|  | Topic : Next best bike |  |
| | | telebass | | Set |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 15/10/2010 | | Posts | : | 111 | | Location | : | Maine, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 09:42 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: daz) | | |
daz wrote:
Well, true they were high. But not necessarily abnormally so. after all, we own cruisers with very low seats. Sit on your wife's tiger....feels like you're king kong on top of the empire state building doesn't it? Did to me anyways. I don't recall having to tippy toe on my GT750, but i did on the tiger. |
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Yeah, you got that right. Lowering plates - easy install, tame the Tiger.
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2010 Thunderbird SE
2010 Tiger ABS
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| | | Druid | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 1,359 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 09:43 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: daz) | | |
daz wrote:
. it was mainly the engines i felt looks junky. I was surprised, and they definately would not be my pick to replace the Tbird. I think like i eluded to i'd probably go back to the 70's to replace the Tbird if i could. But realistically that would never happen for many reasons concerning parts and service.
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Oh how disapointing.........Good tho really as I wont have to buy one 
| Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery - W.Churchill
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| | | BlueNose | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 09:43 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: Thatch) | | | Horses for courses....
Cruiser: Rocket Roadster (ok more of a Bruiser - a close second to the T'Bird)
Utility: Tiger 800 XC (had a quick ride on one and it fits and handles brilliantly)
Sport: BMW S1000RR (best on the market at the moment)
Classic: Norton 850 Commando (in black with that Wankel engine - btw you must see the film One Week)
Cafe Racer: Norton Commando 961 (beautifully engineered)
I haven't ridden the BMW or the new Norton (sat on both) but intend to (just to see if they meet my expectations).
I could have all of that for less than £50K!
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| | | mag10 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 05/02/2010 | | Posts | : | 485 | | Location | : | Wisconsin, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 13:20 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: BlueNose) | | | without a doubt the GS 800, I've had it in the back of my mind for a while to try the adventure touring program.
The new smaller tiger might shift me, but I haven't seen one yet and I have taken a demo ride on the beemer,
quite impressed.
and, just for nostalga, a early 70s honda SL350 twin scrambler.
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| | | Fordster | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 365 | | Location | : | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 14:15 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: BlueNose) | | |
BlueNose wrote:
...btw you must see the film One Week |
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Hey, I have that film. A lot of it was filmed around here. It's kind of obscure, I'm surprised you've even heard of it over there. It's a good little film.
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| | | Truss | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 17/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 146 | | Location | : | Canada |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 18:43 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: Fordster) | | | Hmmmm.......I totally forgot about Victory. I must admit, if I had to replace my bike with another cruiser it would probably be a Victory. They seem to get good reviews and are built to function properly instead of just look cool. They have good power with the new motors and seem to be reliable as well. I even have a dealer here. Not sure if I could live with the air-cooled motor but it would probably be my next choice now that I think about it.
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| | | EnGage | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,155 | | Location | : | Grand Rapids, MI, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 18:46 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: Truss) | | | The new BMW K1600GT looks promising. I suspect it will cost a pretty penny, however.
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| | | zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 19:50 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: EnGage) | | | i have no idea... i like so many.
i think thats why the tbird appealed as it ticked a lot of boxes
however i might concur with thatch
mates got an 1100 guzzi and it handles extremely well and goes like stink all 2 up. hes had 1 issue with a faulty inlet sensor in 3 years. not bad as the press was scathing on the electrics a few years ago,
something that i read in hte autumn (mcn) astounded me when they revealed bmw is terrible now for reliability since they source components from china.
old bikes - has to be the meriden bonnie or the comando.
however if your a serious classic man there is a small outlet in london building new superiors for £160 000, fancy that druid?
Link
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| | | HoopsIRL | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 09/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 161 | | Location | : | Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 22:26 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: daz) | | | daz wrote:
Ahhh, well this opens up a new can of worms. I didn't know we were taking ANY bike. I thought webike were talking about today's offerings. I had that kawi triple by the way, but one of the bikes i'd choose if no Tbird and year didn't matter would be the BETTER 2 stroke 750 triple....the suzuki water buffalo. Having had both i don't find it a very close race except in the literal sense, and there the kawi *may* edge out the suzuki, but not by much. I had the last year they made them, a 77, which by the way was also the first year of the bike that took it's place, the inline four 4 stroke. But the GT750 triple was one hell of a great bike. it might well be my choice next to the tbird. definately in the running anyways. It would also slay the Tbird in a 0-60 run. After that tho the bird would slaughter it, at least the 1700. The 1600 would have to work hard but would take it too.
