Underrated bikes

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Keith Huewen would have done well to have won in 84 on one, they didn't arrive in the UK until March 1985, it was 87 he won Superstocks on one, the bike is currently in Scotland being restored, it was owned by Pete Beale for years, Pete said I could have a go on it when it's restored, but I doubt if that's going to happen now.

The FZ also won Daytona and was second in the first year of WSB.

I've owned FZs and a very early GSXR750, they're very different bikes to ride, the FZ is very much a mid 80s road bike, and the GSXR is a race bike with lights and a silencer, standard the GSXR is much better on track, but the FZ has a ton of potential that's easily unlocked.

[Mr Moofo]

I would love a Cagiva Elefant - anyone got one?

[Couchy]

Yamaha xt660x.

According to many they're not a proper supermoto and don't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath. But you know what, they're better! Faster in a straight line, corners well and has a proper tank range and service intervals.

Awesome

Aww man, the XT is better at being a sensible motorbike than a supermoto the same way a diversion 600 is better than the XT. A supermoto should wheelie in all gears stoppy for fun and spin the rear on cold tyres, it should also weigh less than 120kgs. The XT can’t be a proper supermoto as it’s a proper motorbike. Still a nice one I grant you and it’s problem is it gets compared to proper SM when it should be compared to stuff like CB500’s

[Couchy]

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.

There’s not a 600 out there is there ? but the 660 FZ go really well with 70hp

[Scotsrich]

I bought a KH250 as my first bike when the X7 was the bike to have.

I didn’t really know better at the time and the KH had been given a nice paint job, a bikini fairing and drop bars so it was the looks I fell for first. From what I recall they were done by a local company to help shift them but I’ve never seen even a picture of one similar.

Anyway as a first bike it was more than quick enough for me.

[Demannu]

Keith Huewen would have done well to have won in 84 on one, they didn't arrive in the UK until March 1985, it was 87 he won Superstocks on one

Thanks for the history lesson, but I was just refuting the underrated bit.
I had an original gold clutch 750 myself!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Keith Huewen would have done well to have won in 84 on one, they didn't arrive in the UK until March 1985, it was 87 he won Superstocks on one

Thanks for the history lesson, but I was just refuting the underrated bit.
I had an original gold clutch 750 myself!

Early ones are pretty, the later ones are nicer to ride, but not massively different

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I would love a Cagiva Elefant - anyone got one?

One of my dream bikes as a yoof, only ever saw one parked up when I was about 14yrs old. My dads mate explained what it was and I was hooked.

I’m not sure the reality of ownership would match up but they’re beautiful things. I distinctly remember the one I saw having the words Elefant Rally on the side panel.

Dave Cornish who used to write for Trail Bike Magazine had one, maybe two, of them, he really rated them, I've never heard a bad word said about them, the only down side would be Cagiva Ducati reliability.

[Hairybiker84]

I had one as a rental when on holiday in Cyprus years ago - nice bike to ride but didn't have a clue what it was as I'd never seen one before or since!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Dave Cornish who used to write for Trail Bike Magazine had one, maybe two, of them, he really rated them, I've never heard a bad word said about them, the only down side would be Cagiva Ducati reliability.

The ones with the nice paint job look ace, although so does the new Honda Africa and you wouldn’t have to worry too much about reliability on the Honda.

Dave also had an HRC 650 Africa Twin, it was ace, a much better bike than the normal Africa Twin.

[lostboy]

Thundercat - especially with a few tweaks to the suspension. Big enough for us real sized humans but easy enough for shorter people to ride, quick enough, handles well (with the tweaks, a little soft without), reliable and just a great jump on and go bike.

[KungFooBob]

The mention of the Thundercat reminded me of the Thunderace.

I've never had one, but I have a mate who had one and he still reckons it was one of the best bikes he ever had. I thought they just looked fat.

[lostboy]

The mention of the Thundercat reminded me of the Thunderace.

I've never had one, but I have a mate who had one and he still reckons it was one of the best bikes he ever had. I thought they just looked fat.

I so nearly bought one but then bailed on it because I thought it was a bit cheesy my son having a (Mr OCD's) Thundercat* and me having the bigger one. I really enjoyed the test ride. Ended up with another Sprint 955.

*It's in my garage so it's my go-to bike at the moment. I really enjoy it!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Both the Chunders were good bikes, but the press were gushing over Hondas at the time.

[The Spin Doctor]

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.

A mate had one... absolute hoot to ride!

[The Spin Doctor]

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.

I loved my FZ, even though it was "slower and doesn't handle as well as a GSX-R" because of that beaut of an engine that pulled from tickover to the red line and could easily average 55 mpg.

The only thing I would have changed was the plank, I mean seat.

[Bustaspoke]

I loved my FZ, even though it was "slower and doesn't handle as well as a GSX-R" because of that beaut of an engine that pulled from tickover to the red line and could easily average 55 mpg.

The only thing I would have changed was the plank, I mean seat.

I agree with all that,it's a peach of a motor and I get on with the seat.
About 10 years ago I was at Oulton Park BSB & it was a practice day.I spotted a immaculate restored later FZ painted in the earlier colours.I got talking to the owner & he was saying that he had a CBR600 but enjoyed taking the old FZ out because he loved how the motor just pulled.

[Demannu]

Gratuitous FZ shots
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[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Is that the one Superbike tarted up?

[Demannu]

It was.