Classic bikes vs modern bikes
Discussion
I've got my DAS starting tomorrow and this time next week I could well be in possession of a full, unrestricted licence 
Naturally, my thoughts are turning towards buying a bike. For a long time I've admired the 1970s Honda CB450s, 500s, 750s etc but can't find too much information on how they handle compared to modern bikes (by that I mean the R Nine T, Z900RS type bikes). I don't expect them to be as easy to ride as the modern ones but curious as to what the weight, handling, steering, brakes and gears are like between the decades. I'm not too fussed about thing like LCD displays, heated grips etc, but if classic bikes are all style and really hard to ride then I may give them a miss. Would appreciate any and all thoughts from those who have ridden both!
Naturally, my thoughts are turning towards buying a bike. For a long time I've admired the 1970s Honda CB450s, 500s, 750s etc but can't find too much information on how they handle compared to modern bikes (by that I mean the R Nine T, Z900RS type bikes). I don't expect them to be as easy to ride as the modern ones but curious as to what the weight, handling, steering, brakes and gears are like between the decades. I'm not too fussed about thing like LCD displays, heated grips etc, but if classic bikes are all style and really hard to ride then I may give them a miss. Would appreciate any and all thoughts from those who have ridden both!
Depends on what type of riding you wish to do , a well maintained 70/80s classic bike will be nice thing to ride and own but no comparison with the more modern bikes you mention, especially regards brakes and suspension.
If yoi can, split your budget and have a modeen and classic bike, doesnt cost much more to add a classic bike to most policies. Best of both worlds that way.
If yoi can, split your budget and have a modeen and classic bike, doesnt cost much more to add a classic bike to most policies. Best of both worlds that way.
Awesome, thanks guys. I won’t be doing any trackdays and am not a speed demon, the bike would mostly be used for commuting and pleasure - basically pootling around. It doesn’t need to be the latest and greatest - character is more important to me and living in London means I’d prefer to get an older looking bike. So I suppose poor brakes aren’t that bad. I’ll try and find a showroom that will let me take one out for 10 mins or so.
V8RX7 said:
The same as Classic cars - they are perfectly fine - just don't try to ride it like a modern bike.
A few mates still ride 60's bikes as they are going for a pootle in the countryside, not trying to set a land speed record.
Excellent, thanks. Sounds like a classic would suit me very well then!A few mates still ride 60's bikes as they are going for a pootle in the countryside, not trying to set a land speed record.
Tebbers said:
V8RX7 said:
The same as Classic cars - they are perfectly fine - just don't try to ride it like a modern bike.
A few mates still ride 60's bikes as they are going for a pootle in the countryside, not trying to set a land speed record.
Excellent, thanks. Sounds like a classic would suit me very well then!A few mates still ride 60's bikes as they are going for a pootle in the countryside, not trying to set a land speed record.
seveb said:
Tebbers said:
V8RX7 said:
The same as Classic cars - they are perfectly fine - just don't try to ride it like a modern bike.
A few mates still ride 60's bikes as they are going for a pootle in the countryside, not trying to set a land speed record.
Excellent, thanks. Sounds like a classic would suit me very well then!A few mates still ride 60's bikes as they are going for a pootle in the countryside, not trying to set a land speed record.
If however you live in London and want the bike in order to make regular trips to 384 Old Street....
seveb said:
I have a couple of 70's bikes which were hailed as breakthrough bikes but if you compare them to even a 1990's bike they are steam powered.
Depends what you want to do with it? I've got a '70s Moto Guzzi and (sometimes, mood dependent) find it more enjoyable than newer bikes because whilst it's decades behind in every way, it still goes, turns and stops decently and being 'underpowered' you really can use all it's got without getting into (too much) trouble yet still make good progress.That said my most modern bike is 20 years old so I'm not comparing with the latest/greatest.
20 years old or not though my 916 (with a few modern add-ons) is pretty much up to date in handling/braking and only loses out against newer stuff in the power department which, IMO is not really a problem on the road as it's still got enough go and I've never found myself needing more when riding with people on newer/faster bikes.
Whilst it's no doubt a blast, I wonder how often you can actually deploy 200hp on the road, especially if you value your licence?
Maybe I'm just getting old...
seveb said:
I'd try one first. They sound appealing but a bike from the 60s will have - compared with a modern bike - no brakes, no acceleration and ho handling. It's like riding a wooden plank. I say that as a lover of all bikes, old and new, I have a couple of 70's bikes which were hailed as breakthrough bikes but if you compare them to even a 1990's bike they are steam powered.
