'Not that great' bikes, that you still want some day.

[BroadsRS6]

For some reason i really want a Suzuki DR800 'MR BIG'.
People will say it has meagre power, vibrates plenty and is very tall and ungainly, but i really fancy getting one IF i can find a good example.
Any bikes out there you want, even though you know they aren't that good on paper? I also would like a TDR250 one day.

[conkerman]

My God, where would I start.

TDR250.
Honda X11
MZ Mastiff.
Laverda 650/750 (various)
Another TRX850

[anonymous-user]

TL1000r. I know it might suddenly decide to kill me, but I still want one

[Stevemr]

Yamaha. Max 1200 full power.
Apparently doesn’t handle
Stupidly heavy
Ugly in a way that I like.
But I keep on looking, come close to buying one a couple of times, and pretty sure one day I will!
I will probably then regret it!

[Pothole]

Mid-80s FLH Electra Glide
Yamaha GTS1000

[Mr Scruff]

I really want a Thunderace. I know it will be rubbish, but I’m at an age where I adored my Thundercat and dream the Ace is the same but a bit faster/better.

Not going to buy one as know the illusion will be shattered!

[Rob 131 Sport]

Parallel Twin Yamaha TZR 250.

[BroadsRS6]

Stevemr said:

Yamaha. Max 1200 full power.
Apparently doesn’t handle
Stupidly heavy
Ugly in a way that I like.
But I keep on looking, come close to buying one a couple of times, and pretty sure one day I will!
I will probably then regret it!

You know what? I had one last year for a while. They are nothing like the monster legend has it. Easy to ride, yes a bit heavy to lug about when parking, etc., but really nice and absolutely lovely power, not intimidating but still feels grunty. Plus the engine just looks so 'hot rod' in a way faster street fighters never can. It's the V8 musclecar of biking. CHEAP too! A lot of bike for £3000 to £4000.
Blimey, 250 singles cost that new!

[Pebbles167]

A couple of Yamahas come to mind.

Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog. Arguably crap, but looks and sounds great.

Yamaha SCR950. A scrambler that cant. A cruiser modified to look retro and rugged. Looks great.

[Cylon2007]

MK1 Moto Guzzi Le Mans 850, still love the looks (probably disappointing to ride compared to modern stuff) but if I had the cash going spare I'have 1 in the garage.

[IAN1967]

Couple have mentioned TDR250's they were great bikes I had a few

Just wish I hadn't sold them as the prices have rocketed

I've always fancied a Bimota, whether they were "not great" I don't know

[airsafari87]

hucumber said:

TL1000r. I know it might suddenly decide to kill me, but I still want one

I was eyeing one of these up the other week too. 3k was a bit too spicy for me though.

[Pope]

Good example TL's in both S or R trim have been around 3-4k forever, starting to lift a bit now - with a few at nearer 5k.

Blue and white ones are apparently the fastest.......

[TwigtheWonderkid]

hucumber said:

TL1000r. I know it might suddenly decide to kill me, but I still want one

I thought it was the S that suddenly killed you. The R gave a few seconds warning.

[Speed addicted]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

hucumber said:

TL1000r. I know it might suddenly decide to kill me, but I still want one

I thought it was the S that suddenly killed you. The R gave a few seconds warning.

It’s always been the S that I wanted.
I had a go of one once, while I was relatively new to bikes. I remembering thundering along wondering what the fuss was about.
Then in a sweeping corner(at about 80) I hit a small bump and it went mental, rear damping disappeared and i was running wide before it sorted everything out and pretended nothing had happened!

I’d happily have one now.

[stang65]

I've just bought a TL1000R so does that count? Can't offer an opinion yet as apart from a mainly motorway ride home in pouring rain I haven't really ridden it. Sorting a few issues before pressing it into service.... why did Suzuki owners think anodised blue tatt is cool? It really never was.................

As to "not great bikes that you still want", I still fancy a C90, and a GL1000......

I think I must like "not great bikes" as I also have a Hornet 900 (slated on release for not being an unfaired Fireblade but now has a strong following) and an AJS Model 18S (the Morris Minor of motorbikes).

[SteelerSE]

I've just been trawling through the web for GSX1100G.
I know it's heavy, thirsty and not to everyone's taste but I'd love one.

[mylovelyhorse]

I’ve always fancied one an MZ 1000s, even though I know they have issues with ethanol swelling the tank (but then so does my Moto-Guzzi Norge) and parts would possibly be rarer than I’d like.

And then there’s Honda’s odd Pacific Coast which is probably awful but, well, I dunno. Might be a laugh

[Hungrymc]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

I thought it was the S that suddenly killed you. The R gave a few seconds warning.

I had two TL1000S back in the day. One was pre steering damper recall/retro-fit.... They were edgy before but fine after the steering damper. The rear shock wasn’t the best that wasn’t going to kill you.

I think they were great bikes.

[xstian]

I've always fancied a Gilera Saturno 500. There's not many around but I keep them in my watch list. On the Gilera front I quite fancy a Nordwest also and a Cagiva Lucky Explorer and a Yamaha 2 Trac. I could go on, there are so many cool obscure bike I fancy.

The TDR and TZR are good bikes in there own right. They maybe a little slow nowadays but the TZR is so light and easy to ride and with its super skinny tires it really fun. Its one of my favourite bikes to take out on a Sunday.