Should you get a vintage motorcycle?

A little video covering the kinds of riders who might enjoy an old motorcycle

#motorcycle

[garyb]

Great points! And I agree…let me add that I think younger people…are more fascinated by speed…and why not…watching moto GP and seeing those riders going at life threatening speeds is amazing. I think that what you’re doing…promoting riding…rather than going fast is important ! TY for your effort

[geneclarke]

Consider joining a club before you buy a bike. For example we have the British Motorcycle Club of Central New York and they are very knowledgeable and have a great network in place. Many bikes and parts are bought and sold through club members along so you get a good history of the bike or part.

[forthleft]

Is the 'Pacific north-west' Guam or Iwo Jima? Phillipines?

[FielderTerry]

I wanted a vintage bike. Brands were Norton, Triumph, & BSA in that order. The ones I found needed more mechanic skills than I have or had been owned by people who thought they knew what they were doing but did not. The better looking ones were “ completely re-done” but they were not so much. Then about 30 years ago I started going to India with my work and saw the Enfield Bullet everywhere. Bike snobs from Europe & the US called them garbage but I decided that was close enough. So I tried to import one to Canada but I could not get it registered and licensed in my Province because there was no Clean Air rating for it so it would cost me $20, 000 for a custom test with no guarantee it would pass. So I have up.

I kept dreaming and after my wife died, I decided to buy one. I settled on a Triumph 500 or a 500 twin or 441 BSA single. But I did not find a suitable one.

Then I saw a Royal Enfield Continental GT 535 single. That was the one but when I sat on it, I could not ride it. My feet were too big to fit under the shifter and the riding position just did not work for an old (stiff) guy like me. Then I sat on a RE Classic 500 single and I connected immediately. It fit in the mold of “ Choice” -meaning Super Cool to me now but back in my teens, it was not sexy enough for me. All of the British bikes I now adore were too slow, seemed heavy and they all leaked oil even brand new ones in the show room. They were pretty but mechanically they seemed like junk to me then. I bought a brand new Kawasaki 350 Avenger in 1968 and loved that bike. But a car decided to cross my lane and schmucked my left ankle that took about 5 years to recover. I did ride for another 2 years but I sold the bike so I could get a car to be able to see my girl friend/fiancé but 100 miles away. With temperatures at below freezing for 5 months, that ended my biking. Then 14 months after our wedding, a rapid succession of 4 children in 6 1/2 years moved motorbikes. beyond the horizon permanently. But dreams live on.

The new RE Classic 500 single made my face smile and my heart sing. I had fuel injection, ABS disc brakes that are more than just the suggestion box brakes of my old Kawasaki but I traded the screaming 2 stroke throttle for a different suggestion box!

So I putt around and love my bike. I love seeing guys (and a few girls) walk past bikes 4 times the price of mine to talk with me about my bike or one their grandfather had. Just another reason to smile.

I have had plenty of trouble with my bike which it seems few others have had. One of the sensors keeps sending the wrong message to the CPU and the wrong mix often Gas/air fouls the plug within 20-30 minutes. The dealer gave up, RE said No more warranty so I have been tinkering and asking around and I think I have the cure. Once the snow and ice melt off the roads, I will give it a try.

This gives me a bit of the “heritage” of fixing an old bike myself and the advantages of the modern and look/feel of a Classic British Bike.

With a 6 month riding season and my age, I am a 1 bike guy so unless someone offers a swap with a great Triumph or BSA, I am set for life. I will add a side car when it becomes too difficult for me to hold it up but I think that will be another decade. At 80, 3 wheels might be better!

[yumgumrumdumb]

who knew fluump had a motorcycle obsession. lots of your fans want to know what happened to you cuz they dont read the community post. also im 13, and my parents just got me a moped so im pretty interested in this so ill sub to this channel too <3

[davidklementis]

I'm a year round commuter in the PNW (Oregon). Been mainly riding a 2007 FZ6 for the past 14 years, but have had some other bikes during that time for backup and a little change at times. Over time I've come to enjoy repairing and maintaining my bikes almost as much as riding them, as long as I have one in good order.

