4 ms·

I'm not a boomer (38) and would still like a motorcycle now that I have the time and money to enjoy it but a Harley doesn't appeal at all (I'm English), they re

I'm not a boomer (38) and would still like a motorcycle now that I have the time and money to enjoy it but a Harley doesn't appeal at all (I'm English), they really haven't moved with the times, if I was going to get anything it would be something like an early 80's CB750 as when I was a kid they where the 'cool' bikes and I'd likely kill myself on anything more modern in short order.

dugditches 8y ago
Not necessarily true. 1. As 'more modern' bikes are lighter, have better brakes, suspension/handling and most importantly ABS. 2. Harley can't move on with the times. They did with their 'V-Rod' featuring a 'modern' liquid cooled engine designed by Porsche. They discontinued it this year. Harley riders want the old Harley image. They're trying to pivot into new markets as their customer base is becoming too old to ride or simply dying off. https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/future-vehicles/pan-america.html https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/future-veh...
- VBprogrammer 8y ago
  Anyone who says they think they might kill themselves on a certain type of bike shouldn't be allowed near any type of bike. They are incredible fun but unquestionably dangerous.
  - heywot 8y ago
    Or they know their limits. I, for one, have refused to purchase a sport bike on numerous occasions - including my "dream bike" - because I know its too much bike and that might get me into trouble. I've never felt that way about any of my cruisers or dirt bikes.
    - noir_lord 8y ago
      That's it exactly, my friends went through a superbike phrase and it was crash after crash at best written off bikes at worst hospital stays (fortunately). If I go modern I'll probably get something like an SV650. It's more the ability to ride long distances comfortably I want not pant wetting speed.
  - maxxxxx 8y ago
    " Anyone who says they think they might kill themselves on a certain type of bike shouldn't be allowed near any type of bike." Or maybe they are self aware. Realistically only a very small share of the people who are riding a 100+hp bike can really handle that power.
    - VBprogrammer 8y ago
      My motorcycle has 70hp. I can tell you that on the average ride I rarely use half of that. I don't think that'd be any different if my bike had 170hp. Realistically on the road you can't use that kind of power unless you are just trying to lose your licence on an empty motorway (although it's still fun to have it).
elorant 8y ago
You Brits manufacture some of the most beautiful bikes like Nortons, Royal Enfields and Triumphs. Great looking bikes and very easy to live with and maintain. I'd definitely pick one of those instead of a Harley any given day. Harley's are very cumbersome to drive, and maintenance costs are very high.
NeedMoreTea 8y ago
As someone who was riding those 80s CBs, Zs, and GS's, at the time, all I can say is don't. Outside of things like the GPz900R, Katanas etc, they usually handled pretty horribly. Old Ducatis and Laverdas of that era handled really well compared to most of the Japanese bikes back then, but slowly. Flickable they were not, so plan Italian lines well in advance. :) The biggest transformation of bikes the last 20 years has been handling. Now they generally all handle pretty well, with a few exceptions. So if you like the style of early CBs and Zs, pick one of the many retro remakes that have come out in the last 10 or so years.
maxxxxx 8y ago
Even as a slow and careful driver you are much better off with a newer bike. They handle better, brakes are better, you have much more leeway in an emergency. Just don't get a 100+hp monster.
mplewis 8y ago
There are a couple modern bikes out there that would be great for you! The Rebel 500 is gorgeous, a bit retro, and will keep you out of trouble. Since it's being made today, you won't run into the parts availability issues you will see with a vintage CB750. https://powersports.honda.com/2018/rebel-500.aspx https://powersports.honda.com/2018/rebel-500.aspx
randlet 8y ago
"80's CB750 as when I was a kid they where the 'cool' bikes and I'd likely kill myself on anything more modern in short order." Modern motorcycles are way, way safer than an early 80's CB750. ABS, traction control, brakes and tires that are light years ahead of 80's tech, lighter weight, more agile etc. The only reason to ride a CB750 is because they're cool, not safer!
alistairSH 8y ago
There are modern bikes that fall into the same market niche as the old CBs. For small displacement bikes that are light, inexpensive, and reliable, you could consider the Honda CB300F, which is available with ABS and a modern 300cc engine. If you must have a slightly more retro style, there's the Suzuki TU250X - it's a solid all-around bike, but no ABS. Both will likely be just as fast as the older CB750, handle better, stop better, and probably not cost much more money (CBs have gone way up in value, plus whatever time you spend brining it back to reliable condition). If you want a mid-displacement bike, yeah, they're fast, a bit more money, but still better bikes in just about every way compared to anything form the 70s.

