What bikes are just a lot of fun

[Sunny]

My lad had a 390 as his first bike, I had a few rides on it and I found it probably the most boring bike I've ever ridden - and I've had a 250 Superdream.

It's got a sewing machine for an engine and has zero soul, zero quirks or anything about it that could even be a little bit interesting.
So it's probably a good learner or commuter, but not much of a fun bike - unless you're in a one make race series or something, but then it's about competition and not the bike.
I don't understand the love for the 690 either, the XT660 is a more fun bike, I only had a brief go on the 690 but I couldn't see the attraction some people rave about, I get the concept of a light and nippy big single, but found it sterile.

I genuinely find it a proper grin-fest to ride, maybe because it's been 20+ years since I had a small bike, but for me it's joyous fun. It does sound like a bag of spanners though tbf

Just goes to show that one person's meat is another person's poisson, n'est ce pas?
[...] you get your fun at sub-licence losing speeds. To me it's the very essence of 'fun'.

This ^

But the Duke is an absolute barrel of laughs, is non-threatening and plasters a big grin across my face every time I ride it. That's 'fun' in my book.

Also this ^

Life would be boring if we were all the same!

[Noggin]

The absolute most fun I've ever had on a bike is with the 390 Duke. I LOVED my TLs, the ZX10r was AWESOME.

But for outright giggles/grins and full on laughs, the 390 wins hands down!! I tracked it and it ROCKED. I rode with my riding buddy (he was on a ZX9r) and whilst it couldn't keep up on the straights, damn it was awesome through the wigglys!!

It's the only bike I've ever been able to hit the limiter in Every gear. To the point that the front used to lift coming out of the corners!! No chicken strips on front or back tyres

I'd have another one as soon as I have the space to store one (and the cash to buy it!)

[Skub]

On paper I like a bike with good power,brakes and handling. It's what we all want,right?

Yet,for the last 11 months I get my kicks on a bike which is slow by today's standards,has rubbish brakes,plus handling and ground clearance are best not pushed too far.

Can anyone explain to me how this bike could ever possibly be fun?
Some aspects of life are so contrary they defy logical definition,other than to suggest 'fun' is a very personal thing and difficult to quantify.

[mangocrazy]

On paper I like a bike with good power,brakes and handling. It's what we all want,right?

Yet,for the last 11 months I get my kicks on a bike which is slow by today's standards,has rubbish brakes,plus handling and ground clearance are best not pushed too far.

Can anyone explain to me how this bike could ever possibly be fun?
Some aspects of life are so contrary they defy logical definition,other than to suggest 'fun' is a very personal thing and difficult to quantify.

I have very similar feelings about the LC. When I was restoring it I was very unsure as to whether I would keep it or sell it once complete. But after a few rides it was obvious that I could never sell it and I'd pop out for a spin on it instead of using other 'better' bikes. It's got skinny tyres, a monstrous 43 bhp, and forks and frame that are best described as flexible, but it somehow defies all that to be far greater fun than the sum of its parts would suggest.

No - I don't know either.

[dern]

Just bought this and it’s a lot of fun…

IMG_5889.jpeg (490.2 KiB) Viewed 473 times

[Whysub]

When I test rode the 452 RE Himalayan, the dealer said I should have a go on the RE Shotgun. Its not the style of bike I have ever liked, but free petrol and tyres for an hour or so is hard to refuse.
It was much better than I ever thought it would be. Not enough to me to buy one, but made me review my fleet and what use each bike is best at, and all bases covered for now.

[Skub]

When I test rode the 452 RE Himalayan, the dealer said I should have a go on the RE Shotgun. Its not the style of bike I have ever liked, but free petrol and tyres for an hour or so is hard to refuse.
It was much better than I ever thought it would be. Not enough to buy one, but made me review my fleet and whst each nike is best at.

Is that a trainer bike?

[Whysub]

When I test rode the 452 RE Himalayan, the dealer said I should have a go on the RE Shotgun. Its not the style of bike I have ever liked, but free petrol and tyres for an hour or so is hard to refuse.
It was much better than I ever thought it would be. Not enough to buy one, but made me review my fleet and whst each nike is best at.

Is that a trainer bike?

Bloody phone (an excuse for not proof reading).

[weeksy]

On paper I like a bike with good power,brakes and handling. It's what we all want,right?

Yet,for the last 11 months I get my kicks on a bike which is slow by today's standards,has rubbish brakes,plus handling and ground clearance are best not pushed too far.

Can anyone explain to me how this bike could ever possibly be fun?
Some aspects of life are so contrary they defy logical definition,other than to suggest 'fun' is a very personal thing and difficult to quantify.

It’s got soul innit.

But you have to have soul yourself to feel it, otherwise you’ll never get it.

I agree, but that soul is totally different to everyone.

@G.P is a 900SS man, I'm a 990 Superduke man, @crust is a Guzzi lemans guy. I think we all here have that soul, just not necessarily anything like the same bikes

[Horse]

On paper I like a bike with good power,brakes and handling. It's what we all want,right?

Yet,for the last 11 months I get my kicks on a bike which is slow by today's standards,has rubbish brakes,plus handling and ground clearance are best not pushed too far.

Something like an old R-RT Beemer. Spindly, long travel forks twisting in the yokes (so you could hear the drilled disks humming!), with all of the fairing's weight to contend with. And the bolted-on rear subframe struggling to keep the back wheel on-line. All on bicycle tyres

I think it's more interesting / challenging (i.e. 'fun') to try and get the most out of inappropriate bikes.

[Taipan]

Always wondered what the character is that many say some bikes have. I thought i'd find out when I bought the Ducati but it just felt like a jap bike to me?

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Isn't character another way of saying not very good?

[Skub]

Isn't character another way of saying not very good?

The two have a definite connection,but there is more to the story than I'm able to articulate in any meaningful manner.

[Taipan]

Saw a XT660X on my way into work. Ended up following him through the traffic. Lovely bikes and they really suited me. My 690 Duke was just more mental in every way, but I think the XT suited me a lot more. It's probably one of the few bikes that would tempt me back onto a manual bike again. Wont be anytime soon though..

[Whysub]

I liked my MZ Baghira with the 5 valve 660 Yamaha engine. It might have been ugly and heavy, but it was better than the sum of its parts, and handled well.

I did 13,000 miles in just over six months, from September through to March, without any issues apart from having to wash it every day during the harshest months to get rid of the road salt on it.

I believe emissions are what made Yamaha ceaw production of the 5 valve motor.

[Gregor]

Another vote for the XT660, I’ve had mine 16 years, definitely a keeper and much more fun than the 40 odd horsepower suggests and no worries with the dire state of the roads in the SE.

Seen some of a similar age selling now for more than the original retail price

Occasionally I look at the 700 tenere but can’t see it being much more fun

[Ian]

ZX7R. Every time I start to convince myself I'm too old for that sort of riding position I go for a ride and it puts a smile on my face. Sure it's slow and heavy by modern standards but they're cheap, confidence inspiring and with a decent exhaust have a very linear engine almost docile at low revs. The sound is pretty good too. Guess it will stay another year

[Dodgy69]

Just bought this and it’s a lot of fun…


IMG_5889.jpeg

Did you fit a centre stand @dern ? any good ?

[Sadlonelygit]

Isn't character another way of saying not very good?

I think it applies to 'hand-built' bikes

Or husky 610's

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Isn't character another way of saying not very good?

I think it applies to 'hand-built' bikes

Or husky 610's

Definitely Husky 610s