Motorcycles

[RF667799]

Harley is the only motorcycle manufacturer that still uses belt- and chain-drive, 30+ years after shaft-drive has been used by the rest of the industry. Why would anyone buy a belt- or chain-driven motorcycle these days, unless they are trying to be nostalgic?

I liked my Kawasaki, it was a very reliable bike. Although, Kawasaki was never as good looking as either Yamaha or Honda. Kawasaki looked a lot like English-made or German-made motorcycles - big, square, and boxy. The American bikes, like Indian and Harley Davidson, were the sleek looking motorcycles.

The headers on the BMW bike alone would make me nervous as hell just taking a corner at a high rate of speed. I would be afraid of catching the road with the engine and loosing it completely.

We had this conversation about belt/chain vs shaft previously. There are pros and cons to each.
Also, HD is not the only manufacturer to use chain or belt drives. That simply isn't true.

 

[Fledermaus]

I might be wrong, but I think Yamaha's first four cylinder was the XS1100. They were a little late to the superbike wars of the 70's, but when that model came out it was- for a time- the quickest, fastest production bike.

Thats the one. They later followed up with the FJ1100. A legitimate Superbike.

 

[Guyzilla]

I am 60, and built a superhot r1. Stripped off all the weight possible, and replaced with racing parts. It is about the highest performance imaginable on the street. I used to ride very fast, dont do that anymore. Looking to get to a place where riding makes sense. Now, with Trump and Covid, being hurt is a death sentence. You cannot get a hospital bed. Still use it for short hops though now.

 

[Fledermaus]

Harley is the only motorcycle manufacturer that still uses belt- and chain-drive, 30+ years after shaft-drive has been used by the rest of the industry. Why would anyone buy a belt- or chain-driven motorcycle these days, unless they are trying to be nostalgic?

I liked my Kawasaki, it was a very reliable bike. Although, Kawasaki was never as good looking as either Yamaha or Honda. Kawasaki looked a lot like English-made or German-made motorcycles - big, square, and boxy. The American bikes, like Indian and Harley Davidson, were the sleek looking motorcycles.

The headers on the BMW bike alone would make me nervous as hell just taking a corner at a high rate of speed. I would be afraid of catching the road with the engine and loosing it completely.

I hope you mean chain primary drive.

I haven owned or riden dozens of motorcycles and only one bike wasn't chain final drive (V-Max) .

 

[Glitch]

I hope you mean chain primary drive.

I haven owned or riden dozens of motorcycles and only one bike wasn't chain final drive (V-Max) .

I did mean the primary drive. I owned two motorcycles that were shaft drive, the Kawasaki GT750 and the Yamaha V-Max. Both were purchased during the 1980s. All my other motorcycles were chain-drive. Considering the amount I drove, I had to tighten the chain every week, and I was replacing them every six months. With the shaft-drive I just had to change the oil once a year.

 

[NWRatCon]

I have the poor mans version... FZ-07

Wet weight under 400 lbs vs 470+

I currently have two bikes - both BMWs - an 1150 and a 650 thumper. One is an RT, a big, touring bike, and the other a dual-sport, for riding the forest service roads, and getting there. Sadly, "Big Red" hasn't been out for two years, and "Blackie" for a year. I need to go out at least a half hour to get to "real riding" territory, and I rarely have the chance to be that far away from my honey that long. I've been thinking of grabbing a small bike that will fit on a rack behind our tiny RV, so that I can steal away for rides in the hinterlands while she's sleeping in. I used to take a bike on a trailer, but getting it on and off by myself has become too much of a hassle. The smaller bike is still 450 lbs, and the big guy near 700. If you know BMW's, you know they have a lot of top-end weight, which is great on the road, but difficult when maneuvering by hand. Though the trailer is great, I should have gone with a true ride-on.

 

[RF667799]

I did mean the primary drive. I owned two motorcycles that were shaft drive, the Kawasaki GT750 and the Yamaha V-Max. Both were purchased during the 1980s. All my other motorcycles were chain-drive. Considering the amount I drove, I had to tighten the chain every week, and I was replacing them every six months. With the shaft-drive I just had to change the oil once a year.

That's final drive you are referring to which is the output from the transmission to the rear wheel. Primary drive is the link between the crankshaft and transmission. I would say the vast majority of motorcycles made use a chain or belt final drive. Mostly chain.

 

[RF667799]

I currently have two bikes - both BMWs - an 1150 and a 650 thumper. One is an RT, a big, touring bike, and the other a dual-sport, for riding the forest service roads, and getting there. Sadly, "Big Red" hasn't been out for two years, and "Blackie" for a year. I need to go out at least a half hour to get to "real riding" territory, and I rarely have the chance to be that far away from my honey that long. I've been thinking of grabbing a small bike that will fit on a rack behind our tiny RV, so that I can steal away for rides in the hinterlands while she's sleeping in. I used to take a bike on a trailer, but getting it on and off by myself has become too much of a hassle. The smaller bike is still 450 lbs, and the big guy near 700. If you know BMW's, you know they have a lot of top-end weight, which is great on the road, but difficult when maneuvering by hand. Though the trailer is great, I should have gone with a true ride-on.

