Guilty pleasures - bikes you like when you know you shouldn't.....

[The Other PaulG]

OK, so which are the bikes you like, which you know, deep down, you really shouldn't?

For me, top of the list is the FT500.

The first time I saw one (Arnold Moore, Huddersfield, I think) I absolutely and completely fell for it.

The first time I read a ride report (and it seemed to be on its back wheel, most of the time), I loved it.

Almost everything I've read since then has told me that they're dogs, awful, steer clear, failures.... but deep down, I liked it when it was new and still after all these years I'd really, really like one. Bloody lovely, IMHO

What's your guilty pleasure...?

PG

 

[cookie]

BMWs.

 

[oblertone]

MV Augusta ...

... America

 

[jonnie comet]

... America

....750s America......Me too please......

 

[pint6x]

OK, so which are the bikes you like, which you know, deep down, you really shouldn't?

For me, top of the list is the FT500.

The first time I saw one (Arnold Moore, Huddersfield, I think) I absolutely and completely fell for it.

The first time I read a ride report (and it seemed to be on its back wheel, most of the time), I loved it.

Almost everything I've read since then has told me that they're dogs, awful, steer clear, failures.... but deep down, I liked it when it was new and still after all these years I'd really, really like one. Bloody lovely, IMHO

What's your guilty pleasure...?

PG

In America the FT500 was known as the "Ascot" and came in FT500 format (single cylinder) and Ascot VT500 format with the super-reliable vee-twin lump from the dispatchers' favourite VT500. I love the styling as well, having had a couple of CB250RS single cylinder Hondas myself years back. If it's an itch that has to be scratched, I would suggest sir tries to find himself the VT500 version.

 

[pint6x]

I know it's not big or clever, but I really liked these when they came out

And I quite like this, just because it's very ordinary looking and yet packs one hell of a punch with a Gixer 1100 motor

Then there was the Kwacker Zephyr 1100 which I prefer to the older Z900 look

I owned one of these for about a year, a great looking bike and very powerful, but ultimately a bit characterless. Still gives me a stiffy when I see one!

And there'll be plenty more when I can think of them......

 

[MMC]

Anything from Royal Enfield India, CX500s too (nice one Phil), and the Honda XBR500.

 

[Mutley]

Suzuki Van Van

 

[Greggers]

This piece of steel gorgeousness ...

 

[Mav]

Suzuki Van Van

My brother, who wants to get his license, is liking the idea of a Van Van very much!

If you weren't already convinced enough - check out this ride report from a bunch of guys going to the Alps on Van Vans - http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=622071

 

[Fanum]

If you like something, why should you ever feel guilty about that?

Seems to me that the only people who would feel guilty are those who succumb to peer pressure over what they should or shouldn't like

 

[Losttheplot]

If you like something, why should you ever feel guilty about that?

Depends if she's married i guess?

 

[Humbug]

Honda Black Bomber

Bought one of these in bits and would love to get it back on the road but sourcing the mising parts is bloody hard and when any do come up the prices are astronomical. Restoring my Z1 was cheaper and easier.

 

[Mutley]

If you like something, why should you ever feel guilty about that?

Seems to me that the only people who would feel guilty are those who succumb to peer pressure over what they should or shouldn't like

Thanks for ruining a light hearted and potentially amusing thread

 

[The Other PaulG]

In America the FT500 was known as the "Ascot" and came in FT500 format (single cylinder) and Ascot VT500 format with the super-reliable vee-twin lump from the dispatchers' favourite VT500. I love the styling as well, having had a couple of CB250RS single cylinder Hondas myself years back. If it's an itch that has to be scratched, I would suggest sir tries to find himself the VT500 version.

Wow, I've never seen the VT version before - yes that really does it for me, I love the flat track styling.

PG

 

[Myke Rocks]

In another life, I owned one of these

Bought one of these in bits and would love to get it back on the road but sourcing the mising parts is bloody hard and when any do come up the prices are astronomical. Restoring my Z1 was cheaper and easier.

A Honda CB450, "Black Bomber" RPL29F. Bought it a year old & had it for 4 years.
I was young and foolish, and rode it through a couple of winters. It fell to bits with corrosion everywhere, Even then parts were almost non available.
The bike shown above is the 4 speed model (Drum front brake gives it away) British bikes at the time did not even bother with brakes at all, so, with the twin leading shoe on the Honda, I thought it woudl be fabulous.
With it set up properly, First yanbk of the lever resulted in fairly good retardation, for around 3 seconds, till the shoes overheated. During this time, the forks twisted because they were not rigid enough, and you had to counteract this by twisting the handlebars the other way.After around 3 seconds, the brake overheated so the brake stopped working and the twisting disappeared. I relined the brake with Ferodo racing linings, which cured th eoverheatng problems, but replaced it with another. The dm, once warm, dstorted to a pint wher the brake was unseable.
Myke

 

[freeloader]

Bought one of these in bits and would love to get it back on the road but sourcing the mising parts is bloody hard and when any do come up the prices are astronomical. Restoring my Z1 was cheaper and easier.

I had a CB72, 40 years ago, which I have only fond memories of now. I suspect if anyone offered me one in bits I'd bite their hand off.

I reckon I'd run into the same parts prices problem as you have, though.

I have to keep other things in mind too, like the weak gearbox. In the year I had the bike, I saw the engine and gearbox internals on a fairly frequent basis...

I remember lusting after the CB450 too, and my disappointment when the CB500 twin appeared...

 

[Rob Farmer]

Bought one of these in bits and would love to get it back on the road but sourcing the mising parts is bloody hard and when any do come up the prices are astronomical. Restoring my Z1 was cheaper and easier.

I've always fancied a black bomber. The us traily version is nice as well.

 

[Mr K]

Not feeling too much guilt, but kinda like the "power cruisers" that sold in the States after the factory customs faded out..

The Honda V65 Sabre - 65 cubic inch (1065cc) V4 with shaft drive:

...and if I need to explain...

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

............ The us traily version is nice as well.

Isn't it just

My guilty pleasure:

Andres