I’m getting old and my taste is changing….1960’s style motorcycles are gorgeous!
My first bike was a new '82 Kawasaki KZ550 when I graduated college. I do prefer the styling of that era and earlier over the present day styling. My current ride is a 2015 Kawasaki Versys 650. I swear they let the cartoon art department design bikes now. The mechanicals are excellent these days, and I like not having to rebuild carbs periodically. I would love to have a retro style appearance with modern suspension and drive train.
If it’s a violent wobble where your input on the handlebars is nothing you are actually best off to take your hands off the bars and push against the tank so you can slide your but backwards and change the weight distribution. The worst thing you can do is what seems the most logical and that is to hit the rear brake which puts additional weight on the front end. It’s much more common on older motorcycles with more flexible frames. For a while manufacturers started putting steering stabilizers on them but with modern technology it’s pretty rare.
I’ve been motorcycling for 40 years and I’ve only had one in my life. It happened because my front tire was low on pressure. People who ride wheelies a lot can put a lot of pressure on the steering stem bearing when they don’t let it down smoothly and the bearing wears out which can contribute to the death wobble.
February 04, 2026, 10:22 AM
pbslinger
I've got a 1972 750 Norton Commando Combat Roadster. I think it is one of the best looking motorcycles ever. Black with gold stripes and a Corbin solo seat. Sounds great too.
February 04, 2026, 11:30 AM
mark60
February 04, 2026, 01:21 PM
stickman428
quote:
Originally posted by HRK:
Since we all have an affinity for two wheeled machines, one item on my bucket list is Vegas in January for the Mecum Motorcycle Auction.
Think I'll put 2027 on the calendar, we should have a SF Motorcycle and Gun meet then, rent some motorcycles, cruise the Red Rock Canyons, hit the Pioneer Saloon Link Pioneer Saloon for some food maybe cruise over to Hoover Dam....
Click the link and you can drill down by motorcycle, type, range of years, amount etc.
[FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R7CbMBUNC6I?si=vLi7I1EgkAUHmLby" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]
It’s so funny you should mention this. My coworker recently mentioned interest in going to that auction next year. I think it would be a lot of fun! I love the idea of a SF moto and gun meet. We should try to make this happen!
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The price of liberty and even of common humanity is eternal vigilance
February 05, 2026, 08:53 AM
P250UA5
quote:
Originally posted by stickman428: It’s so funny you should mention this. My coworker recently mentioned interest in going to that auction next year. I think it would be a lot of fun! I love the idea of a SF moto and gun meet. We should try to make this happen!
Put me down as a maybe for this one! Looking through this year's results, lots of good stuff on there. Surprised to see 4 Honda Runes hammer as sold.
Hmm, fly out, dive & trailer some bikes out, or ride out... 1,480 miles from my house to my mom's north of Vegas. That's a long ride on a fairingless cruiser...This message has been edited. Last edited by: P250UA5,
The Enemy's gate is down.
February 05, 2026, 11:14 AM
stickman428
P250UA5,
My friend that sold me this W650 had an orange Triumph Speed Twin in his collection. He offered to let me ride it but I was in a hurry and like a fool I declined. I was not in the best mood having just sold two motorcycles and figured I could test ride it the next time I was in town.
Of course he sold the bike the next week. Ugh.
He did say as far as retro bikes go the Triumph Speed Twin is in his opinion THE best bike on the market right now in this category. He spoke very highly of the bike, which caught me off guard because he is much more of a BMW and Japanese motorcycle fan boy.
What a gorgeous bike. It’s got the performance to back up the looks too!
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The price of liberty and even of common humanity is eternal vigilance
February 05, 2026, 11:26 AM
P250UA5
Dual discs, makes it a ST 1200. Love the orange, too. Mighty slick looking tire on the rear.
If I were shopping today, the ST twins 900 & 1200 would be near the top of the shortlist. Would need to ride both & see if the 1200 is worth the extra $ over the 900
The Enemy's gate is down.
February 05, 2026, 12:06 PM
HRK
Kawasaki's W800 is a cool retro bike with all the modern goodies....
Holy shit! It’s currently in production?! I genuinely thought it came back with some updates then after a few years it was discontinued again. Whoa. How the hell did this fly under my radar?
I wish they kept the kickstarter.
I may never financially recover from motorcycles….
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The price of liberty and even of common humanity is eternal vigilance
February 05, 2026, 01:16 PM
ridewv
quote:
Originally posted by HRK: Kawasaki's W800 is a cool retro bike with all the modern goodies....
Yeah here's a leftover new one in FL, there's probably a number of them out there. Ridersville in Berkley Springs had a new one on the floor a couple years ago marked down to $7,000 IIRC.
No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride.
February 05, 2026, 01:31 PM
HRK
In a few weeks Daytona Bike week will be be back, and they'll have a display at the Speedway, have to check it out then, think I remember seeing it last year. Might be available for test rides too.
