Bike Curious

[Loui5D]

Rocket 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU_9ucFfhdI

[M.C]

[stevo as b4]

Not necessarily, but some cool looking probably slightly retro naked factory bike is the vein of this thread, so a modern plastic race replica is not in with a sniff.

Your KTM speak might be relevant and worthy of consideration in this criteria so long as:

It's not an off road or SM bike, and it's not a wannabe adventure bike, the likes of which I personally find much more false and pretentious than any factory naked/custom/cafe racer or hipster bike if I'm honest.

I think I know where your going with your KTM desires, but as they don't make many bikes that aren't the above, then it leaves very few naked bikes to choose from, and most of them aren't lookers in the same way as the RE.

[M.C]

Looks like a Yamaha Fizzy to me I think this is about as hipster as I could go:
https://images.mcn.bauercdn.com/upload/283892/images/ace-triumph-1.jpg
Exhaust wrap might have to go...

[B5234FT]

Thats just a street triple someones ruined.

[M.C]

[B5234FT]

Indeed, take one of the definitive naked bikes and make it look like a Hornet...

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Sooo, had a test ride of these today from CooperB just outside Bozeat, Northants...

https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19396684_10155441091081484_4084462941183458610_n.jpg?oh=f70b3172c6d899c3f4394eb1a55eb60f&oe=59D868B2

Worked out a 15 mile circuit that took a mix of A, B, dual carriageway and bit of town work. First up was the Army Classic, only had just under 400 miles on the clock. The Classic isn't actually on my list, but they didn't have a B5 for demo; I was more interested in feeling how the engine performed anyhoo. The EFI is renowned for a shitload of vibes until you get around 1500 miles under its belt, and this was no exception. Pegs, bars, seat - not comfortable at all. Engine was tight, revved OK initially, but really needs more miles to loosen up. Similar thump and feel to the older engine, without the extra noises. Much improved gearbox, better than my Electra which itself was an improvement over the Albion. Light clutch, good brakes (ABS on this one). Single seat didn't allow much room for shuffling, and I was mostly on the rear edge, which wasn't ideal. Handling felt similar to the older Bullet, but ride was a bit higher (like the Electra - probably the longer rear shocks).

Then came the GT. With 500 miles on this one, the extra CCs/miles were more noticeable. Fewer vibes and a much more willing engine, took my lardy arse up to 70 easily, and at 4000 revs in 5th (red line starts at 5500), top end I'm guessing 85 as standard. Felt like it could sit at 70 as a cruising speed happily. Unfortunately (as I expected) the riding position is not for me, but had to give it a go. Too much weight on my wrists and bend in my lower back. Wasn't too cramped for the legs though, and the tank is quite slim. Bike handled OK, went where I pointed it. I can see the attraction.

After I returned on that, I needed to experience a 500 EFI that had been run in, and they had a second hand Classic there with 1600 miles on the clock and a shorter silencer, so that was wheeled out and I took that on the same route. Felt like a different bike to the previous Classic. Still vibes (not much different to my 350), but nowhere near as intrusive, engine much looser and happier to rev. Saw 80 on the speedo, very happy at 65 for cruising.

So, nice bike, but the GT's off the list. A B5 is in the running though; same rear frame as my 350, so I could swap the seat for my single seat and rack arrangement. Now to find a Harley demo...
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[stevo as b4]

Would that be for a V-rod?

Can't see anything else being worth putting your hand in your pocket for at a HOG shop.

Have you got a local Guzzi dealer close by?

[Shaft]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Rogerborg]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

This week I are mostly having a test ride on a Sportster 883...

https://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media.jpg?id=df1f2a27fe39416e9a3b6ddf3676b9c3&width=1024&height=768

Pretty solid for a 17 year old bike, feels like it was milled from a solid block, rather than assembled. Took a short while to warm up and idle cleanly (well, as cleanly as a potato can), and I was off along the roads around Brackley, some town, some A, some dual carriageway. Fairly comfortable, but I know from the Savage that feet forward doesn't suit me for longer journeys - I prefer to be able to support myself with my legs, if needs be. The vibes weren't intrusive, on par with the Enfield really. The bars were high and wide in comparison, again not uncomfortable, but puts you in a position where wind blast is more pronounced once you get above 60; I'm not sure how long that would take to get old. Handling was OK, brakes good enough for my riding, but it wasn't as though I was hanging off on the corners or trying for stoppies.

Performance was more than adequate for my needs, I'm guessing the top end is just over the ton. This has a stage 1 Screaming Eagle setup, and was loud, bordering on obnoxious. I felt I'd probably be satisfied with a standard offering. The position of the air filter is annoying and in the way of my knee - mid mounted footrests might alleviate that, but the dealer said it doesn't make that much difference, and the filter that was fitted is one of the slimmest.

Would I buy one? Possibly. The poor economy and piddly tank would probably nag at me over time though, so it'd have to be a bargain.
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5