the NATO garage

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Gee, a new Notrun, and at only $20k.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by Steve Carlton
What kind of riding do you plan on doing? To me, it's like computers were in the old days. What you should get is determined by the kind of software you plan on running.

Weekend riding, local areas, mountains, an occasional overnight road trip. Maybe an occasional Friday commute to work when I usually knock off by 2:00 pm and take the long way home. A must would be to accomodate a passenger (wife, son, daughter) easily.

[Drago]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Gee, a new Notrun, and at only $20k.

Alright then...how about this:



I prefer the blue/white color combo though.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Gee, a new Notrun, and at only $20k.

Yikes, price is 70% over my budget. Sounds like reliability is out the door too? Would make one hell of a conversation piece in the garage though!

[nostatic]

A couple of thoughts. You really should check out a Triumph dealership...the new Thruxton is a sweet bike that would do all the things you want. And style to boot. Another choice might be a BMW F650. Not big on hp, but lightweight and a good all rounder.

What I'm finding is that my bicycle experience goes a long way on the motorcycle. All of the things you do without thinking on a road bike (countersteer, lean, etc) work almost identically on a bike. The main difference is in power application, but that comes with time. Well, that and I never went 80mph on the freeway on my bicycle :O

Another one to think about is the new Suzuki DR-Z400SM. Supermotard bikes can be a blast on the pavement...but the Husky or KTM variants are much sexier.

[911boost]

Drago,

People either love or hate the GS's. I will have to get a new picture of mine with the new paint.

Bill

[5axis]

Check out the early sport bikes, if you can find a clean one they could be a blast and rather unique. Sort of like a early 911. Sure the newest ones are better/faster but does that really matter. Check out this old 1985 VFR 1000 Gear driven cams, the best of it's day anti dive forks and 16" wheels for quick steering. I think they were just cracking past 150 mph back then.

Nice and for only a few $
http://www.walnecks.com/search/detail.cfm?ID=75884766

[5axis]

If you are lucky you may be able to find a RC30 and it would be a few more $

http://www.mcnews.com.au/Features/2004/Honda_RC30/RC30_Page1.htm

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I know a guy with an RC30. Good luck trying to weasel one out of a current owner....

[5axis]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
I know a guy with an RC30. Good luck trying to weasel one out of a current owner....

I don't know of any local to me in any condition. They probably trade between friends with a "if you ever want to sell" arrangement. There are some other rare models from that era too. I remember the GSXR LTD. Close ratio gear box and dry clutch from the factory. I think 92 Kaw had the ZX7 RR with close ratio box, better suspension parts and adjustable chassis geometry. I don't remember if they did inserts in the head stock but I recall they used triangular ones for the swing arm pivot. Rotating the inserts adjusted the swingarm geometry. I think Kaw also had flat slide carbs for homologation purposes. The AMA rules back then made for some interesting "production" bikes.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
Weekend riding, local areas, mountains, an occasional overnight road trip. Maybe an occasional Friday commute to work when I usually knock off by 2:00 pm and take the long way home. A must would be to accomodate a passenger (wife, son, daughter) easily.

Okay. I'd rule out touring bikes. And I think full-on sportbikes, too because you want something that's practical going slow, carrying a passenger, and overnighters. So that leaves stuff like you've been looking at, naked or partially faired bikes with some juice. (Most fully faired bikes have too sporty a riding position and the plastic is expensive if you dump it).

Here's a suggestion: join www.motorcycle.com for $12/yr and access their huge archive of bike reviews, comparision tests, photos and data. Some suggestions of my own:

- look for some wind protection or the ability to add it on. You'll want it and like it. Usually a small one can be attractive.

- avoid too much weight on the wrists from low bars. You can ride as fast as anyone without getting into that uncomfortable position that sucks after 20 minutes. (That's the main knock on the Thruxton).

- sounds like your budget is up to $12K? That'll get you just about anything new. I generally favor new...

- Honda. The 919 looks most apropriate. You'll need to add a windscreen.

- Yamaha. The FZ1 is often the winner of comparos. Does everything well.


- Suzuki. SV1000 is good; looks like seat comfort could be an issue. To avoid the lower bars of the S it looks like you have to find a used one.


Bandit 1200 would work well; a bargain.


V-Strom 1000. Funny-looking, but a great all-arounder.


- Kawasaki. ZRX1200R is an excellent choice. Z1000 maybe not enough on the comfort issue; doesn't do great in comparos, minimal wind protection, weird looking pipes.

- BMW. I'd recommend the R1150R or R1150R Rockster as before. The R1100S is outstanding (my current bike) as well, nice looking with the underseat exhaust.


- Triumph. Very reliable; lots of juice, great motors. '04 Speed Triple 955cc, lots of attitude, likely a bargain and perhaps preferable to the '05, especially financially.


Sprint ST. Competitor to the R1100S and Honda VFR. '04 likely a bargain. '05 to consider; all different. Factory hardbags available with these.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Whoah! The new Sprint looks pretty nifty.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Whoah! The new Sprint looks pretty nifty.

Yep. Especially from the back...

[nostatic]

Triumph is said to be finishing up a 680cc triple...should be a screamer.

The more I ride my Speed Four, the more I like it. Triumph is making very nice bikes right now...

[singpilot]

5Axis;

Love the idea!

I have an '97 VFR750F AND an '86 VF1000R. And an '87 CBR1000F, an '87 VT1100C, a '93 Nighthawk 750 and three Ascots as well as a BMW K100RS SE for kicks.

What I have invested in all 9 bikes would not cover a new bike.

I have that glorious descision every time I want to go ride........


Which one?

[JavaBrewer]

Wow guys, this is tremendous. Thanks for the information. Steve, I believe you, and indirectly Todd, have identified "my" bike

- Triumph. Very reliable; lots of juice, great motors. '04 Speed Triple 955cc, lots of attitude, likely a bargain and perhaps preferable to the '05, especially financially.


I'm gonna stop by North County Yamaha/Triumph this weekend to see what they have. I would prefer a 1 year used bike over new but if they have a used 04 on special it might be hard to resist.

[Steve Carlton]

Yeah, they reduced the MSRP on the 2004 from (I think) $9,990 to $8,890 a while ago, AND I remember seeing a low APR from Triumph. I think the MSRP jumped $1,100 on the '05, but you should compare them. The triple has the best of both worlds- low-end torque like a twin and high-end rpm and power like an I-4. And the sound is to die for! Good resource at www.sportrider.com

I always liked the Roulette Green (bone stock here):




Plus this checkered fairing and trim:






Or the blacked-out Special Edition:

[BlueSkyJaunte]

How much for the Sprint again???? That thing is damn saxy.

If I have money left over after my bobber build....{ponders...}

[greglepore]

Todd, what is that retro-rocket? Looks like a Bonnie repro w/ clipons?

David, I think you'd be much happier with the Speed Triple-the 916 is really single focus, sounds like you're looking for a sportbike with a little more flexibility.

[nostatic]

The Triumph retro-rocket is a Thruxton...basically a tweaked Bonnie with clipons. Totally *****in' bike.

David, you'll dig the Speed Triple. If you can find an '04 you should be able to get it for 2.9% financing (that's what I got on my Speed Four). The 3-banger is a great compromise between a twin and I4. I might trade up to a Speed Triple at some point, although I want to explore the I4 for awhile. But if they end up making a 680 triple, *that* would likely be my bike.