Modern Motorcycle most like a real 80's UJM ?

[wymple]

The only bike that has the "look" of the old UJM's from where I sit is the Honda. The Bandit, for all it's virtues, is just ugly in comparison. My favorite bikes are from the late 70's and early 80's. (Plus Moto Guzzi). The Honda is the only player.

[Admiral Beez]

I just can’t warm up to the modern bikes. I hate digital gauges, plastic bodywork and transformer/animae like styling, and g’ah, those Japanese Harley-clone baggers, ugly as heck. The only modern bikes I can stand are classic-themed Bonnevilles and Moto Guzzis, and of course the Honda CB1100.

[roeme]

The only bike that has the "look" of the old UJM's from where I sit is the Honda. The Bandit, for all it's virtues, is just ugly in comparison. My favorite bikes are from the late 70's and early 80's. (Plus Moto Guzzi). The Honda is the only player.

I just can’t warm up to the modern bikes. I hate digital gauges, plastic bodywork and transformer/animae like styling, and g’ah, those Japanese Harley-clone baggers, ugly as heck. The only modern bikes I can stand are classic-themed Bonnevilles and Moto Guzzis, and of course the Honda CB1100.

Hear, hear. Royal Enfield and Norton also have good lookin' retro bikes.

BMW's nineT Racer, Ducati's Scrambler and FB Mondial's HPS 300 get a (barely) passing grade in my book. A bit too much plastic bodywork on them.

Hm....I should make a list.

[bwringer]

The Bandit seems to be as justifies as the VStroms. UJM styling and functionality, but completely modern mechanicals.

Yep -- a V-Strom or similar has that "all-purpose" or "unspecialized" philosophy but not the aesthetic, and of course the overall feel and such are quite different than a '70's/'80s UJM. And there's no attempt or pretense at any sort of competition readiness -- adventure bikes are about traveling.

I do have to say that if you like riding a well-sorted GS, a modern Bandit is immediately familiar. Other than the parking lot aesthetic, riding a Bandit feels exactly like riding a GS with another 25 years of development and refinement. Which is exactly what it is -- the Bandit's model designation is "GSF1250S", so yeah, it really is a GS.

Honestly, the only reason I personally ended up with a V-Strom instead of a Bandit is that the Bandit's passenger peg location is ridiculous -- we tried both, and my wife could never manage the deep knee bend frog squat required by the Bandit.

Just depends on how tight or loose your personal definitions are.

Motorcycles are all fun and cool and groovy in my book.

Motorcycling doesn't make a damn bit of logical sense, so ride whatever blows yer dress up. No need to explain or overthink.

[earlfor]

I do have to say that if you like riding a well-sorted GS, a modern Bandit is immediately familiar. Other than the parking lot aesthetic, riding a Bandit feels exactly like riding a GS with another 25 years of development and refinement. Which is exactly what it is -- the Bandit's model designation is "GSF1250S", so yeah, it really is a GS.

Honestly, the only reason I personally ended up with a V-Strom instead of a Bandit is that the Bandit's passenger peg location is ridiculous -- we tried both, and my wife could never manage the deep knee bend frog squat required by the Bandit.

Have to agree with all that. the biggest difference between my B`12 and GS1150E was that the B12 was much lighter handling. as for the passenger pegs, that is the one thing about the bandit that sucks. Those pegs are great if your wife is about 4'10, or shorter heh. Otherwise, bleah!

[wymple]

"Motorcycles are all fun and cool and groovy in my book."

We know that, but it IS winter and we have to occupy our wee little brains till warmer weather.

[mharrington]

I looked at a Z900RS- sat on it yesterday at Babbitts Motorsports. I like it. Only had the black one. With Kaw rebate it was listed at $9,399. I almost asked to hear numbers on financing but didn't. I need a garage built and that will be alot of $$ to borrow. But I really like the bike.

[wymple]

Not me. I can't get with pipes that start downward and then take a forward detour. Ugly.

[850 Combat]

I saw a Z900 on the road this morning while getting the oil changed on my mother's house. It had two people on it. I thought that it looked great.

[Jedz123]

I saw a Z900 on the road this morning while getting the oil changed on my mother's house. It had two people on it. I thought that it looked great.

Clearly a wise choice on Kawasaki's part to release the model if you guys are already seeing them on the road.

The market has been demanding bikes like this for awhile now.

The MC market has a whole is not looking good. Harley had a another horrible 1/4 last 1/4.

Going to be an interesting time.

[themess]

From what I'm reading, the current crop of 20-somethings doesn't care about motor transportation the way we did. A niece who is a HS senior has no interest in getting a driver's license, and she is in metro LA! Motorcycling is heading toward being a niche market.

[Jedz123]

The US market is the only market that is seeing a shrinkage. Asian and European markets are booming right now.

Is all lost on the MC market? No. I think we need to do our best and be ambassadors to the lifestyle and bring the excitement back to the younger folks and get them into the sport/lifestyle .

I have 2 younger guys (24&25) looking hard at motorcycles this year. My driving line to them is; a motorcycle isn't an accessory, a motorcycle is but a vessel to bring you to life changing experiences. Once I show folks my age the pictures of my adventures/experiences they get excited and what to experience the same. Riding a motorcycle is enriching to the soul.... And that's my driving message to the folks my age or younger.

I wouldn't count the MC industry out, yet. There are dozens of guys like me and in my age group (25-35) that are active advocates to the lifestyle.

We will see what comes of our endeavors.

Best,

[Boriqua]

From what I'm reading, the current crop of 20-somethings doesn't care about motor transportation the way we did. A niece who is a HS senior has no interest in getting a driver's license, and she is in metro LA! Motorcycling is heading toward being a niche market.

Awesome! So we get to be the Fringe, weird, individualists right into senior citizenry! outstanding

[jabcb]

There probably are forums frequented by the current crop of 18-to-20-somethings that have a “The Vortex” category where they talk about crazy motorcyclists like us.

[themess]

That would require not being invisible.