Bike - Modern Vs Old

[Torsten2001]

So this morning I went out to my 3 bikes to give them a run

1974 BMW R60/6 Not started since April, burst into life, a few turns of the engine on the starter

1966 AJS 14CSR 250cc Not started since May, started first kick

2001 Suzuki GSX750F Started two weeks ago, nothing, turning over, trying to start but nothing.

Balls!

[ashmicro]

Old motorcycles are FTW. A friend is looking to get into bikes, and I've managed to talk her into a '78 RD125 in yellow and black. Mint, and only £600 with years test, new tyres and brakes and 11k miles.

[garethj]

2001 Suzuki GSX750F Started two weeks ago, nothing, turning over, trying to start but nothing.

Balls!

Is there an alarm or something? It seems most modern bikes have this problem, which is why they're always plugged into one of these trickle chargers. Dunno if it's just because battery capacity is so crap or something else?

 

I used mine every day so very rarely had a battery problem

[Baz]

Old motorcycles are FTW

It depends what you want from a bike really....After 24 years of motorcycling (on the road, and a further 8 years off-road before that), I've finally reached the conclusion that with bikes, modern is best for me....Classics are lovely to look at, but invariably they break down quite a lot, and worse than that, are often very uncomfortable to ride for any length of time....For years, I dreamt of a Mk1 Guzzi LeMans, and I was very happy to have it in the garage when I eventually got mine. Trouble is, that's mainly where it stayed, as it was an utter BITCH to ride! Likewise with my Morini, and virtually anything old, or non-Jap that I've owned.

 

For anyone new to biking, I'd definitely recommend something modern....Leave the "character" bikes until you've honed your skills!

 

I've been rather short of funds of late....Consequently, all I can afford is a 2002 Kawasaki ZR7-S....A very ordinary bike, but also very reliable (Starts first time every time - No mater how long it's been standing), incredibly comfy (650 miles in a day with no complaints at all) and very easy on the wallet too....I'm more than willing to hang on to it until I can afford that BMW R1200RT!

[wuvvum]

I have to say my CZ has been less than a paragon of reliability... I suspect that may be the nature of the beast to an extent though. My £160 Chinese rev'n'go 125 has surprised me by never once breaking down or refusing to start, even when left standing for ages.

 

Supposed to be picking up a GS500 in the next few days - hopefully it will be as reliable as its reputation suggests.

[155V6]

I can leave my TL for months & it normally starts 1st go,fuel injection + no immobiliser

[CreepingJesus]

My CZ's a restoration case. Started years ago, still not finished. Altho', it is very sturdy and amazingly still turns over - not run properly since 1978!

The big Kawa needs an alternator, but otherwise it's a big old lump and most bikers I talk to can't understand why I'd bother. Not that I can ever really explain, you understand.

The bike park at Tesco's RDC at Livingston is full of late plate Harleys and plastic fantastics, tho' I spotted an old (late 70's?) BMW R90S there today. Yellow over silver, cast wheels and the tiny fairing. Sadly, I was in such a fucking foul mood when I left, that I forgot to take a pic.

There's a farm cottage just down the road from there, where there always seems to be cars for sale. I was surprised/amused to see a Honda VF500F2 for sale there the other day. Very tidy it was too, must be the only one left that didn't lunch its' engine 3 nanoseconds after leaving the showroom.

[HillmanImp]

2001 Suzuki GSX750F Started two weeks ago, nothing, turning over, trying to start but nothing.

Balls!

Have to have a trickle charger on the 99 VRF800 in the garage as the battery runs down in a matter of days. It is the alarm that runs it down when it is parked up. Its the heated grips that run it down after its been parked up as they don't switch off with the ignition.

 

My 92 CBR400 could be left for months without starting and fire up fine.

 

The VRF is not my bike BTW, I don't do bikes anymore as I became so un-scared of riding them I was only going to end up in a bodybag riding round country roads every weekend like I was.

[Timewaster]

My '89 VFR750 must be on its 7th battery in the 11 years i've owned it.

Someone once diagnosed the regulator was cooking the battery, but as a regulator costs as much as the bike is worth - I keep buying batteries!

Apart from that it has been 100% reliable.

 

I must dig out some bike shite pics for your perusal.

[Cavcraft]

Tontops, weren't the VFRs pretty infamous for that problem, and I take it there's no chance of a decent s/h regulator or can your's be repaired?

 

I'm still toying with the idea of a KH250 or GT380 come bonus time next year. I do like modern bikes but don't fancy being one of the tasselled handlebar brigade on a fake (or real) HD and sports bikes are no good to me due to a bad back. A ZZR600 might be ok though.

 

Anyhow fellow two wheelers, can we have pic's of your rides please?

[garethj]

For handy bike stuff, I use http://www.therevcounter.com/forum.php

 

It's got everything from newbies who are about to do their CBT but want to buy a Fireblade, to loads who have been on two wheels for decades. There's loads of different forums but the main reason I use it is the intelligence and experience of the posters, and like this place it's an entertaining read.

[155V6]

My TL 1000S

 

My much missed TDR 250

[Torsten2001]

I don't really ride a bike everyday so I prefer character and the BMW and AJS provide that, they are also supremely comfortable. I bought the Suzuki because I wanted something I didn't need to think about and take me long touring distances without constantly listening out for engine noises, not that I've ever had issues like that with the other two.

I have quite a few other bikes which I intend to get back on the road, 1 being a 1976 Moto Guzzi T3 850 and another being a Moto Morini 500, both were great mile munchers, good starters too. I have found a good guy locally that is great around an old bike though so I may just ditch the Suzuki. If I do there is a good chance I'll get a modern for next Summer as I intend to either go to the Artic Circle or the Atlas Mountains, it will have to be a Triumph though!

[Tayne]

,

[ashmicro]

YAH! A TDR! IIRC those things have a TZR powervalve engine (YPVS). For those not in the know the YPVS gives a turbo-like effect to a 2 stroker. I had a Wrangler TZR myself. Fucking awesome, bettered only in it's day by the Kwak KR1S IMO.

 

I was impressed by my TZR until a mate pointed out "that thing must handle like a bag of shit. That Metzeler on the back is not only the wrong tyre but it's on backwards". Same mate gave me a brand new (and correct) Michelin for it. WOW!

 

You don't overtake cars on a TZR, you overtake entire traffic jams!

 

EDIT to add: I knew little of bikes back then, and was a learner. In those days learners in GB were limited to a 12.5BHP 125cc. There were learners here in NI riding tricked out 60BHP Micron equipped race bikes with lights, totally legally.

[AnthonyG]

 

My much missed TDR 250

Impressive, I didn't know Caterpillar made bikes !