Motorcycles

[che57vy]

I know everyone has there favorites in motorcycles and they all have there problems, I think the best trouble free one I had was a 750 Honda tho it did handle like crap and the 750 Kawasaki two stoke would scare the heck out of you it was so fast. My Spyder feels like it would like to pull the front end in the air.

[coz]

if only it could:yikes::yikes::yikes::thumbup:

[NancysToy]

My favorites have probably been my Honda CB92R,

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14697&d=1234373964

my long lists of Triumphs,

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14703&d=1234374084

and my Slash 5 BMW.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14706&d=1234374293

The CB92 is a high-strung racer, and needs a lot of attention. The Triumphs are Brit bikes, they come factory-equipped with a host of problems. It is part of the mystique. The BMW has been pretty good to me. It is maintenance intensive, but fairly trouble free. My Spyder RT is fast becoming my favorite ride of all time, however. The rest of the bikes sit idle in the garage these days. My 2011 has had a few issues, mostly addressed by TSBs, but if the machine is good, you ignore those and just enjoy the ride. My Spyder is like that...much like those old Triumphs.

[MMcc]

Owned 4 of them. Never any problems. One got wrecked and the others were sold due to lack of riding after the spyder.

[boborgera]

I know everyone has there favorites in motorcycles and they all have there problems, I think the best trouble free one I had was a 750 Honda tho it did handle like crap and the 750 Kawasaki two stoke would scare the heck out of you it was so fast. My Spyder feels like it would like to pull the front end in the air.

There was only one bike that made me *ascared*, And that was a fully worked Suzuki TL 1000.
Most Super Bikes are so fast and smooth that you don't have time to get *ascared* on them.
*Brooklynese*

[StriperKing]

Kawasaki KZ1000. I have had three and will have another! If Kawasaki comes out with a 3-wheeler??????
Had an 84 Kawasaki 900 Eleminator and really like that one but did not like the shaft drive or I would still have it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr-U7TJEXlg&feature=related

[bikeguy]

Unlike Scotty, I didn't keep any of my favorites, although I do still have a 1975 BMW R90/6 that is a nice bike. But the two that I really wish I had kept are a Yamaha RD350 and a Honda MR175 dirt bike. The Yamaha was the most fun street bike I ever owned. It was so light and agile that it felt almost like a dirt bike. Top speed was a shade under 100 MPH but it accelerated really hard, handled extremely well, and stopped better than anything I'd ever been on. The MR175 wasn't the best dirt bike I've ever owned but, at the time, it handled so much better than the stuff I was used to riding that it kinda taught me how to ride dirt. I should have kept them both.

Cotton

[rnet]

My favorite is my 05 1100 vstar. Not one problem to date. Spyder comes in second unless I'm riding 2 up.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Hands down 750 NORTON COMMANDO.....:thumbup:

[napper39]

i liked the 900 kaw.eleminator also nic fast and fun to ride.my triumph both of them 650 bonny tt spacialno batt.ran off a magneito.and a 750 trident.

[napper39]

i ment to say no batt magneto i lkked these too ive had 53.so too many to show and i didnt get pictures of them all.:yikes:

[SteveMac]

Here was my favorite and I'll have another to restore. Was bulletproof.

[BajaRon]

A Sampling....

My 1969 Kawasaki A7-Avenger - 350 Scrambler

http://members.cox.net/bajaron/Motorcycles/1970KawAvengerA7.jpg


My 1970 Kawasaki Tripple - 500cc (Danger Will Robinson....!)

http://members.cox.net/bajaron/Motorcycles/KawasakiH1.jpg


My 1975 Can-Am 250

http://members.cox.net/bajaron/Motorcycles/Mr045.jpg


I forget what year my 441 BSA was...

http://members.cox.net/bajaron/Motorcycles/441_lhs_450.jpg


2006 Suzuki M109R (super bike!)

http://members.cox.net/bajaron/Motorcycles/Dragon.jpg

[WackyDan]

35516

1986 Yamaha FZX (Fazer) 700. Inline four Genesis 5 valves per cylinder. Imported from Japan for only two years in the U.S. A bit longer for Canada which got a 750cc model... and far longer in Europe... Still has a cult following there. This bike was so quick light to light that I was beating brand new 750's + in 98 with this thing. Styled after the Vmax. I miss this bike and maybe someday I can find another one.

