Cooter
SuperDork
5/8/18 7:51 p.m.
I can't get enough of them. Especially Thumpers. But they have to be kick start only. The magic button on my FT500 makes me feel disconnected from the bike somehow.
Pictured- my street titled TT500 and DT400 that I traded a bottle of whiskey for. I'll eventually put a seat cover on the DT, and that will.likely cause a cascade of upgrades and mods that will make me stop loving the bike so much.
minimac
UltraDork
5/10/18 6:05 p.m.
Well let me know when you hit the hate point!
My commuter bike was a klr 650. Awesome urban assault motorcycle! The zing through the handlebars was fun on short trips. Long trips were wearing.
I sold it and that was my last bike for a while.
ShawnG
PowerDork
5/10/18 7:34 p.m.
Thumpers are great, I also love 90 degree Italian twins.
Guess I'm from the wrong generation but stinkbikes do absolutely nothing for me.
Cooter
SuperDork
5/12/18 1:46 p.m.
In reply to Trans_Maro :
I'm not sure what generation that is, but I am 53. I have nice bikes, and beaters. The beaters are more fun, and I never have to worry about paint chips.
My '95 KTM 620 RXC, Left hand kick, no magic button. Just on the edge of beater, it gets used, and used hard.
ShawnG
PowerDork
5/12/18 2:13 p.m.
Nothing wrong with beaters, it's 2-smokes that I can't stand.
I'm 40.
Years ago I had a 1971 RT-1 360, the grandfather of the DT400. It was a pretty raw bike but was a lot of fun.
Cooter
SuperDork
5/12/18 3:08 p.m.
In reply to Trans_Maro :
Ahh. I misunderstood. I can't argue with that, but a reasonably well tuned 2 smoke isn't all that bad.
In reply to Trans_Maro :
I don't even know you anymore. If you don't lust over an RD350, you might as well be dead.
The only bikes I don't like are full bliwn cruisers. Usually insanely low on power, especially HD, no handling, no brakes and not truly comfortable. Plus, the HD ads no comfortable position for the legs and rediculous vibration. My 916 isn't the most comfortable for position but it's handling is sublime, makes a wonderous noise and is the best lioking machine ever made. Plus it's design is so direct and purposeful. I really can't understand any real motorcycle fan who doesn't get the RD350, it's just one of the timeless greats.
To be fare, there are quite a few people here that find HD perfect comfortable. I'm not a cruiser guy, but I don't look down on them.
I think the point of this thread was the love of single cylinder motorcycles, not bashing others or the bikes they ride...
ShawnG
PowerDork
5/12/18 6:17 p.m.
I don't see any bashing.
I respect the RD 350 for what it is, it's cool but I would never want one for myself.
Or to be stuck behind one in traffic.
In reply to Appleseed :
BUt how many HD riders wear appropriate clothing, keep their feet on the pegs, have both hands on the grips, have handlebars at an appropriate height, have ever ridden another brand....? THe answer is usually no.ht. The buy I bought my 900ss/cr fom is a big HD fan, yet finds the new bikes poorly made, slow, and generally pointless. He loves his 64 sportster, and I have to admit, it was a cool bike. Very different from the newer HDs. I'd hate to have to depend upon it's brakes though.
As for thumpers, there is a big difference between a Honda cub and a XL650R. Single cylinders cover an insane gamut. For pure dirt bikes, I've been a fan of the 125-175 4 strokes. Good torque and light weight
I saw a new SR500 on the street last year. So perfectly retro. I wish I could justify the cost.
I've seen almost as many non-cruiser riders in running shoes and sun glasses as pirates, so no type of bike is safe from idiots. Harley guys? They ride, so that makes them more of an ally than anyone in a cage.
If you want to make fun of a certain bike or rider, by all means, please start a different thread.
ShawnG
PowerDork
5/12/18 11:00 p.m.
I will admit to riding my Goldwing in a t-shirt for about 300 miles.
It was bloody hot and I only had my heavy riding jacket at the time. Even with the liner out and all the vents open, I was falling asleep. You get no airflow behind that big door.
I decided that I would certainly crash if I fell asleep but only maybe crash if I stayed awake.
Took off the coat and put it in the trunk.
Bought a mesh jacket when I got home.
Cooter
SuperDork
5/13/18 1:41 a.m.
While there are some bikes I prefer to others, I could never put someone down for the bike they ride. The fact that they ride is enough for me. I prefer to focus on what makes me smile. And retro one lungers make me grin from ear to ear. (And so we segue back to the topic)
Pretty sure the new SR is a 400. I would love to get one and customize it.
Speaking of, here is a photo of one of my SR projects from when I picked it up. Don't get your hopes up, as it isn't the one in the foreground. It is the one that has a gaping expanse of nothing where the powerplant used to reside.
Cooter
SuperDork
5/13/18 1:58 a.m.
And just do we can all smile a little more, some NMNA ThumperPorn
With how popular the 500cc singles of tge 80s and 90s are now, Im surprised we don't see more new choices.
In reply to Appleseed :
Really? Outside of 20 somethings on sportbikes, I see waaaaay more harley guys riding in poor equiment. My favorite being the typical worthless brain bucket. Part of this I blame on the media and harley as they push a lifestyle instead of life. I'd rather arrive alive than get killed looking "cool." I will say that I do see more of them wearing reflective gear now which makes me quite happy and gives me hope. The more bikes on the road being ridden responsibily the better for all of us. Can't wait until lane splitting is legal in all 50 states lije in Europe!
Crap. The new SR is a 400. Maybe I was wishing it an extra 100cc. I want to start looking for anybody customizing Ascot one lungers. Those are criminally overlooked.
Yeah, Ascot is a great bike.
Cooter
SuperDork
5/13/18 2:15 p.m.
In reply to Appleseed :
An FT500 was my first street bike. Bought it new off the showroom floor.
30 years later, I bought another one. They are neat little bikes, but I prefer kickstarters.
I have a GN400 sitting in my shed I've been wanting to build for years. I wish I could find the time.