the NATO garage

[Nader]

English bikes? Nortons? Here's a Norton:

[nostatic]

so David....how was bike shopping this weekend?

[BRPORSCHE]

checked this bike out on the web today...my fascination with italian bikes....just plain beautiful!

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by Nader
English bikes? Nortons? Here's a Norton:

What bike? Seriously, that Norton comes from Oregon. Not a single British part on it. The guy used to call himself Vintage Rebuilds, or restorations, or something like that. He was using original Norton cases and stuff for awhile but has since moved on to all of his own stuff. Beautiful bikes and first class work all the way, but Nortons in name only. Kind of like "Indian", "Excellsior Henderson", and even Triumph if the truth be known. The bike world has a now well-established tradition of resurrecting old names in the hopes of establishing instant credibility. This one doesn't need to resort to that.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Well, I don't know anyone who would voluntarily buy a parallel twin unless it said "Norton" on the tank.

[Steve Carlton]

The Triumph Bonneville and Thruxton are parallel twins. And supposedly a BMW T-600 and T-800 is coming...

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by nostatic
so David....how was bike shopping this weekend?

Work in progress, and I know you can read between the lines on that. NC Yamaha has two speed triples, a new 05 for $10K and a used 00 with 10K miles. The 00 bike is the lime color and they are asking $5300. Unfortunately the bike looked pretty rough and would immediately need new tires, probably brakes, the passenger pegs were gone, saddle toast, and 2 of the body panels had small cracks. That said I like the layout and riding position very much. It's a cool looking bike no doubt.

On a tangent, Sunday we went dirt bike riding with our neighbors at a small track close to our house. Their 5 year old son has a KTM 50 which Zack got a some time on. Now I'm torn between a street bike for me or two dirt bikes and making it a Father/Son sport. Decisions, but wife would be much much more workable on the dirt bike scenario.

Edit - for a dirt bike combo I would go with a used 03-04 YZ250F for me and a KTM Adventure 50 for Zack. Should roll out at ~$5K for both if I shop around.

[nostatic]

now now, don't diss Triumph. While they are a resurrection, they are the real deal, not some marketing crap.

David the used Triple sounds like a pass...I've seen very clean low miles ones out there. The new '05 would be the one to get imho, as they've done a few tweaks, and they are arguably better handling/riding bikes. And the king hooligan (apologies to the Monster crowd).

I got nixed on the motorcycle for Calvin until he gets older. Due to my modified situation I can do whatever I want for myself though, hence the Triumph. I hope to be done with the engine break-in soon (over 400 miles now) so I can hear her north of 10K rpm.

[JavaBrewer]

Anyone have online resources for used bikes? I've been relying on Cycle Trader and Craigs list. Also, who do you use for insurance? I have a call into our State Farm agent, not sure if SF does bikes. I did an online quote from Progressive and was getting numbers like $4K/yr.

[Drago]

State Farm covered my bike.

[911boost]

David,

Buy the dirt bikes. Anything that can be done father / son in my book is a good thing. I have a 2001 Honda CR250R that is a blast to ride. Although it is more of an MX bike, I do ride it on trails quite often.

With regards to your insurance, I had All State, before I switched to American National and both run about 60 per month if I remember correctly for my BMW.

Bill

[nostatic]

Progressive can be whack. I went with these guys:

http://www.bike-line.com/

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by nostatic
now now, don't diss Triumph. While they are a resurrection, they are the real deal, not some marketing crap.

Don't get me wrong, I love the new Triumphs. Particularly the Thruxton. If I had room in the garage (and budget) I would have one by now. They do have the closest lineage to the original company, and it can be argued it is still the same company. Not like the others...

[vash]

jesus, you guys are bike shopping? and i go to asia for awhile and todd now has two bikes? damn it.

i think the speed four is really nice (nice purchase todd). the speed triple is a bit dated, but it won hooligan awards in the past, and i am sure nothing has changed. the yama FZ1 is a really nice bike. switch to a slightly sportier handlebar, relocated the pegs, get some saddlebags and you could do it all. the kawi Z1? i lose it with the wacky exhaust. some fool passed me on a sport tourer aprilla i have never seen before, i need to do some internet shopping.

with gas prices going up, i may bust out the F4i (honda) i have in the garage, or get a sport tourer.

[vash]

maybe it was this streetfighter instead;

[BRPORSCHE]

yeah that looks like an RS 125 vash...actually it is i just looked it up on the web. Great looking bike, but it just doesn't have the power that i would want. The top bike is a RSV 1000...best bike ever made in my opinion, but y'all like much dirrernt things than me, i.e the norton.

[Steve Carlton]

Dude. That's a Tuono. Superbike in hooligan's clothing...

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
Anyone have online resources for used bikes? I've been relying on Cycle Trader and Craigs list. Also, who do you use for insurance? I have a call into our State Farm agent, not sure if SF does bikes. I did an online quote from Progressive and was getting numbers like $4K/yr.

You could look for used bikes on bulletin boards specific for that make/model.

State Farm and Allstate insure bikes. I've seen them go in and out of the market, though. And rates depend on the bike from company to company. Progressive sucks whenever I've gotten a quote from them, so don't worry. Do you have a motorcycle endorsement on your license? If so, I hear the insurance company won't know how long you've had it... You know, since you've had it for 10 years... Do you qualify for USAA?

You could call Munroe Motors. I think they have a little insurance referral flyer if memory serves. 415-626-3496.

What kind of bikes are on the short list. C'mon dude, talk to me...

[JavaBrewer]

Some updates on insurance. I've gotten several quotes in the $500/yr range for a Honda 919 as a starting range. These were from BikeLine and a Lendingtree type company called LocalInsurance.com.

Bikes on my short list include (all used bikes): Triumph Speed Triple, Ducati Monster 900, and the Honda 919. If I go the MX bike route then a 03-04 YZ250F or CRF250 for me and a KTM 50 for Zack. Actually Zack is big enough for the Yamdog TT-90 or the Honda CRF70 but I want to avoid gears/tranny for his first bike.

You know I'm not totally set on the liter bike category. I could easily move on a 600-750 street bike. It's just that in my dirt bike days I remember how much easier (and more fun) riding was when I moved from the KDX 175 to the IT 465. Hills, whoops, sand, it all was gravy on the bike bike. Very little shifting. My 550 was plenty fast but again involved a lot of shifting. I've heard the 600 class has made tremendous advances so they deserve a good look too.

[911boost]

Have yolu thought about the CRF450X? Now thats a sweet MX bike......