A picture a day...biker banter (Vol 5)
Discussion
Steve Bass said:
Nice... bike. Shorts... not so much
Are you buying up the worlds remaining Maico 490's???
I've got a early 81 pre reed valve 490 and this one now which is an 81 reed valve built 81/82 but technically an 81 as still a twin shock. Very rare but that'll be my last one...oh and the 440 but I dont ride that oneAre you buying up the worlds remaining Maico 490's???
Pat H said:
Postman just delivered a surprise anniversary present for Mrs H.
It's a 1986 GR650 twin.
Nope, I had never heard of one, either.
Never sold in the UK, this one came from Germany.
She wanted something like a Meriden Bonneville, but with a manageable seat height, electric foot and none of the leaks or vibes.
Tried an XS650, but they are a bit tall. Also looked at CX500 Customs, which are low enough, but weigh a ton.
This thing hasn't been used for a fair while, so it needs a thorough going over, then MOT and registering, but it should be a nice little project.
Called a Tempter in the US, apparently...It's a 1986 GR650 twin.
Nope, I had never heard of one, either.
Never sold in the UK, this one came from Germany.
She wanted something like a Meriden Bonneville, but with a manageable seat height, electric foot and none of the leaks or vibes.
Tried an XS650, but they are a bit tall. Also looked at CX500 Customs, which are low enough, but weigh a ton.
This thing hasn't been used for a fair while, so it needs a thorough going over, then MOT and registering, but it should be a nice little project.
Pothole said:
Pat H said:
Postman just delivered a surprise anniversary present for Mrs H.
It's a 1986 GR650 twin.
Nope, I had never heard of one, either.
Never sold in the UK, this one came from Germany.
She wanted something like a Meriden Bonneville, but with a manageable seat height, electric foot and none of the leaks or vibes.
Tried an XS650, but they are a bit tall. Also looked at CX500 Customs, which are low enough, but weigh a ton.
This thing hasn't been used for a fair while, so it needs a thorough going over, then MOT and registering, but it should be a nice little project.
Called a Tempter in the US, apparently...It's a 1986 GR650 twin.
Nope, I had never heard of one, either.
Never sold in the UK, this one came from Germany.
She wanted something like a Meriden Bonneville, but with a manageable seat height, electric foot and none of the leaks or vibes.
Tried an XS650, but they are a bit tall. Also looked at CX500 Customs, which are low enough, but weigh a ton.
This thing hasn't been used for a fair while, so it needs a thorough going over, then MOT and registering, but it should be a nice little project.
I bought one, loved it so much I bought another for spares but have ended up putting that back on the road.
Suprised by the date 1986 ! thought they were only made between 82 and 84.
jak100 said:
Pothole said:
Pat H said:
Postman just delivered a surprise anniversary present for Mrs H.
It's a 1986 GR650 twin.
Nope, I had never heard of one, either.
Never sold in the UK, this one came from Germany.
She wanted something like a Meriden Bonneville, but with a manageable seat height, electric foot and none of the leaks or vibes.
Tried an XS650, but they are a bit tall. Also looked at CX500 Customs, which are low enough, but weigh a ton.
This thing hasn't been used for a fair while, so it needs a thorough going over, then MOT and registering, but it should be a nice little project.
Called a Tempter in the US, apparently...It's a 1986 GR650 twin.
Nope, I had never heard of one, either.
Never sold in the UK, this one came from Germany.
She wanted something like a Meriden Bonneville, but with a manageable seat height, electric foot and none of the leaks or vibes.
Tried an XS650, but they are a bit tall. Also looked at CX500 Customs, which are low enough, but weigh a ton.
This thing hasn't been used for a fair while, so it needs a thorough going over, then MOT and registering, but it should be a nice little project.
I bought one, loved it so much I bought another for spares but have ended up putting that back on the road.
Suprised by the date 1986 ! thought they were only made between 82 and 84.
Steve Bass said:
I might keep my eyes out for something more 'classic' like an SP2 for a fun day out and proably likely to hold its value for a few years...
