Royal Enfields

[bennylaird]

http://www.royalenfieldaustralia.com/index.php

Anyone had any experience with these? Might be a nice way to get back into bikes?:confused: :D

[Gra]

but do they leak like a real one ....:D:D

[bennylaird]

Yep I hope so, they have a retooled model as well, but why?

[Daddles]

They've been doing this for years. Great if you want heavy, obsolete designs made to Indian standards.

Unless you have a hankering for one, buy low mileage Jap. A better way of getting back into bikes is to buy one of the 250 4-stroke commuters (not the four cylinder pencil sharpeners you see around) - they offer far more performance than the Indian Enfields and are actually quite fun to ride (as instructors, we used to give them hell while the students were in lectures :D )

Richard

[bennylaird]

I'd really prefer a Vincent but thats not gunna happen. Love the sound of a 500 single and don't mind the maitenance. The majority of the Jap bikes do nothing for me especially down around the 250 size and even the Shadows etc just give off a "I'm trying to be a Harley" look.:( :( :(

The newer Trumpets are sort of ok, the Bonnie etc. But I love nostalgia.

A restoration might be the go? :confused:

Have to negotiate a licence without the 250 limitation though as a returning rider.

Now just have to get it past SWMBO:D :D :D

[bennylaird]

If I had a lazy $100,000 plus:D :D :D :D :D

[Gra]

I know a bloke with a Vincent black shadow hanging on one of his barn walls...

No he wont sell, we tried, though Mother wasn't impressed when dad offered the car we were in as a swap:D:D

[MurrayD99]

Yamaha FJ1200 Benny. Big smooth machine at a good price (for 92/93 ish) and they are around with not too many miles. The torque is out of this world. For the record, Pam talked me out of this bit of madness but did allow me to build a shed and get some bits & pieces of machinery. But still....


Re the Vincent: Hunter S Thompson compared it to an F4 (or similar) and said it would beat the F4 to the end of the runway but then the F4 took off and the Vincent carried on straight ahead with no way of stopping - hello to the sausage machine!

Then there is this...

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them - but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one. That is why they are dangerous.
Everybody has fast motorcycles these days. Some people go 150 miles an hour on two-lane blacktop roads, but not often. There are too many oncoming trucks and too many radar cops and too many stupid animals in the way. You have to be a little crazy to ride these super-torque high-speed crotch rockets anywhere except a racetrack - and even there, they will scare the whimpering #### out of you... There is, after all, not a pig's eye worth of difference between going head-on into a Peterbilt or sideways into the bleachers. On some days you get what you want, and on others, you get what you need.
When Cycle World called me to ask if I would road-test the new Harley Road King, I got uppity and said I'd rather have a Ducati superbike. It seemed like a chic decision at the time, and my friends on the superbike circuit got very excited. "Hot damn," they said. "We will take it to the track and blow the bastards away."
"Balls," I said. "Never mind the track. The track is for punks. We are Road People. We are Cafe Racers."

[MurrayD99]

http://proitalia.com/reviews/hst.html

Here is the rest of it.

[Daddles]

One more photo like that Murray and I'm moving this whole thread to the orange room :D

Love the Ducketties - there's a yellow 900SS been for sale in a car year yard for nearly a year and the temptation to go in and take her for a test love ... err ... ride has nearly caused a couple of prangs :rolleyes:

Richard

[bennylaird]

Whatever I get is not gunna be jap, wont be a speed machine etc. Been there done that lost the licences to prove it. I want something that I can criuse on and get out of the way of cars. Has to be a talking point when stopped as well. European or maybe a Harley but has to be personal not just a mass produced rev box.
Moto Guzzi Le Mans 750? Laverda 750? Munch Mamoth? Jawa 500????????? oops sorry the smell of methanol caused that one.
Norton? Squafa? Silk? Gotta be something for me:D :D :D

[bennylaird]

One more photo like that Murray and I'm moving this whole thread to the orange room :D

Love the Ducketties - there's a yellow 900SS been for sale in a car year yard for nearly a year and the temptation to go in and take her for a test love ... err ... ride has nearly caused a couple of prangs :rolleyes:

Richard


I was all set to get a Darmah, but got married instead:( :( :( :(

Kicking myself still:D :D :D

[MurrayD99]

OK, Speed Triple perhaps?

[MurrayD99]

I have one of these stored in a shed.... you wouldn't get arrested for speeding and it might cause comment....

