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Motorcycles

2002-Kawasaki-ZRX1200Rb.jpg


I don't ride, but this is something I wouldn't mind having. A Kawasaki!
 
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I like how some brands have brought back 'standards.' The Big Four have some cool new UJM's.

Yes. I liked the ZRX1200 a lot. The CB1100 I think was a tad overpriced and they haven't sold well here; the lack of a 6th cog the first year probably didn't help.

A dealer near me has a NEW FZ-8 available. I know, FZ-09 etc, but I think an FZ-8 might be the ultimate mid-range UJM.


Edited for model clarity.
 
I like how some brands have brought back 'standards.' The Big Four have some cool new UJM's like that Kawasaki and the Suzuki pictured earlier. Neat stuff.
Triumph built Speed Triples starting in the 1990s. Those are the ultimate hooligan bike as well as being a pretty comfortable all around street bike. So, it's not just the UJM that's around these days. Then there are Ducati Monsters, which may have predated the Speed Triple. I'm not sure. Anyway, they are all fun. My bike is a Daytona 675 or a DRZ400, depending on weather, so I can't say much about standards.

For a midrange standard, don't forget Street Triples.
 
I like 80's and 90's Japanese motorcycles too. Today there may be some exceptions
but generally 80's bikes are unbeatable. Remember the 6-cylinder Z1300 and CBX...
Not to mention the 2-strokes of this era.

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I've had a Duc for ten years and really, if you can change your timing belts and do the valve adjustments they're really not bad at all. There is a bit of a commitment there, I'll admit, but at least on the two valvers it's really not bad. Worth it I think, nothing else runs or feels like them. And I've yet to do any actual repairs, nothing has failed yet. 35k miles.

This... I have two Ducatis and would echo that keeping up with maintenance really isn't that hard and keeps them running sweetly.

Even my humble Ducati ST2 944cc two-valver has waves of torque that you can surf on to drive out of corners fast enough to surprise bigger bikes on trackdays...here I am just tipping it into Barn Corner at Cadwell Park circuit in Lincolnshire, UK (and probably my favourite UK track, along with Oulton Park)

JoolsatBarn-1.jpg


And here is my pride and joy 1993 Ducati 888. It's only a Strada (SPO in the US I think) and not the even more desirable SP3/4/5, but it is still an absolute classic, and with around 110bhp from it's four-valve engine has just about the right amount of horses for the UK's tight twisty roads...you can use all the horsepower, which you couldn't do with a Panigale unless you have a death wish.

888.jpg
 
Well aware of the triple 'Umphs. Great stuff. I like the 80's styled, 'square' Japanese bikes. I have an '86 Nighthawk S I'll never part with.

Pic, please. My second bike was a 1984(?) Nighthawk 650, without the S. Of course, the S makes all the difference!


Some nice looking bikes in this thread! Here's mine: 2008 FZ1
FZ1_zps122d81e9.jpg

Fond feelings for this one, too. I rode its little brother on my BBG 18 months ago. Mine was blue; I think the red ones are faster.
 
Triumph built Speed Triples starting in the 1990s. Those are the ultimate hooligan bike as well as being a pretty comfortable all around street bike. So, it's not just the UJM that's around these days. Then there are Ducati Monsters, which may have predated the Speed Triple. I'm not sure. Anyway, they are all fun. My bike is a Daytona 675 or a DRZ400, depending on weather, so I can't say much about standards.

For a midrange standard, don't forget Street Triples.

Another Daytona 675 owner here! What a machine it is! So narrow and nimble.

AND THAT SOUND!
 
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No kidding. You can't mistake Triumph intake whistle going with the triple growl. Uncork it a little and it's even better.

And I get to ride its less-evil twin: the Triumph 800XC. My boss bought it and lets me ride it. How cool is that?
The 800XC has the same basic engine as the 675 Daytona but it has been tweaked for the larger displacement, more torque, and less top end. But it still ZINGS. A very capable bike and it is so easy to ride.
 
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