A friend of mine had an old Honda Trail 90 that he carried on a rack on the back of his travel trailer. I don't think they make those Trail 90s anymore but they (and the 110cc version) are available. They have quite a following and are one of those bikes that seems to last forever.

 

[Crosscheck]

A friend of mine had an old Honda Trail 90 that he carried on a rack on the back of his travel trailer. I don't think they make those Trail 90s anymore but they (and the 110cc version) are available. They have quite a following and are one of those bikes that seems to last forever.

Those old Honda 90's were a great bike to learn on. I had a Honda 90 Scrambler and attempted to make it a dirt bike. Was 16 and we had like a little gang of Honda 90's buzzing around .
At the time Honda's biggest bike was a 450. My how the times have changed.

 

[RF667799]

Those old Honda 90's were a great bike to learn on. I had a Honda 90 Scrambler and attempted to make it a dirt bike. Was 16 and we had like a little gang of Honda 90's buzzing around .
At the time Honda's biggest bike was a 450. My how the times have changed.

A Honda 450 Scrambler was the first real motorcycle I ever rode. I was probably about 13 and my Uncle had brought his fairly new one to a family cookout. I nagged him to let me ride it and he finally said that if he laid it down on the ground and I could stand it up, then I could. I think he thought I wouldn't be able to do it, but I did do it. He gave me some instruction on working the clutch and then set me loose to ride around the back yard and our small field in first gear. I was ecstatic for about a half hour, but it ended bad. I decided to go explore a little and took off into the neighboring field. Nearly a mile from home I managed to stick the bike in a mudhole. When my Uncle and a cousin came looking for me finally, I was still trying to get the bike out of the mud. He got the by now completely filthy bike out pretty easily and told me to never ask to ride it again.

Well at least I had learned to work a clutch.

 

[NWRatCon]

Those old Honda 90's were a great bike to learn on. I had a Honda 90 Scrambler and attempted to make it a dirt bike. Was 16 and we had like a little gang of Honda 90's buzzing around .
At the time Honda's biggest bike was a 450. My how the times have changed.

A great friend of mine in high school had one of those "massive" 450s. I'd love to have one now. LOL. MY first bike was a "tiny" Shadow VLX. I loved that bike. Still sad I sold her. Would take it back in a heartbeat.

 

[ASHES]

Saw a Slingshot for the first time in person today, pretty neat looking.

 

[RF667799]

The Can Am Spyder is another delta layout trike.




Before I got my HD trike, I was considering one of those and also a Honda Goldwing trike conversion. One thing that many people don't consider about HD is how ubiquitous are their dealers in the US. Anywhere you go in the country you aren't far from a HD dealer and they are known to be very accommodating to travelers. That and the fact I've never owned a Harley and wanted to see what the fuss was about is probably what led me to the Triglide.

 

[RF667799]

Motorcycle enthusiasts, check out this classic bike dealer in St. Louis.

www.michaelsmotorcycles.com

We are a small Classic and Vintage Motorcycle workshop located in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. Our specialization is American, European, British and Japanese vintage, antiques and classics. Shipping arrangements for motorcycles anywhere in the U.S. or worldwide are handled through our office. We...

www.michaelsmotorcycles.com

Scrolling down to the archives of their sold bikes is well worth it if you're feeling like some classic bike porn.

 

[Fledermaus]

Motorcycle enthusiasts, check out this classic bike dealer in St. Louis.

www.michaelsmotorcycles.com

We are a small Classic and Vintage Motorcycle workshop located in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. Our specialization is American, European, British and Japanese vintage, antiques and classics. Shipping arrangements for motorcycles anywhere in the U.S. or worldwide are handled through our office. We...

www.michaelsmotorcycles.com

Scrolling down to the archives of their sold bikes is well worth it if you're feeling like some classic bike porn.

Too damn far.

 

[Fledermaus]

The Can Am Spyder is another delta layout trike.

View attachment 67303445


Before I got my HD trike, I was considering one of those and also a Honda Goldwing trike conversion. One thing that many people don't consider about HD is how ubiquitous are their dealers in the US. Anywhere you go in the country you aren't far from a HD dealer and they are known to be very accommodating to travelers. That and the fact I've never owned a Harley and wanted to see what the fuss was about is probably what led me to the Triglide.

I like Yamaha's trike....

 

[RF667799]

I like Yamaha's trike....