[bennylaird]

I have one of these stored in a shed.... you wouldn't get arrested for speeding and it might cause comment....


Smooth as:D :D :D :D :D :D

[Iain]

Why would anyone in their right mind want an antiquated design, noisy, slow, bad handling Harley????
And why do they persist in having both cylinders banging away at the same time, or is it that so the rider can enjoy the vibration.
Tell ya whats in vogue Benny, those little red Hondas, ex Aust Post:D :D :D

[bennylaird]

Wouldn't be a standard Harley:D :D :D :D

Spent too much time on Postie type bikes as a kid:D :D :D

[bennylaird]

Maybe some of these in my shed?:D :D :D :D

[Daddles]

Harley's? Hoggly Ferguson's - so called because they pull like tractors and handle like pigs.

Harleys used to come with four gears. Top gear was for cruising and looking cool. Third gear was for moving off, cruising and looking cool. Second gear was for moving off and slow traffic. Bottom gear was for pulling tractors out of bogs :rolleyes:

If all you want to do is cruise around looking cool, Harleys are the bike to choose though :rolleyes:

One of the advanced riding days we did out at Mallala was with the Harley Owners Group. I was on my GSXR1100 and felt a tad out of place with the full dressers and the like trying to learn what I was teaching them. They were a good group actually - we had more fun with the HOG boys than any other and that includes Ulysses who were bloody good fun in their own right.

But anyways, back to the story, at the end of the day, one bloke hands his keys to me and tells me to 'take her for a spin'.
'her' in this case, was a two week old, full dresser Harley that he'd just spent in excess of twenty grand on :eek: (this was in the mid nineties).

Well, I jumped on the brute before he could change his mind :D Pressed the 'on' button and the world started leaping up and down below me (they're right, they don't vibrate, they leap up and down). Moving off, this was far and away the easiest bike to ride I've ever been on. Seriously. They are wonderful. Twist the noisy grip and it ... got noisy. The surge of torque is fantastic, and equated to a moderate but satisfying acceleration. Now, bearing in mind that this bike was brand new and cost more than I could conceive let alone afford, I took it very, very easily ... and touched the footboards on most corners of the first lap. On the second lap, I scraped it on every corner while still trying to take it easy. I went back to the pits straight away before I did something a lot of people would regret. But for all that, a lovely bike to ride and I can understand people who love them ... and not at all understand why people talk about 'handling' and stuff when talking about Harleys.

If you want to go slow and be seen, a Harley is the way to go - they are the world's best cruisers. For anything else, yer nuts.

Richard

[bennylaird]

My Honda 750 F1 was great for scraping, when the pedals wore down then the exhaust started to go. Even got used to the rubber frame after a while but not as bad as the Kwaka 500 triple my BIL had, talk about dangerous.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

My baby. Up on blocks at the mo, but an everyday rider until a relatively recent misunderstanding with a constable. :rolleyes:

[bennylaird]

Very Nice:D :D :D :D

[Christopha]

My Superglide was the nicest bike..... more comfortable than my Gold Wing LTD and the most fun at or near legal speeds. I did many, many miles on her with the throttle screwed down, leaning back on my gearsack with my arms folded watching the countryside slide past and relishing the lovely sound from the debaffled tapered turbos. I changed the front springs to "progressives" and did the same for the rear shocks, that made a big difference to her handling and on one particular trip from Albury/Wodonga across those big hilly things I wore the sides clean off of my boots..... glorious! Would I have another? No! The maintenance required was just a tad high and while she only let me down once it was a basic wiring design fault, she seemed to be a bloody nice bike with dumb assembly type faults. As for vibes, bugger all..... the motor was rubber mounted which was why they were sometimes known as "Rubber Glides"

[Doughboy]

Here are some of my girl. It is a Triumph Trophy 1200. Beautiful to ride and never missed a beat. Chews up the miles like the polite girl that she is.

[Gra]

but not as bad as the Kwaka 500 triple my BIL had, talk about dangerous.

My old man had one of those, was the bike that turned me off M/c for life.... That thing was scary fast, with a front wheel that wouldnt stay on the ground...

[TassieKiwi]

http://www.dropbears.com/m/models/bmw/images/R100RTs.jpg

[bennylaird]

My old man had one of those, was the bike that turned me off M/c for life.... That thing was scary fast, with a front wheel that wouldnt stay on the ground...

Yes came up in every gear, the big tailight did stop the pillion from falling off though. The frame wasn't rubber, it was elastic.
:D :D :D

[jmk89]

How about a Vincent Black Lightning 1952?