there are a number of others i like like the bonnies, new and old, nortons, etc. But none could give me the kind of power rush the bird or the GT does. |
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Interesting to hear your take on the GT750 'Kettle' (as we called them) I had both the KH750 & the GT750. I remember the Kettle with much affection & frustration.....in the end, I just had to scrap it  as it just ate gearboxes - they were like butter! I owned the whole of the Suzuki GT range, and I can honestly say that it was the only one that gave me serious trouble. I raced the GT550 triple in an amateur series & used the GT500 twin to tour around Europe (having first replaced the dodgy CDI with a points set-up from the T500!!) At that time, the Kettle was my aspirational bike & I loved riding it....but I ended up very disappointed. The KH750 was a fun bike......as long as you kept the revs high and kept it out of traffic.
All in all, I still miss 2-strokes.....wish I'd had a chance to own a Silk 700S though!!
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| | | metalb00 | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 02/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 343 | | Location | : | union, nj, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 23:03 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: zolti) | | | the ducati daivel has my eye, maybe as a 2nd bike, but ive like the vrod aswell for some time now
| 2013 Thunderbird ABS Caspian Blue and Black Meercat crossover, D&D slipons, Black Wrapped Pipes, K&N air filter, Avon Grips, Hardstreet Slimline bags, Long haul dualseat, QR Sissy Bar
2012 Victory Cross Country Tour World Rally Blue Pearl and Obsidian Black Pearl
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| | | MickeyBoy | | Chaac | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 18/09/2010 | | Posts | : | 553 | | Location | : | WiNe CoUnTrY TeMeCuLa, Socialist State of Kalifornia, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Dec 2010 - 23:46 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: metalb00) | | | Mine would be the Ultra Classic Electra Glide.
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| | | coneye | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 420 | | Location | : | adelaide, Australia |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 08:02 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: MickeyBoy) | | | Since i own a rocket tourer , the answer is simple the RT3 for me , but discounting that for a new modern cruiser i think its the victory crossroads for me . .
But a bike i owned years ago , i gbot rid because it was a melon and always giving me trouble , but when performing well i do remember it being a very good bike and that was the honda vr sabre , 750 ,, it was a shaft drive and very comfortable.
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 14:56 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: coneye) | | | Just checked on GWs....sad. Honda is moving out of US production and back to Japan. They are so overstocked that there won't
be a 2011 Model. At least they haven't given up. They know the rumor mill is a cheap grind.
They did show this prototype in '08, just as the global markets turned down. I don't know what to think about
the BMW look for the top side. But, I like the idea.
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| | | feduke | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 15:03 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: Thatch) | | | No question in my mind. I'd get the bike I traded in for the TBird; the Rocket III. It's a super machine, but just more than I need. With 20,000 miles of experience on it I can't think of anything I'd rather have other than my current TBird.
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 15:13 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: feduke) | | | For the yesteryear category. Custom art deco 1930 Henderson inline 4. Link
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| | | feduke | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 15:18 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: narsisco_lopez) | | | DizzE wrote:
For me, only a new Goldwing would fill the bill. I have a dream to build something from the guts up. Sell the fairings and build a custom
cruiser.
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That would be pretty cool. You got me wishing Honda would re-release the Valkyrie (which was a great bike)... the Rune is a bit over the top for my tastes (yes, even though it IS a Tim Prentice design  ).
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I had two Valkyries and loved that bike. If they still made it I would still have one. I understand Honda dropped it because they couldn't sell the cheaper to make VTX while the Valkyrie was available. Why buy a Harley clone? If I want a Harley (that will be the day) I'll buy one.
When it came time for a new ride I wanted a big bike again and no one has ever described the Rocket as a mid size. That bike sold me on Triumph and, when the TBird was announced it looked like the exact bike I had been looking for. Turned out it was and I have lived happily ever after. But, I'd still gladly buy a new Valkyrie. It was an icon.
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| | | feduke | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 30 Dec 2010 - 15:23 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: feduke) | | | I dont know why my text wasnt printed in the above. If the Valkyrie was still available I'd have a new one. I dont know what bird brain at Honda decided to drop it but he should join up with the Brit idiot that decided to change Coke a few years ago. The most successful brand name in history (maybe) and he wants to "fix" it? That would be akin to Aston Martin reintroducing the Trabant.
