Comments on: They Don’t Build Motorcycles Like They Used To

By: Highslider

Highslider — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:49:14 +0000

In thinking “motorcycles”, yes, it’s all true, new designs of every category are better now than they ever were,period. Better metallurgy, centered, close tolerance CAD designs and mill work, more horsepower, better breaking and handling, and styling has become something only fanatics used to dream about. BUT! Pull your chair in a little closer, high technology, like everything else has a down side.

Advances in technology are greatly responsible for
the growth of so many specialized tools, products,
talents and perceptions, where any argument over
“which is better, old or new” is a trick question from the start. A better question would be “Now that motorcycle designs have become specialized, which of these (old and new) serves the most universal function?” In fact, along with replacing old ideas and methods, the bounty of having so many improvements in technology promotes specialization while it automatically lessens the attention placed on anything made to be more universal.

When Pop used to blaze the asphalt on his 1960
Triumph “Bonnie”, he understood the road was a
cruel and unforgiving mistress full of hazardous
surprises, YET, he “tuned in” to his bike in a way
that made it an extension of himself and never
had to questioned it’s ability to handle the worst of it. Life was good. Today, we have 200+ hp. road
rockets that include the best technology known
to man that are completely worthless the moment
they hit a loose or coarse road surface, . . what’s the message here? Modern cafe bike designs
have reinvented the terms “steering wash out”
and “tank slapper”, . . guess it’s not so practical to place an overpowered track design on the knarley streets after all? Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with “bitchun”, but if you value your hide, you might consider why Classic (dual rear shock) street designs are still outselling the rest, . . they’re simply better and SAFER on public motorways.

I see no point in reinventing the hammer. As long as you still need to beat a nail on the head, there’s really not that much you can do to improve on this ideal, time tested design. ONCE any design has reached it’s apogee of technology or limits in physical practicality, it’s time to step back and appreciate the beauty of something that is truly universal. Otherwise, it would be wise to at least acknowledge when you are using the wrong tool for the job!

By: Pogo

Pogo — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 06:55:54 +0000

I went into the Harley shop in search of a 2008 crossbones. They had four. The one I really liked was the olive pearl. It made me think of the early WWII Harley’s in olive drab with the huge white star. I asked to sit on it & he complied but not until he moved it out in the aisle. I am not a fan of the mini ape-hangers(height) the idea of being painted was okay.The front half of the bike was okay but what happened to the retro look on the back fender? As I sat on the bike It seemed the floor boards were set too far forward & with the ape handlebars the rider position was awkward.I asked to ride the crossbones & was told its new we don’t demo. I explained,”No ride, No buy” My concerns of how it rode were dimissed with no ride. Am I suppose to sit down & buy a bike on the word of a salesman? Sorry, no thanks!

By: mike fawkes

mike fawkes — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:43:43 +0000

In my experience [30 or so bikes] it just depends on how you feel about the whole thing,to me motorcycling is about my personality and I like 70’s and 80’s ‘wings,triumphs,bmw’s guzzis[havent had that one yet but will]and the like. It’s what works for you I don’t give a hoot what you ride, I’ll wave anyway,and to be honest when I’m way down the road on a Sunday night and just would like to get home it’s nice to know I’m on a well maintained bike thats purring along and is quite happy to get me there.It doesnt have to be new or look old but if it fits and I like it then it’s for me and guess what if what others ride makes them happy thats great, as for the whole old verses new,I asked an old gent by the name of Reg years ago what he thought of this exact topic he said riding on dirt roads with poor lights on hardtail motorcycles is no comparison with todays roads, bikes etc.Happy trails

By: aaron

aaron — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:19:58 +0000

I remember an old editorial addressing the cbr600 (F3, I think) and the accusations of a lack of character. the idea was that you could put “soul” into what was, at the time, a near perfect bike by removing the muffler and a piston, for the sound and feel of “a real machine”. now that it sounds and shakes like a laverda 180, you install dimmer bulbs, have someone butcher the electrics, and remove a brake disk….I think the pegs and bars were moved to a more painful location, too.

By: dimitri

dimitri — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 20:56:52 +0000

Dear all,

Yes it is all about soul. The feel of ridng a clasic is something yuo will never forget. At the age of 18 I imported my first bike form Italy. A lavera 100 3c jota with a 180 degree crank and a 3 into one racing exhaust. Beautiful. The sound. Like a modern motogp bike. Although lower reving. It handled like shit but I loved it. I crashed a few years later head on. Some fucker driving on the wrong side of the road.

I still go for that feel. The rawness. Old bikes look much better and have the sound that goes with it. Terribly unreliable though. Does it matter. No, not really. You’ll have it for the sake of it. Will you ever bond with a modern bike the way I did with my laverda jota. I don’t think so. Love and hate . But I regret selling the wreck. I still want it back.