Bikes you didn't like nearly as much as you thought you would.

[dmac57]

Originally Posted by gqelements

See my earlier post on page 2 or 3, replying to someone who was praising this thread as a useful precautionary tale to people looking to make a purchasing decision.... As expected it became an all-encompassing complaints box for bikes of all stripes...

I think all it does is scare new riders or potential owners from buying ANY bike.

Unfortunate but so typical of the interwebs...

Puh-freekin-leeze. If any potential buyer took this thread as anything other than the musings of the bored and/or nostalgic, they're idiots, and should be sentenced to owning the two wheeled eqivalent of a Yugo.

Which I suppose might be a Ural without the hack.

Carry on.

[EetsOK]

I hated this bike the Yammy FJR1300. Pretty bad when the bike from the demo fleet is stalling in traffic, among other issues.

[Ducatiparts.110mb]

Honda 900 Hornet (919). Bought it as I needed something reasonably quick and more upright than my VTR1000. A very worthy bike, but god it was dull. Only four I've ever had and on that basis I wouldn't have another.

Ducati Monster S4r. Very fast, good handling but not different enough from the other Dukes I had at the time. I enjoyed riding it but just didn't look forward to riding it. Only kept it 2 months and then sold it for a 996. Now that was a different story altogether....

[scootrboi]

Originally Posted by PhilB

That's funny. Comparing the Vespa to the Heinkel is kind of like comparing a Ducati Monster to a Harley Road King. They're completely different. I own both (a '64 GS160, and a '60 Heinkel 013A1), and they are really different to ride. The Vespa is a hell of a lot more fun, especially on a twisty road; the Heinkel is far better at touring.

If you should happen to still have the remains of that GS160, they're worth quite a bit these days. (And note that just about any 2-stroke will sieze "on a long downhill coast". The lubrication is in the fuel, and any sort of engine braking will have it turning higher revs than idle with the same lubrication as at idle, causing it to be underlubed. *Never* engine brake with a 2-stroke.)

PhilB

I wasn't trying to run down the Vespa. I was pointing out my ignorance at the time that I had a favorite model of a fine manufacturer, and knew very little about 2 strokes. At the time(1976), scooters were of no account in central Vermont. I have been driving around here for 40 years on my Heinkel. Until the last few years, no one gave it a second glance, except little boys who probably thought it was a rocket. Now I am held up wherever I go by people who want to talk about it.

[dirtdreamer50]

http://www.heinkeltourist.com/index.htm

I had never seen or heard of a Heinkel scooter until this thread. I found their owners forum and learned more than I probably need to know. Crazy looking modes of transportation....I do know scooters are harder to ride than motorcycles due to their small diameter wheels and super quick steering. tp

[opmike]

The entire Ducati 848/1098/1198 series of bikes.

I'm pretty used to the sport bike riding position. I ride an SVS and I've ridden friend's R6s, ZX6s, et. al., without too much of an issue. So, I just kept telling myself, how bad could it be, really?

However, one bored Saturday morning, I finally worked up the courage to ride over to the Ducati/Aprilia/Triumph dealer the next state over. I've been avoiding doing so as I have a serious lust problem. My lust is already strong when seeing photos, but the lust gets out of control when dealing with these magical beasts we called motorcycles in the flesh.

Anyway, upon arriving, I went over to an 848 EVO Dark perched in the corner with a grin in my face and a skip in my step. Swung a leg over and the smile gradually faded. Never have I sit on such an ass-high bike in my life, and I felt like I was going to slide forward and over the front wheel. And the seat? What seat? Sitting directly on the trellis frame would have been more pleasant. I'm sure I could get used to it, but I just felt a sense of "this is ridiculous" that I didn't feel sitting on other sport bikes.

Now, now, don't get me wrong; I totally understand the purpose and intended use of these motorcycles. I'm speaking SOLELY from my personal perspective I understand these are track weapons, but any bike I own will have to contend with a certain level of traffic duty from time to time, as I don't exactly live next door to the twisty roads in my town. The thought of getting caught in lunch-time traffic on something like that is the stuff of nightmares. Just the wrong tool for the job.

I know the squid factor is high, but the GSX-R series of bikes are easily the most comfortable sport bikes I've ridden for whatever reason, and I can see why they're so popular.

My loins still lust after a Ducati sport bike, though. Not surprising really; rarely have any wise decisions come about with one's loins at the helm.

[FMFDOC]

I haven't seen anything really bad about a Super Tenere in this thread. Does that mean that they are okay? Or has nobody gotten around to giving one a good swift kick in the fellas?

Love the thread BTW. Lots of great information.

Anywhoooo... I'm looking to get a Tenere and am very interested in their shortcomings BEFORE I spend a metric-ass-load of money on one.

