Redmond Neck wrote on Jan 11^th, 2021 at 2:49pm:

Redneck in name only, have owned three BMWs including the model shown in my avatar. Certainly not into bloody Harleys with "ape hanger" bars! ;D ;D ;D

Yes BMW are nice bikes but post 2000 are made with one purpose, to keep their spares and workshop division fully employed.

I'd take a Japper any day of the week over a Beemah.

When I eventually get around to that across Australia ride, I'll be on something like this.

https://i.ibb.co/ZXLBy7w/20-YM-Africa-Twin-Adventure-Sports.jpg

wide choice gordon.

honda make the best engines.

my current rides are a klr 650 (2007) and a Vstrom 650 (2019) as well as a dr 200 for the paddock work.

you cant beat a jap adventure tourer for reliability

aquascoot wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 12:09pm:

wide choice gordon. honda make the best engines. my current rides are a klr 650 (2007) and a Vstrom 650 (2019) as well as a dr 200 for the paddock work. you cant beat a jap adventure tourer for reliability

How's the KLR? I'd probably go a DR because I've never owned a Kwaka.

I had a bunch of Suzukis then Hondas.

I bought a 1000 Firestorm then thought I needed something with higher performance so traded it for a Fireblade, had fun on it for a year, was happy I was still alive then traded for another Firestorm  ;D

i had a DR 650 which got stolen.
good solid bike.
great engine

the KLR has 50,000 k's.

all i have done is oil and filter every 5k.
the rubber indicator mountings perished and had to replace those .
otherwise a very reliable bike.

a bit heavier then the DR (maybe 160 kg as opposed to 125kg) but the extra weight actually helps on the highway with a side breeze.

the new vstrom is fuel injected and a twin so smoother.
and end of year run out was $10 k drive away.
suzuki make very good engines.

the big four jap bike brands are all super good.

you pay a bit of a premium for hondas.

the old honda XR's were indestrucible.

the new honda CRF's are too high tech.
need more maintenance, shims, cam adjustments.

the high honda you have pictured (is that a transalp) are very very good.

i would not buy a bmw.
they are made in spain or turkey, not in germany and they are over-engineered rolling piles of junk

Try beating a postie bike for simplicity longevity reliability and economy, not good on the freeway though.

Postie bike racing is big these days.

---

Gordon wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 11:43am:

When I eventually get around to that across Australia ride, I'll be on something like this.

I did it twice ['there and back', twice !], on a Honda CX500 vee-500cc, shaft drive.

Didn't lay a spanner on it, all the way, there and back [apart from oil change].

A lovely bike to ride.

My last bike was the same: model, year and colour as this one
but mine had a better motor that didn't rattle so much.
It had lower handlebars.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8-nhoQmHeY


At 3:13 he red lines it in 1st, 2nd & 3rd - that must have been close to 100mph.

Bobby. wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 7:37pm:

My last bike was the same: model, year and colour as this one but mine had a better motor that didn't rattle so much. It had lower handlebars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8-nhoQmHeY At 3:13 he red lines it in 1st, 2nd & 3rd - that must have been close to 100mph.

That bike is enough to turn anyone off motorbikes.

Gordon wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 8:00pm:

That bike is enough to turn anyone off motorbikes.

Why?

Bobby. wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 8:04pm:

Gordon wrote on Jan 12th, 2021 at 8:00pm: That bike is enough to turn anyone off motorbikes. Why?

Terrible handling, peaky power profile. Have you ridden a modern bike?

Gordon wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 8:07pm:

Bobby. wrote on Jan 12th, 2021 at 8:04pm: Gordon wrote on Jan 12th, 2021 at 8:00pm: That bike is enough to turn anyone off motorbikes. Why? Terrible handling, peaky power profile. Have you ridden a modern bike?

Not really - I rode a Kawasaki GPZ 550 back in the 80s
but it wasn't that exciting - just a work horse.

Here's the Kawasaki H2 750 in drag bike form doing
a 1/4 mile in 7.99 seconds at 154 mph.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpE0pNFGHWw

:) One of my, this is a 2006, I had a 2004.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-SUw0uYr8E

Gordon wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 8:18pm:

:) One of my, this is a 2006, I had a 2004. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-SUw0uYr8E

That's a very nice modern bike.
Like all the large bikes -
you can't legally use the power.
I wish we had Autobahns.

