New Motorcycle Thread

[Urbanized]

The Bonneville T120 would be something to look into, then. It's like Triumph listened to all the complaints about the Bonnie, and actually did something about it.

Yeah, I've been watching the rollout. Water cooled, 1200 CC, ABS, lots of creature comforts. Gotta say though, while I may own one someday, I don't think I will get rid of my T100 Bonnie anytime soon and a second bike would likely be a different style altogether. Probably adventure bike.

[Uptowner]

The T120 has got me thinking. Or the thruxton depending on the power band. If it's smooth and linear vs having to keep it wound up for the extra power. And I'm too old for clip ons so that would have to change along with the cables. Honestly I think anyone over 30 is too old for clip ons unless you're at the track.

I'm excited about the small bike they are advertising as a low seat, it's driving me crazy that they're not posting the specs though. I've been searching for a low seated sporty street bike for my wife for years. Even the moto guzzi v7 has a 30".

[White Peacock]

I don't think I will get rid of my T100 Bonnie anytime soon and a second bike would likely be a different style altogether. Probably adventure bike.

There are so many bikes that I really want, including something like a V-Strom or Versys, but such limited garage space. I believe the T120 will be cost prohibitive for me, that's why I'm hoping the SV650 keeps its ABS when they bring it Stateside.

Now would be a good time for Kawasaki to bring the W800 to the States. Hipsters have made retro-modern as trendy as can be.

[White Peacock]

The T120 has got me thinking. Or the thruxton depending on the power band. If it's smooth and linear vs having to keep it wound up for the extra power. And I'm too old for clip ons so that would have to change along with the cables. Honestly I think anyone over 30 is too old for clip ons unless you're at the track.

A Thruxton without clip-ons is basically just a Bonnie with a café seat cowling. I agree about clip-ons: not comfortable. That's why I tend to prefer naked sportbikes over fully faired sportbikes; the naked variants tend to be more upright.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^
And rearsets. And a different seat, under the referenced cowl. And 2>1 exhaust, different suspension setup and a few other goodies. But true that it is essentially a Bonneville.

Regarding the clip-ons (which I think is now just a down swept bar), I have sort of an in-between solution. I bought a Norman Hyde M bar, and a one inch riser. I get a stance that's a little bit more aggro without having to lay on my tank. Now I just need to find the time to install it!

[Uptowner]

The thruxton is said to have a different engine map to go with its lightened crankshaft and unique air box. 88 torque at 5,000 vrooms, saweeet. The R version comes with brembo mono block fronts and what look like ohlin's suspension. The prototype shows a rear fender delete that looks so, so slick. It's funny out the clip ons, they are still clip ons but with a 3+ inch riser built in. I still want more height though, dirt bike bars on a riser for me. It's an easy kit. Hardest part is removing the top triple clamp and taking it to a machine shop to have it drilled and tapped for riser clamps. Come to think of it, I could just buy the clamp for the Bonnie. I'm seriously thinking about this one. I'd have to ditch a bike to make room though, ugh!

[CaptDave]

Does anyone here own a Ducati Hypermotard? I've been looking at one but heard the 2013's in particular had electrical issues but I'm leaning toward a 2008 - 2012 model. Are there any systemic issues with the early models?

[Urban Pioneer]

I am saving my pennies for a 1198 in matte black. Very glad the Ducati dealership reopened.

[CaptDave]

That place is going to cause serious damage to my bank balance. I'll probably go for the triumvirate - already have German, so Italian and British must follow! The Hypermotard looks like an absolute blast for some urban hooliganism and the Street Triple reminds me of my VF500F - quick and agile.

[Uptowner]

I owned an used 1100 non s as the S package added serious dollars when combined with the termi tax(termignoni mufflers, which, don't even bother owning a Ducati without termignoni mufflers) made for a nearly $16,000 ride before paying tax, title, un-crating, etc.

I owned it for one season then sold it for what I paid for it minus a few hundred on some sweet rizoma aluminum parts for it. My impression: it didn't have as good of a suspension setup as it should have for being a supermoto, not enough travel. I just wheelied it all over town and got a few tickets. It's crap for long rides. 120 mile range...that's not before you hit reserve, that's before you run dry and push. IF you're not hot rodding too much. I wanted a hooligan bike but what I got was somewhere between a monster and dirt bike. I should have spent less money and gone for one of KTMs "racing dirt bike with lights and street tires". But alas I'm too old for that now. And the dirt bike crashes of my youth still haunt me.

They've been making the bike for almost a decade now and they've put new engines and new suspensions, computers, brakes, all kinds of stuff so I'm sure a lot has changed. I bought a 2007 aprilia tuono rr factory after the Ducati and have loved it to death, especially after the gel seat. It's a perfect blend of race, street, muscle and style. It still looks good, like an rc-51 or a 996.

Definitely try to ride before you buy.

[Uptowner]

Oh and the maintenance is expensive and often with the cam belts. but I hear the new engines get serviced every otheroil change now.

