Is the classic sport-touring motorcycle doomed to extinction?

Uncle Phil said:
Many people spend a lot time debating about the hammer that should be used to drive the nail when the objective is to drive the nail.
If the hammer you have does that well enough for you, spend time driving nails instead contemplating hammers. ;)
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Ditto... I think the only thing truly doomed to extinction is me...:eek-2x:

LOL... I've tried several hammers and they all work great until I want a different hammer... I've liked all my hammers and I'm sure I'll like the ones in the future, I'm just glad there are still nails to drive.

.... I think I'm confused now...


... oh wait, it's not the destination, it's the journey.... that even works for riding.
 
ST1100Y said:
This is the mentioned NC750X...
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I don't know what that is, but it certainly doesn't look like any NC 750X I've ever seen. Doesn't come close to resembling mine. Looks more like a Kawasaki product to me.
 
the Ferret said:
I don't know what that is, but it certainly doesn't look like any NC 750X I've ever seen.
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www.motea.com

Set panniers + rack compatible with Honda NC 750 S / X side cases PX74WT Bagtecs white

Bagtecs PX74 motorcycle pannier set consisting of side cases and universal pannier rack Made of ABS plastic, very robust, impact-resistant and permanently UV-resistant With universal pannier rack for mounting on the motorcycle Lockable case to protect the contents Dimensions: width 50cm...
www.motea.com www.motea.com
 
ST1100Y said:
www.motea.com

Set panniers + rack compatible with Honda NC 750 S / X side cases PX74WT Bagtecs white

Bagtecs PX74 motorcycle pannier set consisting of side cases and universal pannier rack Made of ABS plastic, very robust, impact-resistant and permanently UV-resistant With universal pannier rack for mounting on the motorcycle Lockable case to protect the contents Dimensions: width 50cm...
www.motea.com www.motea.com
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scroll to the right in the little pics to see the full pictures...it's a Triumph

they undoubtedly make a kit to fit the NC 750X but the bike in the pic you posted is not an NC 750X, it's a Triumph Tiger
 
rwthomas1 said:
This has been a very interesting thread. First, that Gideon Lichfield is an idiot. Takes the wrong bike, the wrong gear, and the wrong attitude and then blames the mode of transportation. Hes a buffoon.

Lots of things seem to be dying out. I fly small aircraft for fun. Theres a dwindling number of pilots that fall in this category. I like to sail. Again, dwindling number of people involved in that. Motorcycling is in decline. So what are people doing? From what I can see its staring at the screen and being as "safe" as possible. I honestly feel less and less a part of the society I'm living in. And that's OK, I'll "rage against the dying of the light" on my own. Its kinda odd, the people that like activities like this are usually comfortable with "calculated risk". So I hang out with them, living what may be the last, best part of living. I'm uninterested in living in a safe box, thats a prison. The reaper knows where you live, he will find you on your couch. So go do something....

I have greatly considered replacing the ST1100. If I'm honest, I am in some way avoiding maintenance in that thinking. The ST1100 probably should get steering head bearings. The exhaust needs replacement. Should probably pull the swingarm, go through the final drive. And maybe find a good used final drive to address the spline wear. So I look at newer bikes. The reality is I won't spend the money on the new. For less than $1K I can put the ST1100 "right". I just need to do it. I think I will.
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Well said. A vast difference between being alive and living.
Mike
 
Just sitting here thinking if I owned Honda I'd tell the motorcycle division to make me a Grand Sporting touring motorcycle. Start with the Goldwing Chassis only shorten the wheel base. Take the engine and bore it out to 1300'cc. New full lighter bodywork and come in at no more than 700lbs. Also I'd give the designer a large bonus if they came out with a color that really popped instead of the uninspiring colors that they've had the past decade:)
 
red one said:
Just sitting here thinking if I owned Honda I'd tell the motorcycle division to make me a Grand Sporting touring motorcycle. Start with the Goldwing Chassis only shorten the wheel base. Take the engine and bore it out to 1300'cc. New full lighter bodywork and come in at no more than 700lbs. Also I'd give the designer a large bonus if they came out with a color that really popped instead of the uninspiring colors that they've had the past decade:)
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I rather them start with a VFR1200F platform. Keep the engine and stick on a larger fuel tank. Update electronics and a add cruise control. That would get me interested.
Mike
 
Bug Dr. said:
Keep the engine and stick on a larger fuel tank.
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Even better, the best engine they never brought to market,: the Honda V5.

Tom

46062981511_ae0674227b_z.jpg
 
Bug Dr. said:
I rather them start with a VFR1200F platform. Keep the engine and stick on a larger fuel tank. Update electronics and a add cruise control. That would get me interested.
Mike
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Honda had just such a bike in prototype at a show a few years ago. I kept a pic of it

LMmZ38R.jpg
 
ST1100Y said:
These days, they all look alike... like an angry insect...
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They do. Cars look the same, all pointy and angry and grrr. The soft curves of the 1990s are clearly passé, and there is definitely a sense of a loss of identity amongst so many bikes that look like Batman and Darth Vader trying to outdo each other. And as for colours...! If you look at every other house that someone has spruced up, it's a monotonous sea of off-white walls and grey windows and doors. It's a grey plague.

I suppose if I had to replace my 1300, it would be with the NT1100. Apart from the seat which I think is pretty good, it's a poor replacement. It may be a roadified Africa Twin - even as the AT itself has a roadified variant now - but it feels like a parts bin exercise to tack on more plastic and vaguely styled luggage. You can have any colour you like as long as it's beige, black or dark blue. No shaft drive? Heck, it doesn't even have an electric screen. The RT1200/1250 is probably the better machine, but you'll pay for it, and as far as my ears are concerned, boxer twins don't have any soul.
 
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"The RT1200/1250 is probably the better machine, but you'll pay for it, and as far as my ears are concerned, boxer twins don't have any soul."

@Arellcat i was actually pleasantly surprised at the growl emanating from my 1250 GSA when I jumped on that loud handle. But I rarely do that. In most modes (depending on settings) a sudden twist of the wrist will find the front wheel reaching for the clouds.

As for "having no soul", I've heard that about some of my favorite Hondas through the years. I am not one who feels the need for everyone around me to hear my motorcycle.

But I'll admit, it's always good to be seen when we're on the roads.
 
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