redbirds_imp
Road warrior
Thread starter
Cool! Reminds me of Honda's 6cyl 250 race bike from the 60's.jimigalahad_imp said:
A Bike You Would Like to Own, If Only
- Thread starter redbirds_imp
- Start date
SanPete_imp
Been there
You may be comparing the wrong two bikes. There was an article last year from motorcycle-usa.com comparing the "2014 Heritage Softail vs Indian Chief Vintage" here is an excerpt from that article. " we pit the 2014 Indian Chief Vintage against the 2014 Harley Heritage Softail Classic. Externally, the two are carbon copies of one another, big classic-cued cruisers clad in chrome, swooping fenders and softail-style suspension." I can't say it better than this. If I had to choose between these two bikes, I would take the Indian. But if I had to choose from all the bikes mentioned here I would probably choose the Kawasaki W800. Now if only Greg could show us a picture of his. A thing of beauty!The Spaceman_imp said:This is one of my favorite "Unobtainiums" too. Last year they had a Special Edition with gold wheels and some other goodies that was just gorgeous.calamarichris_imp said:Kawasaki W800. If only it was imported into the US. Alas, I would trade 3 (hideous wannabe Harley Sportsters IMO) Triumph Bonneville Americas for one of these legally registered here.
Australians may have funny accents, lousy beer, and drive on the wrong side of the road, but I envy them for having access to this bike.
And here's what a "Triumph" looks like when it wants to look like a Harley triumph.
This bit of cartoonish grotesquery was Triumph's best-selling overall model at exactly the same time Kawasaki decided to discontinue sales of the W650 in the US, due to sluggish sales.
"Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." -T. Jefferson
This was certainly true back in the "CMC" iteration of Indian from 06-11. At the time they were using S&S Evo engines that were direct clones of HDs. The IMC versions were somewhat better with the unique "Bottlecap" engines, but they still very much an HD clone, IMO.SanPete_imp said:
Today I think Polaris deserves major kudos for engineering a new Indian bike from the ground up. The Power Plus 103 engine is a tribute to the classic Indian engines in a way very similar to our CBs vs. the original CBs. I've read the engine kicks ass power-wise. And although I don't like the valanced fender, mega cruiser bike style myself, I don't think anyone is going to mistake a Chieftain for an Ultra Classic.
I've changed my mind on the Multi. Now I want one of these:
http://www.ducatiusa.com/bikes/monster_1200/index.do
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/10/17...Heritage-Softail-vs-Indian-Chief-Vintage.aspx
I guess I'm on a real family kick this evening.
I'd love to own a couple of dirt bikes (one for me and one for my son). Maybe some old Honda XRs or some newer Honda CRF trail bikes. That would make for such a great experience for us to share.
There are plenty of older bikes I wouldn't mind owning. And even though I can't afford one right now, nor do I really have a need for one, I can't help but keep an eye out for a pristine blue/green 1970 CB350 like the one my dad used to own.:
I'd love to own a couple of dirt bikes (one for me and one for my son). Maybe some old Honda XRs or some newer Honda CRF trail bikes. That would make for such a great experience for us to share.
There are plenty of older bikes I wouldn't mind owning. And even though I can't afford one right now, nor do I really have a need for one, I can't help but keep an eye out for a pristine blue/green 1970 CB350 like the one my dad used to own.:
the Ferret
Road warrior
Guth.. I bought a new 1969 CB 350 just like that after I totaled my 305 scrambler by stuffing it in the passenger door of a 54 Buick that turned in front of me. I added the matching right mirror ( an option then) for $7 lol...probably a dozen years later I was the parts manager at that dealership.... ahhh the memories
redbirds_imp
Road warrior
Thread starter
Great photo Guth. I love those old Cb350's.
