I can see spring way.....over.....there..... I'm seriously short in the 2 wheel department, having drawn down the stable to only my yellow VFR Interceptor and that funny looking white and blue thing called a Transalp (see piccies in my sig). I need a putt around machine, something flicky and easy and a little patina wouldn't hurt. In fact, a little patina is just what I want. Short list: 1989 Honda Hawk GT: Prototypical V-twin, spar frame light weight sports machine. 1994 Ducati 900SS: similar to above but with real music out the pipe. 2001 Kawasaki W650: A Bonnie with none of the drawbacks. 1980 or so BMW R80GS: I'm really getting chubby here, but a lot of overlap with the Transalp... Well, gents, whadda ya think??
You have a CARVER. An ENDURO. Now you need a CRUISER. http://www.harley-davidson.com/en/homef.asp?bmLocale=en_US You will not regret it.
Korr, since when is a VFR referred to as a carver? Only when compared to a hog! Uro is looking for a "putt around machine, something flicky and easy and a little patina wouldn't hurt" Sounds like a Monster or even that new BMW R1150 R Rockster which looks pretty funky (IMO) would be a better proposition.
I had a 900ss and love'd the handling of it,not the most powerful thing in the world but great feedback from the chassis,Oh and keep the spanners handy these fall to bit's on you, Dale.
For the money, Ducati is hard to beat; that big Monster, the S4R looks like a fabulous bike, new, for less than a used Harley. It terms of "vintage" stuff, Norton? Motoguzzi? I was chasing a Brough for a while- hardly tossable- but the price was too high. I also love the Vincents, but again, they are now big money.
I don't like bit falling off.... I thought the older SSs were pretty solid. I don't like the newer style 900SS that Terblanche "Bangle-ized". I'd heard the only real weakness of the older SSa was a crack in a very few of them at a weld on the leading portion of the swingarm.
as it should be..... might not be as much of a poseur bike by then It might be really retro to show up at a 4th generation allman brothers band reunion tour on a harley how bout a Suzuki TL 1000 Image Unavailable, Please Login
i'm not so bike savvy, but when i heard the term "carver" i thought you's were referring to this. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
If you are seriously considering a Hawk GT, take a good look at an SV650...same concept but 10 years newer, easier to find parts, and probably about the same price. Just my $.02 Larry
Now don't be too harsh. That yellow VFR has surprised A LOT of liter Gixxers and the like (from the mid-west and Canada) at Deal's Gap. I admit I know that road like the back of my hand, but those young midwest boys with the 1 inch chicken strips are a little surprised when they need to politely let an old man on a VFR pass. (they can easily catch me on the straights.)
How about an aprilia Falco? You can can a decent used machine for close to what you would pay for a Duc 900SS. 108HP at the rearwheel.. All day comfort and plenty of peg scraping ability. No need to worry about kids with the sissy stripes here. Heck.. I have personally worn off front tire sissy stripes with a falco... granted a race track was involved. Some soft luggage and you are ready for the weekend camping excursion. V-twin power.. music out the pipe and no pesky valves to be constantly monitored. Just a thought. I've seen Falco's going for 5k or so. Just a thought. Yes I am biased..
I like those. I rode a Mille once and really enjoyed it, well sorted injection, good front end. it had that upshift light coming on way early, I guess because it was almost brand new and the computer must have the break in programmed. Seems everybody forgot about the Falco after the Tuono.
I had an '88 Hawk. Spent a lot of time/money fixing it up into a nice little back road carver. Took it to Deals Gap and had a blast. Then I bought a '95 900ss. Put some Termi pipes on it, opened up the airbox, rejetted it, changed the gearing... The Hawk was sold soon after. I had planned on keeping it, but once the 900ss rolled into town, the Hawk was relagated to loaner status. You can pick up 900SS/CRs pretty cheap these days, cheap enough that a Hawk just isn't worth it anymore. Plus the SV is out there now, as someone already mentioned. I eventually traded my 900ss in on a 996, but there are days I wish I still had it. I'll probably own another one someday.
I have one of these (The KTM one) - and at least the early ones (like the one I have) are not putt around machine - they are scruffy some*****es that you need to wring their necks off to ride properly. I loved putting around on an old NX650 - but the Transalp should be close enough to that. As otherwise noted - if you fancy a Hawk GT - the SV650 sure looks good (and has a bit more space on it, too). If you like the W650 (and who would not?) - why not look for a GB500 - these are drop-dead jaw dropping and are a hoot to ride. Just my $0.02 I am itching to put my hands on a DR400Z-SE or a (call me crazy) 1975-1977 CB400F...
Actually it is in most parts of the world (other then the US), or to most anyone into vintage Ducatis... RE: the W650. I considered getting one, but then decided I'd rather have a real vintage bike, warts and all. Hence the 750 GT I'm working on right now.
I would say go with the 900 ss but then again I am biased. I had a 96 900ss sp as my first Ducati. It met an untimely demise at my hand. I really miss that bike and I will own another someday. I love my 748 but that 900 motor was so much fun around town. The Falco is a very capable bike. There was an instructor on one at my first track school on the 748 and he tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a thumbs up as he passed me on the outside of the carosel at Nelson's Ledges. Have you considered the Sport Classics that will be out soon. The price is a bit higher but you get the retro look and that great Ducati 2 Valve motor. P.s. I am glad I'm not the only one who doesn't buy into the Harley "lifestyle"
