Why Did You Buy a Retro Styled Bike?

So, why did you do it? There are plenty of better designs out there; more horsepower, better handling, but you went and paid alot of money to drive 1970's ('60's, 50's) technology. Post a pic of your bike and tell us what you like about it and anything that bugs you about it. I wasn't in the market for anything new, hell, I was looking at old Nortons and Ducatis but the thought of maintaining another older engine was scaring me to death (I just got done restoring a '67 FJ40). My first love is still off-road riding and I lust after the big adventure KTMs but the V7 Moto Guzzis knocked my socks off. Hell, I bought mine sight unseen over the internet and drove 250 miles to pick it up.:huh

This forum has probably caused more problems in my life by forcing me to drool after Urals, Scramblers and Royal Enfields. I love the classic designs, but don't necessarily want to mess with more carbs, points or brittle electrical systems.

The things I love about the Moto Guzzi? The torque, the styling (minus the plastic number plates and red hubs), the riding position and that beautiful exhaust note. Things I don't like? Well, other than the above, I haven't found it yet. I grin from ear to ear when I ride it (thank God for full face helmets otherwise I'd be picking bugs out of my teeth). The nearest Blockbuster is 15 miles away (with the option of riding some fun twisties), and I used to dread exchanging movies. Not anymore, any excuse to ride is fine by me.

So show a picture of your bike and discuss any changes you are thinking about.





What do I want to change? Get rid of the front number plate when I can afford a Stucchi Fairing, exhaust system (2 into one, slip ons??????????), and some bar ends.

In the 60s when I first started riding I recall lusting after the big brit twins but was a little scared of how powerful and fast they were so I stuck with smaller bikes. Funny how small and light they look now. So when a decent used W650 appeared 12 years ago I jumped on it. What I like most about it is this:

It's funny, but I completely missed the W650s when they came out. I think I must have been stationed in Germany at that time. That is a beautiful engine.

Why? Because every time I look at it, or listen to it, I think "Holy Shit!"

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/g74Db1AzEGrHqMC6Ur05S9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WKWY49Y2ARg/T9SCR0sumlI/AAAAAAAAAFk/iLGXJlix0Mw/s800/IMG_0930.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>

2001 Kawasaki W650
Nice power, simple bike, reliable, 60 MPG, etc.
What's not to like? Like my old BSA 650 that I owned back in the mid 60's except gets me home.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2mKdeXaR3L5Cwfnbb_O4CdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_YPGjWB7rw8/UGYupBHSYrI/AAAAAAAABr8/p4ldG5nWio8/s800/IMG_1149.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Experienced riders like them.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FLzjuJFX0aqzam3LeZ_LwtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cftD7LEni_w/UIbi1BteLfI/AAAAAAAAB90/rRiEgWxDB14/s800/IMG_1249.JPG" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Decent in the dirt/gravel.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qDM5HiLi5bFNiTNjW9X07dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f7ZQ4R4OePw/T9SBeCWrwpI/AAAAAAAAACs/YxxvnYVuMz8/s800/IMG_1048.jpg" height="600" width="800" /></a>

Good for hauling garbage to the dump.

Because the look of a classic motorcycle is one of the most beautiful things in the world, and something that most modern designs don't even com close to achieving, aesthetically. That alone is reason enough. But also, because I've matured to the point of realizing that I don't need to go double the speed limit every time I ride. (Although I happen to have a bike for that, too).

I bought my first Ural because it was on CL too cheap. I never even rode in a sidecar before, nor thought about one until I saw the ad. We loved it and upgraded to an almost new 2010 this spring. It hauls a week's worth of groceries, goes offroad very well, is simple as a rock, has gone 11,000 miles this year without a single issue, and pulls interested and interesting people out of the woodwork. It has been the most fun toy of many different things I've owned. It also happens to be the only bike my wife of 26 years is comfortable on (in?). My two wheelers are too tough on her aging body. It's nice to have her along on rides with this. Even our former GL1800 was getting uncomfortable for her. This one she rode across much of the country in without issue.
BTW- I love the other bikes posted here too.

When I found out about the Honda CB1100 I wanted one. I don't need to go faster than the speed limit, although I've had every bike I've owned over 100 or at least as fast at it would go, in the case of my KZ440. I don't care for leaning forward and putting weight on my wrists all the time. I like naked bikes, I like to see the bits that make it go. Plastic coated bikes, although pretty, just don't trip my trigger.