This was the last bike Jap I owned
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/vtr1000-firestorm/1997/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LIqs9xaQgU

Bobby. wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 8:27pm:

Gordon wrote on Jan 12th, 2021 at 8:18pm: :) One of my, this is a 2006, I had a 2004. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-SUw0uYr8E That's a very nice modern bike. Like all the large bikes - you can't legally use the power. I wish we had Autobahns.

Have a look at the VTR1000 below. I had a lot less power than the CBR but being a Vtwin, it's just so cruisy and nice to ride.

Gordon wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 8:28pm:

Bobby. wrote on Jan 12th, 2021 at 8:27pm: Gordon wrote on Jan 12th, 2021 at 8:18pm: :) One of my, this is a 2006, I had a 2004. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-SUw0uYr8E That's a very nice modern bike. Like all the large bikes - you can't legally use the power. I wish we had Autobahns. Have a look at the VTR1000 below. I had a lot less power than the CBR but being a Vtwin, it's just so cruisy and nice to ride.

Yes - very nice indeed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_VTR1000F


I'd like to have a ride on a bike but I don't think I'd
want to own one now.
I'm sort of glad that I survived my motorcycle days in one piece.

Speed limits on roads in Greece:
Unless otherwise specified, speed limits are 50 km/h (or 32 mph) on residential streets, 90 km/h (56 mph) out of town and 110-120 km/h (69-75 mph) on highways and freeways (motorways).


HAYABUSA RİDER....on Greece roads...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHrU1omZJN4

That's bananas on a public road.

Gordon wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 9:40pm:

That's bananas on a public road.

Yes  290km/hr.

The story has been the same since bikes were invented.
There will always be someone who will wind
the throttle as far as it will rotate and take
the bike to as fast as it will go.
If the bike went 400 km/hr I'm sure
that they would go that fast too.
What about 500km/hr if it was possible?

Yadda wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 7:01pm:

Gordon wrote on Jan 12th, 2021 at 11:43am: When I eventually get around to that across Australia ride, I'll be on something like this. I did it twice ['there and back', twice !], on a Honda CX500 vee-500cc, shaft drive. Didn't lay a spanner on it, all the way, there and back [apart from oil change]. A lovely bike to ride.

Wow, well done.

yes, a japanese bike

More Hayabusa madness:


Hayabusa 2nd gear roll - before accelerating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDmWy4IEbfI

Bobby. wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 10:06pm:

More Hayabusa madness: Hayabusa 2nd gear roll - before accelerating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDmWy4IEbfI

The Hayabusa is old tech try something newer.

A 2020 GSXR 600 with do 280 Kph, the 750 is good for 295Kph and the 1000 300+Kph.

The new 600s put out about 125 bhp which is on par with a GPZ1100 i had 30 years ago, doesn't have the bottom or mid range power of the 1100 yet will match it for top speed.

The new 1000 cc Jap bikes are very user friendly you have traction control and anti wheelie this guy is using level 4 TC  anti wheelie which means the front wheel will stay down you need to turn it down to at least 2 to pull massive wheelies 1 is even wilder i don't think i would turn off TC anti wheelie. Take note of the 4 under middle digit on speedo that shows which mode it's in. It does 260 redlined in 4th gear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B1QmI5JXmE

I go for a ride on track days at Eastern Creek friends lend me their bikes you can open it up legally without worrying about idiots in cars.

Baronvonrort wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 10:49pm:

The Hayabusa is old tech try something newer. A 2020 GSXR 600 with do 280 Kph, the 750 is good for 295Kph and the 1000 300+Kph. The new 600s put out about 125 bhp which is on par with a GPZ1100 i had 30 years ago, doesn't have the bottom or mid range power of the 1100 yet will match it for top speed. The new 1000 cc Jap bikes are very user friendly you have traction control and anti wheelie this guy is using level 4 TC  anti wheelie which means the front wheel will stay down you need to turn it down to at least 2 to pull massive wheelies 1 is even wilder i don't think i would turn off TC anti wheelie. Take note of the 4 under middle digit on speedo that shows which mode it's in. It does 260 redlined in 4th gear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B1QmI5JXmE I go for a ride on track days at Eastern Creek friends lend me their bikes you can open it up legally without worrying about idiots in cars.

