rvich
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2009
- Messages
- 3,181
A good craftsman never blames his tools.
However it happens to be true that if you were used to riding your Commando that the Yamaha 650 felt like it had to be forced into a corner. I rode a lot back "in those days" with a friend who had a '72 650XS, blasting along a freeway was no big deal, but if we got into the twisties, I'd end up waiting for him somewhere. I never understood it until one day when we swapped bikes. I always liken cornering on a Commando to skiing, if you are going too fast you just lean into it harder, but that Yamaha felt like it was on rails. Straight ones. It was like dancing with a very big, strong woman who wanted to lead and didn't feel the same rhythm! As a result I never really gained much respect for them. I suppose in the hands of a better rider it would not have made a difference, but then again, why use tools that cause discomfort when you have ones that don't? I've always loved twisty roads and top speed isn't a major concern to me. If I don't have to downshift, the road is too straight.
And no, I'm not attacking Yamaha lovers. I never cared for the big Hondas either. It might be that the kind of riding I do, the Commando was the perfect tool. Or maybe I'm just a tool? But I suspect there is a reason that a bunch of us still love these bikes. BTW, you can buy a nice Yamaha 650 or a Honda 750 from that period for about half or maybe two-thirds the cost of a Commando.