Truth. Not much meat left after a 50-cal shot.Depends on whether you're shooting for sustenance or entertainment.
If you wanted a small bike, what would it be?
- Thread starter ST1100TX
- Start date
This is not a proper answer as this bike cannot be bought easily. Has been built in Germany by hand based on a propriatory frame, a Hatz diesel engine and Royal Enfield parts (e.g. this old gearbox):
Sommer 462
Barely 11hp, but I plan to ride it up to Inary lake (3000km one way) this summer
They are not build anymore as they don't comply with current EU regulations ...
Comes with an insane pricetag: roughly 100 times more than my ST1100 - if you price it by horsepower.
But it also comes with a very special style of driving
Sommer 462
Barely 11hp, but I plan to ride it up to Inary lake (3000km one way) this summer
They are not build anymore as they don't comply with current EU regulations ...
Comes with an insane pricetag: roughly 100 times more than my ST1100 - if you price it by horsepower.
But it also comes with a very special style of driving
OP
OP
My understanding has been that Honda is much better with parts support than the other manufacturers. I don't know if this is true, but when I owned my 1984 VF1000F I was shocked that I could get parts for it. Of course, left side body parts are usually the first to dry up.
The biggest problem I think are finding the ECM's and such. I think they are gone for the Blackbird. That's a lawn ornament in the making.
So, I agree. The classic's look great and part of me would like another 1970 Triumph Bonneville, but I just don't want to try to keep them running.
Yes, but it's the most fun to ride a fast/big bike fast.
To quote Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "I'm not dead! (yet)"I think those are called "donor bikes".
And the riders, "zoom-splats".
Chris
Sorry Chris, I beg to differ... speed is relative. Over 2x the power of the ST, half the weight, and street legal, no less. Big bike+++ power, little bike weight.
Back on topic... keeping it ST-adjacent (Honda), I'd be happy (ecstatic actually) to add a NS400R, NC35 or the latest CBR250RR to the stable.
To quote Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "I'm not dead! (yet)"
Sorry Chris, I beg to differ... speed is relative. Over 2x the power of the ST, half the weight, and street legal, no less. Big bike+++ power, little bike weight.
RobbieAG
Robert
I have the same bike and am very happy with it! I rode it this year to GA-STOC and OH-STOC. You saved me from having to post a picI like my VStrom 800 over my previously owned VStrom 650 ….. mainly, because you can add the Veridian electronic cruise control. The 800 is a very nimble, light feeling motorcycle that fits me at 6’4” with a 35” inseam.
irunamok
Site Supporter
The Triumph 400s look cool to me. I’d probably get the scrambler.
billo
17 years on a ST
My recent fantasy was a Honda trail 125. My first bike in ‘65 was a ‘63 push rod, iron cylinder cub 50. In ‘68 in my brother bought a new ‘68 Yamaha 180 twin 2 -stroke street scrambler (think 180 Big Bear) and I inherited his ‘67 trail 90. It had a signature “ poo-Kah poo-Kah” exhaust note I remember to this day. I want that sound again but truth be told, its 50mph on flat ground would bore me to death the second month.
A couple years ago I bought a V85TT by Moto Guzzi. I think it's right at 500 lbs with a 850cc V twin, shaft drive, 6 speed and cruise control. It looks like a scaled down Adventure bike. It'll run 75-80 mph easily but the mpg starts dropping, less than 40 mpg. They have other V twin/850 models if it sets too high (32"). Dealer in Austin usually has a fair selection (120 miles). The Stelvio and Mandello are also called V100 for 1000cc.
I can't seem to get a picture of mine to load but here's one without the aluminum saddleboxes and top box.
https://www.af1racingaustin.com/inventory/new/MOTO-GUZZI/
I can't seem to get a picture of mine to load but here's one without the aluminum saddleboxes and top box.
https://www.af1racingaustin.com/inventory/new/MOTO-GUZZI/
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OP
OP
I've been attracted to the Suzuki TU250X for some time. It gets rave reviews from owners some of whom are quite a bit taller and heavier than I am. I'm not sure I'd be happy with a 250, though. Maybe not enough poke, but I think it will go 70mph.
Yep, bought a new Honda 550/4 in 78 after riding my buddy’s cb750. Coming from a cb350 the 750 felt to big and heavy.I get a chuckle when I drop by to look at what we're posting in this thread. We look at a VStrom 800 as being a downsized bike. Yet I remember when a 1972 Honda 750 used to be a huge bike.
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
We used those for years in our MSF Basic RiderCourse.
YEARS.
So basically, we never allowed the students to ride over 25mph.
Almost never past 3rd gear.
And were they ever dropped?
I'll let you guess.
Never had one on the road, but I have spent many hours on them.
Never changed a spark plug on any of them.
We sold all our training bikes after a few years, never with more than 10k miles.
I suspect that's a hard life for ANY motorcycle.
So in short, IF a bike ever deserved being called "bulletproof", this is one.
OP
OP
Good to know. I wish I could find one in good shape for not a lot of money. The ones I see are at stealerships and they're very proud of them.
My 2016 CTX700 DCT will probably be my last bike. After parting ways with my ST1300 about six years ago, I was glad to find this CTX provides a very pleasant and manageable ride for my 75 year old frame. The DCT is particularly helpful in traffic. I don’t miss the clutch at all. At about 200 lbs. less than the ST and with a much lower CG, the CTX delivers all I need to enjoy the road these days as it consistently delivers ~65 mpg.
OP
OP
Did the feet forward riding position take some getting used to? FWIW, I don't think I've ever seen one of these in the wild.My 2016 CTX700 DCT will probably be my last bike. After parting ways with my ST1300 about six years ago, I was glad to find this CTX provides a very pleasant and manageable ride for my 75 year old frame. The DCT is particularly helpful in traffic. I don’t miss the clutch at all. At about 200 lbs. less than the ST and with a much lower CG, the CTX delivers all I need to enjoy the road these days as it consistently delivers ~65 mpg.
Yeah, it took a little while to acclimate. Didn’t take me long to go to the floorboards which bring the feet back a bit.