[prmurat]

I still have my 94 Vmax and for me it's the best bike I ever had, I had an 86 (stolen) but I prefer the 94 with its better fork and brakes... Did some work in the frame to get it where I want.... Of the 18 bikes + Spyder I still have the order would after the Vmax: Norton Commando, Kawasaki H2, Kawasaki S2, vincent Egli, Honda cb450, Yamaha XT500, Vmax 09 (for sale to finance maybe an Ural), Yamaha Xt 250 & 225, Enfield Interceptor, Triumph X75, Yamaha XS650, Honda SL350, Laverda 750SF, Jawa Californian, Norton 400ES, Yankee Z.
Philippe

[ARtraveler]

Like a lot of others, I have owned over 30 motorcycles since 1964. All were rice burners. I had mechanical problems with only ONE of these. My 1984 Yamaha Venture--it had carbureator problems--but dealer fixed it under warranty.

Of the three :spyder2:'s I have owned none has had major problems--but there have been more fixes on these than the combined total of all the others. This is the nature of the beast though--high technology, totally new vehicle concept, etc. etc. Therefore I am not complaining. I like my :spyder2: and am waiting for bigger/quieter engine in the same type of three wheel configuration.

I still have my 2009 Vulcan 900 LT--and that has had no problems from day 1. Kawasaki is the winning brand--counting my current Vulcan, I have had 7 kawi's.

Just writing about this brings back many fond memories over the years.

[StriperKing]

35516

1986 Yamaha FZX (Fazer) 700. Inline four Genesis 5 valves per cylinder. Imported from Japan for only two years in the U.S. A bit longer for Canada which got a 750cc model... and far longer in Europe... Still has a cult following there. This bike was so quick light to light that I was beating brand new 750's + in 98 with this thing. Styled after the Vmax. I miss this bike and maybe someday I can find another one.
I really liked this bike as well and yes they were fast!

[NancysToy]

.....I forget what year my 441 BSA was...

http://members.cox.net/bajaron/Motorcycles/441_lhs_450.jpg


Oh no! Now I'm gonna have to see the therapist again. :roflblack: My Victor and my Honda CB550 run a close race as the very worst bikes I ever owned. There are lots of rides that I miss, but those two aren't among them.

[bikeguy]

My 1975 Can-Am 250

http://members.cox.net/bajaron/Motorcycles/Mr045.jpg




Can-Ams were good dirt bikes back in the '70's. I never knew why they quit making them. When the Can-Am brand was brought back with the ATV's, UTV's, etc. I thought they might get back in the dirt bike business and give KTM a run for their money but I guess not.

Cotton

[arntufun]

A bike similar to my dads growing up. I always fell asleep on the back, so comfy.

35519

[dancogan]

I think my favorite would have to be my most recent - a BMW R1200GSA. It's as much at home on a dirt road as on pavement, pulls like a tractor with a very easy to modulate throttle, and I can ride it in comfort all day.35520 It's great 2-up. We've put over 3,000 miles on it in the past 2 months.

The only fly in the ointment was a test ride I did yesterday at the BMW dealer. I had no intention of ever buying one, but I rode the BMW K1600GTL. It has a mere 160 hp, torque from about 1500 rpm and is incredibly easy to handle. Must stop thinking about it ... must stop thinking about it ... must stop ....

[Bob Denman]

I had a 1983 Gold Wing Interstate that I think was my favorite... Anti-dive forks and a unified braking system; stuff that was a bit ahead of its time...

Ron, You had an H1?? :shocked: :2thumbs: They had a powerband that was ferocious! The H2s seemed rather tame by comparison...:roflblack:

[Bob Denman]

Question: Why do the British like to drink warm beer?
Answer: Because Lucas also made refrigerators!! :roflblack:

[DietitianBill]

<img style="width: 388px; height: 253px;" src="attachment.php?attachmentid=35525&stc=1" attachmentid="35525" alt="" id="vbattach_35525" class="previewthumb">

My RC51 was my favorite of all time. this photo was of me at BMP back in 2003. You can see the outriggers I used to use for street riding almost hitting the curbing...Awesome Bike!

[BajaRon]

Oh no! Now I'm gonna have to see the therapist again. :roflblack: My Victor and my Honda CB550 run a close race as the very worst bikes I ever owned. There are lots of rides that I miss, but those two aren't among them.

My 441 was a BEAST! My friends called the seat a 'Canned Ham' because it was about the same shape, size and feel. I could never talk anyone into starting it because it would break your foot if it backfired (loved the compression relase but you couldn't even turn it over without it being pulled in).

Shifter on the right, brake on the left! :yikes: In a pannic I just mashed down on both sides to be sure I stopped!

Going down the road it was hard to tell if it was really bad pavment or just engine vibration!

