[django9270]

I agree. I can do all the work on my Bandit myself. I have owned fuel injected late-model bikes and all is great until something goes wrong.....then you pretty much have to trailer it home as you can't fix most engine issues on the road. If Royal Enfield could make a reliable product, I would buy one in a heartbeat. Unf. people who like to wrench on their own bikes are a rare breed. Hell, most of the bike owners I know won't even change their own OIL! Plus emissions laws are getting so much more stringent....basically they are trying to legislate the internal combustion engine out of existance! The Nancy Pelosi's and Al Gore's of the world want us riding around in a golf cart while they commute by limo and jet!



Plus, the criteria for a good bike, according to most people/jorno's is simply HP/Torque numbers....



Combine these factors and you have bikes that your avg. shade tree mechanic can't touch. On the other hand, it's been this way for cars for a while now.

 

[47837]

I'd love to get a 2WD Ural. Simple to work on, can go just about anywhere, and I could put my dog in the sidecar.



It's not in the cards right now though. I can only afford one bike, and for now my DL650 is the one.

 

[48107]

I've had CB100 and I've had Brutale. I appreciate my time on the Honda, but I don't pine for it; it just makes me appreciate the MV Agusta more. But you're right, in that sometimes less is more, and that we all could do with a dose of simplicity. That's why I keep a 125SX in the stable. The valve adjustment is even easier than on the CB.

 

[mscuddy]

Would you like another one? a '76 XT that's been in my garage since the pliesteocine. I'll let it go for cheep. Then you'll have 4 valves to adjust...



My favorite POS is my DT1, and my ex KZ750.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

My Favorite Not Really a POS Bike.

Ease of maintenance and repair, and the fun of kickstarting are what keeps me on my '77 Low Rider. Ok, I also have $20k invested in it's restoration that I can't afford to lose. And it's cool to have a bike I almost never see anyone else on. But I still want my super-high tech Interceptor back. One bike is not enough.

 

[50357]

As an instructor, I get to ride a fleet of 250 Nighthawks quite often. DO I want the one that smokes or rattles or the nice road rash? Choices choices. I actually bought one of these things (used). The only redeeming factor is that it was used by the DC police (it was bullethole free) who had hard locking SHOEI saddlebags installed and 68 mpg. Needless to say, I sold it when I came to my senses.

 

[SmokeU]

My Concours is simple enough for me to work on, I haven't had to yet though.



My 'new' R5 350 Yamahopper is quite fun to tinker with.

 

[GHam]

I have an old Yamaha SR500 that I like to take for a spin every now and then.

I have a Yamaha xs650 that I take out "every now and then"also.Those old bikes are fun but mine has constant electrical gremlins.Point style ignition,adjustable voltage regulators,,vacumn style carbs and vacumn assist pet****s are a pain in the butt.

Yes,they can all be updated along with suspension mods and completely new wiring but I still have to keep a "parts" bike around for broken switchgear and all the assorted crap that vibrates off at expressway speeds.I'm glad it's not my only bike!

 

[38500]

I owned two Yamaha XS750 in the recent past, which were fun to wrench on and quite sturdy. I also used a 750 Nighthawk, also very easy to work on (and automatic valve adjustments!!), and now ride a Bandit 1200 (2003). On the bandit I can easily do valve adjustments and I tuned the carbs using a jet kit from Holeshot, so that it just purrs and does not run rough when it's cold. Given that I put in about 1000 miles a month (I commute and ride for fun), one of the newer bikes could cost me a lot in maintenance. I do all my own work on the bikes, so I pick bikes with that in mind. I saw someone at Newcomb Ranch on Sunday (off the Angeles Crest Hwy, for those of you not in Southern Cal) with a very nice Yamaha 500 single cylinder, and it reminded me that once I would have killed for a Moto Guzzi Falcone (also 500 single cylinder). Maybe it's time to look at the ads....

 

[55418]

Once again, loving the Buell. Next to no mantinence, and what there is I can do myself. Gets back to the riding thing. That's what I bought if for in the first place.

Complexity is not necessarily bad, but unnecessary complexity is.

 

[37035]

I'd like to see Royal Enfield bring back the Interceptor. A nice 700-750cc parallel twin with a shiny tank and classic Brit looks would be nice. If they do it, they should not sanitize and pork it up as much as the new Bonnie and they shouldn't go high end like the Dreer Nortons. Simply do what some people have done to their old Nortons and other Brit bikes: update the electrics, suspension and brakes and keep everything else basically the same. Essentially, take the next step forward past what they've done with the Bullet and apply it to a bigger bike. That would make a great second bike.

 

[seruzawa]

There are some features of older bikes I'd never ever go back to. Point/coil ignition for one.



But aside from that few bikes are as sweet to ride as a nicely set up Shovelhead. CDI ignition, belt primary and a few other mods make the thing more reliable and less leaky than most people think. But, like any of the old bikes they aren't anything I'd use on a daily basis.



If I want to really indulge my nostalgia I'll pick up a new generation Bonnie. Until then my old air/oil-cooled GSX11G boat anchor will have to suffice.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

I just (literally 20 minutes ago) bought a 98 Concours from a guy here at work. I've ridden with him on weekends a few times. The bike is perfect...maintained to a "T" His close friend got killed riding a few weeks ago. Bought it for $900! It's going to make a nice addition to the old HD. Something to rack up the long miles on (gee, a windshield and removable bag!). Glad to hear yours has been so trouble free.

 

[seruzawa]

I hope you checked the injector pump adjustment. I've seen an R5 lose it's crank due to an improperly adjusted one.....mine.

 

[acecycleins]

Bikes I've owned: 2 Yamaha Maxim(X), between 6 and 8 CB models, 1 very crude/rude Z1, 1 hybrid 69/71 Bonneville chopper (a real love hate relationship with her), and my current ride is a 87 K100rs (definitely the most fun and reliable -which, of course, is why it's fun).



The Bonni Chopper gets all the attention because it was the coolest looking $3500 bike on the planet. In a crowd of wannabe bikers riding their American Ironhorses or Big Dogs my little $3500 piece of shyt would draw the crowd. But the K bike is by far the most maintenance free motorcycle I've ever owned (and it's 20yrs old!).

 

[Buzglyd]

I think now-a-days they just disconnect the pump and run premix to be on the safe side.

 

[pplassm]

Hey! I've got an SR500 too! I've had that bike for 20 years, and I swear I'll never sell it. It needs rings right now, 'cause it's using a bit of oil, but it gets looks wherever I go with it.



Believe it or not, I toured Europe on that bike when I got it.

 

[DonM]

Was it really so great back then, or was I just lucky?

Motorcyclists all have a place in their heart for simplicity. And in our minds our favorite rides from back then don't include tractor trailers and crowded roads. But, I'm in no rush to go back to skinny leaky forks and hard to start gummy carburators; tube tires and loose spokes. Batteries that held magic disappearing water, and vibration that chattered your teeth. I would like to buy a motorcycle that can survive sunshine as well as getting wet, with a reasonable parts count and weather protection. If you think I'm leading up to a new scooter appliance you're wrong. Big is OK and gets respect from cages. So my vote is for my brother's old BMW R75.

 

[sachiwilson]

My best old bike? My 1984 Guzzi V 650 SP. With a Dyna ignition and a decent battery, it was a great ride! I owned a few more modern and larger Guzzis, and some other Japanese motorcycles, but nothing has captured my love and attention like that old Goose.

 

[48152]

Maybe MO can do a write up on your POS.