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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| | | BlueNose | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 31 Dec 2010 - 13:46 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: Fordster) | | |
Fordster wrote:
BlueNose wrote:
...btw you must see the film One Week |
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Hey, I have that film. A lot of it was filmed around here. It's kind of obscure, I'm surprised you've even heard of it over there. It's a good little film. |
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Yes it is a great little film made all the more watchable with the Norton and the Canadian landscape playing staring roles. Have had a couple of great holidays over in your fine country (and I love ice hockey - my guess is that you are not an oilers fan!). Toronto to Vancover would be a great road trip!
....and if I had to pick one other bike to have it would be a Rocket III Roadster.
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| | | bigbikelupo | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 13/05/2010 | | Posts | : | 185 | | Location | : | Frankfurt, Germany |
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| | Posted : 31 Dec 2010 - 13:54 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: BlueNose) | | |
| Is there an afterlife ?
Touch my bike and figure it out.
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| | | DizzE | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/07/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,141 | | Location | : | Sunnyvale, CA, United States |
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| | Posted : 31 Dec 2010 - 14:23 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: bigbikelupo) | | | hey, lupo, I've been wondering what you have been doing with your Vic. Is that some new paint detail or did it come like that?
Have you added anything lately?
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| | | daz | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,731 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 31 Dec 2010 - 14:28 Post title : Re: Next best bike (Re: HoopsIRL) | | |
HoopsIRL wrote:
daz wrote:
Ahhh, well this opens up a new can of worms. I didn't know we were taking ANY bike. I thought webike were talking about today's offerings. I had that kawi triple by the way, but one of the bikes i'd choose if no Tbird and year didn't matter would be the BETTER 2 stroke 750 triple....the suzuki water buffalo. Having had both i don't find it a very close race except in the literal sense, and there the kawi *may* edge out the suzuki, but not by much. I had the last year they made them, a 77, which by the way was also the first year of the bike that took it's place, the inline four 4 stroke. But the GT750 triple was one hell of a great bike. it might well be my choice next to the tbird. definately in the running anyways. It would also slay the Tbird in a 0-60 run. After that tho the bird would slaughter it, at least the 1700. The 1600 would have to work hard but would take it too.
there are a number of others i like like the bonnies, new and old, nortons, etc. But none could give me the kind of power rush the bird or the GT does. |
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Interesting to hear your take on the GT750 'Kettle' (as we called them) I had both the KH750 & the GT750. I remember the Kettle with much affection & frustration.....in the end, I just had to scrap it as it just ate gearboxes - they were like butter! I owned the whole of the Suzuki GT range, and I can honestly say that it was the only one that gave me serious trouble. I raced the GT550 triple in an amateur series & used the GT500 twin to tour around Europe (having first replaced the dodgy CDI with a points set-up from the T500!!) At that time, the Kettle was my aspirational bike & I loved riding it....but I ended up very disappointed. The KH750 was a fun bike......as long as you kept the revs high and kept it out of traffic.
All in all, I still miss 2-strokes.....wish I'd had a chance to own a Silk 700S though!! |
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A man after my own heart ! I had 3 of them myself, the 750, 380, and the smaller bro to the titan, the 350 twin. Loved them all, but like you i felt the "ram air" cooled triples were better as far as reliability oddly. You'd think water cooling would have been a benefit, but i found mine started piston slapping by 7000 miles. Not unusual for 2 strokes to do that, but not that soon. My 380 never did in the 15 or 20k i had it. Still, i loved that 750. Such a fun bike, at least in my memory. I wanted the 550 which is basically the exact same bike as the 380 but bored out and bigger carbs i assume. And i also wanted a Titan, but i never got either. But i was utterly fascinated with the suzuki 2 strokes and have the fondest memories of them, hence my suggestion that the 750 might be my Tbird replacement. But to be real, it wouldn't. Ideally it would, but the reliability, lack of parts and service, and the crudeness of those old 2 strokes would make in a not very viable ride for myself as the old coot i've become. Chances are good i'd go back to a speedmaster and have it completely built to deliver at least 75 RWHP. The reasons i never went that route when i had one are reliability and legality. If it were ever subjected to a smog test i'd have a very expensive mantle piece that wouldn't even fit on the mantle.
speaking of 2 strokes, it would be interesting to see how they would have evolved had they not been outlawed. I imagine they would have made big strides in reliability and other issues they had. Not to mention how they might have taken to the new technology in oils, assuming injection oils would have also made leaps and bounds.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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