It sounded great and looked awesome, but that was the end of the thrill for this ride. Loved my 1971 CB750 though. I remember people giving me a hard time saying no one needed a motorcycle that big. Little did they know....

[BajaRon]

Can-Ams were good dirt bikes back in the '70's. I never knew why they quit making them. When the Can-Am brand was brought back with the ATV's, UTV's, etc. I thought they might get back in the dirt bike business and give KTM a run for their money but I guess not.

Cotton

The rotary valve, oil injected Rotax 250 engine was an absolute rocket ship. No one could touch it in a smooth, straight line. Alas, off roading is rarely smooth or striaight, and this is where the Can-Am failed. With very poor suspension you were only in 1st place going into the 1st turn. I think it would have make a great flat track machine. But I loved this bike. Started easy, great low end, mid range and top end too. I used to beat Yamaha 360's all the time with it and not even close.

I too am surprised that Can-Am has not gotten back into the dirt bike world. And I agree, they could give KTM a run for their money. But the field is pretty crowded. I'm sure BRP's marketing people have looked at it.

[BajaRon]

I had a 1983 Gold Wing Interstate that I think was my favorite... Anti-dive forks and a unified braking system; stuff that was a bit ahead of its time...

Ron, You had an H1?? :shocked: :2thumbs: They had a powerband that was ferocious! The H2s seemed rather tame by comparison...:roflblack:

Yes, a beautiful, candy apple red H1. It had about a 50 RPM power band, but you knew when you were there! :yikes: Litterally, if you were not hanging on when you hit the power band this bike would leave you. 1st gear was a waste of time. You could NOT afford to hit the power band with any throttle applied while in 1st gear.

The frame was made out of rubber (or it felt like it). The forks were off a toy bicycle and the rubber bushings in the swing arm didn't help either. I got a steering stabilizer after nearly getting killed doing a tank slapper at about 125mph one day. But this was one of the most fun bikes I ever owned. Always wanted to put the expansion chambers on it but never did. I think this bike weighed something like 385 lbs dry and not that much more wet. I was in heaven on this bike.

[ARtraveler]

Dancogan: So you rode the BMW 1600 GTL. I wanted to do the same thing. I really read the specs hard and drooled at the fact that I could have all the luxuries of the GW but shave off a couple hundred pounds--putting the bike in the same weight range as my Vulcan 900--which I can handle very nicely.

The only problem was, I was worried about the seat being an inch or so to high for me.

The dealer here had only one. He said it was not for sale, and no test rides. Go figure. That took care of my drooling for the BMW. Then, some of the magazines did a test comparison (I think it was Rider & Cycle World) of the BMW and the GW. The GW won of course--so that also cooled me down a bit.

No arguement started here I hope--I know the GW is not a BMW and vice versa--they are unique to themselves--and are kind of an apple to orange comparison--with the BMW being more "sport" and the GW being more "touring".

Still don't know what the final outcome will be on that--still want that bigger, quieter engine, with all the amenities that I am now used to. I still would like to experience that when I purchase my final motorcycle.

[dancogan]

...The dealer here had only one. He said it was not for sale, and no test rides. Go figure...

The BMW dealer near here always has demo's available and is very good about putting you on a bike. I was going to suggest finding another dealer, but maybe you don't have a lot of choices where you are! :roflblack:

The nice thing about the K1600 was that it just doesn't seem like a heavy bike. The standard seat is below 30", and a lower seat is available. The weight is really low so I never felt like I had to exert any effort to keep it upright like at red lights or other stops. And it was cruising very lazily at 75mph and about 3500 rpm.

[NancysToy]

The BMW dealer near here always has demo's available and is very good about putting you on a bike. I was going to suggest finding another dealer, but maybe you don't have a lot of choices where you are! :roflblack:

The nice thing about the K1600 was that it just doesn't seem like a heavy bike. The standard seat is below 30", and a lower seat is available. The weight is really low so I never felt like I had to exert any effort to keep it upright like at red lights or other stops. And it was cruising very lazily at 75mph and about 3500 rpm.
:lecturef_smilie: Don't start that sales pitch stuff! Besides the "must stop thinking about it" thing, you will kindly add "I must stop talking about it ... must stop talking ... must stop ...

I refuse to ride one, lest I like the darned thing.

[ARtraveler]

Only one dealer in my area--so that kind of narrowed down my options. We run into that a lot here in AK. When they are the only game in town--they are pretty hard to work with.

[dancogan]

...I refuse to ride one, lest I like the darned thing.

