Still in love!
Discussion
I've just taken my H2 SX out for its first run since October. Even though it's about to start it's 5th season, I'm still totally in love with the way the bike delivers, especially, the way the engine just pulls and pulls and pulls. While I am looking at replacing it in the next year to 18 months, it'll be with more of the same - another H2 SX.
Are you still in love with your bike(s) after a few years?
Are you still in love with your bike(s) after a few years?
Edited by black-k1 on Wednesday 1st February 15:23
Got a CBR600 that I’ve had for 13 years, cbr400 that I’ve had for 16 years so wont be getting rid of either of those as they’ve been with me for too long. The 400 I learnt about bikes by pulling it apart and renewing all sorts as it was a second bike so no need to rush whilst i was doing it.
The 600 they don’t make anymore and haven’t done for many a year so won’t get rid of that as none of the other 600’s that were on offer at the time floated my boat. I also know the bike and that’s a good enough reason for me not to get rid of it.
Other bikes have come and gone though whilst I’ve had these two
The 600 they don’t make anymore and haven’t done for many a year so won’t get rid of that as none of the other 600’s that were on offer at the time floated my boat. I also know the bike and that’s a good enough reason for me not to get rid of it.
Other bikes have come and gone though whilst I’ve had these two
Yep! Love my Z1000SX - it's remapped now and decayed, with a more comfortable seat, and I love it so much! I'd like to add more bikes to the garage, but I can't see me getting rid of it other than for a newer one, but not for at least another year or two. It's at 15k miles now (4 years old this year) and looking forward to loads more !
It's just the perfect mix for me of long distance fairly comfy bike, and sporty fun, and looks fab (black on black with a black background
)
It's just the perfect mix for me of long distance fairly comfy bike, and sporty fun, and looks fab (black on black with a black background
)
Fitz666 said:
Had my Vmax for over 15 years, still get the same feeling taking it out now as when I got it.
I think that's it!I've had a number of bikes that I've thought of as really good, that do the job I want really well, that I've been really happy with and that I've kept for long periods/big miles because there's nothing better on offer, but my H2 SX is probably the first bike I've had that I still get "first date butterflies" on when I ride it, every time I ride it, despite having owned it for some time.
Had this thing for 18 odd years. Currently rebuilding it for the nth time. It's a '62 Indian army frame but little else is original. It's why I like it - classic looks and performance but if I get it wet or blow the engine (again) I'm not bothered. Also I don't get any attitude - no one tries to race me and it seems to get smiles rather than scowls about town...
I used it daily to commute to work for around 10 years.
Build 1: Original 1962 Indian army knockdown kit UK made engine bored out to 500cc and converted (properly) to metric main bearings with 90's standard cams, iron barrel, standard piston etc. 4 speed gearbox.
Noticed pretty significant crank runout on the timing side - when I split the cases the crank fell in half. Was running fine until then!
I wanted a 350 engine because they are revvier, vibrate less and are generally a bit tougher, so:
Build 2: 1975 350 Indian made engine badly converted to metric bearings with an iron barrel, retimed standard cams and mods to raise the compression ratio (machined barrel, no head gasket etc).
Seized up on the way to Wales for a bike rally. Left it for 20 mins to cool and then continued journey - I just backed off a bit up hills to stop it nipping up again. Ran it for another couple of months before...
Build 3: Same cases and crank with alloy barrel, high compression piston and "fast road" cams. Ran fine but leaked oil due to the bad conversion to metric mains affecting the base gasket sealing area - tolerated it until lockdown stopped its daily use for commuting.
Current build (in progress)
1957 350cc Clipper cases with the 1975 flywheels lightened and fitted to imperial crank ends to fit the cases. Polished conrod, Alloy barrel, high comp piston, crank triggered cdi ignition and alternator (timing case is empty bar the cams and distributor mount is blanked off), fast road cams, lightened pushrods and rockers, better (single) valve springs to replace the double standard setup, 5 speed gearbox converted to right hand change.
Should be fun! Still not fast though...
I used it daily to commute to work for around 10 years.
