El Presidente Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 After 4 long years I have my Montessa Impala (Spanish Cafe Racer from the 80's) coming back from a rebuild after a small accident Looking at her she is destined for the foyer here at FOH. The thought of scratching her is too much to handle. So a question to our bike enthusiasts. I am looking for a bike over the next 6 months. Criteria: I am not looking for speed. I am in no hurry going nowhere. Cruiser/Cafe racer. Style. I like to smile when I look at her. It is not a commuter. A Saturday afternoon/Sunday morning bike. I would appreciate it if you could post a pic of whatever you recommend. A picture of my girl.
El Presidente Posted September 17, 2012 Author Posted September 17, 2012 this one, pirate theme and all :rotfl: Well, I am more into understated refined class Retro bike recommendations welcome. as well as new.
Tan1801 Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 More into sports bikes personally, but I have considered a Honda Hornet 900 (not really a cafe racer/cruiser though). I know someone who loves it and bought one after not being on 2 wheels for 20 odd years. Plenty of go when you need it but nice and easy to cruise around on.
CaptainQuintero Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 A nice tootle bike I've always thought would be nice to put-put about in the mornings would be an Enfield: Some nice retro 50's action. Flying cap and goggles are required but attachable moustache is optional You can still get authentic ones, and I think (Could be wrong) the licence is now owned by an Indian company that is making them again in the old style? royal enfield india
asmith Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Wait Wait Wait. Before you start looking for a new bike, I want to see this Montessa returned properly. This bike has been threatening to be returned for the last 5 years and nothing has happened. I can't believe you think it will be returned, it has been chopped up for parts, that's an old photo.
El Presidente Posted September 17, 2012 Author Posted September 17, 2012 Wait Wait Wait. Before you start looking for a new bike, I want to see this Montessa returned properly. This bike has been threatening to be returned for the last 5 years and nothing has happened. I can't believe you think it will be returned, it has been chopped up for parts, that's an old photo. Wait until next week......you will be pushing it up the stairs
Rushman Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 first of all, what a nice bike you have Pres - I have a thing for both Harley's and cafe racers - two ends of the spectrum. I have one of each. A 2009 HD Softail Crossbones and a 1981 Honda CB750k turned cafe bike. If I had the resources, both money and available bikes, I would go with a more nostalgic bike for a cafe, like the RE pictured some posts above. You seem to like the style, Id stick with a cafe. Here are some pics of mine. this is the cafe bike - since this pic, i removed the large and gaudy gauge pack and put on some 1.5 inch small gauges and removed th even larger switch packs and installed a gripace system - i left to come to mexico before the gripace was completely finished - next project is to install some rear sets and repaint here is the hog, very loud short pipes from exile, all else is either stock or upgrade HD here is the scooter that i bought in mexico and promptly wreckd and broke my leg - sold it as soon as I could ride it again (once the cast was off)
Montaigut Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Allright then if you are serious about getting THE ultimate classic bike here it is... And for those of you who are curious here is a neat video on the beast. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETFVYWIQqDk
cachiocca Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Dig the old bikes, especially the Pres' Montessa, the Enfield and Vincent. Sweet. This might fit your style. I wish it was mine.
Justmi Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Sweet bike Prez. I love bikes but cannot get the image out of my head of being pulped into hamburger by an ignorant car driver... If I were to ride a bike, it would have to be a Ducati Panigale or something equally mad. Anything less and people would be saying at my funeral, "He got squished riding a Suzuki scooter, you know..."
First Lady Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 You are not getting another bike , honestly after all the wit for the Montessa it has to be here for another 5 years before you can get another bike LOL I am with Smithy on this , I still think the bike is in parts and he is just pulling your leg it is coming back as we have been hearing it was coming back for years
Jeremy Festa Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 You will find a veritable smorgasbord through Deus. Sydney based -> http://au.deuscustoms.com/motorcycles/ My picks would be the Grass Tracker, Sacred Cow or Twin Cafe Racer.
Scdalak Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Found this old pic of Ken back in his racing days.. Looks like a perfect fit for Prez..
