90's bikes are the best!

[KungFooBob]

I've joined a friendface group for 90's bikes. It's full of SRADS, ZX7R's, VFR750, etc...

It's a very popular group so my feed is just full of pics of 90's bikes.

They are so much better looking than anything made today.

I don't care that they don't make 200bhp or have electronic riders aids. Is it just my age, If I was 10 years older would I think think 80's bikes are the best?

If you're an FB user check this out...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1425966217705229

[Skub]

Nah.

I hear folk talk like that about music too.

The best era is the present,the here and now,up until the point legislation interferes with tech.

I have nostalgic feeling for 70s bikes,simply because that's when I started,but if modern stuff handled and braked like the old 70s wobblers I'd be the first to complain. Technology moves on and racing improves the breed. We all win.

However,all the 'clean air' and battery vehicles leave me cold,so in a few years time I'll probably be in an 'internal combustion bikes were the best' forum!

[Couchy]

All bikes are best

[Cousin Jack]

I like the look of 60's bikes.

I don't like their brakes, handling, reliability, etc.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I like the looks of 80s and 90s bikes, but the older they are the more shit they are, my 1983 YPVS 350 is a better bike than my 1982 Z1000J, my FZ750 is better than my YPVS and my FZR400 is better than my FZ, and so on, the newest bike I've ridden was a 2002 GSXR750, I would be amazed by a 2020 bike, but why do they have to be so ugly?

[Yorick]

It's like saying 90s cars were best. And 90s TVs are the best. 90s comms systems.

90s laptops the best. LOL

[Couchy]

My 2020 Enfield is one of my favourites but it has the look and feel of an older bike but still rides like a modern one

[weeksy]

I can totally get the 90s thing, mostly because of Carbs... For example the 1998/1999 Yamaha R1, it was just a glorious machine to ride, really impressive. I actually enjoyed it more as a bike than the 2005 R1. But, i can see how 'new' bikes are better in some ways... but really in 90% of instance, it's the riders holding the bike back, not the technology within the bike that's holding the rider back, so rarely matters.

[weeksy]

I don't feel a huge difference between modern bikes and 90's bikes, there is obviously some but it's not huge.

I feel a massive difference between pre-WW2 bikes and 80/90s bikes - so if I get off my 1936 bike and jump onto my TDR250 the difference is incredible, it feels like I'm on a magi carpet and everything is so smooth - but if I jump off my 1988 TDR and onto a 2020 BMW GS then there isn't much difference other than size and power.

That's a bit weird mate

[KungFooBob]

I think it's more the looks than anything. None of the modern stuff looks half as good as an early 90's GSRX or a ZX7R.

Even the SRAD's looks better than the current crop of Gixers.

[weeksy]

No, i absolutley agree with that bit, none of them have been as revolutionary as that and the benefits are clearly more incremental than a massive step in technology, but still, they're very very different to me.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I think alot of my favourite bikes come from the late 90s and early 00s. Thats mostly cause I lasted after them as a teenager though.

I still think the original CBR600RR is the best looking 'mainstream' sportsbike ever. That's probably cause it looks the V5 RC211V, which at the time seemed impossibly exotic to me.

Isnt it weird how I have no major desire for the bikes I can now afford, but I still want the ones I couldn't afford back then? I could go buy a V4 Panigale tomorrow, but I'd much rather buy a 916 for example.

[weeksy]

I think alot of my favourite bikes come from the late 90s and early 00s. Thats mostly cause I lasted after them as a teenager though.

I still think the original CBR600RR is the best looking 'mainstream' sportsbike ever. That's probably cause it looks the V5 RC211V, which at the time seemed impossibly exotic to me.

Isnt it weird how I have no major desire for the bikes I can now afford, but I still want the ones I couldn't afford back then? I could go buy a V4 Panigale tomorrow, but I'd much rather buy a 916 for example.

What's the most modern/big/new bike you've tried ?

[weeksy]

he biggest differences being the quality of brakes and how the bike handles whilst on the brakes.

In some departments you'd have loved the 690 Duke, it was both superb on the brakes along with being awesome to trail brake into a corner and how it was fine being leant over and still on them.

[Mr. Dazzle]

What's the most modern/big/new bike you've tried ?

Yeah that's a fair point, the newest is my Dads 2007 'blade.

Its a circular situation Not that interested is new bikes
so don't try them, don't try them so no interested!

That said, I can see myself on an R Nine T. Or the Guzzi adventure thing.

[weeksy]

What's the most modern/big/new bike you've tried ?

Yeah that's a fair point, the newest is my Dads 2007 'blade.

Its a circular situation Not that interested is new bikes
so don't try them, don't try them so no interested!

That said, I can see myself on an R Nine T. Or the Guzzi adventure thing.

It'd be interesting for me to see your thoughts on say my bike or Nidges Triumph, just out of interest. I picked them because obviously they're more of the genre you like rather than them being the best bikes ever.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I like all genres to be honest, except what the 9 year old me would call "dirt bikes"

I think my profession is a large part of my lack of interest. I've seen "behind the curtain" alot now so I'm not necessarily impressed by the latest fantastic machines. I know how the magic works. Therefore I'm just left with the feeling of "well that'd be pretty pointless for me to own, I'd never use it properly".

[Mr. Dazzle]

That's definitely true...my (wife's ) 69 Bonneville pisses all over anything for feel good. I defy anyone to ride it without grinning.

Bloody terrible bike though.

[weeksy]

Once you've been bitten by something with soul everything else just feels functional.

Aye, i get that i really do.

Hence my love of the 990 Superduke and the 690 Dukes.

The 990SD still sits way up near the top of most evocative bikes i've ever ridden. I could effortlessly own one again.

[KungFooBob]

I think character is more about engine configuration and volume.

The old Brit twins and singles, you can actually feel that something is happening below you because they're so unrefined compared to a modern IL4, they're also generally on a loud open pipe which all adds to a bit of motorcycling theatre, especially if you have to concentrate to ride one, think about braking (because they don't) and plan your corner before you get to it, etc...