That bike looks nice.
You're very lucky.
I'd like to have a go on a track where I wouldn't
have to worry about losing my license.

I would like to see some 1/4 mile drag racing.

WORLD RECORD RAW FOOTAGE AND SOUND!
LARRY “SPIDERMAN” MCBRIDE GOES 5.50s at 264 MPH
ON TOP FUEL BIKE!


Jump to 3:19 to see the run

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BkI7nfdtDs

I prefer doing 10 lap runs around Eastern Creek much better than 5.5 seconds and it's all over drag racing doesn't appeal to me.

Baronvonrort wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 11:20pm:

I prefer doing 10 lap runs around Eastern Creek much better than 5.5 seconds and it's all over drag racing doesn't appeal to me.

I like to watch all bike racing:
drag racing, speedway, road racing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRWp9rhfS_0

Baronvonrort wrote on Jan 12^th, 2021 at 11:20pm:

I prefer doing 10 lap runs around Eastern Creek much better than 5.5 seconds and it's all over drag racing doesn't appeal to me.

When I had the Fireblade, I hardly used it on the road, mostly at EC.

Here's a couple of other bikes I had.

https://i.ibb.co/pdTj2b1/23c60e65-1f9d-47d7-8d87-a5b539953d8b.jpg https://i.ibb.co/dpSLCKW/big-201909052332040-IMG-20190805-153241815.jpg

Gordon wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 5:25pm:

Here's a couple of other bikes I had. https://i.ibb.co/pdTj2b1/23c60e65-1f9d-47d7-8d87-a5b539953d8b.jpg https://i.ibb.co/dpSLCKW/big-201909052332040-IMG-20190805-153241815.jpg

Yep - those are the sorts of bikes that a real man would ride.

Gordon wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 5:25pm:

Here's a couple of other bikes I had. https://i.ibb.co/pdTj2b1/23c60e65-1f9d-47d7-8d87-a5b539953d8b.jpg https://i.ibb.co/dpSLCKW/big-201909052332040-IMG-20190805-153241815.jpg

I had two Suzukis

A GSX250 1981 model I think, a model before the one shown in the image I think, (if that is a 250 which it may not be.) They had a 250 that looked like that


Also had a Suzuki 250cc trail bike pre 1970  cant recall the model name!

Anyway my BMW R1150RT would easy pull 180kM with 2 up as I have done!

More stupid it was on a double demerits weekend!

Anyway bloody smart arse went flying past us on a Hyabusa

::)

Redmond Neck wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 5:41pm:

Gordon wrote on Jan 13th, 2021 at 5:25pm: Here's a couple of other bikes I had. https://i.ibb.co/pdTj2b1/23c60e65-1f9d-47d7-8d87-a5b539953d8b.jpg https://i.ibb.co/dpSLCKW/big-201909052332040-IMG-20190805-153241815.jpg I had two Suzukis A GSX250 1981 model I think, a model before the one shown in the image I think, (if that is a 250 which it may not be.) They had a 250 that looked like that Also had a Suzuki 250cc trail bike pre 1970  cant recall the model name!

The one on the left is an '84 Katana 750. A real show pony, not particularly fast and handled pretty badly. Still nice to own as it was just stunning to look at.

On the right is an '82 Katana GS650 shafty. and one of my favourite bikes ever.
I actually used it as a commuter while I had the fireblade and the VTR1000 and ended up keeping it for 10 years. Wish I still had it.

Redmond Neck wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 5:51pm:

Anyway my BMW R1150RT would easy pull 180kM with 2 up as I have done! More stupid it was on a double demerits weekend! Anyway bloody smart arse went flying past us on a Hyabusa ::)

I was once doing just around 180 on the freeway and had a Yamy R1 pass me, one one wheel  ;D

Redmond Neck wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 5:51pm:

Anyway my BMW R1150RT would easy pull 180kM with 2 up as I have done! More stupid it was on a double demerits weekend! Anyway bloody smart arse went flying past us on a Hyabusa ::)

Busa riders are temporary citizens:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muibApELvt8

Have lost count of the number of 'bikes I've owned over the years...