Mike Bee_imp
Running like a top
You may be comparing the wrong two bikes. There was an article last year from motorcycle-usa.com comparing the "2014 Heritage Softail vs Indian Chief Vintage" here is an excerpt from that article. " we pit the 2014 Indian Chief Vintage against the 2014 Harley Heritage Softail Classic. Externally, the two are carbon copies of one another, big classic-cued cruisers clad in chrome, swooping fenders and softail-style suspension." I can't say it better than this. If I had to choose between these two bikes, I would take the Indian. But if I had to choose from all the bikes mentioned here I would probably choose the Kawasaki W800. Now if only Greg could show us a picture of his. A thing of beauty!SanPete_imp said:You may be comparing the wrong two bikes. There was an article last year from motorcycle-usa.com comparing the "2014 Heritage Softail vs Indian Chief Vintage" here is an excerpt from that article. " we pit the 2014 Indian Chief Vintage against the 2014 Harley Heritage Softail Classic. Externally, the two are carbon copies of one another, big classic-cued cruisers clad in chrome, swooping fenders and softail-style suspension." I can't say it better than this. If I had to choose between these two bikes, I would take the Indian. But if I had to choose from all the bikes mentioned here I would probably choose the Kawasaki W800. Now if only Greg could show us a picture of his. A thing of beauty!The Spaceman_imp said:This is one of my favorite "Unobtainiums" too. Last year they had a Special Edition with gold wheels and some other goodies that was just gorgeous.calamarichris_imp said:Kawasaki W800. If only it was imported into the US. Alas, I would trade 3 (hideous wannabe Harley Sportsters IMO) Triumph Bonneville Americas for one of these legally registered here.
Australians may have funny accents, lousy beer, and drive on the wrong side of the road, but I envy them for having access to this bike.
And here's what a "Triumph" looks like when it wants to look like a Harley triumph.
This bit of cartoonish grotesquery was Triumph's best-selling overall model at exactly the same time Kawasaki decided to discontinue sales of the W650 in the US, due to sluggish sales.
"Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." -T. Jefferson
This was certainly true back in the "CMC" iteration of Indian from 06-11. At the time they were using S&S Evo engines that were direct clones of HDs. The IMC versions were somewhat better with the unique "Bottlecap" engines, but they still very much an HD clone, IMO.SanPete_imp said:
Today I think Polaris deserves major kudos for engineering a new Indian bike from the ground up. The Power Plus 103 engine is a tribute to the classic Indian engines in a way very similar to our CBs vs. the original CBs. I've read the engine kicks ass power-wise. And although I don't like the valanced fender, mega cruiser bike style myself, I don't think anyone is going to mistake a Chieftain for an Ultra Classic.
I've changed my mind on the Multi. Now I want one of these:
http://www.ducatiusa.com/bikes/monster_1200/index.do
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/10/17...Heritage-Softail-vs-Indian-Chief-Vintage.aspx
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/10/17...Heritage-Softail-vs-Indian-Chief-Vintage.aspx
The same sort of analogy could be made comparing a Kawasaki 1200 ZRX & our Honda CB 1100's. Similar to be sure (and I like them both) but just not the same. The Kawi is faster, the Honda is prettier. The Indian is prettier than H-D's Heritage Softail too.
calamarichris_imp
Running like a top
Awesome! My Pa bought this little 175 before he went to Vietnam, and when he came back from the war, he had a little riding buddy to go bar-hopping with. (I was born while he was at war, and he used to ride on the tank.)Guth_imp said:I guess I'm on a real family kick this evening.
I'd love to own a couple of dirt bikes (one for me and one for my son). Maybe some old Honda XRs or some newer Honda CRF trail bikes. That would make for such a great experience for us to share.
There are plenty of older bikes I wouldn't mind owning. And even though I can't afford one right now, nor do I really have a need for one, I can't help but keep an eye out for a pristine blue/green 1970 CB350 like the one my dad used to own.:
The first bike I owned was a CB175 like calamarichris's dad's. I thought the CB350 like Guth's dad's was just the duck's guts. All that unimaginable power.
Funny how things change.
Funny how things change.
shdwghst457_imp
Been there
I second the vote for an 850 Commando, which I hope to make a reality in the next few years. Gotta wrestle it away from my uncle =/
RetroKitch_imp
First service completed
Since we're talking about the old twins, here's my 1972 CB175. She's a beloved family heirloom and one of the first bikes I ever got to ride on the back of as a kid.Cormanus_imp said:
As far as other bikes I'd love to own (aside from a CB1100 deluxe one of these days) would be the early '80's CB900 Custom with the unique dual range transmission!
redbirds_imp
Road warrior
Thread starter
That old 175 is gorgeous Kitch.
