head or heart ?

[John Coles]

So here's the rub: back riding since 2006 after selling my RD350A in 1979,
initially for comuting I bought the 2005 BCR thinking I was old, ricketty
etc etc. However since said bike is now a sunny day plaything, comuting being
a thing of the past, and doing some reasonably serious cycling I appear to be
younger/fitter than I thought.I now feel the need for a smaller lighter bike
question is do I buy a modern sports bike, the latest Triumph 675 looks real
good - but a tad on the expensive side, a hard to live with 'exotic' an older
sports - something like the 'sun & moon' Yamaha r6- apparently the best as it's
pre fly bye wire gimmickery; or does the heart rule the head and I go for one
of the bikes I missed in the 'in between' years? The one I really realise I
missed out on is the RD500LC. There are now some low mileage RVZ500Rs about the
UK imported from Japan with the ali frame etc. Would a bike like that still be
'miles of smiles' or are they that outdated now? I know they have a 16" front
wheel for example so would I be stuck with old rubber? etc. etc. Opinions please.

[slparry]

R1, Fireblade, ZX10 or GSXR1000 .. assuming it's a sports bike you want.... or even an S1000RR if the budget will stretch

Why bother with the 600's ... hideously little rev boxes.

As much as I love the strokers you mention having one would be a bit of a garage queen to only come out on high days and holidays whereas a modern litre sports bike would get some serious use.

[Gromit]

Personally, I quite like 600's. Reason being I owned a Triumph TT600 some years ago and loved it - it took me round most of the UK on long trips, a couple of jaunts to France and got generally thrashed from here to kingdom come. One reason it was so good was its handling which was fabulous. The engine (despite the press giving it a right slagging) was good too - quite peaky but it added to the smiles.

Sure you had to give it some pasty to get a move on, but that was half the fun. The 650 Daytona (which was of course developed from the TT6) was fabulous - never owned one, but got a lengthy test ride and fell in love. Quick too.

Much as I admire the big 1-litre sportbikes, I just cannot see the point and on trackdays a well sorted 600 would be more rewarding. The only thing which puts me off a 600 now is the tiny size of them. Being 6'3" I just look daft on one (even more daft than on big stuff which is saying something).

[eyore]

Anyone who loves flat twins will love a V twin. Go for one of the Ducati 916/996/998 family, which was the icon of your missing bike years. Enough performance and buckets of character with race handling.

[exoticices]

I suppose a lot depends on what you want to do with it and how much time/money are you prepared to spend keeping it in good nick.

A modern 600/1000 is the 'easy' option, but a modern triple/twin would perhaps be more interesting/involving to ride. An old RD/RZ can be made to work like modern bikes but I imagine it'd be very labour/cash intensive. If you want a bit of olde worlde character, 90s sportsbikes are very good value at the moment (ZXR/YZF750/etc.) - buy one cheap, get someone like MCT to refresh the suspension & bearings, and get the carbs ultrasound cleaned and it should be 'like new'.

But I'd go with whatever your heart says and worry about everything else after!

[Gromit]

One bike I've always had a soft spot for is the old Kwak ZX-7R. Great noise, very stable, and a certain coarseness which gives them loads of character. Probably a bit scarce now though, certainly standard ones are.

[cornishflat]

But I'd go with whatever your heart says and worry about everything else after

Great advice as unless your heart is in it only disappointment will follow. A guy at work has a Fireblade the "urban tiger" model. I have to say I really like it, sort of classic cool, but I can say it will certainly rattle on. As many have said any bike from this era on will have all the poke anyone could want on the road...so you might as well ride with your heart.

[f90x]

But I'd go with whatever your heart says and worry about everything else after

Great advice as unless your heart is in it only disappointment will follow. A guy at work has a Fireblade the "urban tiger" model. I have to say I really like it, sort of classic cool, but I can say it will certainly rattle on. As many have said any bike from this era on will have all the poke anyone could want on the road...so you might as well ride with your heart.

today i saw a guy in london using his 'urban tiger' as a courier bike. i was somewhat surprised.

[conkerman]

Try a late ZX-9R

Bloody brilliant bike.

[Bikerhoss]

I suppose we could end up with an 'endless' thread here, everyone's got their ideal plaything bike. But as you've asked, I'd say go with whatever your heart wants If you've got the budget and time, why be constrained by other peoples idea of a 'fun' toy?

PS Buy an RS250

[bikesnbones]

The heart.
Always with the heart.

[Dai wiskers]

You got to go with your heart
If it don't live up to expectations move it on
If you let your head win you will always be wondering what if

[McBoxer]

head or heart?

Give me head - everytime!
(Well, someone had to lower the tone!)

[slparry]

.. or as my ex used to say "the way to a mans heart ... is through his chest... with a kitchen knife"

[John Coles]

looks like it could be fudge!! Heart or head I mean.

and Eeyore could be the winner (more fudge).

Did some research over the past few days - RD500
and various other sites, old mags laying around etc
and I am starting to think Ducati SS.
Always liked Ducati's since a wee lad never
could previously afford one etc.etc. My main line of
thought re the SS is that there appear to be good specialists
who are keeping that model going with all needed parts
available etc and apparently the electrics are German!
Must be worth a punt if I find a good one. Thanks for all
your opinions.