Old age whimsy

Heliflyguy

Might have been the Yamaha Tricity.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorcycle_manufacturers/yamaha/11055698/Yamaha-Tricity-review.html

Trikes stuck in traffic make me smile.

bigjl

facade wrote: »

I went past a 3 or 4 wheeled motorbike the other day parked up- not a quadbike, looked like a proper 'bike as I went past.

Only thing like it on t'interweb is a CanAm Spyder, but they are serious money, semi-auto 1300cc though.

Seems worst of both worlds to me though, wide as a small car, get wet in the rain, bake in the sun, can't see a thing through the helmet in the dark/rain/mist.

Can't see a thing in the dark/rain/mist?

I can't agree on that point other than from the point of view of the lights not being as powerful.

But my opinion may be biased towards the South East and London as that is where I have done all my motorcycling in the last 10/15 years.

I doubt many CanAm Spyder riders will use it other than on bright sunny days.

I also don't see the point in riding a motorbike everyday if you can't take advantage from being able to slice past traffic congestion.

facade

bigjl wrote: »

Can't see a thing in the dark/rain/mist?

I stopped commuting on the 'bike, as I just can't see properly out of a partially misted up (yes I've tried pinlock inner visors) rain spattered helmet when it seems that every other car on the road has 300W of badly adjusted aftermarket HID/rally spec xenon bulbs and I'm trying to find a path along what is jokingly referred to as a "road" that is wet and reflecting, that won't rip the front forks off dropping into a 6" deep hole or hitting a vertical sided speed hump.

Add to that all the deathwish pedestrians wearing black hoodies that just assume that you can actually see them except as a silhouette against the aforementioned headlights, and Autumn/Winter riding isn't pleasant.

Then in the Summer, as soon as the sun comes out you are just roasting in traffic unless you ride in a tee shirt and shorts, which isn't recommended in town.

It is much nicer sat in the car in the shade, with aircon to demist the inside glass, and keep you cool and wipers to sweep the outside


But the OP is really after a toy to relive past glories, not to ride every day.

David_Aston

I suppose facade, that I could actually just about replicate my first motorbike. It was an AJS 14r 250. The modern equivalent would be Chinese made, or Chinese made and tarted up, for a few bob more. Fit it with a scotoiler as BTIA recommended, to sort the chain problem, and become an idiot eighteen year old again! I suppose nowdays, the waterproofs, gloves and Helmets might cost as much as the bike!

facade

Don't buy a Chinese bike.

I know that thousands of people happily buy them, and they just about, sort of, last the guarantee (with a bit of time off road waiting for parts), but they don't last even the next year out.

Go and have a look at some of the new Hondas, Suzukis BMW Triumphs etc., after sitting on one it might put you off. or hook you right away. I went out to buy a new Honda CB500 a few years ago, took all of 10 seconds sitting on it to decide I could never ride it.

'Bikes are holding their money now, doesn't seem much saving in buying a 2 or 3 year old one over new.

reeac

bigjl wrote: »

On the subject of the original Focus RS.

I had a choice between a new WRX or a nearly new RS.

The WRX is probably worth next to nothing now. The Focus RS however......

If you want something nice and want to get decent fuel economy then get yourself a 3 yr old Jaguar XJ, £22-24000 gets you something with sensible miles. The XJL has more rear legroom but they are a little less common and you run the risk of buying an ex Chauffeur vehicle which would be a bad move unless cheap.[/QUOTE

or get a ca. 2000 xj8 for a tenth of that price. Had mine for over 14 years now and always love that luxobarge ride.

David_Aston

Can I just ask? I have heard of this torque quirk, exhibited by Guzzi shaft drives. Does the same apply to BMW shaft drive motorbikes?

bigjl

David_Aston wrote: »

Can I just ask? I have heard of this torque quirk, exhibited by Guzzi shaft drives. Does the same apply to BMW shaft drive motorbikes?

If you are talking about the torque reaction on opening the throttle it happens on all shaft bikes.

Some bikes are more noticeable than others.

iolanthe07

Good luck with whatever you do. I treated myself to a Mazda MX5 for my 70th birthday - OK, it's not particularly fast, but it is a lot of fun.

bigjl

iolanthe07 wrote: »

Good luck with whatever you do. I treated myself to a Mazda MX5 for my 70th birthday - OK, it's not particularly fast, but it is a lot of fun.

Well you can get them turbocharged.....