Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Do a 929 or 954 Blade! Same sort of weight and size as the 90s 600s but a far superior bike. The difference in power over a 600 is not so significant at the top end, but they’re so much more enjoyable in the 4-8k range where you spend most of the time. Way better for mile munching on A roads.

Doubt any of the 600s make appreciably more than the XJ under about 7k…

It’s a little tongue-in-cheek. I know from acquaintances with Aprilia that they love them.

On one hand I’d like to learn what that drama feels like, but let’s just say with my riding behaviour I think that a V would throw me off for being a dick.

I like that a 4 gives the sedate town-traffic mule thing, until you crack it open and it wakes up. That appeals to me, to have both available without a wheel breaking loose at every stop sign.

Hmm.

Hmmmm….

Genuinely no comparison on reliability between a 90s Blade and a 90s Ducati or Aprilia. I love Italian bikes but that era requires lots of fettling to keep going.

600 IL4s are a bit bland, 900+ definitely not. Same as the twins really…

OK, if you want to be a logical grown-up you have no choice but to get a BM. The R1150RS. So easy in traffic, so comfy on the m'way, and you'll be doing ridiculous speeds on A roads without trying.

I'm loving the Triumph triple engine, great torque like a v twin, but with a wonderful growl that only gets better the more you rev it

Now you’re just trying to troll me

They sound amazing. My favourite engine noise since the RC45.

To play devil's advocate a boring Japanese IL4 might be nicer in town and maybe even at "normal" speeds. My RSV was only satisfying when riding like an idiot and misery under 50 so keen to try a 6/7/800 v-twin which might be the sweet spot for British b roads. Obviously neither is wrong they're just different flavours. Suzuki SV?

Not really. I've tried most things. The first step is to disregard peer pressure. BM dealers often allow you to take their bikes for a long, unaccompanied test ride. You might as well take advantage. Grab a 1100/1150 S/RS/R and have some fun on someone else's bike. Ride as many different bikes as you can.

Mod-1 was a breeze

Depends if you accidentally said yes to a 3rd cup of coffee before hand :(

I was tensing so hard my upper body was almost in spasms after the figure of 8 / 360. Very far away from my experience practicing effortlessly in carparks.

@nick_h. I’m not keen on the BMW’s. However, I know people that own and love them.

What I want is a pocket rocket. But my budget is small, and I have no intention of going up to or over 1000cc if I can help it.

Like @jambon alludes to. I want the XJ600 with double the power. I love how it handles in traffic, I like the power curve, and I am satisfied with the weight.

Regardless of penis size, I fancy trying a sports bike. But I don’t fancy getting out of shape on every tiny imperfection in the road or in my technique.

Maybe what I want is to overtake without shifting down and ragging it til I have to upshift just to avoid hitting the limiter.

Okay, okay. A 900 or thou would mean I never hit the limiter unless I’m evading something with blue flashing lights. But I still want to feel a little bit of satisfaction like I had to work to get to speed.

As it is, it’s effort to get over 100mph. I don’t care to go over that speed, I just want to reach it much faster with fewer gear changes.

If the bike happens to hit 120 or 140, I can always carry extra Tena Man.

OK, GSXR600 SRAD.

My penis isn’t that tiny

Finally somebody talking sense. But 750 SRAD obviously.

600 much more thrashable on our roads. Handling pretty much perfect out of the box. An underpriced future classic?

What ever you say about engine size, I like a we'll set up bike that I have the confidence in that the bike will do what I want it to.

Enjoy singles and twins. The thing that singles and twins is massive engine breaking.

For commuting I did like a supermoto. Fast up to 60 and more than fast enough to beat everything so I could ride in a safe bubble.

The blackbird was so easy to ride around town, the throttle response was sublime and the weight not noticeable, plus is was narrow.
Far easier than the thumper.

I’m still not responsible enough for a supermoto. There is no other format of motorcycle that turns you into a gibbering twat as quickly. Insane fun when ridden insanely.

I reckon an older Blade is a nice sweet spot, they’re pretty comfy, superbly reliable, handle well and are immaculately finished. They also tend to be less thrashed than old 600 sports bikes.

VTR1000 worth a look for the twin experience but they’re not as premium and absolutely guzzle the juice.

I love the blackbird. Only ever had a short rip on one but it felt like a comfier, even gruntier Blade. They look great too.

But there are so many blades, the latest ones being sports bikes and two previous generations back becomes a sports tourer.

Supermoto something with a small 4 stroke engine...

X11 not for you. ;)

Sprint 1050? They're cheap as well.

I was initially going to say I'm surprised by 90s bikes being the cheap option, especially Hornets. But a check on ebay closed listings show they are actually cheap (although I haven't looked at condition).

Funny how the market works. In 2016/7 when I got my Triumph you were looking at £2.5k for a half decent Hornet and prices looked like they were only going up.

My 2p would be a CBR600F though. On balance they look like much better VFM than a lot of the older bikes.