revtothelimit - motorbike forum

One of those vague dubious opinionated threads. The sort of bike that comes up for sale and you think no way, but wouldn't mind riding.

I'll suggest the Honda MVX250F. Good build quality, good looking in an 80's way, but inboard discs and a very ropey engine. The V3 adds a bit of interest IMO.



What you got?

Suzuki GSX750EF- like a lot of the 80s bikes they occupied the hinterland between the 70s naked superbikes and the emerging race reps of the late 80s. I had one identical to the one below and it was a very capable bike which never let me down

Suzuki 600 and 750 Teapots, really good all round bikes, reliable but about as popular as a pork chop in a synagogue
Yamaha Diversions same as above

Nidge wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 3:50 pm Suzuki GSX750EF- like a lot of the 80s bikes they occupied the hinterland between the 70s naked superbikes and the emerging race reps of the late 80s. I had one identical to the one below and it was a very capable bike which never let me down

I shagged a crank in a GSX750ET at Santa Pod.

For me it's the Suzuki Bandit, both the 600 and the 1200, they're way better than they ought to be.

Honda Deauville.

One of my instructors had one. Against all expectations, it went like the clappers. Might have had something to do with him being a traffic cop ... He eventually got bored and bought some sporty Honda 600 thing.

weeksy wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:12 pm For me it's the Suzuki Bandit, both the 600 and the 1200, they're way better than they ought to be.

The original Bandits (6 and 12) sold well, indicating someone found them desirable, I think they lost a load of sales when the frame changed shape.

Julian_Boolean wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:16 pm

weeksy wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:12 pm For me it's the Suzuki Bandit, both the 600 and the 1200, they're way better than they ought to be.

The original Bandits (6 and 12) sold well, indicating someone found them desirable, I think they lost a load of sales when the frame changed shape.

I think they sold well mostly for the same reason SV650s sell well, because they're a decent budget bike that works out the crate.

But to me they're a bit more than that, i liked a bit of the old Streetfighter magazine and some of the crazy builds and looks they had there a lot.

Then i rode both the 600 and 1200 and was really impressed with both of them.

The ZX9R consistently came last in all the sportsbike group tests of the day,but it had a fine engine and once a few quid was spent on the suspension,it was a bloody good bike. Mine was tracked and toured,yet never missed a beat.

Horse wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:15 pm Honda Deauville.

One of my instructors had one. Against all expectations, it went like the clappers. Might have had something to do with him being a traffic cop ... He eventually got bored and bought some sporty Honda 600 thing.

Skill > Power

Any given BMW?

I thought the 98 ZX9R was a fantastic bike, but I bought an R1 because it was a lot more desirable, I think if it weren't for the R1 the ZX9R would have been the best bike of 98, but no on wants second best

Julian_Boolean wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:50 pm I thought the 98 ZX9R was a fantastic bike, but I bought an R1 because it was a lot more desirable, I think if it weren't for the R1 the ZX9R would have been the best bike of 98, but no on wants second best

And that sums up the bike just nicely!

I always liked the look of the VX800, but I don't think anyone in their right mind actually bought one.

I also liked the Yamaha Bulldog, see above.

Winner!

KungFooBob wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 5:13 pm I always liked the look of the VX800, but I don't think anyone in their right mind actually bought one.

The company that did semi organised tours of Nwe Zealand back in 1995 did. They had about 10 of them
I did about 8000 miles on the one they rented to me. Back tyre was knackered and the rear shaft hub had a bit of oil misting when I dropped it back to them, but it did its job comfortably, and was fun on some twisty roads.

But even with my rose coloured specs on, I wouldn't buy one now.

Julian_Boolean wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:50 pm I thought the 98 ZX9R was a fantastic bike, but I bought an R1 because it was a lot more desirable, I think if it weren't for the R1 the ZX9R would have been the best bike of 98, but no on wants second best

I bought one in late 90s. Loved it. A few grand cheaper than a Blade.
My pal's Blade was no better.

Then him and rich London mates invited me to a trackday at Cadwell.
Despite being over 10 years since I last won there, I had great fun and was asked to slow down a bit

KungFooBob wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 5:13 pm I always liked the look of the VX800, but I don't think anyone in their right mind actually bought one.

I also liked the Yamaha Bulldog, see above.

I borrowed one for a couple of days and really liked it. It was one of those dog's dinner designs that should have been horrible to ride, but actually worked better than it should have.

KungFooBob wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 5:21 pm Winner!

Maybe I just like the oddballs... but if that had been a bit more affordable, I'd have had one. The engine was a corker.

If you look at it in a certain light, along with the BMW R80G/S it's the granddaddy of the adventure bike style.

KungFooBob wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 5:21 pm

Winner!

What's needed is the engine taking out and put into some sort of trellis frame with assorted bits from the Yamaha parts bin. I'd go for that.