Motorcycling Secret Crush

[KungFooBob]

What's the bike(s) that you secretly would have liked to own, but were too embarrassed or worried about the peer pressured or re-sale value or might cast aspersions about your sexuality, so you didn't buy.

Don't tell anyone, but after several trips to Greece over the years I've always come home and started searching for KLE500s.

[KungFooBob]

This thread is just bait for Yorick to tell us about how he'd really like a Vespa PX200.

[Asian Boss]

Have you ever ridden one? I think they must be in my top ten worst both in terms of how they ride and build quality. IMO you'd be better off with another Transalp.

It's no secret but I'm drawn to an X-Adv and the African Twin, both of which are said to have better alternatives. Ditto the Aprilia Af1 125.

[KungFooBob]

The AT is a proper modern bike with raving reviews. That's not what this thread is for :p

I'll let you have the AF1.

I did ride a KLE500... when I was 18. Test ride from Cusworths in Doncaster. They sent it out with 10psi in the front tyre. I bought a CBR400RR privately instead.

[Asian Boss]

Didn't Kawasaki re-release the KLE with significantly fewer bhp several years after discontinuing it? And IIRC they used the engine in a cruiser and sporty(ish!) bike as well; none of which it suited.

They say most modern motorbikes are at least half decent, IMO the KLE is a rare exception to that. I think I remembering it struggling to get three out of five stars in a What Bike test in 1991. But don't let that put you off, if you get one I'll come round with my AF1 and we can have a ride out.

[KungFooBob]

I also test rode a Cagiva Canyon 500 the same weekend.

My old man was an engineer and wouldn't buy it because of the quality of the frame welds.

[Asian Boss]

aprilia-af1-aprilia-af1-sintesi-125-replica_161976849.jpg (34.59 KiB) Viewed 777 times

[KungFooBob]

aprilia-af1-aprilia-af1-sintesi-125-replica_161976849.jpg

It's nice, but it's no Gilera CX125.

I had an Osborne? pocket book of motorcycles and at 16 I was obsessed with the 125's in it and the CX looked by far the coolest.

[mangocrazy]

I have to confess I've always had a sneaky regard for the Philippe Starck-designed Aprilia Moto 6.5. I know it was panned mercilessly by the motorcycle press when released, but I like it.

So there.

Starck_Moto_6.5.jpg (105.48 KiB) Viewed 767 times

[KungFooBob]

I have to confess I've always had a sneaky regard for the Philippe Starck-designed Aprilia Moto 6.5. I know it was panned mercilessly by the motorcycle press when released, but I like it.

So there.


Starck_Moto_6.5.jpg

I reckon they've improved with age, they were just ahead of their time.

[mangocrazy]

I think you're right. 25 years ago, no-one was ready for that.

[Asian Boss]

aprilia-af1-aprilia-af1-sintesi-125-replica_161976849.jpg

It's nice, but it's no Gilera CX125.

I had an Osborne? pocket book of motorcycles and at 16 I was obsessed with the 125's in it and the CX looked by far the coolest.

Single sided front end from memory.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I have to confess I've always had a sneaky regard for the Philippe Starck-designed Aprilia Moto 6.5. I know it was panned mercilessly by the motorcycle press when released, but I like it.

So there.


Starck_Moto_6.5.jpg

I've ridden one and they're a good bike, but not as good as the early Pegaso

[mangocrazy]

I have to confess I've always had a sneaky regard for the Philippe Starck-designed Aprilia Moto 6.5. I know it was panned mercilessly by the motorcycle press when released, but I like it.

So there.


Starck_Moto_6.5.jpg

I've ridden one and they're a good bike, but not as good as the early Pegaso

To be honest it isn't the bike's dynamic qualities that get me, it's just the way it looks, the overall design. If I had one I'd probably change brakes and suspension components to make it ride better, while trying to keep it looking exactly the same.

This is dangerous. I can feel another project coming on...

[KungFooBob]

I also want a Fancis Barnett Falcon, EXACTLY like this one (there is quite a few versions)...



With that shape side panels, in that green with the stripes.

I've only seen one once and instantly wanted it. No idea why.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

There isn't a lot wrong with the brakes or wheels, the Pegaso was just a little better everywhere

[mangocrazy]

There isn't a lot wrong with the brakes or wheels, the Pegaso was just a little better everywhere

I'm sure you're right, but when I get a new (to me) motorcycle I am pathologically unable to stop myself from modifying it...

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Anyway my long ago secret motorcycling crush was the Honda Superdream, but to be fair to me I was 15 and didn't know any better, apart from that it's all manly hetro bikes for me.

[The Spin Doctor]

The KLE500 used the twin cylinder motor from the GPz500, and I always thought it would make a fun back lanes bike.

I had one of the earlier GPzs, and it was a nice little bike and surprisingly quick - 60 hp and 120 mph claimed. It was always said to be half the 1000cc engine. Handling on the 16" front wheel was interesting. On a smooth road it handled pretty well but it got lively over bumps. I well recall getting a bit enthusiastic over a rise over a dyke on Romney Marsh where the road on the other side turned about 15 degrees left, and I got the front airborne... when it set down again, the thing went into a slapper. I actually enjoyed riding it for moments like that, made it interesting.

People said the finish was poor, but frankly, it was better than the CB500S that was one of its contemporaries.

Sadly, the bike managed about 55-60 k and the engine grenaded. A magnet unglued itself from the alternator and destroyed that, and filled the engine with magnetic swarf. I decided it wasn't worth a tear-down and rebuild as I'd never get rid of all the fragments. What really annoyed me was that I'd just had the cam chain replaced!

[Mr. Dazzle]

I'd quite like a proper old school Vespa TBF. "Vespa" being the word for "Wasp" in several languages of course, proper buzzy ring a ting ness

Just the one mirror for me though ta.