Have had a couple of "track bikes" (a Yamaha YZF600r and an '05 Blade). Frankly, I wasn't that good, and ended up selling them. Good enough to keep the shiny side up (road or track), but not setting any records.

Would have loved to do Superbike school at Phillip Island on that Blade...not to be, unfortunately. Would have def. helped my track work...

These days, I have a 1999 "5th Gen" VFR800, with more stuff added to it/changed on it than I care to think about. Most done by the previous - and original - owner.

136,000kms on the engine, and it'll be good for another 136,000, with routine maintanence.

Very under-stressed engine with gear-driven cams. No timing chain tensioners or other rubbish to worry about.

Unfortunately, no good riding roads where we are, so the 'bike's a bit of a garage queen ATM.

https://nycnorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Norton01rgb.jpg

Sprintcyclist wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 8:05pm:

https://nycnorton.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Norton01rgb.jpg

Nastolgia for a bygone early of machinery that broke down...a lot.

Mix_Master wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 6:40pm:

Have lost count of the number of 'bikes I've owned over the years... Have had a couple of "track bikes" (a Yamaha YZF600r and an '05 Blade). Frankly, I wasn't that good, and ended up selling them. Good enough to keep the shiny side up (road or track), but not setting any records. Would have loved to do Superbike school at Phillip Island on that Blade...not to be, unfortunately. Would have def. helped my track work... These days, I have a 1999 "5th Gen" VFR800, with more stuff added to it/changed on it than I care to think about. Most done by the previous - and original - owner. 136,000kms on the engine, and it'll be good for another 136,000, with routine maintanence. Very under-stressed engine with gear-driven cams. No timing chain tensioners or other rubbish to worry about. Unfortunately, no good riding roads where we are, so the 'bike's a bit of a garage queen ATM.

I did ride a VFR when I flipped the blade back for a VTR1000. I'd probably like one now but at the time it felt a bit Toyota Camry to me :)

I've had ride on one of these, not my cup of tea to own but was a whole lotta fun for a quick blast.

V-Boost is a system that opens butterfly valves in the intake manifold between the 1st and 2nd and between the 3rd and 4th cylinders starting from 5,750 rpm. The valves are opened gradually to match the rising engine speed with a signal provided by the ignition system. The valves are at the full open position at 8,000 rpm. A small black box sends a computed signal to a servo motor that pulls a wire to open the butterfly valves. The V-Boost system adds 10 percent to the top power rating of the base engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_VMAX

https://i.ibb.co/G7Bn0V4/8fc4205dc1be602652108bee325665dd.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI3Rx3HdF0s

you might be a bit young to remember then gordy, but the little 250 2 strokes,'
the rd 250/350 from yamaha  and particularly the suzuki rgv 250 were incredible bikes.

some engineering whiz in japan made the exhausts and they would cough and splutter up to 4000 rpm and then they would take off like a scalded cat.

great looking bike for something over 30 years old

---

aquascoot wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 8:42pm:

you might be a bit young to remember then gordy, but the little 250 2 strokes,' the rd 250/350 from yamaha  and particularly the suzuki rgv 250 were incredible bikes. some engineering whiz in japan made the exhausts and they would cough and splutter up to 4000 rpm and then they would take off like a scalded cat. great looking bike for something over 30 years old

My first road bike was a RD250LC we were restricted to 250 cc on L plates

The RGV was good Kawasaki also did a 250 2 stroke the KR1.

The Yamaha RZ 250/350 were better than the RD being newer.

