Retro.

[Ivor biggin]

In the mid 90s I bought a Ducati 900sscr from Brampton Cycle and after a couple of weeks I received an owners package and letter from Ducati USA. In the letter they asked how I found the bike and if I would fill in an owners questionnaire which would outline any complaints or suggestions that I had about my new bike or Ducati in general. I was glad to but apart from the cheesy little toolkit I had no complaints at all but I did, however, mention that they should build a retro. It only took them ten years to follow my advice.
I would say that the most important consideration for a company thinking about producing a modern version of one of their historied classics should be "can we get it right" because if they can`t they should leave them on the drawing board and let us live with the memories. These bikes are not supposed to be about performance, although most retro models can outrun the bikes that they pay homage to, but about looks and nostalgia. Ducati did a reasonably good job, as did Guzzi with the new V7 Classic, but Triumph couldn`t quite capture the grace and lines of the Meriden factory`s Bonneville. The new Bonnie makes me think of some mad scientist who, on trying to clone Bridget Bardot, came up with her frumpy sister.
I`ve only seen pictures of the new Norton Commando but I`m already in love. I know that I`m shallow but to me looks are everything.
I.B.

[YellowDuck]

I have an 06 Sport 1000 in schoolbus orange, even though I am too young to remember the original it was styled after. I bought it because it was beautiful, because I loved the performance of the DS1000 motor, and because even though I prefer a bike without a fairing, I couldn't make myself want a monster.

It is a true sportbike, but one with some serious compromises. It has pretty-to-look-at but heavy spoked rims that require tubes. The suspension fitted, especially the forks, was pretty crappy given the price point and needed upgrading. The brakes work okay but are nothing to write home about, and the riding position is great on the track but only suitable for an hour or two on the road.

I guess my take is a bit different than yours. I like the retro styling and the simplicity of the design, but want up-to-date chassis components as well. In the case of the Ducati Sport Classics, another $500 to $1000 spent at the factory level would have made a much better motorcycle. Almost everyone who owns one agrees with this viewpoint. Instead, we owners get to spend $3000 to $8000 or so turning the bike into what it should have been in the first place.

The wonderful thing about it, for me, is that the bike has exactly the amount and type of power that I want / need for my type of street riding. Much more power, or a more high-rpm power delivery, and I would be frustrated with my inability to use a significant fraction of what the motor had to offer. Much less power and my riding style would be compromised (e.g., using the throttle to initiate line changes in fast corners). This motor really hits the sweet spot for me. For another rider, the target might be different.

[Ivor biggin]

I guess my take is a bit different than yours. I like the retro styling and the simplicity of the design, but want up-to-date chassis components as well. In the case of the Ducati Sport Classics, another $500 to $1000 spent at the factory level would have made a much better motorcycle. Almost everyone who owns one agrees with this viewpoint. Instead, we owners get to spend $3000 to $8000 or so turning the bike into what it should have been in the first place.
.

No I think we`re pretty much on the same page here Y.D. as your choice of bike would suggest but take care going down the upgrade road, especially with a Duck, unless you want your retro to become a repo.:eek:
I think Ducati did a fair enough job with the 1000sport and the Paul Smart and I like the laced wheels but I`m very surprised to learn that they don`t have tubeless tires.
I.B.

[Rocking Couple]

"laced wheels but I`m very surprised to learn that they don`t have tubeless tires.
I.B."

same here! After having had a front blowout from picking up a pc of glass many moons ago, with a tubed tire, I can safely say right now that that is a deal breaker no matter how badly I liked a particular ride.
I thought I had read somewhere that at a certain level of expense, they were doing spokes and tubeless. Or did I dream that?

I've a had a fast flat on the rear (tubeless) at....well, let's just say...an accelerated speed, and managed to limp home with it although cornering really sucked badly. I even had a big load on, lots of heavy grocery shopping, milk, water, fruit...heavy stuff.

I would never go back to tubed tires on anything quicker than a Passport 70.

[KZDon]

For me, it is the current Triumph Thruxton. It is a bike that does retro right, in my eyes anyway.

Then there is always the Kawasaki ZRX1200...

[CDN-ZZR]

For me, it is the current Triumph Thruxton. It is a bike that does retro right, in my eyes anyway.

Then there is always the Kawasaki ZRX1200...

Two Thumbs up on the ZRX1200

[YellowDuck]

RC, yes, BMW has a tubeless system with wire spokes. For the Ducati SCs, the only option of that type is to buy Alpina wheels, but they are something like $3000 per set.

Some folks have been sealing the OEM wheels, but that just seems like too much hassle and maybe not reliable enough. I will likely eventually install some used cast wheels - surprisingly, a set of wheels from a 999/749 look pretty okay on the Sport Classic.

[Uwe W.]

For me, it is the current Triumph Thruxton. It is a bike that does retro right, in my eyes anyway.

Three thumbs up for the Thruxton. There'll be a review of the 2010 in an upcoming issue.

As for the Norton, I attended a premiere last night held by Norton Canada. Ivor, you'll have to be fast with your $35k if you want one of the 15 or so 961 Special Editions that are left. I have an application on my desk if you want it. Better yet, bring the full amount to the bike show this weekend and I'm sure you'll get one.

[Ivor biggin]

Three thumbs up for the Thruxton. There'll be a review of the 2010 in an upcoming issue.

As for the Norton, I attended a premiere last night held by Norton Canada. Ivor, you'll have to be fast with your $35k if you want one.

No Uwe i`m afraid the new Nortons are way out of my league.:( but if you want some oldtimers retrospect when you get one for a test I`m your man.
Triumph built 52 Thruxtons in 1965 to fullfill production racing requirements and these 140mph beauties are supposed to be the inspiration for Hinkley`s tubby twin. Spend the price of a new Norton on it and it still wont come close.
I.B.

[yzf1000jon]

Maybe not, but the prince of darkness hasn't laid a finger on the new ones either. I'm not old enough to pine for the good ole days when Britannia ruled the track, so I kinda like the modern (read reliable) take on a vintage machine. It contrasts nicely with a certain company that just refuses to jump into the new century. I mean counterbalancing and rubber o-rings were big news for them, in very recent memory!