You missed out Mr O. Shit bikes were made then and they still are now, but we did thrash them to death. Believe me that feeling of independence and 50cc of screaming power to propel you about with your mates. wouldn't have missed it for the world!
We only had the 50cc machines at 16 years old on L plates before passing any sort of profiency test. You could then have a 250 with no lessons or test. Did a simple one hour test on my 250 when I was 17 which entitled me to ride any size of bike. Feel sorry for the kids these days who have so many tests, lessons and restrictions. No wonder there are so many old farts at bike meets.
36 years after the FS1E I have this. Can an ugly bike be described as 'great'? I think so. The most insane bike I've ever ridden
Hi Richard , me too, here in OZ it's the same, go for a ride on a weekend, stop somewhere for a break,meal or drink and 90% of the bikers you meet are 50+. The big difference here though is the Authorities have turned full circle, you can now get your bike license on a bike up to and including 660cc. Has to be LAMS approved/compliant ! Learner approved motorcycle system was brought in because too many were being killed on small old 250cc's and less machines. They represented a massively disproportionate number of motorcycle deaths in all States of OZ. The LAMS approved system is trying to get new riders on new bikes, as against old poorly maintained and abused bikes, safer on the newer stuff. ABS and traction control just two improvements amongst many !!! You have to be 18 though ! They still want to kill off the 15/17yr olds on scooters. Go figure ????
Yeah, you and me both. I had to walk about 4 miles to get the bus to start at 6am so I was glad me mum lent me the money to get the AP. They were great in the day cos that was basically all that was available and we were thrilled you could see 60 on the clock laid flat out. And, we could ride 250's with our full licence holding mate on the back. Gone a bit off topic there, sorry
I never said you didn't have a great time, I am a bit jealous, sounds like great fun. Good job I didn't, I was a bit of a tearaway in my youth, would have ended in court or hospital. But still not GREAT bikes !
One mans `great` is another mans `rubbish` and it would not much of a world if we all liked the same things. I have a pal looking to buy an Enfield Bullet. Not my cup of tea but if he likes it then I'll be chuffed for him. I fancy a Victory next year and only heard today they were shite apparently. I`ll decide.
Went to Museum Live at the National Motorcycle Museum last Saturday with a mate. All those bikes in there and he was drooling over a Ural sidecar outfit, me, Rocket 3, Speed Triple, and of course a Hurricane X75.
Most classics, cars or bikes by modern standards are rubbish. But once you have the rose tinted nostalgia glasses on people flock to buy them often paying way over the odds. I wish I had kept my 1977 cb400f it didn't handle stop or reliably go but I loved it. Andy
Hi Only Son, My youngest brother has a Victory, 2015 8 Ball, only things He's done to it, better two up seat and pillion pegs and better less restricted exhaust. I have had a few rides on it, if you like triumph America and Speed master ,you will enjoy a Victory !! It's like My America but on mucho steroids ! Goes like a stallion in the spring. Ground clearance is a problem as there isn't much , you will scrape pegs and things. But that will make you look cool ( sparks @ night ? ) They have about a hundred HP for quite a broad power band! If you like e'm I'm with you! I enjoyed my time's on his Victory!!!
When i started biking i had to learn fast as if i wanted a bike i would have to repair a shitter as this was the only way i could afford it at the time, i went through quite a few bikes doing them up and selling them before i could buy my first new bike in the middle 70's. I still enjoy repairing and building bikes now and Su and i still ride old bikes to this day but they are just a hobby as we both enjoy riding modern bikes for fun. Old bikes can be reliable to a point but the effort and work you have to put in is far above any modern bikes normal upkeep.
On a similar vein. I have a mate that went out recently and bought a seriously clean XR2 (the early carburettor ones) . He had one when he was a younger and wanted to relive his youth. Was talking to him the last day and he said he had sold it. "Thank fuck! It was fucking shit" he said and couldn't believe how bad it was to drive. Bubble burst. That's why I won't be looking for an old DT80.
Similarly, I went to buy a 205 Gti 1.9 a couple of years ago, always wanted one, had a 405 Sri back in the day. Drove it 5 miles and realised how crap old cars were! Still fancy a SIII Sunbeam Rapier, just for pottering about in my dotage.
When my KTM was stolen and I began looking for a replacement, I fell in love with the Kawasaki w800. As it was early days, it was impossible to find an affordable used one, and I went with the Bonnie instead. I never regretted my decision; I love my Bonnie, it's a brilliant bike, easy to ride, great to maintain, endless aftermarket accessories and mod opportunities. But the w800 always remained in the back of my mind. A couple of weeks ago, the lads at Bikeworld allowed me to test ride the w800 "Final Edition", the last w800 made (it's being phased out because of EURO4). Lads, she's a thing of beauty. Every detail on that bike is so lovely crafted. Feels (and probably is) way lighter than the Bonnie, much more the kind of bike that you just jump on and ride anywhere, throwing it onto whatever crosses your path (I'm way more careful with my T100). I'll keep the Bonnie. But if I ever find a good bargain on one of these, I may just crack.
Ummm. I think that Kawasaki used to make BSAs under licence and this is their interpretation of a BSA not a Triumph.