I don't like all the tech on most quality bikes these days, but understand it has it's place. I've been looking into getting a new (to me) bike for a couple of years now and a decent classic bike is definitely on the short list. Royal Enfield and newer Guzzi V7 are also on the list due to screw tappit valves and I like the styles. Dual sports are a little different direction, but on the list for simplicity and versatility. I'm enjoying the slower pace these days.

Maybe we'll see each other on the road when you move out to the wild west.

[vinciiiii]

Im loving the production quality and the passion you have, just keep improving and keep grinding☺️

[forthleft]

Those toes reaching for the sidestand...

[frankmarkovcijr]

Videos about classic motorcycles never get old they are beautiful and they are functional for everyday Transportation because that's what I have always used mine for changing fluids adjusting the chain putting tires on it just involves a little effort on the part of the owner as if part of the bond you form with the motorcycle maintenance is simple to do it yourself it's a point of Pride with a vintage bike especially in a day and age when most bikers barely know how to put gas in their vehicle for air in their tires

[peterrestaino]

My main bike is a1990 Harley FLHS for 30 years. My first new bike and last new bike was a1981 kz750e sold it for the Harley. Then a 1947 Indian chief and I only put about 300 miles on it. sold it for a boat. then got the itch and bought a 1971 BMW r 50/5. Had to do general fix up and that bike never breaks down. I use it for work 7 miles. she is very under powerd, the brakes are weak but Im used to all the quirks. Love tooling around on her. But now I bought a retro style 2013 Honda CB 1100. Shes like new and modern but air cooled and fuel injected. Fast smooth power. love it. Its werd going back and forth on all the bikes like I have to relearn them. oh what problems.

[Motorionis]

Reminds me of how I got my "old" yamaha xt 250 year 1980, my first motorcycle, which I took at the same time as a daily vehicle. In the first year almost 9 months daily driven and 8000 kilometers on it. Rebuilt the engines, repaired other things and learned on the bike.
And today I'm sitting here and can do almost everything except honing the cylinder and stuff like that XD
Thus, the small has become a complete custom bike, with different tank, front fork, etc.

[larrywalker]

I picked up a 1982 suzuki gs 750e for cheap, put some money into it to get it road worthy and love the hell out of it, I've always loved the old school Japanese 4 cyl bikes, and have been a huge fan of the Triumph Bonneville new and old, so will probably be purchasing a Bonneville in the near future

[Imarida]

5k in 5 months on my 2015 yamaha sr400 in chicago.
It makes some noises im not used to but this is the most milage ive put on any bike ive owned.
Thinking of getting a 70s cb for my daily next year and keeping the sr400 as a loaner/teaching bike

[kalanisarpi]

Don’t move to pnw. I lived in Ewa beach, Oahu my whole life and moved to salem oregon. It rains a whole bunch and it never stops. Not fun for motorcycles lmao. Good luck sir. Love your videos!!

[smurra]

Hi, Glad i watched your video. I always thought Hawaii, would be a cool place to ride MC's.. What is it really like? Are there any spots where it is fun to ride? Do they come in handy in Honolulu? Thanks

[drjcwardjr]

Wish I still had my ‘’57 659 Triumph T 119 I had when I was in college in the early to mid ‘69’s!!😎👍

[kbenham]

You are doing some great vintage bike videos. I lived in Kona, Hawaii in the 1970's and rode a Triumph Daytona, although the Honda CB450 I left on the mainland would have been more practical. I almost bought a Willys station wagon, . That would have been a cool pair.

[ericdolby]

I really want a vintage CB550 or CB750. Definitely an inline 4 of sorts.

[nomadenview]

Vintage motorcycle with modern technology like Kawasaki w800...

[liamhuiatt]

Where at ?? I live in the pnw maybe if same town we could ride? Your videos are awesome and your bike is cool keep doin your thing man.