This is what I was concerned about as I can imagine modern tech is streets ahead. I suppose the question is where the tipping point is where the enjoyment of a classic is outweighed by the poorer technical specs. I need to test ride one...Edited by Tebbers on Saturday 14th July 16:10
The thing with older bikes (I have two from 1985) is that there are parts that will be worn, the electrics can often be a weak point with dried out circut boards and damp getting into connectors.
I got my GPZ600R mot’d today, first time in 10 years.
It’s a blast, handles ok within reason and the brakes are ok if not up to modern standards.
However even after some serious sorting out over the last 18 months it’s still not perfect just due to age and miles.
If you can fix them yourself it makes a big difference to ownership costs, older bikes will need things doing.
If you’re the sort of person that just likes things to work first time, every time, then a modern bike is the way forward.
I got my GPZ600R mot’d today, first time in 10 years.
It’s a blast, handles ok within reason and the brakes are ok if not up to modern standards.
However even after some serious sorting out over the last 18 months it’s still not perfect just due to age and miles.
If you can fix them yourself it makes a big difference to ownership costs, older bikes will need things doing.
If you’re the sort of person that just likes things to work first time, every time, then a modern bike is the way forward.
V8RX7 said:
You simply have to bear in mind that once 100mph was seen as a target, these days it's attainable in second !
Whether that's a good thing combined with fragile bodies and 60mph NSL is debatable...
Those who say yes - ride modern bikes
Those who say no - ride Classics or smaller bikes
So the only reason you ride a bike is for top speed? Whether that's a good thing combined with fragile bodies and 60mph NSL is debatable...
Those who say yes - ride modern bikes
Those who say no - ride Classics or smaller bikes
I like going fast but I also ride classic bikes. Having ridden pretty much every type of bikes from 1920s to new superbikes the most fun I’ve had is on classic/vintage bikes.
Some people don’t need top speed for top fun
OP you have to decide what you want. A modern bike will start every time, be reliable and repeatable. It’ll get you from A-B quickly and easily and it’ll be more fun than a car (generally).
A classic bike won’t be as reliable, so you’ll need to know which end of a spanner is which. It won’t always feel the same (sometimes it’ll feel rough, brakes won’t feel as good as other times etc) and you need to go in with your eyes open. There’s a reason why biking used to be associated with greasy, oily fingernailed men; you’d have to be interested in how the thing works to keep it working!
Personally though every time I go out on my ‘new’ bike (a 1963 Velocette Venom) it’s an occasion. People smile, wave, take a photo, ask to sit on it (which can be a pain!) and generally love it. It sounds amazing, will keep up with A-Road traffic and stops really very well. Ignore people who say old bikes won’t stop - it’s another myth. Won’t be as good as a modern ABS setup of course, but keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine.
It’s a different world now, owning a classic/vintage bike. You can get bits, there’s a whole industry available to support and there’s an amazing community of fans and people who like them
A classic bike won’t be as reliable, so you’ll need to know which end of a spanner is which. It won’t always feel the same (sometimes it’ll feel rough, brakes won’t feel as good as other times etc) and you need to go in with your eyes open. There’s a reason why biking used to be associated with greasy, oily fingernailed men; you’d have to be interested in how the thing works to keep it working!
Personally though every time I go out on my ‘new’ bike (a 1963 Velocette Venom) it’s an occasion. People smile, wave, take a photo, ask to sit on it (which can be a pain!) and generally love it. It sounds amazing, will keep up with A-Road traffic and stops really very well. Ignore people who say old bikes won’t stop - it’s another myth. Won’t be as good as a modern ABS setup of course, but keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine.
It’s a different world now, owning a classic/vintage bike. You can get bits, there’s a whole industry available to support and there’s an amazing community of fans and people who like them
gusm2 said:
crofty1984 said:
I intended to go for a ride on my classic bike, wheeled it out, started it, petrol starts pissing out of the sump. Yes, the sump.
Sat in the house reading about them instead.
Fuel tap left on, and drained through the carb into the engine? Sat in the house reading about them instead.
Thankfully only ran it for about 30 seconds so no damage done hopefully. Sump drained and I'll leave the oil cap off in case any was pumped back to the tank.
te.srob said:
So the only reason you ride a bike is for top speed?
I like going fast but I also ride classic bikes. Having ridden pretty much every type of bikes from 1920s to new superbikes the most fun I’ve had is on classic/vintage bikes.
Some people don’t need top speed for top fun
Quite the opposite - KTM 450 riderI like going fast but I also ride classic bikes. Having ridden pretty much every type of bikes from 1920s to new superbikes the most fun I’ve had is on classic/vintage bikes.
Some people don’t need top speed for top fun
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