Undervalued Classics?

[Sidewalk]

Not at all! BARF is all about honesty. I value it.

Feel free to email me: getshokin@gmail.com

I had a couple of thoughts, but I kind of lost track of them with time

Something I was thinking though, if I remember correctly, was comparing the value/sportiness/usefullness of a few different bikes of different era's. Maybe one of the VF's from the 80's, compared to an F3/ZX9R/FZR/etc compared to a ZX-10R. Comparing the overall value; cost of purchase, performance, living with it daily, cost of maintenance, etc. Easy to see how an old VF would be dirt cheap to buy, and probably be easy to ride daily, but would need much more expensive repairs then a ZX10R. Of course the ZX10R costs a lot more but you get killer performance for the money. Less work norrowing the focus on one bike, more fun in research

Oh, and if you ever get the idea for a YSR article (not really worth it for street reading I don't think) then let me know. I can always provide a bike for lots of practice time and I bet I know where you could get your hands on an NSR for comparison on a loan like basis.

 

[EastBayDave]

Still lots of GPz's floating around; one of our members here has 3 of them! Lots of KZ1000's too (few Z1's, they all taken by enthusiasts), as well as KZ650's. Also a few 2-strokers 500's/750's triples as well...

 

[weak_link]

Oh, and if you ever get the idea for a YSR article (not really worth it for street reading I don't think) then let me know. I can always provide a bike for lots of practice time and I bet I know where you could get your hands on an NSR for comparison on a loan like basis.

If you are going to go that route you should also include a side bar of RS125/80's like in my avatar. I raced a ysr for several years (poorly) but the RS125/80 is just a sweet combo and should get a special mention simply because imho there is no other bike you can 'feel' so fast on. You can find builds at fairly reasonable prices these days, too.

 

[VaderSS]

Hey, maybe you could do an article on people who use heavyweight tourers like sport-bikes...

I know just the guy to talk to about it(races a GSXR and rides a GL1800 on the street), and you could do a sidebar on guys just starting to do it, umm, like me.

Well, maybe not. It might start a trend and then where would I be.

 

[Z3n]

I'm suprised I haven't seen this one pop up yet, but it's up there as an undervalued bike:

Kawasaki ZX-6E, 93-04. Capable of just about anything. I tracked mine, rode 500 mile days on it in comfort, it makes 85-90hp at the rear wheel, all day comfort, decent looking, and can be had for cheap cheap cheap. DuHamel won the AMA 600 class with it in 93, so it's got the sprotbile chops from back in the day, and with some minor suspenion upgrades will do just about anything. You can find them for anywhere from 500$ basket case to 3500$ showroom bikes.

 

[cfives]

The 650 an 700 Nighthawks are nothing alike. Like saying a Ninja 250 and Ninja 500 are the same bike when they are totally different.

The 650SC and 700SC are basically the same low maintenance bike with shaft drive and the same motor with sef-adjusting hydraulic valves. The 650 had more of a crusier look and seating position and the 700 more of a muscle bike one. Both are great bikes!

Got to agree with everyone who suggested the GPz550, it is super undervalued and a great bike.

 

[vaara]

Definately the ST1100. A fantastic long distance sport tourer that can be had for peanuts. And reliable as hell.

+1

The ST1300, not so much (from what I've heard). Why they had to take a perfect bike and "improve" it is beyond me.

I don't think anyone would consider the humble V-Strom to be either undervalued or a classic, but check again in 15 years or so. Depending on how the "adventure bike" fad plays out, it could join the ranks of classic UJMs or be barely remembered as an unmemorable flop.