The nearest dealer to me is over four hours! There's not much but Harley-Davidson around here.
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Modern bikes. You have one?
- Thread starter JesseeS
- Start date
If I were in the market for a modern bike, the Guzzi would be a top contender. I’ve long been fascinated with them.
For me, twisting the throttle on a Moto Guzzi is highly addictive. There's just something about it.
I highly recommend getting a Guzzi. Nothing like it in my experience. The linked brakes on my '84 SP are phenomenal.
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KZ1000 LTD? That's very cool, but not what I would consider modern in this context.
I have a vintage liter bike too.
OMG - guys, those FJ1200s are absolutely stunning. I've never had one, but have ridden a few. Should have paid up and bought one when I had the chance. They are relatively rare now here in BC, at least one which hasn't been messed with.
I had a 2006 Honda 919 when first joined this forum, and sold that beauty two plus years ago and bought a new 2019 Suzuki DR650. Not sure if it's really modern though.
Sort of strange how I ended up with 2 air-cooled 650s, both with spokes and carburetors.
I had a 2006 Honda 919 when first joined this forum, and sold that beauty two plus years ago and bought a new 2019 Suzuki DR650. Not sure if it's really modern though.
Sort of strange how I ended up with 2 air-cooled 650s, both with spokes and carburetors.Attachments
Hello @JesseeS I am starting to really not like the modern bikes. I do have the 2014 Triumph Rocket III with 85K and the 2006 Stratoliner with 121K miles (it is offline with fuel issues). It seem almost everything is fuel injected these days which means computers to control the air/fuel mix. I find not fault with this idea especially since the table can be tuned rather cheaply for lots of application. What I don't like is the rolling infotainment systems that people call motorcycles now. Several bikes are so dependent on the big TV screen that the bike won't run if the screen malfunctions. I cannot abide such limitations on my daily ride.
I love the more simple bikes, big or small. ABS is cool and I have it on the Triumph. The rest of the modern stuff can go tot he people who like it; just not for me.
As for the new '82 XS, it has both kick and electric start, pretty dang modern for me...
I love the more simple bikes, big or small. ABS is cool and I have it on the Triumph. The rest of the modern stuff can go tot he people who like it; just not for me.
As for the new '82 XS, it has both kick and electric start, pretty dang modern for me...
I couldn’t agree more! I feel the same way about the car. I don’t need or want any of that stuff.
I truly wish not to rant, but I may be doing so anyway.
I read on the R3 forum about the new Rockets. Key fobs are a limiting factor for several owners, infotainment systems flickers at times, and the rear ABS has been recalled in order to update software in the ECU so the rear brakes work more consistently. Some rear ABS is completely replaced on these modern bikes.
On the VSTAR forum, the new Star Ventures and Eluders are big electronic centric machines. Any 2018 and 19 bikes can be taken back to the dealer (when the corporate maintenance team is in town) for a complete new software update to the 2020 firmware. This fixes many glitches in the navigation, music and general system management system. But the key fob is still an issue.
I have new co-workers with newer Harley. both have the M-8 engines and both love the new heater HD has built. One has the 107 (RoadGlide) and the other has a 114 (Ultra Limited). Both bikes spent over 2 months in the shop this summer with work being done of the computer systems. Different shops, different issues, nothing to do with the motor at all. But at least the M8 is a good engine. The RG has 11K miles he tells me and the UL has 9K.
I just do not understand the "modern" idea of effective and efficient operation of the business.
I read on the R3 forum about the new Rockets. Key fobs are a limiting factor for several owners, infotainment systems flickers at times, and the rear ABS has been recalled in order to update software in the ECU so the rear brakes work more consistently. Some rear ABS is completely replaced on these modern bikes.
On the VSTAR forum, the new Star Ventures and Eluders are big electronic centric machines. Any 2018 and 19 bikes can be taken back to the dealer (when the corporate maintenance team is in town) for a complete new software update to the 2020 firmware. This fixes many glitches in the navigation, music and general system management system. But the key fob is still an issue.
I have new co-workers with newer Harley. both have the M-8 engines and both love the new heater HD has built. One has the 107 (RoadGlide) and the other has a 114 (Ultra Limited). Both bikes spent over 2 months in the shop this summer with work being done of the computer systems. Different shops, different issues, nothing to do with the motor at all. But at least the M8 is a good engine. The RG has 11K miles he tells me and the UL has 9K.
I just do not understand the "modern" idea of effective and efficient operation of the business.
Moral to the story: If you don't live near the dealer or service provider, forget about it!
You're looking at that equation from the wrong perspective, the owner who has to keep taking his/her bike in for recalls or software upgrades. Looked at from the business end it's surely all about effective and efficient transfer of financial assets from customer to business?
Old sceptics that we are, but today I've bought a 21st century bike. Fear not, no computer, very basic electrics. In fact very basic everything. No ABS, no traction control, no rider modes, no fuel injection even.
But it does have both a side-stand and a centre-stand so for me that counts as fully equipped.
W800?
The RE is attractive for the same reasons.
2008 BMW R1200GS cool but bought cheap cuz dealers wouldn't give him ANY trade in. The dash warning lights too expensive to fix. gggGary is doing the back door fixes. ABS non op: BMW, spend 3500 on new module. There's a shop does the fix for $300. a home brew fix may be less than $50.
Tire pressure monitor batteries dead; BMW 250 each plus install, aftermarket $70 the pair. But will need a module/tool to get the sensors to synch up to the bike.
No fuses the CPU decides if load is apropiate on circuit shuts it down if draw's too high. One power outlet non functional, wiring going to be be bypassed and fused.
Different kinds of fixes but doable. Went to change headlights to LED but CPU is balking about amperage errors. On a test ride one black rural night I got a headlights out at speed pucker session. Cuz CPU knew better, F me! right? LOL
Tire pressure monitor batteries dead; BMW 250 each plus install, aftermarket $70 the pair. But will need a module/tool to get the sensors to synch up to the bike.
No fuses the CPU decides if load is apropiate on circuit shuts it down if draw's too high. One power outlet non functional, wiring going to be be bypassed and fused.
Different kinds of fixes but doable. Went to change headlights to LED but CPU is balking about amperage errors. On a test ride one black rural night I got a headlights out at speed pucker session. Cuz CPU knew better, F me! right? LOL
See, all that right there would have made ME the former owner too. I can’t stand things that don’t work and I would not be willing to fork over that much cash to a dealer.
Ain't starting a guessing game and ain't saying too much. Have agreed a p/x but to protect meself from disappointment I prefer not to say anything until the deal is complete and the bike is here with me.
I agree completely about the tech going into the bikes is a bit, ridiculous, if I'm honest. The bike I really LOVE after looking into it is the z900rs. Keeping the analog dials with just a small info screen in the middle with need to know info. While it still has the ability to go wrong as with most electronic devices, if feel its a good balance between modern advancement and turning your bike into an SUV mom mobile. Also not a fan of the key fobs. My perfect is simplicity, with a dash of tech. We'll be onto hover bikes shortly
Another retro bike that I’ve always had a soft spot for is the beautiful Honda CB1100, only sold for a few years and buyers shied away from. The bad rap it got was , it was beautiful and well engineered and Honda reliable, but not thrilling. Sounds perfect to me! Good low mileage affordable used ones show up periodically on Craigslist.
