Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: bigegg on 22 October 2013, 00:25:17
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I've been watching the top gear "vietnam" special where Hamster is riding a "Minsk" - which I gather is a russian military bike.
Then I'm reading on a different forum about a "panther" bike - so I googled it. ::)
Then I glanced over at my "worlds fastest indian" DVD
Any way, long story short, I'm considering buying a motorbike ::)
regardless of the fact I haven't been on one since I had a Honda 50 field bike when I was 10.
but...
I have a liking for 40s/50s style bikes - such as a 1959 Panther (http://"http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1959-PANTHER-M120-/331031382862?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item4d13020b4e")
or a 1937 Norton (http://"http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1937-Norton-International-Camshaft-Girder-Forks-Pre-War-Classic-Vintage/130932374975?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555003%26algo%3DPW.CAT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33%26meid%3D2148576280003775262%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D1031%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26")
or even a 125cc Minsk
(http://www.cuongs-motorbike-adventure.com/images/bikes/minskaa.jpg)
or an Indian:
(http://www.blessthisstuff.com/imagens/stuff/bucks-indian-motorcycles-3.jpg)
but...
I want something cheap (sub 1K) and easy to fix, and reliable...
Doesn't have to be fast, or powerful - basically to carry me, alone, into the wilds (not off-road, but maybe farm access lanes) with some camping gear.
and in that sort of "retro" vintage style.
Oh, and if I didn't kill myself going round corners, it'd be a bonus.
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I've lived in Vietnam and a couple of my mates had Minsks. They look cool but they're very unreliable, leak oil like sieves, are uncomfortable, getting parts here would be a nightmare and did I say they're unreliable? ??? ::) ;D
Buy a Honda! ;)
Here you go.... :y
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-1970-C50-C70-SUPER-CUB-CHOICE-OF-4-FROM-799-PX-C50-MONKEY-DAX-TRIALS-/200977824922?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2ecb363c9a
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that's the one I had when I was 10!
I think what I'm looking for is called a "cafe racer"?
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You wont get much for under 1k... can we assume you have a full bike licence and so engine size/power isn't an issue?
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My girlfriend's dad has restored a few bikes to concourse spec - 60s & 70s Nortons & Triumphs.. I love 'em and I'd have one in a heartbeat if I actually had a bike license ;D
Prices were well north of £1k, though!
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You wont get much for under 1k... can we assume you have a full bike licence and so engine size/power isn't an issue?
nope. Plan is CBT over winter, then full test + bike tour for next summer. so nothing TOO powerful - but I have no idea what would be too powerful. I'm gussing a 250 or 350 max?
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someone suggested this
Indian made Royal Enfield Bullet 350 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Royal-Enfield-Bullet-350-1992-VERY-NICE-AND-TIDY-STARTS-WELL-RIDES-NICELY-/141079677231?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item20d901092f)
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I have been looking at Honda CG's ::)
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For a bit more this looks nice! 8) :y
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Royal-Enfield-Bullet-350/151137813025?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18149%26meid%3D2160272653947803356%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D8338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D151137813025%26
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Kick start will take some mastering , a bit more than a step threw ::) Although that one above looks very nice :y
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Kick start will take some mastering , a bit more than a step threw ::) Although that one above looks very nice :y
Dont you mean kick back? ;)
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Kick start will take some mastering , a bit more than a step threw ::) Although that one above looks very nice :y
I've watched Amy's dad turn bright red trying to kickstart his more cantankerous bike.. ;D
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that's the one I had when I was 10!
I think what I'm looking for is called a "cafe racer"?
Take the fairing off a Honda C90 and you have a Cafe Racer!! Ta Daa!!! :P ;D
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I've watched Amy's dad turn bright red trying to kickstart his more cantankerous bike.. ;D
every time i see that, I read it as "Dad's Army".
;D
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What is it about bikes people love? i'm firmly with Clarkson on this one sadly
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What is it about bikes people love? i'm firmly with Clarkson on this one sadly
Fun .... adrenaline rush...
