A thread for motorcycle porn!

[DownwardDog]

Yeah, agreed. The Japanese factories aren't just bulk producers, they're precision operations. Yes, they churn out a thousand machines in the time it takes the Italians to build two, but their quality control is pretty stringent.

In terms of fit and finish, my 999 was far superior to the RC45 I had before it. The 999 was superbly designed and put together whereas the RC45 had a super cheap finish and lots of nasty fasteners. The 999 electrics were a fucking nightmare though as a cable got crimped, probably in the PDI at the dealer, and it took months of intermittent faults to trace the problem. I had 3 R1s from 2003-2006 and they were all faultless but I don't think I could bring myself to own the current "surprised toad" one.

The 999R is a cast iron future classic though, if I could find a nice one that hadn't been raced, dropped or modded I would buy it.

 

[weltweit]

That is quite a cool photo...

Big V twin..

No front brakes or suspension.

Drifting back and front wheels

No foot down on the inside

No gloves

One cool dude

The only thing bothering me is that it seems
he could cut the flow of air into the carb with
his right knee quite easily ..

 

[stupid dogbot]

I don't think I could bring myself to own the current "surprised toad" one.

It has split opinions, certainly. I didn't like it the first time I saw it in the dealer. Which is funny, because I love it now... but I think the 999 is a rather odd looking thing unless you catch it from the right angle. I do quite like the look of the 998 (without the stacked micro headlights), though.

If I had to pick one, I like the looks of the Desmo, but it's not really a practical bike. Oh, and Jason Statham has one.

Personal taste is strange, eh?

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

In terms of fit and finish, my 999 was far superior to the RC45 I had before it. The 999 was superbly designed and put together whereas the RC45 had a super cheap finish and lots of nasty fasteners.

The RC45 probably isn't the best example of Honda or indeed Japanese factory output - it was a race homologation special made by HRC after all...but saying that the RC30 was like a Swiss watch in the build quality stakes.

 

[stupid dogbot]

Yeah, by and large, Honda are famed for their build quality, aren't they?

There's a Y-reg Pan European down the road from me, and it doesn't even rattle. It's done 65,000 miles, never been garaged and it still looks and feels brand new.

 

[weltweit]

I have a hankering for one of these:

 

[yardbird]

In the 70s I had one of these and loved it - later traded up to a 750 four. Big mistake, size isn't all.

 

[yardbird]

These were ultra cool in my time

 

[Sprocket.]

The Honda CB 500 Four was one on the best examples of leading edge engineering when they came out.
Classic machine, cracking photo.

 

[weltweit]

I remember someone who had a CB500 four chopper. It was always a bit of a pain going places with him because he was so slow. To be fair I think it was nigh on unrideable!

 

[weltweit]

These were ultra cool in my time

I saw a Honda CBX1000 drag bike a couple of years ago, it was so low and the engine so wide that he hardly needed a sidestand, he could just lean it on the engine!!

 

[yardbird]

I saw a Honda CBX1000 drag bike a couple of years ago, it was so low and the engine so wide that he hardly needed a sidestand, he could just lean it on the engine!!

Which immediately reminded me of Peter Morton the founder of The Hard Rock Cafe, who indulged himself and bought an Electaglide (yeah I know ).
When you stop at traffic lights take your feet off the running boards and place them on the ground,
or at least be strong enough to get from underneath it.

 

[weltweit]

Which immediately reminded me of Peter Morton the founder of The Hard Rock Cafe, who indulged himself and bought an Electaglide (yeah I know ).
When you stop at traffic lights take your feet off the running boards and place them on the ground,
or at least be strong enough to get from underneath it.

I took my motorbike test on a trail bike. At the emergency stop I stopped next to the examiner on his command but I didn't put my feet down, there was no need I was only stopped next to him for a moment and the bike was very well balanced. At the end of the test he had a comment that I didn't come to a complete halt because I didn't put my feet down. What I said - I stopped - then you waved me on and I rode on - he passed me but I think he really thought I should have put my feet down!

 

[weltweit]

Quite fancy one of these:

 

[Sweet FA]

I'm about to order one

 

[weltweit]

What is it Sweet FA ?

 

[Sweet FA]

What is it Sweet FA ?

AJS Bobber 125

 

[weltweit]

AJS Bobber 125

I didn't even know AJS were still functioning. Prices look quite reasonable.

 

[Sweet FA]

Made in China so will need every nut and bolt checking from what I've heard. The dealer does a full build up & 12 month warranty though. I might get him to shorten the pipes while he's about it.

 

[weltweit]

Made in China so will need every nut and bolt checking from what I've heard. The dealer does a full build up & 12 month warranty though. I might get him to shorten the pipes while he's about it.

No taking pillion passengers though.

As to shortening the pipes I am not sure that is such an idea, pipes are usually tuned to a certain length so that the reflected wave from the first change in diameter, goes back up the pipe and helps to close off the exhaust flow..

 

[Sweet FA]

No taking pillion passengers though.

It's a Chinese built 125; I'm not sure it could take 2s up anyway.

As to shortening the pipes I am not sure that is such an idea, pipes are usually tuned to a certain length so that the reflected wave from the first change in diameter, goes back up the pipe and helps to close off the exhaust flow..

I don't understand most of those words. It will look better and sound even louder (they're straight thru pipes anyway..).

 

[weltweit]

It's a Chinese built 125; I'm not sure it could take 2s up anyway.

Yes, you have a good point there.

I don't understand most of those words. It will look better and sound even louder (they're straight thru pipes anyway..).

You may lose power if you shorten the downpipes.
How loud do you want it? And btw you may run foul of approval regs at MOTs and the like.

Personally I do like bikes to make a noise, not too much but you should be able to hear them coming imho.

 

[Ponyutd]

 

[ViolentPanda]

Ariel Leader.
My dad had one back when I was at primary school, for getting to and from work at Smithfield (no buses at 2AM back then!). He loved riding in the rain and not getting his trousers soaked!

 

[Ponyutd]

Quite right. Couldn't be sure if it was horrible or super cool. Up at auction with an auction estimate of£ 3,000.

 

[ViolentPanda]

Quite right. Couldn't be sure if it was horrible or super cool. Up at auction with an auction estimate of£ 3,000.

Cool, if you're a fan of the development of motorcycles, and widely used by rural police forces too, into the '70s (when they got Austin Allegro panda cars ).
The 1940s-vintage engine was apparently really easy to work on (once you took the panelling off), and apparently the only faff was the same faff you have with all 2-strokes - mixing oil in with the petrol, and having that lovely smokey smell.

 

[lt35]

KTM 350 EXC-F (2011-current) 349cc, 46bhp

 

[hipipol]

500cc Single pot Enfield with Tamil Hadu plates parked near Liverpool St a couple of months back

 

[SikhWarrioR]

500cc Single pot Enfield with Tamil Hadu plates parked near Liverpool St a couple of months back

Royal Enfield still made in India and you can also buy them new in the UK

 

[pogofish]

I remember someone who had a CB500 four chopper. It was always a bit of a pain going places with him because he was so slow. To be fair I think it was nigh on unrideable!

My memory of UJM chops from the time was indeed that they were nigh-on unrideable and many were absolute bodge-up nightmares mechanically.