AndrewNR Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Wow Prez, Thats gorgeous. You hadn't mentioned you were a bike man. Beautiful bike and theme. I'll throw some pictures of mine up at some stage, It's too late currently and i need sleep for tomorrow. Recommendations? To be honoust I'm liking the Enfeild and Vincent ideas.. But it depends. Triumph perhaps? I'll come back to this thread with some substance after I;ve had some sleep and finished work again Double tomorrow and ive just finished my nightcap.
ptrthgr8 Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 What's your budget, Rob? That might help narrow things down a bit. I've only owned two bikes in my life - and I love them both. I didn't want/need a commuter (I work 80 miles from home, so I prefer 4 wheels and a roof during the the majority of the year). I'm not a huge fan of sport bikes (they look cool and speed is neat, but I just *know* I'd kill myself on one of those things). I really didn't want a Harley or other similar Japanese bike since everyone and their brother has one around here. I wanted something that was classic, fun to ride, and put a smile on my face. I always liked the old British bikes, but many of those had all sorts of problems back in the day - and I am no mechanic. So I needed a bike that wouldn't need to be serviced all the time. I then learned that Triumph makes modern Bonnevilles - with EFI (the injectors are housed in a faux carb body to maintain the 60s vibe) and other modern improvements. I checked them out online and then visited the local Triumph dealer to see the bikes in person. After sitting on a T100 I immediately fell in love and knew I had to have one. This is my 2010 Triumph Bonneville T100. It was purchased used, but had less than 180 miles on it - I got it for $7000. Seemed like a no-brainer at the time, but I would have bought one brand new if this one hadn't been available. (They sell for under $10K brand new locally.) Back in May of this year I bought a Ural M70 70th Anniversay Edition. I enjoyed riding the Bonnie about town, but the wifey wasn't a big fan of sitting on the back. I've always though sidecars were neat and the WW2 styling really made me take notice. I knew this is one bike I couldn't live without. The wifey and I have taken Pasha out just about every weekend since we brought the rig home. The boot is super handy, too - easy to take care of errands while being out on the bike. I don't ride Bonnie nearly as much anymore, which is a bit of a shame... or it would be if the Ural wasn't so much damned fun to take out and about. This bike was purchased brand new from Ural of New England - it was still in the crate that had protected it during its trip from the Irbit factory in Russia. Neat! Cheers, ~ Greg ~
PigFish Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 ...anyone who refers to a motorcycle as a motorbike should stick to Elton John 8-tracks and Vespas! -Piggy
Rushman Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 ...anyone who refers to a motorcycle as a motorbike should stick to Elton John 8-tracks and Vespas! -Piggy Nice --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=20.631717,-87.070540
hdryder Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 What's your budget, Rob? That might help narrow things down a bit. I've only owned two bikes in my life - and I love them both. I didn't want/need a commuter (I work 80 miles from home, so I prefer 4 wheels and a roof during the the majority of the year). I'm not a huge fan of sport bikes (they look cool and speed is neat, but I just *know* I'd kill myself on one of those things). I really didn't want a Harley or other similar Japanese bike since everyone and their brother has one around here. I wanted something that was classic, fun to ride, and put a smile on my face. I always liked the old British bikes, but many of those had all sorts of problems back in the day - and I am no mechanic. So I needed a bike that wouldn't need to be serviced all the time. I then learned that Triumph makes modern Bonnevilles - with EFI (the injectors are housed in a faux carb body to maintain the 60s vibe) and other modern improvements. I checked them out online and then visited the local Triumph dealer to see the bikes in person. After sitting on a T100 I immediately fell in love and knew I had to have one. This is my 2010 Triumph Bonneville T100. It was purchased used, but had less than 180 miles on it - I got it for $7000. Seemed like a no-brainer at the time, but I would have bought one brand new if this one hadn't been available. (They sell for under $10K brand new locally.) Back in May of this year I bought a Ural M70 70th Anniversay Edition. I enjoyed riding the Bonnie about town, but the wifey wasn't a big fan of sitting on the back. I've always though sidecars were neat and the WW2 styling really made me take notice. I knew this is one bike I couldn't live without. The wifey and I have taken Pasha out just about every weekend since we brought the rig home. The boot is super handy, too - easy to take care of errands while being out on the bike. I don't ride Bonnie nearly as much anymore, which is a bit of a shame... or it would be if the Ural wasn't so much damned fun to take out and about. This bike was purchased brand new from Ural of New England - it was still in the crate that had protected it during its trip from the Irbit factory in Russia. Neat! Cheers, ~ Greg ~ I love the Ural...Very nice
Loki Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Having had many MCs over the years I am most pleased with the 2009 HD Road King Classic that I picked up this past March. It has the best retro look of the newer Harleys. Rob even has bags for your cigars and wine.
Rushman Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 Having had many MCs over the years I am most pleased with the 2009 HD Road King Classic that I picked up this past March. It has the best retro look of the newer Harleys. Rob even has bags for your cigars and wine. I like the road king but can't stand bags and windshields/fairings. I'm an old skool type. No rear pegs, no rear seat just forward controls and ape hangers (albeit shortish ape hangers). --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=20.631715,-87.070661
hdryder Posted September 17, 2012 Posted September 17, 2012 This would put a smile on your face and maybe a little crap in your pants but will probably annoy your neighbors
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