That said, I have had a few Harleys and I opine that they just aren't worth the money that I spent. Put another way, for the investment, you can get a WAY better bike. (plus the whole old age ergonomics thing)

[dirtdreamer50]

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/ind...97e7pcakbu0m2&

Everything one would want to know about the Tenere. I considered one but bought a Tiger 1050 instead. A big mistake on my part. All reviews I've read have been positive, but as with all model specific forums, the one noted will give you the good, the bad, and the ugly of the ST12....

[hankgs]

Originally Posted by FMFDOC

I haven't seen anything really bad about a Super Tenere in this thread. Does that mean that they are okay? Or has nobody gotten around to giving one a good swift kick in the fellas?

Love the thread BTW. Lots of great information.

Anywhoooo... I'm looking to get a Tenere and am very interested in their shortcomings BEFORE I spend a metric-ass-load of money on one.)

I rented a Tenere in Holland last year and really liked it...especially the "sport" mode. I owned a GS @ the time, so I really like upright riding position(s). The bike never felt heavy when rolling, but again, I'm used to riding top-heavy beasts...I would definitely recommend one!

[scootrboi]

Originally Posted by dirtdreamer50

http://www.heinkeltourist.com/index.htm

I had never seen or heard of a Heinkel scooter until this thread. I found their owners forum and learned more than I probably need to know. Crazy looking modes of transportation....I do know scooters are harder to ride than motorcycles due to their small diameter wheels and super quick steering. tp

The Heinkel Tourist, designed in 1953, has a monoshock swingarm rear suspension, a 55" wheelbase, and feels like a motorcycle. It is quite comfortable for all day rides and cruises at 50-55 mph. It is not a typical scooter. The Tourist was made to extremely high standards by Heinkel Aircraft and cost $100 more than the 250cc BMW made at the same time.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8...17c83676_b.jpg

[FMFDOC]

Originally Posted by dirtdreamer50

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/ind...97e7pcakbu0m2&

Everything one would want to know about the Tenere. I considered one but bought a Tiger 1050 instead. A big mistake on my part. All reviews I've read have been positive, but as with all model specific forums, the one noted will give you the good, the bad, and the ugly of the ST12....

Originally Posted by hankgs

I rented a Tenere in Holland last year and really liked it...especially the "sport" mode. I owned a GS @ the time, so I really like upright riding position(s). The bike never felt heavy when rolling, but again, I'm used to riding top-heavy beasts...I would definitely recommend one!

Thats good news. Thank you for the heads up.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...

[Lornce]

Originally Posted by scootrboi

The Heinkel Tourist, designed in 1953, has a monoshock swingarm rear suspension, a 55" wheelbase, and feels like a motorcycle. It is quite comfortable for all day rides and cruises at 50-55 mph. It is not a typical scooter. The Tourist was made to extremely high standards by Heinkel Aircraft and cost $100 more than the 250cc BMW made at the same time.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8...17c83676_b.jpg

Very funky.

[amos100]

Originally Posted by FMFDOC

I haven't seen anything really bad about a Super Tenere in this thread. Does that mean that they are okay? Or has nobody gotten around to giving one a good swift kick in the fellas?

Love the thread BTW. Lots of great information.

Anywhoooo... I'm looking to get a Tenere and am very interested in their shortcomings BEFORE I spend a metric-ass-load of money on one.

That said, I have had a few Harleys and I opine that they just aren't worth the money that I spent. Put another way, for the investment, you can get a WAY better bike. (plus the whole old age ergonomics thing)

Test drove the Tenere for a couple of hours, for ever how much that is worth. Generally found the engine to be flat and uninspiring. Eventually bought a BMW GSA and have been very glad I did. I found it will fly straight line and in the twisties once I got the hang of it and like the fit and finish much better. The wind protection is excellent, the riding position comfortable and the ability to see above most of the traffic on that bike is an extra I hand't planned on.. That said, there's a big price difference between the two.

[Nyuscdjs]

Cagiva Gran Canyon. Has to be one of the biggest disappointments I've owned. Spewed oil constantanty out of the air box even, pipes were ferraci and way too loud, underpowered Ducati 900SS engine and bottom shelf suspension.

Such a joy.

[dgeezer]

Most of you in the Americas will never get to ride an older, ergo friendly Transalp.
I'm older and fortunate, and have been bounced off enough to select and purchase one and ride one today. It's a great old man's bike.
Once you dial it on, it can still scare you a bit. Once you get in too deep and out of brakes, somehow it carries you through, stands you up, slaps you with "Ok, fool you made it". You exhale a deep sigh and physics sling you out the corner.
Breathe.......
A couple of times, I've seen the old man Honda standing on the side of the road, hands together and bowing slightly.
He too walks with a limp.
And he mumbles something about better brakes.

A lot of "mediocre" bikes, very few great ones.
All my BMWs are clunky compared to this.