Yamaha also did a RZ 500 4cyl 2 stroke 500 Cc Suzuki  did a RG500.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lniZg9NoTnw

Gordon wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 8:10pm:

Mix_Master wrote on Jan 13th, 2021 at 6:40pm: Have lost count of the number of 'bikes I've owned over the years... Have had a couple of "track bikes" (a Yamaha YZF600r and an '05 Blade). Frankly, I wasn't that good, and ended up selling them. Good enough to keep the shiny side up (road or track), but not setting any records. Would have loved to do Superbike school at Phillip Island on that Blade...not to be, unfortunately. Would have def. helped my track work... These days, I have a 1999 "5th Gen" VFR800, with more stuff added to it/changed on it than I care to think about. Most done by the previous - and original - owner. 136,000kms on the engine, and it'll be good for another 136,000, with routine maintanence. Very under-stressed engine with gear-driven cams. No timing chain tensioners or other rubbish to worry about. Unfortunately, no good riding roads where we are, so the 'bike's a bit of a garage queen ATM. I did ride a VFR when I flipped the blade back for a VTR1000. I'd probably like one now but at the time it felt a bit Toyota Camry to me :)

Probably a fair enough description in stock form. (Just as reliable as one, too ;) )

Like most Hondas, the mechanicals are very well engineered, the build quality is the best of the bunch, but they skimped on brakes (and added the un-needed LBS), and suspension.

Fix the suspension and brakes, drop some weight from them (rider, slip-on etc.) and they can be hussled reasonably well.


They're no sports bike, of course, but as an all rounder - that lasts - they're still tough to beat. And with an aftermarket exhaust, probably still one of the best sounding motorcycles out there (IMHO, of course).

Baronvonrort wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 9:22pm:

aquascoot wrote on Jan 13th, 2021 at 8:42pm: you might be a bit young to remember then gordy, but the little 250 2 strokes,' the rd 250/350 from yamaha  and particularly the suzuki rgv 250 were incredible bikes. some engineering whiz in japan made the exhausts and they would cough and splutter up to 4000 rpm and then they would take off like a scalded cat. great looking bike for something over 30 years old My first road bike was a RD250LC we were restricted to 250 cc on L plates The RGV was good Kawasaki also did a 250 2 stroke the KR1. The Yamaha RZ 250/350 were better than the RD being newer. Yamaha also did a RZ 500 4cyl 2 stroke 500 Cc Suzuki  did a RG500. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lniZg9NoTnw

I ride one of those on a test ride -
it didn't pull anywhere near as well as that one.
( my H2 750 triple was much quicker than the RG500 I rode)
I think it's a heavily modified one
as per here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsgWlP_3WHk

Baronvonrort wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 9:22pm:

aquascoot wrote on Jan 13th, 2021 at 8:42pm: you might be a bit young to remember then gordy, but the little 250 2 strokes,' the rd 250/350 from yamaha  and particularly the suzuki rgv 250 were incredible bikes. some engineering whiz in japan made the exhausts and they would cough and splutter up to 4000 rpm and then they would take off like a scalded cat. great looking bike for something over 30 years old My first road bike was a RD250LC we were restricted to 250 cc on L plates The RGV was good Kawasaki also did a 250 2 stroke the KR1. The Yamaha RZ 250/350 were better than the RD being newer. Yamaha also did a RZ 500 4cyl 2 stroke 500 Cc Suzuki  did a RG500. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lniZg9NoTnw

Sounds like most of us are old enough to have gotten our 'bike licences when things were a little *ahem* laxer.

True story.

I got my Ls in the late 80s (for a bike) in Canberra. Because I had a full car licence, I was allowed to ride anything I liked, but 'cos I was broke, went through an XT200, and a VT250, before eventually buying an '85 FJ1100.

Booked in to do the licence test, which in those days meant going to the Dickson Motor Registry, and one of their instructors would "escort" the licence candidates to Natex (National Exhibition Centre), set up some witches hats, watch you do some basic manoeuvres and escort you back to the Registry, where you'd (hopefully) get your 'bike endorsement on your licence.

That particular day, there were three of us; the instructor myself and another licence candidate - both obviously on our Ls.

The instructor was on a Kawasaki 750 (can't remember what for the life of me), I was on the FJ1100 (with L plate dangling off the back...only time I'd had it on the bike the entire time I'd ridden it!), and the other licence candidate...was on a Suzuki RG500 two-stroke (also with the obligatory L plate hanging off the back. Yep, the bike that Suzuki based on the world 500cc championship bikes of the era... :o


Different times... ;D

Gordon wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 5:22pm:

Baronvonrort wrote on Jan 12th, 2021 at 11:20pm: I prefer doing 10 lap runs around Eastern Creek much better than 5.5 seconds and it's all over drag racing doesn't appeal to me. When I had the Fireblade, I hardly used it on the road, mostly at EC.