[CaptDave]

Oh and the maintenance is expensive and often with the cam belts. but I hear the new engines get serviced every otheroil change now.

Thanks - great info. My BMW doesn't require much in comparison. Since I was probably going to buy used, maybe the Hyper isn't the best choice.

For ripping around town feeling like you're wide open I'm looking forward to riding the new G310R coming out this spring.

[CaptDave]

Coming up in a couple weeks - this is the closest the IMS will get to OKC.

Dallas, TX | motorcycleshows.com

[White Peacock]

A friend and I took a ride up to Guthrie on Sunday, and at a stop sign my boot came down on a large bolt, causing me to slowly roll my foot to the side until my bike was on the ground. There was no stopping it once the roll had begun, so I had to put it down with as much grace as I could muster in the face of irreversible momentum. Thankfully only the handlebar slider and side mirror took any damage, and that was just some light scraping.

[jerrywall]

A friend and I took a ride up to Guthrie on Sunday, and at a stop sign my boot came down on a large bolt, causing me to slowly roll my foot to the side until my bike was on the ground. There was no stopping it once the roll had begun, so I had to put it down with as much grace as I could muster in the face of irreversible momentum. Thankfully only the handlebar slider and side mirror took any damage, and that was just some light scraping.

About 6 months ago I had a car run a light and cut me off in the middle of a right turn. Since I stopped suddenly while turning, I ended up laying the bike over. Just too much weight to prevent it. It happens, and glad you and the bike came through relatively unscathed. The scrapes add character!

For my incident, similar scraping. I also can't lift my bike on my own, so I was lucky a couple of good samaritans hopped out of their cars to give me a hand. That's the problem with large cruisers!

[White Peacock]

About 6 months ago I had a car run a light and cut me off in the middle of a right turn. Since I stopped suddenly while turning, I ended up laying the bike over. Just too much weight to prevent it. It happens, and glad you and the bike came through relatively unscathed. The scrapes add character!

For my incident, similar scraping. I also can't lift my bike on my own, so I was lucky a couple of good samaritans hopped out of their cars to give me a hand. That's the problem with large cruisers!

I remember you posting about that. Glad you didn't get hurt and the bike was still useable. Mine was just embarrassing because it all came down to me putting my foot on something that rolled. Hopefully it's the last time that bike ends up on its side; it's no giant cruiser, but it sure wasn't as easy to get up as my 250 was. I still needed help propping it.

Anyhow, the ride was damn nice. We took highway 74 to 33 instead of going the I-35 route. Lots of nice rural scenery on that path.

[jerrywall]

Anyhow, the ride was damn nice. We took highway 74 to 33 instead of going the I-35 route. Lots of nice rural scenery on that path.

Riding weather this weekend really was incredible. You were on part of my favorite riding loop. When I want a nice ride, I take rt 66 to 177, north to 33, then to 74 back to Edmond. It's such a nice ride.

[White Peacock]

Riding weather this weekend really was incredible. You were on part of my favorite riding loop. When I want a nice ride, I take rt 66 to 177, north to 33, then to 74 back to Edmond. It's such a nice ride.

I like riding on 66 to El Reno; I might go full circle with the route you described sometime. Sounds like a good day trip.

[jerrywall]

It is, and you're close enough to Stillwater on that loop to make a quick detour, visit the Harley Shop (if so inclined) and grab lunch at Joes.

I do the 66 to El Reno now and then to hit Don Serapios.

(All my trips seem to involve restaurants... maybe that explains the waistline?)

[White Peacock]

It is, and you're close enough to Stillwater on that loop to make a quick detour, visit the Harley Shop (if so inclined) and grab lunch at Joes.

I do the 66 to El Reno now and then to hit Don Serapios.

(All my trips seem to involve restaurants... maybe that explains the waistline?)

I tend to ride to destinations that have good food as well. For me, it's Sid's in El Reno, or a delicious mocha from Rick's in Guthrie.

[Ozmondo]

I had a friend killed in a bike wreck on Sunday. He was riding too close to the edge of 240 and hit something that made his front wheel turn. Keep your eye out for stuff on the road.

[Urbanized]

Sorry to hear.

[rezman]

Sorry to hear about your friend Ozmondo.

Not saying this what happened, but there's a phemonenon that riders face called " target fixation" in which your eyes lock onto an object in the road and you actually steer right into it instead of steering around it. Trainers teach you to look past the object immediately and pick a line around the object.
It's just like turning. you look in the direction that you want to go. If you look at the ground while you're turning, that's where you'll go.

[Bill Robertson]

Very sorry to hear Ozmondo. I've driven over stuff in the road lots of times. Thank God it has always been on four wheels. I'm pretty good about practicing avoidance when I'm alone on the road. I'll be thinking more about it now. Maybe other will too and some good will come from your friends death.

[Urban Pioneer]

Very sorry to hear. My two wipeouts over the years on street bikes that have involved debris. Scary stuff. Fortunately came through both with minor fractures. The last one I was wearing a turtle cage and full leathers. Saved my a**.