I don't have a CB1100, but maybe someday...

Why do you need a retro when you can ride the classic?

I ride my Tiger all over the east coast and it's my choice for all the "big" rides. But any day or two ride, any distance, is done on the 2009 Bonneville. A perfect bike for me. Good looking and a total blast to ride. Does EVERYTHING a motorcycle should do.

Why? More fun, I think. I bought a 2007 Scrambler. Had everything in the looks department, but sadly lacking everywhere else. So I sold it and bought a Street Triple R to address what the Scrambler didn't have. Alas, while powerful , light, and handling well, it just didn't feel right. Occasionally fun, but mostly utilitarian. It did anything I wanted, anytime I wanted it. So, back to the retro:



Like they say, its more fun to ride a slow bike fast, then to ride a fast bike slow.

Yes, another V7 Racer, but this one has the ever-so-cool and now somewhat rare, black metal tank. I have already lowered the clocks, installed Euro turn signals, Rizoma bar end mirrors, and sorted out the suspension (it needs serious attention). I have an Agostini exhaust waiting under the Christmas tree. I'll post some updated pics after Christmas.

How 'bout a Harley???



Because it is the most versatile bike i have ever ridden. Plus the fact that is so comfortable. And it looks like a motorcycle!!

that is one beauty of a bike barnone. I had a 65 mile commute in 01 and was doing it on a Gold Wing. Otherwise I would have had one of these back then.

siyeh,
Thanks, It is the third W650 for me and this time I'm going to keep her.

I got the bike I wanted since I was a kid, with the convenience of modern-day reliability.

I always liked the Road King since it first came out as the Electra Glide Sport (or the original Duo-Glide if you prefer), to me it's the original classic motorcyle style, the kind of look that never goes out of fashion. It's not influenced by wind tunnels or the B1 Bomber it's just an old school bike with modern features: cruise control, abs etc.

Just traded this an 09 RK that had 62k miles.



The Electra Glide follows the same philosophy and it's really the same bike as the RK with the "Batwing" fairing thats been available since 1969. Like the RK it's modern in many ways, ABS, cruise control, heated grips, AM/FM/CD etc.

My new bike 2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited



I'm not sure HD fits into retro style since some of the styling cues haven't changed all that much in 40 years.

I fell for the Scrambler,absolutely had to have one. Bought an 07 green/silver,it really looked the part and people marveled at it wherever I parked it,old coots came out of the woodwork to kibbitz about the old days.
Problem is I always forget Im somewhat of a hotrodder and like to pitch bikes into corners and lean em way over after nailing the brakes hard coming in................The Scrambler would have nothing to do with this sort of frivolity.

Hitting the brakes hard only made the forks twist and the bike crab sideways,and they arent even good brakes,the forks and shocks are the same thing Harley puts on their bargain bin Sportster,clunky/banging back smacking things.

And hard parts drug as soon as I leaned it over much at all,this with longer shocks. Then it held very little gas,and got very poor mileage,and made about 38 hp from a 900cc engine. Well over 500 lbs dry. Slow? Dont Ask.

I think that Triumph nailed it on these bikes really,they are honest to dog vintage bikes with vintage performance,and they have the look down just so. Many riders are deeply smitten with these bikes and keep working at making them look better.

Triumphs are a quality bike though,I picked up a 99 1200 Trophy and have had nothing but a blast every time I ride the thing,it easily goes fast enough and handles great.

I think the retro style bikes just look right. I guess because that's what bikes looked like when I started riding. I bought my 2000 W650 new in 2002. This is a bike I don't think I'll ever sell.

One of these days I might get a Moto Guzzi V7 Stone to keep it company in my garage.

This is a recent photo. It has about 32,000 miles on it.

Suits my abilities better than a sports bike, Had Triumphs for the last 18 years and like the reliability and the style. Got the Thruxton as I didn't like the kink in the exhaust of the Bonneville. Its a good bike if you like tinkering and have done about 30 or so modifications to get it just the way I wanted it.

Does this qualify as a "Retro-Styled" Bike? Retro-Styled-Sportbike maybe?



LOL!! I know I'm stretching it b'ys ... the 'lil ZZ-R is an absolute hoot though and dirt cheap to run!

You all are lucky to have such lovely Bikes folks ... those Guzzis and W650s are the stuff of dreams ... thanks for allowing me to drool!