A fitting quote…

Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

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I recently read this quote at the end of a motorcycle review. It was not a Norton. But it could / should have been cos it definitely sums up the good side of a 961:

“If the motorcycle you're on does not make you exult, release you from them worldly binds, leave you smiling after a cracker of a ride; I'm sorry, you are just riding an appliance”.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I recently read this quote at the end of a motorcycle review. It was not a Norton. But it could / should have been cos it definitely sums up the good side of a 961:

“If the motorcycle you're on does not make you exult, release you from them worldly binds, leave you smiling after a cracker of a ride; I'm sorry, you are just riding a Honda”.
Click to expand...
Fixed it for you ;)
 
In my riding life I've only had one bike that I did not get great enjoyment from. That was a 1950 Indian Chief 1300.
I couldn't really call it an appliance though, it wasn't that reliable. It reminded me of our Model M John Deere tractor, which was actually more fun to operate than the Indian!
The rest have all be loads of fun, even the little Hondas, Suzuki's etc.
None were " appliances" as in boring to ride.

Glen
 
worntorn said:
In my riding life I've only had one bike that I did not get great enjoyment from. That was a 1950 Indian Chief 1300.
I couldn't really call it an appliance though, it wasn't that reliable. It reminded me of our Model M John Deere tractor, which was actually more fun to operate than the Indian!
The rest have all be loads of fun, even the little Hondas, Suzuki's etc.
None were " appliances" as in boring to ride.

Glen
Click to expand...

I think I've only had two that I really didn't like, a K model GSXR1100 - terrifying at any speed, and a real dissapointment after my original 1100 slabside and a Laverda Mirage. I've pretty much enjoyed all the others.
 
The 1972 Kawasaki Trail Boss 100 is one I wouldn't mind having today. Ten gears, just 85kg dry weight, road legal. That bike got me into places I should never have gone too. But it was an insanely fun toy!

Glen
 
'Horses for courses'.. of course!
Some years ago my neighbour generously allowed me to try his latest 'commuter' ride, a VFR750 Honda (the 'sports tourer', not the RC30's he now collects!)
Bearing in mind I had no wish to bend it, yes... it came across as a great way to cover ground, but my abiding impression was: 'The world's fastest armchair'....
But not for me. The word, I think, without in any way implying criticism, is: 'Vanilla' ......
 
Last edited:
worntorn said:
The 1972 Kawasaki Trail Boss 100 is one I wouldn't mind having today. Ten gears, just 85kg dry weight, road legal. That bike got me into places I should never have gone too. But it was an insanely fun toy!

Glen
Click to expand...
My Suzuki ts100 did similar things for me , brilliant little bike
I had a couple of early cb750 Honda's I really couldn't see what the fuss was about
 
storm42 said:
Fixed it for you ;)
Click to expand...
In fairness, some people WANT an appliance and have now desire at all for anything that’s described as ‘raw’ or having ‘character’ etc.

I’ve a mate just like that. He LOVED the look and sound of my 961, so I let him have a go on it… horrified is the only description for his expression as he dismounted … and it went downhill from there when he started talking !!
 
EstuaryBoy said:
'Horses for courses'.. of course!
Some years ago my neighbour generously allowed me to try his latest 'commuter' ride, a VFR750 Honda (the 'sports tourer', not the RC30's he now collects!)
Bearing in mind I had no wish to bend it, yes... it came across as a great way to cover ground, but my abiding impression was: 'The world's fastest armchair'....
But not for me. The word, I think, without in any way implying criticism, is: 'Vanilla' ......
Click to expand...
Over the years I have had 4 VFR750's and one 800. To my mind the (gear driven cam) VFR engine is the finest in the world. It's the kind of bike you could get on without even checking the oil and ride around the world - and I mean that seriously! I once read of a London dispatch rider who did 440,000 miles on his VFR without any mechanical issues.

So why have I had five you ask? Well to ride they are so friggin bland it's incredible. So why did I sell the first and then buy 4 more? Because every time I'm out walking and one passes and I hear that gear train whine coupled with the V4 growl and the very compact profile I want another. Coupled with the fact they are soooo cheap I cannot help myself, so will probably own another one or two in time. ( and then sell of course)
 
cliffa said:
Over the years I have had 4 VFR750's and one 800. To my mind the (gear driven cam) VFR engine is the finest in the world. It's the kind of bike you could get on without even checking the oil and ride around the world - and I mean that seriously! I once read of a London dispatch rider who did 440,000 miles on his VFR without any mechanical issues.

So why have I had five you ask? Well to ride they are so friggin bland it's incredible. So why did I sell the first and then buy 4 more? Because every time I'm out walking and one passes and I hear that gear train whine coupled with the V4 growl and the very compact profile I want another. Coupled with the fact they are soooo cheap I cannot help myself, so will probably own another one or two in time. ( and then sell of course)
Click to expand...
I had a VFR400RR, and the: 'Arse in the air and nose on the front wheel' riding experience was a world away from it's bigger/softer sibling. But yes, those engines are a masterpiece, in fact the whole bike just reeked of quality compared to the usual run of the mill UJM....
 
Fast Eddie said:
In fairness, some people WANT an appliance and have now desire at all for anything that’s described as ‘raw’ or having ‘character’ etc.

I’ve a mate just like that. He LOVED the look and sound of my 961, so I let him have a go on it… horrified is the only description for his expression as he dismounted … and it went downhill from there when he started talking !!
Click to expand...
He would probably like the Enfield.
 
I had a K75 that could be considered as an "appliance", devoid of character but totally reliable and I would ride it anywhere at any time in any weather. Did 75000 faultless miles on the thing, but it had no charm.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I recently read this quote at the end of a motorcycle review. It was not a Norton. But it could / should have been cos it definitely sums up the good side of a 961:

“If the motorcycle you're on does not make you exult, release you from them worldly binds, leave you smiling after a cracker of a ride; I'm sorry, you are just riding an appliance”.
Click to expand...
This is why owning multiple bikes is essential. You need an appliance that always works, and a motorcycle.
 
cliffa said:
Over the years I have had 4 VFR750's and one 800. To my mind the (gear driven cam) VFR engine is the finest in the world. It's the kind of bike you could get on without even checking the oil and ride around the world - and I mean that seriously! I once read of a London dispatch rider who did 440,000 miles on his VFR without any mechanical issues.

So why have I had five you ask? Well to ride they are so friggin bland it's incredible. So why did I sell the first and then buy 4 more? Because every time I'm out walking and one passes and I hear that gear train whine coupled with the V4 growl and the very compact profile I want another. Coupled with the fact they are soooo cheap I cannot help myself, so will probably own another one or two in time. ( and then sell of course)
Click to expand...
I had an 800 for a day whilst my bike was in for repair. I put 2 tanks of fuel through it and it worked out it had done 18 mpg. I was a courier in Yorkshire and having fun but 18mpg!!! it could be used as a reason for going electric. You are right about the sound track though.
 
storm42 said:
I had an 800 for a day whilst my bike was in for repair. I put 2 tanks of fuel through it and it worked out it had done 18 mpg. I was a courier in Yorkshire and having fun but 18mpg!!! it could be used as a reason for going electric. You are right about the sound track though.
Click to expand...
A courier on a loaner… bet the poor thing was never out of the red zone …!
 

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