Yamaha - demo ride almost impossible

I didn't mean to imply that the theory "product first, money 2nd"
generally works because I don't believe that it does in most cases.

I just meant that I prefer to ride bikes that are the result of that
theory, they tend to have much more character


G-S

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:53:37 +1000

Anything made because the people want to make it good for them is
going to have character and I think be more attractive.

A while back I was in the bikeshop in Strathalbyn. THere were two
"nakeds" next to each other, a Griso and what I think was a Kawasaki
ER6n. The kwak had "edgy urban styling as the focus groups told us
was kewl" with insectoid headlight and bits of angular plastic
everywhere. The Griso was a motor and drivetrain, with a seat
attached.

The Kwak said "I am designed by a 50yo to be what the marketing
people say the teenagers want". The Griso said "I am what I am, you
don't like it you can **** off".

It's maybe not fair to compare a 25 grand bike with a 10 grand one,
but I don't think the money was the reason one bike had so much more
attitude than the other.

Doesn't mean the Japanese can't do it, I think the early VRFs had it,
the CBR1100R, and of course the RC30. The Z9, the RDs, and so on.

Zebee

 

Still generally better than me and most things biological!!

 

I don't think it was either. The little and cheap Sachs MadAss is a
perfect example of how a bike maker can do 'attitude' without spending a
fortune.

I couldn't see that little bike being made by any current japanese bike
maker, although the original Honda Monkey bike had a similar vibe.

Yup, there were plenty of examples in times past but as you get closer
to the current date the examples wane.

Suzuki's M109 comes close...


G-S

 

Interesting that of the examples of bikes in this thread which have
'attitude' or whatever it is, the examples above from the 80s seem to me
to be the kinds of bikes which were sought after at the time, or on
rider's wishlist, but somewhat unattainable to the average punter
because of price or limited supply, and of the modern crop (G-S keeps
mentioning the M109 so I'll throw that in as an example) don't appear to
be particularly sought after or aspirational and only seem to be seldom
seen on the road because they're just not the bike that people want to
buy/ride.

Nev..
'08 DL1000K8

 

In aus.motorcycles on Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:01:07 +1000

I think the R1 might be in the class, it has much of the rep and feel
of the RC30. And there were heaps of R1s

Zebee

 

Age. It's like that...

 

I believe you already said that. My large drive is somewhat smaller
than that, an Isuzi F700 with the red and blue lights option.

Theo

 

I owned a Z9... I didn't think of it as very unobtainable at the time.

Most of the faster guys on japanese bikes rode some sort of big jap 4
(starting at the lower end of the price range with a Z9 or Z thou and
adding moriwaki bits). The Z9 was a great sales sucess for Kawasaki for
what that's worth.

And I hear that the M109 is doing very well for Suzuki as well, in fact
so well that they're now bringing in smaller copies of it for people who
can't handle the larger version.


G-S

 

I believe you already said that too! I even like the passenger cars, if I
had the need, I'd get a 240 Estate to knock around in.

 

Age seems to favor many bikes. When I rode my SS Ducati everywhere Honda
fours were "heaps of shit".
I've still got the old bevel but I recently brought a s.o.h.c. F2. What a
lovely motor, sure the brakes aren't much chop but after changing the fork
oil and putting some spacers on top of the fork springs the old girl even
handles sort of OK. (She came with Koni's). Years ago I wouldn't give em a
second glance , now I'm lusting after a K3 or K4

I'm sure in years to come R6's and Tiger fireblades will be highly regarded.
80's GSXR's are there allready and GPZ's well on the way. M109's, well I'm
not as convinced but I've been plenty wrong to date.

Capt. A. L.

 

Man that is just *sick*!
Couldn't you admit to being a wife-basher or a terrorist or something a
bit less offensive?