The Appeal of Older Gen Bikes?

[Jalopyshoppe]

I have been riding the latest and greatest bikes as of late, and I will not argue that they keep getting better. Yet, the flagship of my personal fleet is derived from a 1993 Harley. The new bikes are fun, but it's a mix of self-reliance, idiosyncratic traits that can be considered "soul", and a lower financial entry point (read: I can throw this in the bushes and be financially okay) that make older models fun.
I am a multi bike guy, I feel like you should have one utility bike that you don't fuck with, and it should be reasonably reliable, somewhat utilitarian, and really comfortable. My preference is a VStrom for this application. Your mileage may vary.
Then you have the toy. It's allowed to be a cantakerous money pit that is so rewarding to ride that nothing else will do. Also read above about throwing it in the bushes.

 

[EastBayDave]

I liked what one of my younger buds said the other day...

...you guys were "Sportbike Pioneers."

There's something about riding an old UJM ("Universal Japanese Motorcycle") w/no "rider aids." We never even thought about it, we just rode. If there were any shortcomings w/the bike, you just rode around it. If you could, you'd mod to cure.

Even my current ride (02' ZRX1200) doesn't have aids, & has carbs. But I still enjoy it likely because I've never ridden/experienced anything w/rider aids. I'm sure I'd like it, then I'd want to buy one.

My old GPz1100 was one of the (arguably) early "Sportbikes," & even came w/fuel injection! Wow! It was heavy as a tank, but I loved it thanks to the EFI, & the way it "quick-revved." It was the fastest bike you could buy at the time as it was 1st into the 10's stock, had EFI, & even a monoshock, =a 1st for Kawasaki.

Yes if I had the bux I'd certainly buy a current technology bike/pereferrably one w/rider aids. I was down @ EBMS window shopping w/a bud the other day who's looking at getting something new. Both of us looking hard @ the Concorse, & the FJR1300. But he'd have to trade in his "80' SUZ "GS1000 Cooley Replica," & me the ZRX1200. Hmmm....

 

[easter bunny]

back then the $8-10K prices might have well been $8 million for the $6.25/hr I was making for most of my 20s.

That about sums up my youth too. And the reason I've thought about buying an early 90's VTR250 with the hot pink and seafoam green paint. Because that was unobtanium while I was in college and I wanted one more than anything in the world.

I've been keeping my eyes out for a clean ZX10. They're out there if you spend the time to look for them

If you mean the Gen1 and not the 90's sport tourer I can tell you they're few and far between. No electronic aids, shit stock brakes, a monster motor, and ornery (at best) handling. Not many survive that haven't been totally wrecked, wrecked and "streetfightered" , or just been abused. I rolled mine off the showroom floor and I'll never sell it.

 

[89fj]

love my old R1

 

[mean dad]

If you mean the Gen1 and not the 90's sport tourer I can tell you they're few and far between. No electronic aids, shit stock brakes, a monster motor, and ornery (at best) handling. Not many survive that haven't been totally wrecked, wrecked and "streetfightered" , or just been abused. I rolled mine off the showroom floor and I'll never sell it.

I mean the one that I posted a pic of. I see them for sale now and again, and I'd go into it knowing it will need some work, or I'll pay the asking price for a garage queen.

I've had a couple already. I know I'm riding a heavy bike with mediocre brakes.

 

[Sharky]

I mean the one that I posted a pic of. I see them for sale now and again, and I'd go into it knowing it will need some work, or I'll pay the asking price for a garage queen.

I've had a couple already. I know I'm riding a heavy bike with mediocre brakes.

1st gen ninjettes look the business. Too bad I hated the 2nd gen ninjette I bought for reasons similar to what is being discussed in this thread (trying to relive my early sportbike years). I've had every generation of sportbike from the 1980's into the 2000's. Every new bike was an upgrade. Now I think, geez it would be nice to have another GPZ or FZ or 90's GSXR...then I come to my senses when I see folks asking big money for those bikes are are subpar in every way to anything remotely modern. I may still get one of those mentioned just for fun, but I'm not paying more than a grand for something that I will ride and can count on pretty much hating.

 

[easter bunny]

I mean the one that I posted a pic of. I

Missed that. That's the older sport touring model. You're right that there are some well cared for examples that pop up from time to time. Totally different animal.

 

[GPzPop]

I am still on the lookout to replace my first generation EX250 (86-87), they had the best aesthetics of all the ninja 250/300's.

Edit, not my bike, just an example that I found online.

This model is on my "Buy it now" list, if I ever see one for sale

 

[Kestrel]

I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this....

 

[CuriousMike]

There's something about bikes in the early-mid 90's that just does it for me.
That is when I got into motorcycling, so maybe that's the connection.

1992 Kawasaki ZX-7R complete with vacuum tubing ram induction
1990 Honda RC-30
1993 Honda CB 1000 "The Big One"
1993 Yamaha GTS 1000
1996 Suzuki GSXR-750 - Could you imagine an unmolested 96 SRAD in your garage?
1993 Ducati 888 SPO
1994 Ducati 916
1994 ZX 11 in the Dark Wine/Burgandy color
1997 YZF 750

 

[Johndicezx9]

OMG OMG OMG! (I said these out loud and made my coworkers turn to look WTF was going on)

You don't know how HARD it is to stop myself when I see one of these ZX-10/11/12s for sale. Or even the Honda Hurricane/CBR1000s. Or the old Yamaha YZF1000Rs. Or... or... or... sigh.... I could fill up a garage of at least 3-4 sport bikes from the 80s-90s just from the regrets of a 25 year old me.

