If you wanted a small bike, what would it be?

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


IMG_3084.jpeg

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 :-)
 
dduelin said:
I had a 1992 Nighthawk and yes it was classic cool and elicited comments at bike night but waiting at times weeks for parts was no bueno. Old rubber and plastic parts ughh.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Daboo said:
I think those are called "donor bikes".

And the riders, "zoom-splats". :D

Chris
Click to expand...
To quote Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "I'm not dead! (yet)"

330367338_739118074390667_6050713014171436297_n.jpg

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.
 
Whisperquiet said:
I 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.IMG_1470.png
Click to expand...
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 pic :)
 
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. :D
 
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ron
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/
 

Attachments

  • MG '23 V85 Blue-1 untitled.png
    MG '23 V85 Blue-1 untitled.png
    338.2 KB · Views: 7
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom