Motorcycles

[demonito]

thats a nice pan motor you got there! if you have any thing parts or watever for sale let me know i might need it. got a 49 myself

[MP]

Anyone got any experience with the Kawasaki W400?  I need to pick something from an 'approved' list whilst learning in Australia, and of the options I've got it seems kinda decent with the capacity to make it look like a pretty nice cafe racer.  It seems like there's lots of aftermarket stuff around for it and the W650 too. Since it's a grey import for Australia I just want to know if it's pretty reliable etc. Other option is a Ducati Monster maybe.
It's only for 12 months or so then I'd like to get a Harley 48 or a Triumph Scrambler once I get my full licence.
Cheers, Matt

[SpaceGnome]

i would not learn on a Monster.  the w400 looks like a parallel twin, so the power band should be nice and smooth.  Its also has a good displacement for learning how to control the bike, not the other way around.  reliability-wise, I cannot comment, although Kawasaki's are generally very reliable.

[natehate]

monster comes in a lot of sizes i wouldnt write it off so quick

[SpaceGnome]

Whats the smallest?  600cc?  Not ideal for a beginner at all, but not impossible.  I still dont think its the best way to learn good bike control.  Mostly because the power band on V Twins can be tricky to an untrained wrist

[injunjack]

W400 is good for learner. I have W650 which is basically same bike. Go for it.

and remember, MoCo hasn't made proper bikes since 1969…;)

[MP]

Thanks for the feedback! I didn't think the Monster looked great for a beginner, so will def be on the lookout for a W400 when I get back next year.

[Graeme]

Janus Motorcycles, 1920s style two strokes.

More at Visordown.

[stevehm]

This is my ride: triumph street triple R

Untitled by stevehm, on Flickr

[summ3rhays]

This is my ride, Ducati Sport Classic 1000s.  I commute by MC about 80% of the year.  It's a little cold right now, but heated gloves have really extended the riding season.

[summ3rhays]

Sorry, image failure.  Lets try this again.  The pic was taken near Sundance in Utah.

[summ3rhays]

@stevehm:

This is my ride: triumph street triple R

Untitled by stevehm, on Flickr

Sweet ride.  I really liked the Triumphs.  I stumbled upon my bike because I thought it was a used Thruxton at the dealership.

[injunjack]

With all these plastic bikes….This video is bureid somewhere here in this forum already...

have fun, summer's here soon

[summ3rhays]

@injunjack:

With all these plastic bikes….This video is bureid somewhere here in this forum already...

have fun, summer's here soon

Very cool.  Love the kick start, your bike is immaculate.  I need to go back through the thread, there are tons of great bikes.  It's good to see motorcycles that are ridden and enjoyed, not just owned.

[TJ]

Watch this and TRY to not want to go riding immediately.  I dare you.

[stevehm]

@injunjack:

With all these plastic bikes….This video is bureid somewhere here in this forum already...

have fun, summer's here soon

Beautiful bike Injunjack

[summ3rhays]

@TJ:

Watch this and TRY to not want to go riding immediately.  I dare you.

Sweet video.  Only thing keeping me off the bike today is snow.  Time to go skiing I guess.

[summ3rhays]

Don't know what everyone else uses when it gets really cold, but I love these Gerbing gloves.  Heated straight from the 12v battery.  It's extended my riding season (and happiness) to 10 months of the year here in Utah.  I'm comfortable down to about 25 F / -4 C with a full face helmet.

[BLACKFROSTT]

I plan on buying a bike sometime in the near future…. I  think this one is nice...No? OFF THE CHAIN!! lol..

1976 Harley shovelhead bobber

[Fergz]

Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Nice? It's off the goodamn chain dude!