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Performance of an Italian supercar (probably more 0 - 150) for less than a tenth of the price. But leaning into bends,and powering out of them hard on the throttle is the thing you cant get in any car. Bike/ car is like the difference btween sitting in a horse drawn carriage or riding a stallion ;)
I might have just talked myself into getting another one. ;D
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Performance of an Italian supercar (probably more 0 - 150) for less than a tenth of the price. But leaning into bends,and powering out of them hard on the throttle is the thing you cant get in any car. Bike/ car is like the difference btween sitting in a horse drawn carriage or riding a stallion ;)
I might have just talked myself into getting another one. ;D
I am rather concerned about the Riding a Stallion part Albs ;D
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Performance of an Italian supercar (probably more 0 - 150) for less than a tenth of the price. But leaning into bends,and powering out of them hard on the throttle is the thing you cant get in any car. Bike/ car is like the difference btween sitting in a horse drawn carriage or riding a stallion ;)
I might have just talked myself into getting another one. ;D
Spot on. Once a biker, always a biker. :y :y :y :y :y :y
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that's the one I had when I was 10!
I think what I'm looking for is called a "cafe racer"?
"Mid-life crisis", "cafe racer" and "Touring" are a bad combination, where all of your weight is on your wrists, which is fine when you are young, but not so much when you are older. :o :o :o :o
The sort of bikes you mention you might also struggle with if they have a heavy clutch as that takes its toll on the tendons in your lower left arm when riding in cities and towns. ??? ??? ??? ???
For light controls and rider friendliness you can't beat bikes designed and manufactured in Japan or Europe in the last 20-30 years. :y :y :y :y
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Bikes are pretty gay though ;D ;D ;D
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They are the least gay thing on planet earth young man. :P
Unless owned by a bloke in stoke with pink leathers. ;)
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They are the least gay thing on planet earth young man. :P
Unless owned by a bloke in stoke with pink leathers. ;)
;D ;D ;D
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I have been looking at Honda CG's ::)
You'd struggle I think. When every car out there would be able to out-accelerate you - not the ideal position to be in on a bike. Thats before we get on to size/comfort.
That said, I've not ridden a CG125 for years.
For the sort of commute you are looking at, maybe something a little bigger and more torquey, so CB500 twin, or similar from Suzuki (GS500)? ER-5 probably might be a tad uncomfortable for you, and the finish will struggle in winter months (that said, my best mate has used my old (he bought it from the guy who bought it from me - small world!) one through the last 4 winters, including bending it a bit last winter, silly nutter ;D. If your policy is a rider policy, I suspect he wouldn't mind you giving it a ride, to see if you could live with that type of bike.
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What is it about bikes people love? i'm firmly with Clarkson on this one sadly
Outright speed doesn't interest me. On a bike, the speeds do catch out modern car drivers (most of whom have never ridden), which can make your arse eat ya pants - I think tunnie caught me "waving" at some dozy bird on the A34 who completely misjudged my closing speed, and tried taking me out ::)
The acceleration is awesome, and being that close to the ground in a corner is a bit addictive. But last time I slid down the road, it bloody hurt for ages, which is the downside.
I miss my bike, esp with the summer we had. However, I suspect I'll never ride again.
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Must admit I've been looking at getting a small bike to get to work and back on-it'd save me a 3 1/2 mile walk each way every day!-I don't know about mid-life though as I hit 60 years old today!
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What is it about bikes people love? i'm firmly with Clarkson on this one sadly
Outright speed doesn't interest me. On a bike, the speeds do catch out modern car drivers (most of whom have never ridden), which can make your arse eat ya pants - I think tunnie caught me "waving" at some dozy bird on the A34 who completely misjudged my closing speed, and tried taking me out ::)
The acceleration is awesome, and being that close to the ground in a corner is a bit addictive. But last time I slid down the road, it bloody hurt for ages, which is the downside.
I miss my bike, esp with the summer we had. However, I suspect I'll never ride again.
I've been discussing this today with my daughter.
I've never been a "biker" - or even a petrolhead, having not passed my driving licence til I was 28.
