| Author | Message | ||
     Steveford |
I posted this over on triumphrat but perhaps you guys would find this to be mildly interesting. I was talking to a fellow on the way out of work tonight about motorcycle gear and how far things have progressed since I was a kid. Heated gear and the Apple Warmer-type things for the helmets and waterproof boots and suits and real rain gear and everything is just leaps and bounds better than when I was slogging through the NJ winters back in the late 70s. That made me think about the bike I was on, my 06 Tiger. Huge, comfortable Corbin seat, electric start, triple discs, three cylinders, water cooled, 9500 RPM red line, 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC, long travel suspension front and rear, halogen headlights, carbon fiber exhaust canister, radial tires, hard luggage, all sorts of aftermarket windscreens to try out, synthetic oil, fuel injection - this isn't anywhere close to the latest and greatest yet it would have seemed like science fiction back when I was dreaming about buying a Norton Commando when I grew up. It's pretty obvious that the industry is headed towards electric motorcycles (sooner or later) and it struck me: we're actually living through the Golden Age of Motorcycles. Things will progress further, of course, with two steps forward, one step backwards and maybe a step sideways as things always seem to go with motorcycle development, but I'm pretty sure we're living in the Golden Age right now. For not too much money we can pick up a bike which would have handily won the Daytona 200 back when I was a whippersnapper. Sport touring, adventure touring, retro standard look, you name it, what we can currently lay our hands on is better than anything I could have dreamed of 40 years ago when I was pleased as punch, kick starting my beautiful new Bonneville. This is not a slam on the vintage stuff, either, as that certainly has its place but for day in and day out, I think we're living in the best of all possible worlds. (Message edited by SteveFord on November 21, 2019) | ||
| Pwnzor |
Hard to dispute this... I've had quite a few really good bikes, just a couple of crappy ones. I paid more for the crappiest bike I ever owned than almost two of the good ones combined. Lesson learned, I guess. The current bike, like every Kawasaki before it, has been 100% trouble-free - and answers every question I ever asked of it. It most certainly supports your statements here. | ||
| Ourdee |
I'm lovin' it! | ||
| Sifo |
It's pretty obvious that the industry is headed towards electric motorcycles (sooner or later) and it struck me: we're actually living through the Golden Age of Motorcycles. It's not the electrics that will end the golden age of motorcycles. I do agree that this is a golden age though. What will kill it is that people are learning to depend more and more on technology that takes over driving responsibilities from the driver. More and more young people simply don't have any passion for vehicles, and are very happy being dependent on ride share systems to get around. It's lack of interest that will most likely kill of this golden age of motorcycles. | ||
| Ratbuell |
More and more young people simply don't have any passion for vehicles More and more young people just don't want to (or CAN'T) own anything. Rent, borrow, lease, Uber...why incur the expense and responsibility of making it your own? | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Rat: your observation suggests that market forces from a reduced passion for vehicles, means many of the vehicles that we covet(2 or 4 wheeled), will become more affordable at some point between used collectible vehicle and genuine museum piece. I hope to get the timing right for my list. | ||
| 1313 |
^ What he said! I've had the same thoughts for a while... | ||
| Tootal |
Agreed. The electrics support in city dwelling would definitely increase but for travel I think that's still way down the road. I'm loving the competition between Harley and Indian. That's great for us most of all. Any modern machine is so dependable these days they're almost boring! But the older I get boring is not a bad thing, as long as it's not boring to ride! Buell = never boring! | ||
| Bartimus |
I agree that there are some great bikes out there now, with some great options. But personally, I feel the golden age of motorcycles has come and gone. I miss motorcycles with kick and electric start. I miss being able to adjust my valves on the side of the road, or adjust my points for that matter. IMO, that was the golden age if motorcycling. I have a bike with fancy suspension, traction control, ABS, LCD dash, heated seat, grips, and gobs of horsepower and torque. It truly is a remarkable motorcycle. But when the battery is dead, or low, its done for. But I look across the garage, and gaze upon my 1972 CB750K2 and think of the hundreds of thousands of smiles I've put on that bike in my lifetime, all the kick starts, push starts, it always got me home.  Much like my Buells, The 'ol S1 sitting next to the CR. I can fiddle with lots on the S1. | ||
| Ourdee |
Unless we wind up with a cash for clunkers program for motorcycles. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I would argue that your CB750 was at the beginning of the Golden Age | ||
| 86129squids |
This conversation makes me appreciate my '77 R75/7 more than ever. Yes, technology we have available now is beyond George Jetson's wildest dreams, but some bikes are just right. I appreciate all the whiz-bang gadgetry, but I've no interest. When things get that complicated in bikes or cars, it seems like overkill to me. @ Kawasaki, they've just released the new W800. All the style and beauty, plus enough gadgetry= Goldilock's ride? "Golden Age" indeed. Everyone here should make it at least once to Barber, and to Wheels Through Time. Sometime in the Spring I'll have to make a day trip over to Maggie Valley, it's been a while. | ||
| Tootal |
When I bought my Buell I ended up having a conversation with one of the two retired owners of the local BMW shop. I told him I bought a Buell and he just couldn't understand it. He went on and on about all the techno wizardry the new BMW bikes have. I told him that all that techno crap is the reason I don't own a BMW. Electric brakes? No thanks. After another beer I asked him what he was riding these days and he told me he had a new Triumph!! I just had to laugh! Something a little more simple? Maybe? I really do appreciate technology but I really like being in full control of the bike. About the only thing I do like is ABS but not when I also have to have combined braking. If I want the front brake on I'll put it on, I don't need some gizmo to put it on when I'm on the rear brake! Golden age? Yep. Plenty to choose from including those older machines. | ||
| Ourdee |
My CB550four was all I needed at the time. A 400 mile ride was easy as pie and to me it ran smooth as silk. Wish I could get one like it today for $300. | ||
| Ourdee |
The bike I never got. At 16 years old it was 1976, the bicentennial, 200 years of Merika! And I saw a Kawasaki 650 painted with a USA flag/stars and stripes theme. There was a guy riding it on E. Washington Street in Indianapolis. He did a few wheelies. Then he was gone. | ||
| 86129squids |
RD- if you're the eagle eye on CL and Facepalm marketplace I know you to be, you surely could find something like that sooner or later. $300 might be a little short, but probably not much more. When I get bored on the 'puter I'll scan locally, will generally see a few interesting old-timers. Many for good money. Maybe the market's different up there. | ||
| 86129squids |
This was/could be a great ride- https://knoxville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/knoxville-1 986-yamaha-radian-mechanic/7011066757.html another, https://knoxville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/knoxville-m otor-cycle/7008289817.html https://knoxville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/knoxville-h onda-cb/7008093542.html https://tricities.craigslist.org/mcy/d/kingsport-1 973-honda-cl-350/7012971650.html You're welcome! | ||
| Ourdee |
I have weird dreams of what I want to ride. Problem or not is that Lil Red is doing well. I can't ride more than one machine at a time. I do need to go buy Lil Red a nut. | ||
| Pwnzor |
I do need to go buy Lil Red a nut. There's a great big one between the seat and the handlebars, last I checked. | ||
| Ourdee |
 | ||
| Court |
I'm still Jonsing for a red/gray CL77. | ||
| 86129squids |
e You take a scrambler, I'll take a black and silver Super Hawk. | ||
| 86129squids |
Hey Santa. Can I haz a yellowjacket RZ350? | ||
| Pwnzor |
1976 Honda CB750F1 Supersport  |
