12-20-2013, 05:49 AM
Seeing as I’m entering that “older than dirt” phase of life (I’ll be 60 next April) I’ve saddled a lot of bikes in my 45+ years for motorcycle riding. In no particular order the following bikes come to mind:
Honda VFR750/800; I owned a 1992 VFR750 for about 10 years. It was my weekend race around the canyons bike. I said I would never sell my VFR750, but, a friend was selling his 2002 VFR800 and asked if I wanted to upgrade… one ride and I was hooked. Better brakes, fuel injection, same VFR V4 linear power band with a little more pull than the 750, did I mention the AMAZING brakes!
Honda CB700S/CB750; I rode the 700S to work daily for 10+ years, put 98K miles on her. I started having trouble finding decent tires for the old 16” front and decided to upgrade to a CB750. The 750 did not have the RPM range of the 700S and was down on HP too. But all in all the 750 was a good dependable commuter bike for many years. I sold the 750 with 70K on the clock to a nice kid who continued the ride the bike daily, for all I know that bikes still racking up miles and miles.
ST1100/ST1300; I bought the ST1100 in Texas, sight unseen, and rode her back to California. A rock sold road burner. After some modes I used the ST11 for mostly long distance road trips. The ST1300 came along just after I had put a bunch of money into the ST1100 after 78K, but the deal on the ST1300 was too good to pass up. I still miss the ST1100 for its stability and comfort on the highway, but, the ST1300 has an amazing ABS brake system (the non-ABS ST11 always seemed to not have enough brakes for its bulk), fuel injection and much better low speed handling that the ST11, did I mention the AMAZING ABS brakes!
Suzuki DL650 V-Strom; this is my current commuter bike. One of the most comfortable, ride-able motorcycles I’ve ever owned. It sounds like a tractor, pulls like one too, a great all around bike. Easy on tires, flawless fuel injection, gets nearly 50mpg (when I’m not pinning the throttle all the time), what’s not to like.
BMW R100S; My current “retro” bike. She’s a 1979 R100RT that I covered to an iconic “S” model. I spent two years taking her apart and putting her back together again. She’s “old school” BMW Airhead technology with 1960’s brakes that require you to plan your braking events in advance. I love the old BMW and will likely keep her for a long time, She’s my Sunday morning ride for coffee bike, nothing more. http://www.photosbytink.com/project-s/
CB1100; I do not own a CB1100, yet. I will be retiring in June 2014 and will sell the V-Strom then and look for a CB1100. The CB1100 to me is the perfect retirement present. I love everything about the bike and can’t wait to get one of my own.
Honorable mention, other bikes I’ve owned and loved:
1965 Harley XLCH Sportster
1969 Triumph Bonneville
1954 Triumph T110
XR400 (dual sport)
TINK
Honda VFR750/800; I owned a 1992 VFR750 for about 10 years. It was my weekend race around the canyons bike. I said I would never sell my VFR750, but, a friend was selling his 2002 VFR800 and asked if I wanted to upgrade… one ride and I was hooked. Better brakes, fuel injection, same VFR V4 linear power band with a little more pull than the 750, did I mention the AMAZING brakes!
Honda CB700S/CB750; I rode the 700S to work daily for 10+ years, put 98K miles on her. I started having trouble finding decent tires for the old 16” front and decided to upgrade to a CB750. The 750 did not have the RPM range of the 700S and was down on HP too. But all in all the 750 was a good dependable commuter bike for many years. I sold the 750 with 70K on the clock to a nice kid who continued the ride the bike daily, for all I know that bikes still racking up miles and miles.
ST1100/ST1300; I bought the ST1100 in Texas, sight unseen, and rode her back to California. A rock sold road burner. After some modes I used the ST11 for mostly long distance road trips. The ST1300 came along just after I had put a bunch of money into the ST1100 after 78K, but the deal on the ST1300 was too good to pass up. I still miss the ST1100 for its stability and comfort on the highway, but, the ST1300 has an amazing ABS brake system (the non-ABS ST11 always seemed to not have enough brakes for its bulk), fuel injection and much better low speed handling that the ST11, did I mention the AMAZING ABS brakes!
Suzuki DL650 V-Strom; this is my current commuter bike. One of the most comfortable, ride-able motorcycles I’ve ever owned. It sounds like a tractor, pulls like one too, a great all around bike. Easy on tires, flawless fuel injection, gets nearly 50mpg (when I’m not pinning the throttle all the time), what’s not to like.
BMW R100S; My current “retro” bike. She’s a 1979 R100RT that I covered to an iconic “S” model. I spent two years taking her apart and putting her back together again. She’s “old school” BMW Airhead technology with 1960’s brakes that require you to plan your braking events in advance. I love the old BMW and will likely keep her for a long time, She’s my Sunday morning ride for coffee bike, nothing more. http://www.photosbytink.com/project-s/
CB1100; I do not own a CB1100, yet. I will be retiring in June 2014 and will sell the V-Strom then and look for a CB1100. The CB1100 to me is the perfect retirement present. I love everything about the bike and can’t wait to get one of my own.
Honorable mention, other bikes I’ve owned and loved:
1965 Harley XLCH Sportster
1969 Triumph Bonneville
1954 Triumph T110
XR400 (dual sport)
TINK