They're rising more and more in price. What I paid for mine in 2004, as an essentially new bike is around half of what a standard one would now fetch.As for rare custom parts, things like Ohlins forks, etc. owners can pretty much name their price.
Although probably under 140 bhp (but weighing a lithe 195 bhp wet,compared to 220 kg dry, as standard), it's plenty fast enough for me. Handling is just lovely and the noise through a full carbon high-volume airbox exiting out of an HRC titanium WSB titanium system is unforgettable. Always leaves a smile on my face, which is why I'll never part with it.
Torque at any engine speed is nice too - why does it seem that so many modern bikes are so highly strung?
I too have had thought of an RSV4, but the reliability issues kinda put me off. I wouldn't want engine problems. Do I need a lot more power? Definitely not a necessity.
As for the new 'Blade, I don't think I'd have much use for a modern sports bike with less pulling power than a vespa at below 7,000 or so, despite being a lifelong Honda fan.
Maybe Honda will introduce a sports 1,000cc V4 machine in future? I don't have much nostalgia for the last 'Blade I had before buying the SP2 16 years ago though. Sounded like a sowing machine, compared to the SP2.
Edited by Petrolism on Thursday 27th August 07:05
Petrolism said:
They're rising more and more in price. What I paid for mine in 2004, as an essentially new bike is around half of what a standard one would now fetch.
As for rare custom parts, things like Ohlins forks, etc. owners can pretty much name their price.
Although probably under 140 bhp (but weighing a lithe 195 bhp wet,compared to 220 kg dry, as standard), it's plenty fast enough for me. Handling is just lovely and the noise through a full carbon high-volume airbox exiting out of an HRC titanium WSB titanium system is unforgettable. Always leaves a smile on my face, which is why I'll never part with it.
Torque at any engine speed is nice too - why does it seem that so many modern bikes are so highly strung?
I too have had thought of an RSV4, but the reliability issues kinda put me off. I wouldn't want engine problems. Do I need a lot more power? Definitely not a necessity.
As for the new 'Blade, I don't think I'd have much use for a modern sports bike with less pulling power than a vespa at below 7,000 or so, despite being a lifelong Honda fan.
Maybe Honda will introduce a sports 1,000cc V4 machine in future? I don't have much nostalgia for the last 'Blade I had before buying the SP2 16 years ago though. Sounded like a sowing machine, compared to the SP2.
My favourite bike in my favourite colour (white).As for rare custom parts, things like Ohlins forks, etc. owners can pretty much name their price.
Although probably under 140 bhp (but weighing a lithe 195 bhp wet,compared to 220 kg dry, as standard), it's plenty fast enough for me. Handling is just lovely and the noise through a full carbon high-volume airbox exiting out of an HRC titanium WSB titanium system is unforgettable. Always leaves a smile on my face, which is why I'll never part with it.
Torque at any engine speed is nice too - why does it seem that so many modern bikes are so highly strung?
I too have had thought of an RSV4, but the reliability issues kinda put me off. I wouldn't want engine problems. Do I need a lot more power? Definitely not a necessity.
As for the new 'Blade, I don't think I'd have much use for a modern sports bike with less pulling power than a vespa at below 7,000 or so, despite being a lifelong Honda fan.
Maybe Honda will introduce a sports 1,000cc V4 machine in future? I don't have much nostalgia for the last 'Blade I had before buying the SP2 16 years ago though. Sounded like a sowing machine, compared to the SP2.
Edited by Petrolism on Thursday 27th August 07:05
This was always going to be my post divorce treat, maybe spend £10k on one of the better ones, but then I met another woman and had to buy a better house so that was that plan out the window.
Pat H said:
They were only imported to the US from 82-84. Europe got them until about 1987, but they only ever sold in small numbers. It seems that most people wanted the in-line fours.
Looks good, original exhaust as well. normally they are well rotted through. Its amazing how many people come over to look at mine when I pull up anywhere. Nobody knows what it is, gets more attention then my Harley...
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