Underrated bikes

[Asian Boss]

I really would be a bit wary of the X11. I rode a fair few miles on one, it had borderline inadequate forks, the build quality you hope for on an 1100cc Honda of that era wasn't there and, if it's an issue, the bars are actually quite low. Plus heavy and quite thirsty. I would really advise against.

[JackyJoll]

I am sure Bike Breaker will back me up when I say LE Velocette...I know all you kids have probably never seen one.

I’ve passed them.

[wheelnut]

My first proper bike was a naked ZR7. I thought it was a good looking thing as far as that sort of style goes and it was more capable than I was. I would have another one if I could find a mint one.

Also an old mid 70s GT 185 which was my first bike. I would have one of them but fear it would be just a disappointment and would never get ridden.

[KungFooBob]

My first proper bike was a naked ZR7

So it was you, who bought the one sold in the UK!

[wheelnut]

My first proper bike was a naked ZR7

So it was you, who bought the one sold in the UK!

Yep <proud>

[KungFooBob]

I remember reading the mag reviews when it was launched. They were not kind.

[Asian Boss]

I think I also rode a ZR7. It was pretty much an unfaired GPz750 (but about 15 years later) from memory.

[Skub]

I think I also rode a ZR7. It was pretty much an unfaired GPz750 (but about 15 years later) from memory.

All them Zephyrs were like all them Frazers,but worse.

[asmethurst99]

I've no idea why the VFR1200 was such a flop. Honda gave it their all and who wouldn't want a big bore version of the 800?

They're cheap as chips. I like the Crosstourer, the ADV version, but they hold their money really really well.

Ugly and enormous looking - should have sold like hot cakes but Honda got it wrong somehow

[wheelnut]

I think I also rode a ZR7. It was pretty much an unfaired GPz750 (but about 15 years later) from memory.

As skub says, it was more an evolution of the zephyr. I liked it better than the equivalent bandit.

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[Felix]

As skub says, it was more an evolution of the zephyr. I liked it better than the equivalent bandit.

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I nearly bought one of them in that colour but i had the GPz750A at the time what was basically just an older version of the same engine.

[Bigjawa]

Old FZ600



Should have been shit, being a parts bin special to keep Yamaha in the 600 game until the FZR came out, but was actually very good, felt a bit like a fast 125.

[KungFooBob]

CRMC run a post-classic 600 class. Almost the entire field are FZ600's.

IIRC they're slower than the XJ600, because they had to use smaller carbs to fit in the frame.

[Demannu]

Don't remember the FZ6 being underrated!
Back in't day, it was voted the best handling bike out there!

[Bigjawa]

CRMC run a post-classic 600 class. Almost the entire field are FZ600's.

IIRC they're slower than the XJ600, because they had to use smaller carbs to fit in the frame.

They didn't feel that slow, but they always felt small to ride.

Don't remember the FZ6 being underrated!
Back in't day, it was voted the best handling bike out there!

They handled great, but the CBR was a different league of desirability, my FZ was a very late one registered in 1990, I paid 300 quid for it in 1999, literally nobody wanted them.

[Bustaspoke]

My FZ750.The GSXR750 was the the bike to have but I bought this Japanese spec FZ750.
I bought it from St.Lukes in Southport,he had loads of freshly imported GSXR's on display but I wanted a FZ750.After trying to sell me one of the GSXR's he gave up & told me "there's a mint one in our other shop,let me know what you think". I bought it.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I had a GT185, it was shit, slow, didn't handle very well and constantly holed pistons.

I don't remember FZ750s being under rated, I think nearly every magazine had them as bike of the year in 1985, it's just that the early GSXR sold a hell of a lot better

[Cousin Jack]

I am sure Bike Breaker will back me up when I say LE Velocette...I know all you kids have probably never seen one.

I’ve passed them.

You would need to stop gpr them to pass you.

[Yorick]

I got a GT185 a week after my 17th birthday

[Demannu]

My FZ750.The GSXR750 was the the bike to have but I bought this Japanese spec FZ750.
I bought it from St.Lukes in Southport,he had loads of freshly imported GSXR's on display but I wanted a FZ750.After trying to sell me one of the GSXR's he gave up & told me "there's a mint one in our other shop,let me know what you think". I bought it.

Again, not underrated in the slightest.
Iirc, Huewen won the British 750 championship on one in .......84.
Its main problem was in 85 the gixxer arrived, and moved the goalposts significantly!