dugditches 8y ago

Not necessarily true. 1. As 'more modern' bikes are lighter, have better brakes, suspension/handling and most importantly ABS. 2. Harley can't move on with the times. They did with their 'V-Rod' featuring a 'modern' liquid cooled engine designed by Porsche. They discontinued it this year. Harley riders want the old Harley image. They're trying to pivot into new markets as their customer base is becoming too old to ride or simply dying off. https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/future-vehicles/pan-america.html https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/motorcycles/future-veh...

VBprogrammer 8y ago
Anyone who says they think they might kill themselves on a certain type of bike shouldn't be allowed near any type of bike. They are incredible fun but unquestionably dangerous.
- heywot 8y ago
  Or they know their limits. I, for one, have refused to purchase a sport bike on numerous occasions - including my "dream bike" - because I know its too much bike and that might get me into trouble. I've never felt that way about any of my cruisers or dirt bikes.
  - noir_lord 8y ago
    That's it exactly, my friends went through a superbike phrase and it was crash after crash at best written off bikes at worst hospital stays (fortunately). If I go modern I'll probably get something like an SV650. It's more the ability to ride long distances comfortably I want not pant wetting speed.
- maxxxxx 8y ago
  " Anyone who says they think they might kill themselves on a certain type of bike shouldn't be allowed near any type of bike." Or maybe they are self aware. Realistically only a very small share of the people who are riding a 100+hp bike can really handle that power.
  - VBprogrammer 8y ago
    My motorcycle has 70hp. I can tell you that on the average ride I rarely use half of that. I don't think that'd be any different if my bike had 170hp. Realistically on the road you can't use that kind of power unless you are just trying to lose your licence on an empty motorway (although it's still fun to have it).

elorant 8y ago

You Brits manufacture some of the most beautiful bikes like Nortons, Royal Enfields and Triumphs. Great looking bikes and very easy to live with and maintain. I'd definitely pick one of those instead of a Harley any given day. Harley's are very cumbersome to drive, and maintenance costs are very high.

NeedMoreTea 8y ago

As someone who was riding those 80s CBs, Zs, and GS's, at the time, all I can say is don't. Outside of things like the GPz900R, Katanas etc, they usually handled pretty horribly. Old Ducatis and Laverdas of that era handled really well compared to most of the Japanese bikes back then, but slowly. Flickable they were not, so plan Italian lines well in advance. :) The biggest transformation of bikes the last 20 years has been handling. Now they generally all handle pretty well, with a few exceptions. So if you like the style of early CBs and Zs, pick one of the many retro remakes that have come out in the last 10 or so years.

maxxxxx 8y ago

Even as a slow and careful driver you are much better off with a newer bike. They handle better, brakes are better, you have much more leeway in an emergency. Just don't get a 100+hp monster.

mplewis 8y ago

There are a couple modern bikes out there that would be great for you! The Rebel 500 is gorgeous, a bit retro, and will keep you out of trouble. Since it's being made today, you won't run into the parts availability issues you will see with a vintage CB750. https://powersports.honda.com/2018/rebel-500.aspx https://powersports.honda.com/2018/rebel-500.aspx

randlet 8y ago

"80's CB750 as when I was a kid they where the 'cool' bikes and I'd likely kill myself on anything more modern in short order." Modern motorcycles are way, way safer than an early 80's CB750. ABS, traction control, brakes and tires that are light years ahead of 80's tech, lighter weight, more agile etc. The only reason to ride a CB750 is because they're cool, not safer!

alistairSH 8y ago

There are modern bikes that fall into the same market niche as the old CBs. For small displacement bikes that are light, inexpensive, and reliable, you could consider the Honda CB300F, which is available with ABS and a modern 300cc engine. If you must have a slightly more retro style, there's the Suzuki TU250X - it's a solid all-around bike, but no ABS. Both will likely be just as fast as the older CB750, handle better, stop better, and probably not cost much more money (CBs have gone way up in value, plus whatever time you spend brining it back to reliable condition). If you want a mid-displacement bike, yeah, they're fast, a bit more money, but still better bikes in just about every way compared to anything form the 70s.