline SIR REAL ED

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2026, 07:53:18 AM »
German magazine MOTORRAD loved it and tested it many times against all sorts of machines, including the Breva 750 and 1100, Harley Sporster models, Buell X9, KTM 640 Duke, Ducati 1000 Monster, Guzzi V11 something, BMW Scarver 650 and more. The Bulldog usually ended up in the lower positions.

I would interpret that as encouraging.  It means the bike will probably respond well to a bit of personalized modifications!!

Please post some pictures when you get the beast home!
« Last Edit: June 11, 2026, 07:56:18 AM by SIR REAL ED »
2019 Beta EVO 250
1999 Suzuki DR 650 w/790cc kit
1994, 2001, & 2002 MZ Skorpions

Online faffi

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2026, 12:56:04 PM »
This is the ad, if it is open to foreigners https://www.finn.no/mobility/item/407235084

I would expect that the seller is not a photographer by profession...
Current bikes:
2018 V9 Roamer
1982 XV750/1100 mongrel
1990 XT600Z
2001 NT650V in bits

Offline Frulk

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Re: Bought meself a new used bike
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2026, 09:02:11 PM »
Good looking bike.

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