I don't think i could control myself on the road probably lose my license again so just hop on the M4 to EC which is much nicer since they extended it. Oran park was my favorite  track.

I raced go karts for a while won a championship lots of fun and pretty quick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbfaG8N7IDU

We don't have street races in Australia after Nicole Franks  died at Woollongong street race. Coronial report said waay to dangerous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6rXSjpdLz0

Mix_Master wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 9:55pm:

Baronvonrort wrote on Jan 13th, 2021 at 9:22pm: aquascoot wrote on Jan 13th, 2021 at 8:42pm: you might be a bit young to remember then gordy, but the little 250 2 strokes,' the rd 250/350 from yamaha  and particularly the suzuki rgv 250 were incredible bikes. some engineering whiz in japan made the exhausts and they would cough and splutter up to 4000 rpm and then they would take off like a scalded cat. great looking bike for something over 30 years old My first road bike was a RD250LC we were restricted to 250 cc on L plates The RGV was good Kawasaki also did a 250 2 stroke the KR1. The Yamaha RZ 250/350 were better than the RD being newer. Yamaha also did a RZ 500 4cyl 2 stroke 500 Cc Suzuki  did a RG500. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lniZg9NoTnw Sounds like most of us are old enough to have gotten our 'bike licences when things were a little *ahem* laxer. Different times... ;D

Yes things were a bit laxer in the good old days.

When i was a teenager the police trail bike squad had 4 stroke Yamaha TT250's they rarely caught anyone any kid on a YZ80 or bigger could leave them in their trail of dust.

Motocross was a lot of fun amazing how the suspension soaks up the bumps last dirt bike was a YZ250.

aquascoot wrote on Jan 13^th, 2021 at 8:42pm:

you might be a bit young to remember then gordy, but the little 250 2 strokes,' the rd 250/350 from yamaha  and particularly the suzuki rgv 250 were incredible bikes. some engineering whiz in japan made the exhausts and they would cough and splutter up to 4000 rpm and then they would take off like a scalded cat. great looking bike for something over 30 years old

By the time I started riding bikes they were 10 years old, some relics around but 2 strokes don't age well. I do remember seeing a 500cc 2 stroke out at Eastern Creek. It was a weapon and the guy riding it really knew what he was doing

the invention of the power valve was a big step forward


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRo7_M-UqPY

aquascoot wrote on Jan 14^th, 2021 at 7:04pm:

the invention of the power valve was a big step forward https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRo7_M-UqPY

And then on some 2 strokes there are Reed Valves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzTG3_6mBd8

My first motorcycle was a Honda 90 Sport when I was 17.

---

I got my open bike license a year later and bought one of these second/third hand.....

Honda CB 750 Four

---

A couple of years later with all my mates going trail bike riding I traded it in on a new 1976 TS250 Suzuki Trail bike .....

now that was a good old bike ......

I should have kept it.

---

My last bike was a 2nd hand GR650 twin Suzuki...

which I had for about 10 years ....

when my job location got shifted 15 klm out of town....

I sold it and bought my first 4x4 ute.

---

The '05 Blade I had as a track bike some years back.

Bought it as a stat writeoff (it had been laid down and something had put a small ding in the frame = instant stat writeoff).

Keen observers will look at it and think "That's an '06/'07 model". It isn't.

The original fairings were mostly trashed one side, and I was put onto these ones (locally in Canberra) for an '06. More screwing around to make them fit than I'd thought there was (quite a few "under the skin changes between '05 and '06).

Still reckon the '06/'07 'Blades with the centre-up exhaust are the best looking ones they've made...

Anyhow, like all the litre bikes, more than quick enough. I'd hit third gear at Wakefield down the main straight, and be doing North of 200KPH at the bottom of third...

---

Gnads wrote on Jan 15^th, 2021 at 12:36pm:

My last bike was a 2nd hand GR650 twin Suzuki... which I had for about 10 years .... when my job location got shifted 15 klm out of town.... I sold it and bought my first 4x4 ute.

That looks like the kind of bike that does nothing special, but a joy to ride.

