Comments on: Brand New Vintage Motorcycles Returning to Dealers

By: Howard W Tate

Howard W Tate — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:08:43 +0000

I am a very happy and satisfied owner of a new Triumph Bonneville T100. I own a “retro” bike because I like the looks and handling of parallel twin (and four cylinder) “standard” (sitting upright) motorcycles and I prefer modern engineering and readily available parts and service to keeping an old bike on life support. I like riding better than wrenching.

The kind of riding I like best is navigating crumbling twisting country back roads at around 45-55 MPH (you could call it “sight-seeing”) and I find the new Bonnie most comfortable and suitable for my riding style and my size (6′2″ 230 lbs.).

I’ll be 55 this year. Yes, I’m a boomer. So there’s a few more guys around with taste resembling mine.

I bought my bike at a big store that had every style of motorcycle. Packs of noisy young men clambered all over the crotch rockets. Middle aged couples quietly compared big two-wheeled “Cadillacs” with fairings so big you couldn’t see the road in front of you. Scruffy guys with whiskers and ponytails eyed the lean boned factory “choppers.” A few lone clean-cut “mature” (old) gentlemen took turns staring at the Bonnevilles. I was one of them.

When I bought my Bonnie, no other bike tempted me near as much. But if there had been a new/old Honda 750-4 available? I think I still would have bought the Bonnie (a little lighter and torquier and a little more “me”) but I would have had to take a few more test rides.

By: todd

todd — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 04:03:48 +0000

One problem I see is that people expect quite a bit more out of a motorcycle now than hey did when the original was new. Not many people will think very highly of a 67 HP 750 inline-4. Even bikes like the Z1 and R90S would be considered beginner bikes these days what with “only” 80 or so HP (if you believe the marketing of the day). I love RD350’s and think they’re a hoot but a Ninja 250 will give you the same performance with the added benefit of not replacing pistons and rings every 2500 miles.

If honda re-releases the CB it will be a CB1400 or something rediculous. The Moto Morini 3 1/2 is now a 9 1/2. BMW entry level bikes are now 800cc, not 500 and you can’t get a Ducati 350 single any more…

-todd

By: Hopkins

Hopkins — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 23:40:49 +0000

I have not had a problem finding any part for my 71 cb750. Most of the wear and teat items can be got at the Honda dealership. There are also crate engines you can buy (built new) but they want 10,000$. Granted they are race motors that are pushing much more power than stock.

I don’t see a point in Honda making the new bike backwards compatible… It’s outdated

By: Motorevv

Motorevv — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:34:44 +0000

Bonneville didnt have the market impact of a CB 750?????? I beg to differ, anyway hope its produced even in small numbers,

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:57:21 +0000

Hmm, is that true Bill? If so, thanks mightily for the tip…