90s/Noughties bikes vs Modern stuff. Am I missing something?
Discussion
I'm not sure if I'm just getting old before my time, but I was looking through the latest offerings from the big 4 suppliers, as well as from Triumph and the Italians and there didn't seem to be a huge amount that really appealed to me. Mid-sized sportsbikes/supersports seem to have disappeared and your options are nakeds (which I see the appeal of, but I'm still young and flexible enough to not worry too much about ergonomics, and deluded enough to think that full fairings and knee sliders makes me a better faster rider), low powered 'sports; bikes like the cbr500r and R7, and then the full on 1000cc superbikes. I appreciate that some of this is partly due to the new licence categories, but there doesn't seem to be any middle ground anymore.
This got me thinking about what I consider to be the golden era for sportbikes, the 90s and early noughties. I will caveat this with saying I have no real experience of modern bikes. My current 600f4i is my first fuel injected bike, and it comes after a 5 year ownership gap when I sold my 1995 fireblade. I never really felt like the 125 horses it had were lacking at all, and the 90s ergonomics meant that I could daily it and ride it for hours on the motorway with no real issues. Am I missing out on anything by avoiding the more modern bikes (ie, those with ABS and traction control)? Is the extra purchase cost really worth it for the road?
I suppose my point is that I feel like there's nothing available for people like me who don't feel the necessity of a 200hp machine for some back road scratching, but likewise aren't interested in something built to meet A2 licence legislation, without having to go back a few years.
This got me thinking about what I consider to be the golden era for sportbikes, the 90s and early noughties. I will caveat this with saying I have no real experience of modern bikes. My current 600f4i is my first fuel injected bike, and it comes after a 5 year ownership gap when I sold my 1995 fireblade. I never really felt like the 125 horses it had were lacking at all, and the 90s ergonomics meant that I could daily it and ride it for hours on the motorway with no real issues. Am I missing out on anything by avoiding the more modern bikes (ie, those with ABS and traction control)? Is the extra purchase cost really worth it for the road?
I suppose my point is that I feel like there's nothing available for people like me who don't feel the necessity of a 200hp machine for some back road scratching, but likewise aren't interested in something built to meet A2 licence legislation, without having to go back a few years.
There are still bikes around that fit your criteria if you search a little further than the big 4. I agree though that for the road you don't really need any more performance than what you could get in the 90s or 00's. It just depends if you prefer older bikes or if you fancy something new.
I think there is quite a good selection of bikes out at the moment, and the reasons behind the smaller supersport market do make sense really, as you can still get great handling, insanely fast bikes with none of the drawbacks in multiple other body styles.
Back to the original question, how about an MV Agusta F3?
I think there is quite a good selection of bikes out at the moment, and the reasons behind the smaller supersport market do make sense really, as you can still get great handling, insanely fast bikes with none of the drawbacks in multiple other body styles.
Back to the original question, how about an MV Agusta F3?
If you're using it every day then I'd say yes. Stuff like ABS etc can be an absolute godsend, anythiny else is just nice to have. Reliability wise shouldn't be too bad on an old Honda (charging system aside) and potentially far better than certain modern bikes.
Otherwise I'm inclined to agree with you. Most of the time I'm more than happy to bimble about on my CBF500 with 56hp and never get anywhere near the limit on my VFR1200F.
Otherwise I'm inclined to agree with you. Most of the time I'm more than happy to bimble about on my CBF500 with 56hp and never get anywhere near the limit on my VFR1200F.
I think that this is in the eye of the beholder - and budget.
I think one thing that has changed is that the level of similarity has changed - it used to be the mass market was largely confined to 4 Japanese brands and 400cc / 600cc / 1000cc inline 4 sports bikes, plus some commuter stuff.
Now I feel there is a wider range of manufacturers, with much more Euro presence (KTM, BMW, Triumoh, Aprilia, Ducati) and different power plants and categories - you can now get decent retros, adventure bikes, big cc scooters etc - all categories that bring something different and shift volume, without being a head down / bum up 1000cc sports bike.
Engine wise you have V4, v twin, decent boxer twin (always existed but not mainstream before), parallel twin offset firing order (MT07, KTM 890), inline triple - in my own opinion, these engines have more character and better torque for road use than a high revving I4.
I also think that this is a golden age of sportsbikes in itself - whilst upper range BMW / Ducati are over £20k, you can buy road test winning / smashing 200bhp superbike a wuth electronics, digital dash etc for £10k (eg BMW S1000RR) or something like an 899 / 959 panigale, or a bit more for an 1199 / 1299. Or even buy a new bike voted the most fun road bike ever by some journos new for this kind of money ( KTM 890 Duke R).
So unless you specifically hanker for the 90s / 00’s thing, I do think the hardware is better now in terms of capability and choice.
But there are many great 90s /00s bikes out there so if that’s your thing, fill your boots and we are all winners.
Otherwise, I’ll take an NC30 Honda and an under seat pipe R1, cheers 👍
I think one thing that has changed is that the level of similarity has changed - it used to be the mass market was largely confined to 4 Japanese brands and 400cc / 600cc / 1000cc inline 4 sports bikes, plus some commuter stuff.
Now I feel there is a wider range of manufacturers, with much more Euro presence (KTM, BMW, Triumoh, Aprilia, Ducati) and different power plants and categories - you can now get decent retros, adventure bikes, big cc scooters etc - all categories that bring something different and shift volume, without being a head down / bum up 1000cc sports bike.
Engine wise you have V4, v twin, decent boxer twin (always existed but not mainstream before), parallel twin offset firing order (MT07, KTM 890), inline triple - in my own opinion, these engines have more character and better torque for road use than a high revving I4.
I also think that this is a golden age of sportsbikes in itself - whilst upper range BMW / Ducati are over £20k, you can buy road test winning / smashing 200bhp superbike a wuth electronics, digital dash etc for £10k (eg BMW S1000RR) or something like an 899 / 959 panigale, or a bit more for an 1199 / 1299. Or even buy a new bike voted the most fun road bike ever by some journos new for this kind of money ( KTM 890 Duke R).
So unless you specifically hanker for the 90s / 00’s thing, I do think the hardware is better now in terms of capability and choice.
But there are many great 90s /00s bikes out there so if that’s your thing, fill your boots and we are all winners.
Otherwise, I’ll take an NC30 Honda and an under seat pipe R1, cheers 👍
Completely agree OP. My F4 (carby) is perfect and I can’t think of any modern stuff I’d prefer. I’ve also got a 2021 Z900 but the CBR is where my heart is. I’d like ABS for a bit of extra security but that’s all it misses. Maybe a late carby ‘Blade would
Be better but doesn’t answer anything.
Would also love an NC30.
Be better but doesn’t answer anything.
Would also love an NC30.
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