I posted this pic of Pee Wee Gleason on the 900 Ninja in his RIP thread, I would love a modern version of it...

 

[chrisweir.com]

There's something about bikes in the early-mid 90's that just does it for me.
That is when I got into motorcycling, so maybe that's the connection.

This may explain my lack of interest in "older" bikes. Having gotten started in 1982 the bikes I remember lusting after in my youth, OLD gs1000's, Kawasaki KZ650's, Honda 750's while theoretically interesting lack almost all of what I'm looking for in a motorcycling experience. Having said THAT, if I found a clean 400cc V4 honda from the 90's with Ca title that wasn't priced absurdly, I would probably buy it.

 

[J-Boat]

Been out of the saddle for a little while. I was perusing Craigslist and found a pristine example of an older gen (04)ZZR600 that is just a renamed ZX6E. I owned the original 1990 ZX6D from 91-98 and really loved that bike. Lots of great riding memories from when I was first starting out...

The wave of nostalgia and emotional appeal took over and the bike is now in my garage. It's so comfortable and silky smooth and plenty fast to boot!

I love the look of the old school ninjas too. They are simplistic and slightly bulky, but still sexy to me. It has brand new Pilot Power 3's and I have new EBC HH pads and Goodridge lines on the way...

I've owned the latest and greatest bikes with all the bells and whistles, but this bike pushes just the right buttons for me...

She's a beaut...haven't named her yet...

 

[chrisweir.com]

this bike pushes just the right buttons for me...

She's a beaut...haven't named her yet...

Beautiful. Congratulations!

 

[gbas]

Whoa... what a gorgeous bike, damn beautiful.

I had a ZX900 that I did a total fairing and seat redo because it had the light grey/red color scheme instead of the black/red that I liked. Was a great way to spend the winter months in Seattle. Sold it to a 21 year old guy who brought his dad to check it out. Still miss that bike... had to sell to pay for taxes because I was stupid and didn't know sh!t about W-4s.

This was the first bike that I had learned to corner well and was rewarded one weekend when during my usual twisty route, I felt something weird on my foot... almost low sided it. It took a second to register that it was my BOOT rubbing against the road. Damn.

I almost bought a 1000cc Honda Hurricane here in San Jose 2 years ago. Guy wanted $2.5K for it and it ran well - heavy, but still fast. A lot more agile than I expected and was totally stock, so win-win. I was put off because of the size and weight.

Witness my current bike is yuuuuge and almost 700lbs and hella comfortable for the long commute I have.... I guess it means I'm an idiot and take my bikes too damn serious instead of something like: "running, pretty (whatever) motorcycle = fun".

The OCD in me I guess...

 

[CuriousMike]

It's so comfortable and silky smooth and plenty fast to boot!

Dude,

I put a few hundred miles on a '94 ZX6, and the impression was comfort, smooth and fast. Sorta matches yours.
It also felt torque-ier than other 600's of the era.

Look at the bars.
Look at the seat.

That's a sport bike made for the street.

 

[DucatiHoney]

There are pros and cons to both. I've only owned one modern vehicle in my entire life. It was my husband's lease. We had it for two years.

Since then it's been nothing but aged vehicles. It's mostly because I'm cheap, but their relatively simplicity is also appealing. They're typically pretty heavy though, parts can be tough to get, they run rough, stuff is breaking all the time. My '94 Duc is such a fun machine. I'm sure there's other good bikes out there that I'd like just as much, but I haven't found one yet.

 

[Sharky]

If I came across an 85'VF1000 for a decent price I would jump on it immediately.

 

[mrmarklin]

Having had my FZ for a few months, I marvel at the ingenuity of modern technology. Just seeing the tach come to life every morning is quite satisfying. However, there a few older bikes which still catch my eye: the 1st/2nd gen z1000, ninja 500, honda hawk, honda 599, nighthawk 750, etc. I think most of these bikes, besides the Z, would seem a bit boring to most, but for some reason I have always liked them.

I did come upon a beautiful 599 that had low miles and for a brief moment of insanity, considered selling the fz07 to have the cash for it. Then I realized: no fuel-injection, no fuel gauge, no gear indicator and everything that makes a modern bike modern. A fleeting, impulsive thought one would have to be crazy to consider.

Still, it made me think about all you out there with your older gen bikes. Certainly, I see a few of you out on the roads, and I wonder: What is it about those older bikes that makes you keep them? Please enlighten me. Pics are always appreciated.

I had some phenomenal motorcycles back in the day, but since the advent of good fuel injection and ABS braking etc. there's no going back.

It's like owning a 69 Mustang. It's cool, but not a daily driver or anything you'd take on a long trip.

 

[Roger Rocket]

84 Ninja 900



I am still enjoying my 84 Ninja 900 (original owner).

Runs as good as she did in the 80's