Underrated bikes

Anything you like about motorbikes
DW.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by DW. »

Well, this could also be different in a different country, but over here I think the Bmw G450x was a pretty good thing and very underrated.
The ktm, bergs and huskies seem to shit all over it with sales and popularity, but I reckon as far as performance it was right up there with them.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by KungFooBob »

Caponord 1200's.

They seem quite cheap compared to other ADV bikes of similar age and mileage.

Are they a hidden gem, or total pap?
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

KungFooBob wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 8:52 pm Caponord 1200's.

They seem quite cheap compared to other ADV bikes of similar age and mileage.

Are they a hidden gem, or total pap?
Why do you think they're cheap?
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by KungFooBob »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 9:12 pm Why do you think they're cheap?
Something to do with my brain, I'm not sure on the specifics.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

KungFooBob wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 9:13 pm
Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Tue Nov 16, 2021 9:12 pm Why do you think they're cheap?
Something to do with my brain, I'm not sure on the specifics.
Meow.

Go on buy one, or at least test ride one.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by The Spin Doctor »

Jawa 350? MZ300ETZ?

I'll get my coat :)
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Skub »

The Spin Doctor wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 3:04 pm Jawa 350? MZ300ETZ?

I'll get my coat :)
You'll not need your coat,the pushing will keep you warm. :thumbup:
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by KungFooBob »

I had a MuZ 301 Saxon Tour NE (to give it the full title).

Bought it as a minter for £300 from Bawtry auctions.

I think I managed two years commute, I ragged the absolute shit out of it. It lost 2rd gear, which meant slipping the clutch a bit, when 3rd went I had to fix it.

When I put it all back together a had half a dozen bolts left over from inside the engine... and still no 3rd gear (2nd worked tho'), it still went alright.

Sold it for £50 to a mates dad for kids to use as a field bike.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Skub »

I can scarcely credit the money old Moon Zappers are attracting now. Funnily enough,from laughing at them in my callow youth as the epitome of uncool,I quite like the looks now! I still think Jawa/CZ are shit,though.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Bustaspoke »

Skub wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 3:39 pm I can scarcely credit the money old Moon Zappers are attracting now. Funnily enough,from laughing at them in my callow youth as the epitome of uncool,I quite like the looks now! I still think Jawa/CZ are shit,though.
Same here,I think the old MZ's are alternative & niche enough to be quite cool.Back in the day they were a good workhorse.
Probably make a good reliable commuter & not so desirable to thieves (or hipsters). :D
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Druid »

Skub wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 3:39 pm I can scarcely credit the money old Moon Zappers are attracting now. Funnily enough,from laughing at them in my callow youth as the epitome of uncool,I quite like the looks now! I still think Jawa/CZ are shit,though.
As someone who once owned a CZ250 for a short while I can confirm that they were shit in the early 80s. The passing years will not have improved them
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Bigjawa »

inewham wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 6:38 pm I wouldn't mind having a go on a Skorpion Sport though
I had a naked Skorpion. I'd have another tomorrow.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

[quote=inewham post_id=120209 time=1637174310 user_id=79]
I wouldn't mind having a go on a Skorpion Sport though
[/quote]


How about this one, a friend used to race it, I don't think any of it was actually made by MuZ, it is an ex factory race bike
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by KungFooBob »

Don't forget the MZ 1000S...

Image

The only one I've seen in the flesh was in the DDR Museum in Berlin.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Bigjawa »

Jawas and Cieze-its weren't that bad, I've had a load of them. They were just a bit basic and when they tarted them up, they looked a hell of a lot faster than they were.

Great for riding about one handed once you mastered the Kickstart/gears/clutch business. Plus the 350 had a neutral between 3rd and 4th for coasting downhill.

MZs were a totally different story, they were literally as well built as BMWs. I went round Europe on a 1982 ETZ that stood me £35. Never missed a beat apart from needing a condenser in France.

Top speed was 80 odd but it would sit all day at 75, it handled amazingly in any conditions and the front Brembo was the same as a BMW/Ducati/Guzzi.

Regret selling the old beast.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Scootabout »

At the time I owned my Burgman AN400Y https://www.google.com/search?q=burgman ... zPP_-XD84M, 2001-2005, it was considered a pretty eccentric choice by most bikers. Only the initiés of the maxi scoot and feet forward groups knew how capable they were :)
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by KungFooBob »

Potter wrote: Mon Nov 15, 2021 4:24 am
Mr Moofo wrote: Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:26 pm 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.
https://www.moto.it/news/nuova-lucky-ex ... -spia.html

Looks right up your alley 😁
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by KungFooBob »

The SF looks like some one tried to copy a Tunono from a drunken memory.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-detai ... 8106074112

I quite like the Superbike one.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Whysub »

KungFooBob wrote: Sat Nov 13, 2021 11:40 am 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.
We had four at work, and universally hated. The suspension was dreadful, with the rear shock getting stiffer and stiffer as it heated up. One at five years old had just 4000 miles on it as no one rode it. Crap.
inewham wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 6:38 pm I wouldn't mind having a go on a Skorpion Sport though
I had three of those at various times. Tigcraft designed frame, easily tuned Yamaha XTZ 5 valve motor. I also had a Skorpion Replica, but it had been raced in Germany and bodged up after one crash too many.

I'll chuck in the MZ Baghira "Supermoto". Again, the XTZ motor was brilliant (mine was tuned by Steve Ruth) and reliable. Did 13,000 miles on my one in 6 months. Even saw Couchy getting one to wheelie.
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Re: Underrated bikes

Post by Couchy »

Whysub wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 9:06 pm
KungFooBob wrote: Sat Nov 13, 2021 11:40 am 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.
We had four at work, and universally hated. The suspension was dreadful, with the rear shock getting stiffer and stiffer as it heated up. One at five years old had just 4000 miles on it as no one rode it. Crap.
inewham wrote: Wed Nov 17, 2021 6:38 pm I wouldn't mind having a go on a Skorpion Sport though
I had three of those at various times. Tigcraft designed frame, easily tuned Yamaha XTZ 5 valve motor. I also had a Skorpion Replica, but it had been raced in Germany and bodged up after one crash too many.

I'll chuck in the MZ Baghira "Supermoto". Again, the XTZ motor was brilliant (mine was tuned by Steve Ruth) and reliable. Did 13,000 miles on my one in 6 months. Even saw Couchy getting one to wheelie.
The baghira was a very good bike, one of the hardest to wheelie though but got there eventually👍