~AlFor
Thu, Feb 7, 2002 (20:18)
seed
Although I can't afford a new bike and I'm not an American, every time I see a list of new street bikes currently available in the U.S., I distill the list to the bikes I think I would want.
Here's my current list based on the list of street bikes published in the January 2002 issue of Motorcyclist:
Aprilia RS50 (they discontinued the Pegaso in the US...)
BMW R1150R (and maybe the R1150GS)
Buell M2 Cyclone
Buell Blast
Ducati 750 Sport
Ducati Monster 750ie
Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Classic
Harley-Davidson Springer Softail
Harley-Davidson Road King
Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide T-Sport
Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide Standard
Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Sport
Harley-Davidson Sportster 883R
Honda Nighthawk 750
Honda XR650L
Honda Nighthawk (250)
Honda Rebel
Kawasaki Voyager XII
Kawasaki Concours
Kawasaki ZRX1200R
Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Drifter
Kawasaki Vulcan 750 with Tour Package
Kawasaki ZR-7S
Kawasaki Ninja 500R
Kawasaki KLR650
Kawasaki Super Sherpa
(the W650 is on hiatus for 2002. BUMMER!!!)
Moto Guzzi California Special Sport
MuZ Skorpion Traveller
MuZ Skorpion Tour
MuZ RT125
Suzuki Bandit 1200
Suzuki 750 Katana
Suzuki Bandit 600S
Suzuki SV650
Suzuki GS500E
Suzuki Savage
Suzuki GZ250
Triumph Sprint ST
Triumph Thunderbird
Triumph Legend TT
Yamaha Royal Star Venture
Yamaha V-Max
Yamaha XT225
Yamaha Virago 250
~MarciaH
Thu, Feb 7, 2002 (21:15)
#1
Ducati is nice. I love the sound of fine old European names. Even if the bikes do not live up to the billing, just the sound of the name falling off the tongue is a pleasure. I agree!
~MarciaH
Thu, Feb 7, 2002 (21:19)
#2
It makes me wonder if Japan has really cornered the market - aside from the Harley mystique...
~terry
Fri, Feb 8, 2002 (08:55)
#3
What do you know about the BMW model you list? Have you read any of Flash Gordon, MD's columns and reviews on the BMW.
~AlFor
Fri, Feb 8, 2002 (20:50)
#4
Rather little. I know it has an air/oil cooled 1150cc opposed-twin engine with camshafts high in the block and operating short pushrods. The GS version makes some pretence at off-road capability but really is too heavy for off-roading. The R version looks like something I'd want. All the R-series (opposed-twin) bikes with air/oil cooling have a unique front end called the Telelever that is supposed to be a major advance over regular telescopic forks.
BMW has earned their reputation for technical innovation, but many people think their reputation for reliability is largely undeserved and that the Japanese (and Harley-Davidson, at least these days) have them beaten on that front...