Motorcycles
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@Jett129 I too have been a Harley guy. Have a 2008 Dyna that I fully customized and I still love. However, I have been thinking about something different. I’m going to try the Triumph’s and Ducati’s this week and am hoping for some insight.
The newer Harley’s aren’t doing much for me (except the Road King Special).
Really appreciate any advice that you have.
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I have a 2014 Heritage that I love,but when I was growing up,in the Bronx, nobody had Harley’s. The all had Triumps,Nortons,BSAs,and Hondas. I loved the Triumph Bonnevilles and the Norton Commandos. If I,also,was going to get another bike Triumph is where I would start looking as well. The only advice I can give you is to go and ride them. I think everyone is making pretty good bikes these days,it’s just a matter of what makes you happy.
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@Jett129 Thank you! I would love one of the old Vincent’s, Norton’s, and Triumph’s, but I love being able to jump on a new bike and just riding.
One of these days I am going to build a custom panhead or one of the old Brit bikes, but I will wait until the kids are older. I don’t have the time to wrench and ride.
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I don't have a Harley with ABS brakes, however I do have a Honda w/ ABS brakes, and they have saved my ass a couple of times with people making late cross traffic turns out of nowhere, or people pulling out from a parking spot with no turn signal. It's nice knowing that I can just yank and be safe. For me, the added cost was worth having the option of being able to just squeeze without thinking if need be.
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@louisbosco Thank you for the heads up and for tagging @Graeme
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@goosehd, my Thruxton has been barely run in, and I've had it four years. I need to ride it more! It's an R rather than RS, but I think that the difference is in the electronics package.
I've had no reliability issues with it, other than the original battery failing after it was left standing for a few months. Finish is generally good, and I like the details on the bike.
I'm pretty tall (nearly 6'3" / 190 cm), and I find it a bit cramped. I've done a couple of longer rides on it, but it wouldn't be my first choice for distance work. My previous bike, an air-cooled BMW R1200R was a lot better for that.
I've got the fairing on mine. With the bars in the dropped position, I find it a bit more comfortable than in stock. It gives me a bit more space.
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@Graeme Thank you very much! I’m hoping to go and see/test ride them this week. Hoping to try the Thruxton RS and Ducati 1100 Sport Pro.
From what I’ve been reading the Triumph beats the Ducati in reliability, and the aesthetics of the Thruxton just speaks to me. Should have a better feel after I’ve had a ride.
Appreciate the help!
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@goosehd you might want to consider the BMW R nine-T range range too. They just had an overhaul for the 2021 model year, gaining a more sophisticated electronics package.
Normally EICMA would be happening this week, but like everything else it has been cancelled due to Covid. I don’t know if we’re going to see manufacturers launch new models, but it’s rumoured that Husqvarna have an 801 Svartpilen in the works…
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Got a couple of friends who swear by the latest triumph 1200 twins… not ridden one myself.
I did have an r ninet sport demo over a weekend in summer, and I was mightily impressed!I did like the fact it Had decent suspension and brakes, and enough H power to allow you to ‘make progress’
I’d quite like a used one to play with and modify a bit to add to my growing collection of two wheels, but used bikes seem to hold their value very well... even the first gen 2015 models, all good news if you are buying new!
I was going to post a pic of My 93 triple Cafe racer I built but can’t locate a photo on my iPad... I’ll do that tomorrow
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Good luck with your dealer visit…
as I promised here are some pics of the cafe racer I built a few years back... It's based on a 96 Daytona 900, running upgraded rear shock and forks, a very LOUD 3-1 pipe with rejetted K&N files... it has a fantastic sound to it - not unlike a moto2 bike, going from a deep rumble through to a banshee howl!!
It was the first custom bike that I built and I really enjoyed designing various brackets and other bits and pieces, having found a local company to CNC cut and put together my creations....
the second photo show the bike with a different front fender (didn't like the first version) and a lowered back end as it handled like a tea trolley!! ???
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@Baba-san your cafe racer is an absolute beast. Having sold my last bike, ZX10R, as well as all my gear seeing a machine like yours hits me hard and leaves me feeling a mixture of envy, sadness and joy all round into one. What I would do to have a blast on your bike . . . .
Ride it like you stole it. Enjoy and be safe
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@goosehd - thanks for the compliments - I thought you might appreciate it…and good look with the test ride
@den1mhead - and thanks to you for the praise also - I must admit I had you down as a potential vintage lambretta owner - don't ask me why… perhaps its your sharp dress style
You would be more than welcome to have a spin on it!!
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something about odd numbered cyclinders that sound absolutely beautiful.. i kinda have a similar idea in mind if i can find a hornet919 for a reasonable price..
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Sounds like a good choice @louisbosco - With flat bars and not fairing to remove I reckon you could do quite a lot with a hornet !
