Having a go on an old 'un

[Mr. Dazzle]

It doesn't really weave per se, it just feels like it's not entirely sure it want to go in a straight line.

[DefTrap]

It's a pretty eclectic, er, selection. It reminds me of provincial museums which tend to half a dozen nice objet and the rest is a lot of arguably of-value old tat that's been donated and is needed to fill up the space.

Personally I'd probably have a go on the Brough, just so that I can say I had. None of the rest.

Although I'm glad such services exist. Just imagine never having had the opportunity to ride and hate a Honda Revere!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

It doesn't really weave per se, it just feels like it's not entirely sure it want to go in a straight line.

That pretty much sums up most Japanese bikes from the 1970s

[Skub]

It doesn't really weave per se, it just feels like it's not entirely sure it want to go in a straight line.

That pretty much sums up most Japanese bikes from the 1970s

I'll carry the scars the rest of my days to verify that statement.

[Mr. Dazzle]

It doesn't really weave per se, it just feels like it's not entirely sure it want to go in a straight line.

That pretty much sums up most Japanese bikes from the 1970s

Must be a time period thing rather than a manufacturer thing

[Rockburner]

It doesn't really weave per se, it just feels like it's not entirely sure it want to go in a straight line.

Maybe it just wants to keep going round corners?

[Mr. Dazzle]

It doesn't really weave per se, it just feels like it's not entirely sure it want to go in a straight line.

Maybe it just wants to keep going round corners?

As long as they're right handers, I'm fine.

[Count Steer]

I often think about owning an old bike from my yoof, rd250/400 being the prime candidate, but the reality is modern bikes are just so much better that I think i'd end up spoiling the memories. Based on that I don't think I would even want to ride an old bike?

Potter was saying in another thread about the 2t vs 4t rivalry of the 80s, which I remember well, and he added for him bikes are so bland today by comparison. Each to their own obvs, but I couldn't disagree with that more. Everything from tyres to power is just so much better and bikes just so much more rideable in just about every way! So, I think, for me, some things are best left in the past...

I tried to persuade an old mate from my yoof that we should hire some old bikes (we had a local outfit that offered them). I thought he'd jump at the chance.

He said:

'Are you mad? Old heaps of junk. Don't go, don't stop, don't handle. You're not getting me on one of those things'.

[JackyJoll]

It doesn't really weave per se, it just feels like it's not entirely sure it want to go in a straight line.

It’s not impossible that experiments with tyre pressures would help.

[David]

None of them. They deserve to stay in the past like black & white tellies.

What do you mean ....black and white tellys? They haven't got colour yet have they? You'll be telling me theres more than three channels next.

[iansoady]

I'd be mildly interested to ride the CB250RS, as an ex of mine used to own one and it was quite a fun little thing back in the day, but nothing else has any attraction for me. Old British iron is a closed book as far as I'm concerned, and will stay that way..

You could always buy mine....... viewtopic.php?t=6403

[iansoady]

Something wrong with the Bonnie? I've just been out on the 1952 ES2 and it happily cruises at 60 (plus a bit more if tweaked) on reasonable A roads. Any slower and it's fighting to speed up. I hate motorways on any bike though.

Performance wise it's fine, it'll cruise at 70 all day and 80 is generally OK. It'll get past the tonne fairly easily. It just vibrates like a nuclear powered sex aid and steers like it's had a pint or two.

You need a Commando......

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

It doesn't really weave per se, it just feels like it's not entirely sure it want to go in a straight line.

That pretty much sums up most Japanese bikes from the 1970s

Must be a time period thing rather than a manufacturer thing

I think it's more of a no one knew how to design a chassis that worked on a bike with more than 30bhp thing, Kawasakis from the 70s were particularly flexy, but everything moderately powerful was a bit lively, the best handling powerful (ish) Japanese bike was the Suzuki GS1000, Ducati 900s and big BMWs handled better.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Something wrong with the Bonnie? I've just been out on the 1952 ES2 and it happily cruises at 60 (plus a bit more if tweaked) on reasonable A roads. Any slower and it's fighting to speed up. I hate motorways on any bike though.

Performance wise it's fine, it'll cruise at 70 all day and 80 is generally OK. It'll get past the tonne fairly easily. It just vibrates like a nuclear powered sex aid and steers like it's had a pint or two.

You need a Commando......

Pretty sure I don't. I don't even need this bike

[iansoady]

Have you tried (a decent) one? Years ago my brother, who had a BSA 650 unit twin, tried mine and came back all misty eyed and babbling.

[mangocrazy]

I'd be mildly interested to ride the CB250RS, as an ex of mine used to own one and it was quite a fun little thing back in the day, but nothing else has any attraction for me. Old British iron is a closed book as far as I'm concerned, and will stay that way..

You could always buy mine....... viewtopic.php?t=6403

Not really in the market for one, just idly wondered if it would still feel as nice as the one I occasionally rode in the late 80s. But if I want nostalgia, I have an RD350LC for that...

[Mr. Dazzle]

Have you tried (a decent) one? Years ago my brother, who had a BSA 650 unit twin, tried mine and came back all misty eyed and babbling.

I only have the Bonnie at all cause it was my FiLs bike for >40 years. We wouldn't sell it even if it never worked again

I do actually like riding it, and not just cause of the family history.

[The Spin Doctor]

It's a pretty eclectic, er, selection. It reminds me of provincial museums which tend to half a dozen nice objet and the rest is a lot of arguably of-value old tat that's been donated and is needed to fill up the space.

Personally I'd probably have a go on the Brough, just so that I can say I had. None of the rest.

Although I'm glad such services exist. Just imagine never having had the opportunity to ride and hate a Honda Revere!

My first thought was "NO CX500??"

[Ditchfinder]

Come on then if we pooled the RTTL garages what would our list of lovelies look like? Would you let someone have a lend of your pride and joy ?

I would lend the Griso out (looking at that list I certainly think it has more merit than some) but only to people like @weeksy who would send it back cleaner than it went out

The RTTL Loaners list

@Ditchfinder 's Griso

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

65000 mile 1990 FZ750 - it runs (but hasn't been ridden for over a year) anyone can have a go on it, but they'll have to MOT and tax it
1982 Z1170 track bike - also runs, but it's a bit too fragile engine wise to lend out to other people, it might be fine, but I don't want someone else to blow it up and me have a £2K rebuild.
1983 350 YPVS ex production race bike that needs putting back together and a load of small but expensive parts (like exhaust mounting rubbers), I need to find the time to sort the mess of a wiring loom out, I've got a brand new US spec wiring loom for it that is surprisingly different to the European loom, so the plan is to just make a racing loom for it as it doesn't need to be road legal - I've no desire to ride it on public roads.