View attachment 67310015

I saw a road test of it and the test rider was impressed. There's a lot of traction from those two front tires. Odd looking beast though, and gives up what for me is some of the benefit of a more conventional trike layout.

 

[RF667799]

Too damn far.

I was mainly just pointing it out for the classic bike porn in the archives.

 

[Bodi]

Any riders @DP? I live in the mid Atlantic region and the last few winters have had their mild days. Today is one and I can hear the bikes rolling up and down the road. I’ve reached the age where I don’t feel that I have the “right stuff” anymore, m/c wise.

I have multiple machines and really am attached to them. It will be hard to part with them, but there comes a time for all things......

I had a Honda CR250 about 25 years ago and did some dirt biking and jumps. Nothing major but it was fun.

I transitioned into kinda extreme downhill mountain biking and other sports...

 

[Crosscheck]

I like Yamaha's trike....

View attachment 67310015

There has to be a learning curve riding that. At first look I try to imagine going around a curve.

Until you get on one you just have no idea.

 

[NWRatCon]

There has to be a learning curve riding that. At first look I try to imagine going around a curve.

Until you get on one you just have no idea.

That is SO true. I was enamoured of the Spyder, and rented one for a week in Colorado. The stability is amazing, but, since it doesn't lean in corners it doesn't ride like a motorcycle, which you learn real fast. You really have to set yourself before you enter a corner at any speed, or you feel like you're going to fly off the seat. The touring version has more of a bucket seat, that gives one a little more feeling of security, but you definitely need to get used to it.

Trikes are completely different animals than regular motorcycles. (My State requires a separate license.) I've not tried the Yamaha, but I did ride a scooter that has a dual front that leaned. Man was THAT fun. (Piaggio MP3) Cornering was a blast and extremely stable. Another advantage was parking it. You could lock it in lean on a slope and not worry about it tipping over. I'd thought about getting a trike, but the traditional dual rear ones are just too unstable in turns for me. I just love the feeling of two wheels and being melded to the machine. But... If I could coax my honey onto a trike... I'd be (semi-)convert.

 

[Fledermaus]

I was mainly just pointing it out for the classic bike porn in the archives.

All good...

There has to be a learning curve riding that. At first look I try to imagine going around a curve.

Until you get on one you just have no idea.

It's like a sports bike... But better in some ways. At least from what I have read. You can see it on a race track on the link below.

Six months later: The definitive Niken review

After 4,000 miles, how do we feel about the three-wheeler?

www.bennetts.co.uk

Swing a leg over and go....

 

[RF667799]

That is SO true. I was enamoured of the Spyder, and rented one for a week in Colorado. The stability is amazing, but, since it doesn't lean in corners it doesn't ride like a motorcycle, which you learn real fast. You really have to set yourself before you enter a corner at any speed, or you feel like you're going to fly off the seat. The touring version has more of a bucket seat, that gives one a little more feeling of security, but you definitely need to get used to it.

Trikes are completely different animals than regular motorcycles. (My State requires a separate license.) I've not tried the Yamaha, but I did ride a scooter that has a dual front that leaned. Man was THAT fun. (Piaggio MP3) Cornering was a blast and extremely stable. Another advantage was parking it. You could lock it in lean on a slope and not worry about it tipping over. I'd thought about getting a trike, but the traditional dual rear ones are just too unstable in turns for me. I just love the feeling of two wheels and being melded to the machine. But... If I could coax my honey onto a trike... I'd be (semi-)convert.

Trikes are more akin to riding an ATV then a motorcycle. No countersteering/leaning. The first time I tried riding an ATV, I had a hard time ignoring my bike riding instincts and came uncomfortably close to several trees. Your comments regarding your experience on a Spyder are completely accurate. At first you feel like it's trying to throw you off, because your mind is thinking "motorcycle" and on a motorcycle you're actually pushed down into the seat in corners.

It took me about 200 miles to get comfortable with my Triglide. I don't know about other traditional trikes, but my Triglide is very stable...just different. Triglides are manufactured to be trikes from the beginning. The Goldwing trikes and such are aftermarket conversions. The consensus among trike riders is that passengers tend to love trikes. The passenger feels a lot more stability both riding and at rest. Can move around more without affecting the driver. No danger at a stop of shifting weight and dropping a heavy touring bike on the ground.

Since I've had mine, I've took my 2 wheel bike for a spin a few times and had no trouble transitioning back and forth.

 

[Crosscheck]

As we talk about leaning on curves and such I can remember taking leans on curves but never had the foot peg drag.

But these guys are just unreal in taking that corner. I would be screaming like a 12 yr old girl riding that bike. And screaming in a good way.

 

[RF667799]

Some claim "King" Kenny Roberts was the first to drag a knee.




Kenny himself though, always denied it. Here's some evidence he was correct. An early photo of a guy on a Vincent. Note the duct taped leathers.