Build 1: Original 1962 Indian army knockdown kit UK made engine bored out to 500cc and converted (properly) to metric main bearings with 90's standard cams, iron barrel, standard piston etc. 4 speed gearbox.
Noticed pretty significant crank runout on the timing side - when I split the cases the crank fell in half. Was running fine until then!
I wanted a 350 engine because they are revvier, vibrate less and are generally a bit tougher, so:
Build 2: 1975 350 Indian made engine badly converted to metric bearings with an iron barrel, retimed standard cams and mods to raise the compression ratio (machined barrel, no head gasket etc).
Seized up on the way to Wales for a bike rally. Left it for 20 mins to cool and then continued journey - I just backed off a bit up hills to stop it nipping up again. Ran it for another couple of months before...
Build 3: Same cases and crank with alloy barrel, high compression piston and "fast road" cams. Ran fine but leaked oil due to the bad conversion to metric mains affecting the base gasket sealing area - tolerated it until lockdown stopped its daily use for commuting.
Current build (in progress)
1957 350cc Clipper cases with the 1975 flywheels lightened and fitted to imperial crank ends to fit the cases. Polished conrod, Alloy barrel, high comp piston, crank triggered cdi ignition and alternator (timing case is empty bar the cams and distributor mount is blanked off), fast road cams, lightened pushrods and rockers, better (single) valve springs to replace the double standard setup, 5 speed gearbox converted to right hand change.
Should be fun! Still not fast though...
Fitz666 said:
Had my Vmax for over 15 years, still get the same feeling taking it out now as when I got it.
Just got this a few weeks ago.
Early days with the V Max but my Gen 1 Hayabusa is the bike for me, cant see myself ever getting bored with it or wanting something else in it's place.
I hold onto bikes way longer than cars, I’ve still got my first bike over 20 years on!
My Triumph explorer (bought in 2015) is like a loyal dog. It’s comfortable, always works and is very capable when needed. I’ve never really felt the need to change it as it does everything I want it to, but it doesn’t give me butterflies.
The one that does is my Ducati ST2, bought as a cosmetic write off with the intention of modifying it.
It’s now far less comfortable, only has about 80bhp and isn’t exactly practical. But it’s a thrill every time I fire it up, booming through the countryside feels brilliant (it’s more comfortable at speed), seeing it in the garage makes me happy.
Maybe it’s because I restored and modified it over a year, maybe it’s the flaws that give it character but it’s a favourite.
My Triumph explorer (bought in 2015) is like a loyal dog. It’s comfortable, always works and is very capable when needed. I’ve never really felt the need to change it as it does everything I want it to, but it doesn’t give me butterflies.
The one that does is my Ducati ST2, bought as a cosmetic write off with the intention of modifying it.
It’s now far less comfortable, only has about 80bhp and isn’t exactly practical. But it’s a thrill every time I fire it up, booming through the countryside feels brilliant (it’s more comfortable at speed), seeing it in the garage makes me happy.
Maybe it’s because I restored and modified it over a year, maybe it’s the flaws that give it character but it’s a favourite.
SteveKTMer said:
Love is a bit strong isn't it ?
I'm still enjoying my KTM, there's nothing else with the leg room, performance, handling and general feel that can match it, other than maybe the Superduke R if I sacrifice some luggage convenience.
Exactly my thoughts about my 1290 SAS! I'll likely keep it until something better comes out… at the moment there's nothing other than an SDR that could tempt me. I'm normally a Ducati person but they don't make anything that really tickles my pickle right now. M1000R is a temptation but it's very expensive and probably a bit sensible-feeling at road speeds...I'm still enjoying my KTM, there's nothing else with the leg room, performance, handling and general feel that can match it, other than maybe the Superduke R if I sacrifice some luggage convenience.
Not the most modern, not the most refined but I bloody love this thing and I'm 7 years into having it, plenty of things have run beside it and I never think of selling the Tuono. I want an rsv4/tuono v4 but I can't bring myself to part with the V2 so I'll have to save to add one alongside.
The zx7r that sits beside it in the garage I haven't had for long but I had a different one 7r before and this one has got into my head so I think this might stay a while as well...
That's undergoing some modernisation currently though
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