I can't afford to buy one, but at least I can listen to Richard Thompson's song about one:D :D :D

[macca2]

I had an old 1952 Triumph Tiger 100 with the sprung hub on the back.
When they got worn they became one scary bike to ride. Would dance all over the road.

[snowyskiesau]

Got one of these sitting in the shed awaiting a rebuild.
Rickman Honda 750 :)

[E. maculata]

Thumpy, Euro, has braggers value, check out the KTMs of late.
(A bit of bias here i just bought the young fella a KTM to replace his yamaha)

30+ bikes in my lifetime, and the most fun I have ever had was a 3 hour stint on a '92 suzuki rgv250, still get a stupid grin 13 years later thinking about it. I try to never dis' any other style of bike, bike snobbery is for those who've never tried the other side, if it's got 2 wheels and a motor its whey cool eh?

Currently in da shed
'92 gsxr1100 (ours, owned since '92)
ttr-90 (#1 daughters)
PW-50 (son's)
KTM SX 50 (Xmas surprise for above boy)
'89 cr250 (mine)
'91 cr 250 (also mine)


all more fun than any monkeys in any barrel.

would however literally kill for a Britten V-1000

[Dan]

I want something that I can criuse on and get out of the way of cars. Has to be a talking point when stopped as well. European or maybe a Harley but has to be personal not just a mass produced rev box.

Got just the thing. Haven't met anyone yet who knows what it is.:)

[E. maculata]

Got just the thing. Haven't met anyone yet who knows what it is.:)

Tiger?

[Iain]

if it's got 2 wheels and a motor its whey cool eh?

Sound like one of my 'neighbours' (about 8km away) "If it hasn't got two wheels or tits I'm not interested":D :D :D

[E. maculata]

Sound like one of my 'neighbours' (about 8km away) "If it hasn't got two wheels or tits I'm not interested":D :D :D

Iain, the problem with this is??????

maybe 20 years ago I woulda agreed with him 100%, now the 2 wheels is probably more interesting;)

[goat]

here's my little baby suzuki bandit 1200 :)

[fxst]

Benny I know a guy in Burra that bought one last year. Did a bit of work on the carby and now its a dream, sounds like the original. Me? I have a HD Ultra and its a nice cruiser...haven't had Mr plod worry me after the initial cruise at over the limit :D
Behave nowdays but just rebuilt the motor of my old F1 Honda 4 ....who knows I might even use it again 1 day.
Go for the Royal Benny you won't regret it
Pete

[goat]

Got just the thing. Haven't met anyone yet who knows what it is.:)

cagiva navigator

[bennylaird]

Got just the thing. Haven't met anyone yet who knows what it is.:)

A Cagiva of course:D :D :D :D

[bennylaird]

Benny I know a guy in Burra that bought one last year. Did a bit of work on the carby and now its a dream, sounds like the original. Me? I have a HD Ultra and its a nice cruiser...haven't had Mr plod worry me after the initial cruise at over the limit :D
Behave nowdays but just rebuilt the motor of my old F1 Honda 4 ....who knows I might even use it again 1 day.
Go for the Royal Benny you won't regret it
Pete

There is a Carbi option available, might be worth looking into?:confused:

[Auld Bassoon]

Not R.E.s, but as a lad I did have a 350 AJS one-lunger and no readily apparent brakes :eek:

Used it to frighten the poop out of myself and the farm staff :D

[bennylaird]

As did my BIL's Matchless single. Managed to do some good dives when she backfired on the kick start:D :D :D

[Auld Bassoon]

Hah! Reminds me now of that evil decompression lever plus advance/retard one - had to get them just so, ditto the throttle setting, or the bugger would make a loud bang and launch your truly...

Often drew a bit of a crowd when starting the bloddy thing :D

[bennylaird]

If your leg was straight it threw you, if not it cycled your leg around in your hip joint, either way pain came to mind. Use to prefer the old run a bit and jump on start but the amount of compression was enough to lock the wheel if you didn't run like buggery and jump with all your weight.:D

[MurrayD99]

I think these new REs have a starter - or maybe an option. No need to break anything starting them...... brakes though, not sure they are state of the art.

[Daddles]

Who needs a sidecar :D

Richard

[bennylaird]

Whats the fun of that:p :p :p :p :D An electric start.