RetroKitch_imp
First service completed
Thank you! Believe it not after all these years I never saw another one like her until last year...same year and color too! I still see running examples of her more famous (and numerous)CB350 big sister though.redbirds_imp said:That old 175 is gorgeous Kitch.
Thanks for the picture Kitch. Brings back many happy memories.
davidsargee_imp
Been there
[/QUOTE]
As far as other bikes I'd love to own (aside from a CB1100 deluxe one of these days) would be the early '80's CB900 Custom with the unique dual range transmission!
[/QUOTE]
I had one of those CB900s, I believe it was an '82 model, blue one. I loved that bike, but to be honest, I seldom ever used the dual range tranny. Most of my riding on that bike was around town, so I seldom had use for the high range. Like the CB1100, it was an easy bike to just tool around on.
As far as other bikes I'd love to own (aside from a CB1100 deluxe one of these days) would be the early '80's CB900 Custom with the unique dual range transmission!
[/QUOTE]
I had one of those CB900s, I believe it was an '82 model, blue one. I loved that bike, but to be honest, I seldom ever used the dual range tranny. Most of my riding on that bike was around town, so I seldom had use for the high range. Like the CB1100, it was an easy bike to just tool around on.
the Ferret
Road warrior
The dual speed tranny was just a gimmick by Honda. They used a Gold Wing rear end which was driven on the right, and the engine from the Dohc inline 4 series which was chain driven on the left. They used the dual range case to transfer power from 1 side to the other. Clever, but virtually useless in real life.
davidsargee_imp
Been there
Interesting, I had that bike for a little over a year and never really thought about that. I didn't get anything out of the dual range, if I remember correctly, sometimes I wasn't completely certain if I was in hi or lo.The ferret_imp said:
flynrider
Road warrior
My dream bike was the Kaw GPz 750 Turbo. Kaw brought their bikes to the track to try and entice the local club riders in '84. I rode the new 900r (the original Ninja) first and was pretty impressed.
The next ride was 4 hot laps on new Turbo and I was blown away. At the time, 112 hp from a 750 class bike was unheard of. I clearly recall opening it up coming out of the final turn on to the straightaway and passing through 120 mph, turbo screaming, before I was halfway to the next turn. Soon after I experienced the wonder of modern (for the day) triple discs.
After that ride I attempted to buy one. I could afford the payments on the $4500 bike, but it turned out that the insurance cost (for a 23 yr. old squidly kid) would be equal to the bike payments. That was the deal breaker. These days it's nearly impossible to find one that hasn't been beat to death.
The next ride was 4 hot laps on new Turbo and I was blown away. At the time, 112 hp from a 750 class bike was unheard of. I clearly recall opening it up coming out of the final turn on to the straightaway and passing through 120 mph, turbo screaming, before I was halfway to the next turn. Soon after I experienced the wonder of modern (for the day) triple discs.
After that ride I attempted to buy one. I could afford the payments on the $4500 bike, but it turned out that the insurance cost (for a 23 yr. old squidly kid) would be equal to the bike payments. That was the deal breaker. These days it's nearly impossible to find one that hasn't been beat to death.
The Spaceman_imp
Road warrior
Was the idea to change the ratio of the standard gears by stepping up or down a range in the transfer case? It does seem silly for a bike, although it might be useful for an off road vehicle...The ferret_imp said:
the Ferret
Road warrior
Yes around town you could use the lower ratio for more pick up, out on the road the higher ratio for easier cruising. In reality most people stuck it in the higher ratio and just left it there.
RetroKitch_imp
First service completed
Thanks for the info!The ferret_imp said:
I had read somewhere that most owners would use the lower range and then once on the highway in 5th, would shift to the high range for a sort of overdrive. Still, I liked the styling of the 650, 750, 900/1000 Customs...a final homage to the older CB's in some ways as the F models and early Nighthawks were on the rise with sportier looks.
