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Passenger pegs and seat for a full sized woman too.
Agreed - those are the things that get me about the new-gen bikes: the appallingly bad ergonomics, often for the rider but nearly always for the pillion, and the hideous appearance.
It may be possible for a 20-something to ride while sitting on a 10 mm thick pad of rye bread with his/her knees bent-up well past 90 degrees, but nobody I know could hold that pose for long ...and really enjoy it.
The other thing is what my buddies in the West African oil patch used to call the "2-bag ugly" styling. Two bags: one for her and one for you in case hers falls off. It seems as though many of the bike designers are actually competing to see who stick more and larger bits of non-functional plastic on, poking out in all directions, hither and yon. No wonder there is a huge resurgence of interest in "naked" and "retro" bikes. They work just as well as the homely looking "adventure" bikes but they don't hurt your eyes quite so much.
Whatever happened to tasteful flowing lines and clean simple functional design....like on the XS650?
It may be possible for a 20-something to ride while sitting on a 10 mm thick pad of rye bread with his/her knees bent-up well past 90 degrees, but nobody I know could hold that pose for long ...and really enjoy it.
The other thing is what my buddies in the West African oil patch used to call the "2-bag ugly" styling. Two bags: one for her and one for you in case hers falls off. It seems as though many of the bike designers are actually competing to see who stick more and larger bits of non-functional plastic on, poking out in all directions, hither and yon. No wonder there is a huge resurgence of interest in "naked" and "retro" bikes. They work just as well as the homely looking "adventure" bikes but they don't hurt your eyes quite so much.
Whatever happened to tasteful flowing lines and clean simple functional design....like on the XS650?
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Been looking. My "old man" specs.
backrest, forward floor boards, all weather protection. <600lbs ABS brakes, cruise. quick on off massive storage enough for an extended camping trip. Don't need a pillion on this one. 200 mile + range. honda nc700 is pretty close but I think'd rather mod an XS650 for the street cred.
backrest, forward floor boards, all weather protection. <600lbs ABS brakes, cruise. quick on off massive storage enough for an extended camping trip. Don't need a pillion on this one. 200 mile + range. honda nc700 is pretty close but I think'd rather mod an XS650 for the street cred.
Gary, you have it exactly right. But......
I want the Griso or the Thruxton.
I want the Griso or the Thruxton.
Hmmm, floorboards would be interesting. I've thought about the old style engine guards with pleather wings/coverings for weather, something you could snap on/off.
Haven't found or conceived anything that is quick detach for storage rack/brackets. The hard bags I got from you come off easy enough but the bracket framing is still there. Have several sliding backrests that are handy but not quick detach. The only thing that comes close to getting naked quick are throw overs and bungee cords. Still rather ride the 650's than a newer model. Enjoy the pain and discomfort while I can.
I guess it all depends on how you want to cycle. I see passengers with their knees up to their chins and I wonder how they can enjoy that, but then I see that they almost always have a smile on their face. Cycling to me means, relax and enjoy with enough comfort to be able to spend a longer time doing it. Riding while always tensed up just doesn't fit that bill. Naked bike doesn't fit that bill for me either. On my small bikes (non GoldWing) I like a flat cruiser/cop windshield, tool bag on the front, rack and short backrest on the back with a smaller than duffle bag sized soft trunk stiffened with a 1/4" plywood insert on the rack, vinyl faux leather saddle bags stiffened with 1/4" plywood inserts bolted to the rack. I've ridden bikes with forward controls, they're just not comfortable to me, seems to limit my riding positions and puts me into the "tense" mode. Heavy, heavy bike......now, that is comfort to me, my weight and riding positions have way less input to how the bike behaves, the weight of the bike and how it is oriented for each maneuver decides the outcome, I like that.
Scott
Scott
True I guess - but the NC sounds like a blender not a motorcycle. Of course, my huge, fast and powerful ST1300 sounds EXACTLY like George Jetson's space car (remember the cartoon?) - when it is idling. When you hit the loud handle, ST sounds like a big outboard motor and then when you go back to steady speed, the sound disappears again and you hear.....just about nothing at all. It is relaxing and comfy for very long rides, but not very much like a "real" motorcycle in many respects.
Hi Scott,
that ain't a smile of enjoyment, that's a rictus of terror as they contemplate being Mr. Squishy under following traffic.
Gibson
XS650 Addict
That Thruxton is way cool!!
These modern naked bikes ..just dont get it anymore...I agree with Marty that there are many better..more visually appealing and vintage correct bikes to choose from..but the XSR isnt one of them IMO...Just because its naked and has a retro styled headlamp..its still missing the mark visually and i wouldnt call this a retro bike at all...just my worthless .02 cents
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The other odd thing about the XSR as a “retro” bike is - no separate tach. The basic idea of the bike is OK until you get to the instruments and there it stops.
Too bad really.
Too bad really.
For me it doesnt even get that far..it doesnt get past its appearance....
Royal Enfield 's new bikes look awesome...They've got it right...Interceptor 650
Michaelo
650Mick
Further note to my post way back, I did end up buying the T120 Bonneville, the bike is a machine, I’ve plowed into and over 19,000 miles (30,000 kilometers) in 12 months on it.
The retro look and modern engineering work, you have everything you need except for keeping tires on it, especially rear tires, lucky to get 4000 miles (6500 kilometers) out of the rear. My thought is it must be the WOT in low gears in turns and twisties that are proving the demise of my rubber.....
"there ain't no substitute for cubic inches"......sorry
The retro look and modern engineering work, you have everything you need except for keeping tires on it, especially rear tires, lucky to get 4000 miles (6500 kilometers) out of the rear. My thought is it must be the WOT in low gears in turns and twisties that are proving the demise of my rubber.....
"there ain't no substitute for cubic inches"......sorry
Michaelo
650Mick
Gidday Pete, i'll pm you....
G'day Mick,
Sup ma Wigger??
Are you still into Labrador??
Great to hear from you stranger.
GeeDub