Yes the option is there:D


Daddles? That's just wrong................................:D :D :D :D

[Harry72]

I want wana these puppys... even tho I dont ride motorbikes!

http://www.redline.co.za/pics/Triumph%20Rocket%20III%2008.jpghttp://www.redline.co.za/pics/Triumph%20Rocket%20III%2015.jpg

[bennylaird]

Wot? A Trumpet without oil leaks? Just not cricket.

Had a look at them in the city last time I was there, they have a nice one at Peter Stevens with a great paint job.

[johnc]

If it doesn't leak oil it can't be a Trumpy, unless the sump is dry:confused:

[Gra]

to quote my father

"If it doesn't bleed, it aint alive"

[bennylaird]

While nice I'd ruther have one of these.:D

[MurrayD99]

While nice I'd ruther have one of these.:D


Yes but..... speed triple....

[bennylaird]

Nice but I'm an old f-rt, give me a classic.

[goat]

how about a triumph thruxton ? looks like a old pharts bike and they sound very nice too:cool:

[bennylaird]

how about a triumpth thruxton ? looks like a old pharts bike and they sound very nice too:cool:


Have been looking dont worry, just need a few more dollars for one though, think they are up around $14,000?

[goat]

yep about $14000 but have seen some nice examples for $11000 ish with only 3000-4000 kms on them proberly cheaper spend the rest on some nice tools;)

[fxst]

There is a Carbi option available, might be worth looking into?:confused:
Yep thats what he did and it has elect start but he wont use it prefers to rock it over compresion and boot it.
Pete

[Dan]

Tiger?

No


cagiva navigator

No, but close.


A Cagiva of course:D :D :D :D

Yes, but the file name told you that.:rolleyes:

It's a Cagiva Gran Canyon. Not many about, sounds good due to the pipes and Ducati 900 motor, comfortable and fun to ride. The Navigator looks much the same but uses the Suzuki TL1000 motor.

[Squirrel]

Not R.E.s, but as a lad I did have a 350 AJS one-lunger and no readily apparent brakes :eek:


My pride and joy is a 1949 Matchless 350 Rigid. Not 100% restored but very much ridable. Left her sitting for about 5 years and she started first kick. Thought I had a picture for show and tell, but couldn't find one.

Squirrel...

[bennylaird]

Might be able to up the ante, perhaps a Thruxton after all?

[bennylaird]

or a Speedmaster?

[goat]

hey i like the look of the speedmaster. bit harley esk hopefully a bit more reliable ,how much?

[bennylaird]

Trying to find out myself will post it when I do. Have not seen any 2nd hand around.



Around the $15,000 mark from what I can see.

[goat]

here's one only 6000kms on it http://ninemsn.bikepoint.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?UsedBikeID=2219732&TabID=3424&Alias=bikepointau

[goat]

here's another 7
http://www.bikesales.com.au/as/search/s.do?currentPage=1&page=0&selectedMakeIndex=63&selectedModelIndex=20&minPrice=&maxPrice=&makeID=57&modelID=1106&keywords=&state=&x=64&y=19&categoryID=&minReleaseYear=&maxReleaseYear=&minKilometres=&maxKilometres=&minEngineSize=&maxEngineSize=&numCylinders=&transmissionID=

[bennylaird]

Have to get my act together, still trying to get my license, plus have to work out a way of raising the cash, might be a while before I'm a goer.

[Gra]

have to work out a way of raising the cash,

Who else can see a production line of mosaic tables.... strangely with a motorcycle theme...:D:D

[bennylaird]

Your a geniyus Gra, First one will be a coffee table with a Vincent. Will get started on it tonight. Gold tiles are expensive but don't need to many.

[bennylaird]

I'll base it on this.....


Sell it on Ebay?

[Gra]

Your a geniyus Gra, First one will be a coffee table with a Vincent. Will get started on it tonight. Gold tiles are expensive but don't need to many.

I would go Harley and Indian, the pommy bike boys tend to be tight a@#es

[bennylaird]

Will do this one first and probably keep it myself, then I can do others to order.

[bennylaird]

Took a bit but finally got my details of my old licence from VicRoads, after they sent me some one elses records first lol.

Booked in for a test on Monday and can then go for the licence test after without having to go on learners. Will get a licence with not restrictions then so wont have to go to a 250.

Anybody interested in having a mosaic done? Need to find some funds for the bike now.

[goat]

well done benny :2tsup: so whats it going to be ,thruxton ,speed master or some thing else?

[goat]

dare i suggest some thing with the looks that you like and jap reliability ?

kawasaki w 650