Wish you had told ME that! :roflblack:

[napper39]

i for got to show my canam dirt bike and here it is with my son ,a 250 and it was fast ,also my 500 single matchless.like the other guy said i loved the comprashin release,because it could brake your leg if it was not there.:thumbup::chat:

[NancysToy]

I probably hated my Victor so much because it didn't have a compression release. If the cable broke on those, the compression release parts often came out and went through the engine, destroying it. The answer to a broken cable was to put in a bolt in the compression release hole, which left you with no compression release. Combined with the relatively low kickstart throw ratio, long stroke, and high compression ratio, it made my 441 a real bear to start! It made my Sportster and my old Indian Chief look like child's play.

[Bob Denman]

[QUOTE=BajaRon;385922]Yes, a beautiful, candy apple red H1. It had about a 50 RPM power band, but you knew when you were there!.. . Always wanted to put the expansion chambers on it but never did. QUOTE]
I rode an H2 once with a set of Dencos hanging out the back... The guy told me to short-shift and ride it at least a geat higher than what might feel right... (He was following me on my wing...)
I never got near the power and it was actually a rerlatively smooth, quiet and not-quite-comfortable ride! :2thumbs:
But I felt like I was hanging onto a hand grenade that had the pin pulled already...:yikes:

[patdcop]

<img style="width: 388px; height: 253px;" src="attachment.php?attachmentid=35525&stc=1" attachmentid="35525" alt="" id="vbattach_35525" class="previewthumb">

My RC51 was my favorite of all time. this photo was of me at BMP back in 2003. You can see the outriggers I used to use for street riding almost hitting the curbing...Awesome Bike!

That is cool, RESPECT

[Oldmanzues]

I probably hated my Victor so much because it didn't have a compression release. If the cable broke on those, the compression release parts often came out and went through the engine, destroying it. The answer to a broken cable was to put in a bolt in the compression release hole, which left you with no compression release. Combined with the relatively low kickstart throw ratio, long stroke, and high compression ratio, it made my 441 a real bear to start! It made my Sportster and my old Indian Chief look like child's play.

I have to ask. Did you ever own a BSA dbd34 Gold Star ? I loved it, but most, if not all people today would not put up with problems on that thing.

Lucus voting machines elected Clinton, Queen of England. Tee shirt, Lucus switch = off- dim - flicker. If you have never had the """" Pleasure """" of dealing with the old Lucus, you should be glad. The company was known as the Prince of Darkness.
OldmanZues

[Allensr]

fJR1300& present DL650

[NancysToy]

I have to ask. Did you ever own a BSA dbd34 Gold Star ? I loved it, but most, if not all people today would not put up with problems on that thing.

Lucus voting machines elected Clinton, Queen of England. Tee shirt, Lucus switch = off- dim - flicker. If you have never had the """" Pleasure """" of dealing with the old Lucus, you should be glad. The company was known as the Prince of Darkness.
OldmanZues
Yes, I owned a Goldie. I got it as a basket case with a dismantled engine, when a guy whose Hornet I rebuilt couldn't pay me. It was not much more temperamental than any Brit bike, or at least any Brit single. It started easier than my Victor, too. Better kickstart throw ratio...and that compression release worked. I still have Lucas six-volt electrics on my 1965 Bonneville, and I have owned a lot of Triumphs. I am very familiar with Joseph Lucas' products. There was an entire book made of witty Lucas sayings and jokes.

[SheWolf]

This is my baby. All modded in his full glory.
35813
35814
35815Full size if you click the pics.:D I lurv mah bike.

[Bill Las Vegas]

My favorite is my 1999 BMW F650

[Hawk]

When I was young, I wanted a dirt bike so bad, but alas we could not afford it. I wanted a Ninja when they came out, but never got one. I ended up when I turned 18 getting:
Honda NT650 Hawk GT
35834

My next bike was a Honda 919 (years later)
35835
Then I finally bought my first dirtbike, Honda CRF230F
35836
After a couple of years, I upgraded to a Honda CRF450X(which I still own):
35837

It has sat in my basement for the last couple of years, due to me having a bad back and out of shape. One day, it will be dusted off!!!

Since those are all the bike's I have owned. They are all my favorites. I think the fact that me and my wife get use out of the Spyder RTS and it lets us do this together, it is my favorite!!!

[Bob Denman]

Those Hawk GTs were a fun ride... :thumbup:
I had a GB500 from about that era... :2thumbs: Same fun but less horsepower :opps:

[Hawk]

Those Hawk GTs were a fun ride... :thumbup:
I had a GB500 from about that era... :2thumbs: Same fun but less horsepower :opps:

Yeah, it was a good bike.