Set, where's your contribution.

When I worked in Viet, the bike to own was the Russian 125cc  Минск 'Minsk'.

They were good for about 90km flat chat which is way faster than you'd want to go on a Vietnamese road. The engines didn't last long but you could get a top end done for $25 and a total rebuild for less than $100. If they used original Russian parts the engine would go for ages but there were some really crap Chinese knockoff parts that would last a week.

The bikes could be had for about $200 and I owned 4 of them. The first was a really tricked up cafe racer look but it attracted too much attention.

One ride I was on, I was in the countryside and an old Viet dude was admiring it, he was on a totally stock Ag model that looked in great condition, so I asked if he wanted to swap and he did. He loved the one I traded as it was so full of bling and looked pretty cool.

The one I got looked exactly like this.

https://i.ibb.co/zJRVT9R/green-minsk.jpg

Then I picked up what they called the sport model which had better suspension and travel and slightly bigger so I could stretch out, so it was good for extended bike trips.

https://i.ibb.co/BCH2y65/maxresdefault.jpg

1982 Yamaha XJ 750 seca.

Many adventures were had and it never let me down - I did lay it down a few times though!
Bull-dust, mud ,mountains and flooded creeks, this mighty bike tackled them all.

The shaft drive made touring a dream and from what I'm aware it was one of the first bikes to come out with anti-dive for the front brakes.

(Haven't got a good photo so this will have to do. Image is missing a bikini fairing, gear rack and a few scratches.)
https://i.imgur.com/kYDan5e.jpg

oops :)

Me - standing next to my bike:

---

Bobby. wrote on Jan 17^th, 2021 at 7:42am:

Me - standing next to my bike:

Were you being robbed?

Gordon wrote on Jan 17^th, 2021 at 8:16am:

Bobby. wrote on Jan 17th, 2021 at 7:42am: Me - standing next to my bike: Were you being robbed?

I was joking with my friend.
He was holding the camera like a gun.   :)

Bobby with H2 750 Kawasaki.

http://www.ozpolitic.com/album/forum-attachments/IMG_6479__Bobby_with_H2_750__001.jpg

Here's another pic of me with my H1 500 Kawasaki -
that was from the mid 1980s.

http://www.ozpolitic.com/album/forum-attachments/IMG_6476__Bobby_on_H1_500_triple.jpg

Gordon wrote on Jan 15^th, 2021 at 6:56pm:

Gnads wrote on Jan 15th, 2021 at 12:36pm: My last bike was a 2nd hand GR650 twin Suzuki... which I had for about 10 years .... when my job location got shifted 15 klm out of town.... I sold it and bought my first 4x4 ute. That looks like the kind of bike that does nothing special, but a joy to ride.

Yeah it was an easy ride bike, only was it was electric start only ..... if the battery failed there was no kick start. It was far better to ride than that rough pig 750 Four Honda.

it's first owner was an ex-policeman who became the motorbike license testing officer with the Transport Dept.

He retired & retired the bike too.

Bobby. wrote on Jan 17^th, 2021 at 2:11pm:

Here's another pic of me with my H1 500 Kawasaki - that was from the mid 1980s. http://www.ozpolitic.com/album/forum-attachments/IMG_6476__Bobby_on_H1_500_triple.jpg

 
;D Decked out in all the leather gear on your "ningna ning na ninger".

I rode around with shorts, sometimes jeans, thongs, somethings joggers..... and no more than an army surplus coat when required.

Gnads wrote on Jan 18^th, 2021 at 12:14pm:

Bobby. wrote on Jan 17th, 2021 at 2:11pm: Here's another pic of me with my H1 500 Kawasaki - that was from the mid 1980s. http://www.ozpolitic.com/album/forum-attachments/IMG_6476__Bobby_on_H1_500_triple.jpg   ;D Decked out in all the leather gear on your "ningna ning na ninger". I rode around with shorts, sometimes jeans, thongs, somethings joggers..... and no more than an army surplus coat when required.

I didn't always wear full leathers.
I always had a minimum of jeans on and a leather jacket with gloves & boots.
Thongs are madness on a bike -
I would never have ridden like that.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nYZHeP6Gcs