I think what I'm looking for is the freedom of the pushbike, able to travel out for 6 or 8 hours and not have it cost me anything (unlike the car!), but without the effort of pedalling.
And NO - I don't want a bus pass >:(
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yeah, my mate talks about the thrill of it all. but you've seen me drive TB... I like comfort and to ''waft'' from place to place in warm luxury. my biggest thing with it though is if you come off. easily could be game over. even if I had the right number of limbs you wouldn't get me on one. :y
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What is it about bikes people love? i'm firmly with Clarkson on this one sadly
Outright speed doesn't interest me. On a bike, the speeds do catch out modern car drivers (most of whom have never ridden), which can make your arse eat ya pants - I think tunnie caught me "waving" at some dozy bird on the A34 who completely misjudged my closing speed, and tried taking me out ::)
The acceleration is awesome, and being that close to the ground in a corner is a bit addictive. But last time I slid down the road, it bloody hurt for ages, which is the downside.
I miss my bike, esp with the summer we had. However, I suspect I'll never ride again.
My only reason for looking at CG's is 100mpg or there abouts.
I think the GS would commute well, shaft drive, no chain to sort, tyres could get expensive. I've been looking at DIY service, looks straight forward.
I found ER5 ok, rode one lots during my DAS course with any serious aches or pains. Thing is, I would get same mpg roughly. So gains from swapping would be low, tyres little cheaper I guess. :-\
Back way (A30) has some big hills too. Thing CG would struggle there.
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I doubt you'd see 100mpg from the CG, as TBH even you would be ragging the nads off it all the time. But more than that, I think yo'd find it uncomfortable and hard going.
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yeah, my mate talks about the thrill of it all. but you've seen me drive TB... I like comfort and to ''waft'' from place to place in warm luxury. my biggest thing with it though is if you come off. easily could be game over. even if I had the right number of limbs you wouldn't get me on one. :y
I agree, its nice to travel in a big old barge. But the excitement of a bike is impossible to explain, unless you've ridden one...
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I doubt you'd see 100mpg from the CG, as TBH even you would be ragging the nads off it all the time. But more than that, I think yo'd find it uncomfortable and hard going.
I get about 45-60mpg from my ThunderAce commuting - which is a 3 miles of filtering past stationary traffic usually
One of my friends does a similar commute on a YBR 125 (Yamaha equivalent of a CG) and get 90-100 mpg, it's temping to get a 125/250 just for commuting - but I think I'd rather save my pennies and put it towards getting an R1 instead :D
To me the best benefit to commuting by bike is the trip I do would take 30-60 mins by car - on the bike its 10-15 mins regardless of what the rest of the traffic is doing.
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I doubt you'd see 100mpg from the CG, as TBH even you would be ragging the nads off it all the time. But more than that, I think yo'd find it uncomfortable and hard going.
I get about 45-60mpg from my ThunderAce commuting - which is a 3 miles of filtering past stationary traffic usually
One of my friends does a similar commute on a YBR 125 (Yamaha equivalent of a CG) and get 90-100 mpg, it's temping to get a 125/250 just for commuting - but I think I'd rather save my pennies and put it towards getting an R1 instead :D
To me the best benefit to commuting by bike is the trip I do would take 30-60 mins by car - on the bike its 10-15 mins regardless of what the rest of the traffic is doing.
I think I could squeeze that from a 125 too, temping for me too. But savings against my GS are not too massive, and the GS suits my height a lot more!
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I have respect for bikes and have ridden a few but, there death traps and I have lost two many friends from them hence they are banned from our house.
Sadly the human body requires extra protection at speeds above running pace.
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But the excitement of a bike is impossible to explain, unless you've ridden one...
Very true, but it helped me understand why a dog sticks it's head out of a car window ;D
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Ive had some high performance bikes in my time , but cant explain why i want to own a CX500/650 :-[ ... Nice sounding V twins are addictive , like the RSV1OOO i had ... stonking low down grunt . Hopefully after the opp i can get back in the saddle again :)