Jack Briggs
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 1999
- Messages
- 16,805
Though for different reasons from my absence here at HTF, I've been away from the world of two-wheeled adventure for some time. However, I have been drawn back to it due to the simple reason found in an old MC adage: Once a motorcyclist, always a motorcyclist.
When I first moved to California in 1987, one of my goals was to write for the motorcycle magazines. At the time I had a brand-new Honda CBR1000F Hurricane, an overweight but fast machine that certainly drew attention. And within a year, Rider magazine's then editor took a liking to my work samples and gave me some assignments. Soon, I was riding the magazine's test bikes and producing reports (my first road test being of a Harley-Davidson Springer Softail). I was exposed to many a machine, and life was good.
Decades since then, I have had to turn my attention away from the world of motorcycling, for various and sundry reasons. But the call of two wheels is difficult to resist. As a result, I have taken a look at what the current motorcycle press (what's left of it, at least) says is noteworthy.
Some impressions:
* The so-called "gentlemen's agreement" to limit top speeds -- In the 1990s, Suzuki released a machine that turned the automotive world around, the GSX1300 Hyabusa. It reached a then-stunning top speed of 194 mph. As a result, Kawasaki threatened that its upcoming ZX12 would exceed 200 mph (at this time, exotic supercars still weren't reaching that speed). European governments reacted with horror, warning that they would prevent machines that fast from being sold there. This caused BMW and the Japanese "BIg Four" to agree to limit the top speeds of any of their bikes to a "mere" 186 mph. This agreement held for some time, but seems to have loosened up. Ducati's V4S Panigale has reached 191.3 mph. Yet high-power motorcycles still are not running at 200 mph or better. This is frustrating, given that at least ten machines out there, if the throttle governors were removed and the bikes were geared properly, could easily exceed 200 mph. Now, even one of the American "muscle cars" can reach 200 mph. It's time for motorcycle makers to move faster.
* There's a new category of machine called "Adventure Bikes" -- When you clear the air and look carefully at these motorcycles, one thing becomes apparent: They are nothing but larger-displacement versions of what we have always called "dual-purpose" motorcycles -- and that's it. Instead of being only, say 250cc to 500cc, today's "adventure" bikes have displacements exceeding 750cc. Fine and dandy. But one thing remains certain: These bikes still are spending most of their lives on the pavement. Very few of their riders truly are adventurous enough to take to the rough.
* Some great brands have returned in newfound glory -- This was starting to happen when I was still involved in the sport. Triumph, of course, had been reborn and now that manufacturer offers a full line of interesting road bikes, including one with the largest-displacement engine on a streetbike, the 2,500cc Rocket III. And then there is Indian Motorcycle: Polaris Industries bought the brand in the aughts and has restored it to magnificent glory. Harley-Davidson has noticed and is reacting. But Indian, however, is offering modern technology (see the Scout, the FTR 1200, and the SOHC Challenger V-Twins). Bravo!
* Ever hear of "baggers"? This is a "new" class of streetbike, and all it is is a machine that has stock saddlebags. That's it. So what? (Ah, it's called "marketing." Hmm, I see.)
* On the dark side, however, is a lurking four-wheeled menace called "distracted driving" -- Seems like people simply cannot put down their smartphones and, as a result, are killing others while they drive. Motorcyclists beware. Already, when it comes to car/bike collisions, automobile drivers are guilty by a large margin. It is only getting worse with smartphones.
* Gone are the days of the really, really small streetbike -- You will not, in the U.S., see 100cc to 200cc streetbikes any longer. They are long gone. Which is a shame, because those little machines were great for newbies as learning bikes. Their low prices also helped. Today, though, a "small" streetbike rarely comes in anything smaller than 300cc. Too bad.
Well, at any rate, I had to get all this off my chest. So thank you, and happy motoring. (And stay safe.)
When I first moved to California in 1987, one of my goals was to write for the motorcycle magazines. At the time I had a brand-new Honda CBR1000F Hurricane, an overweight but fast machine that certainly drew attention. And within a year, Rider magazine's then editor took a liking to my work samples and gave me some assignments. Soon, I was riding the magazine's test bikes and producing reports (my first road test being of a Harley-Davidson Springer Softail). I was exposed to many a machine, and life was good.
Decades since then, I have had to turn my attention away from the world of motorcycling, for various and sundry reasons. But the call of two wheels is difficult to resist. As a result, I have taken a look at what the current motorcycle press (what's left of it, at least) says is noteworthy.
Some impressions:
* The so-called "gentlemen's agreement" to limit top speeds -- In the 1990s, Suzuki released a machine that turned the automotive world around, the GSX1300 Hyabusa. It reached a then-stunning top speed of 194 mph. As a result, Kawasaki threatened that its upcoming ZX12 would exceed 200 mph (at this time, exotic supercars still weren't reaching that speed). European governments reacted with horror, warning that they would prevent machines that fast from being sold there. This caused BMW and the Japanese "BIg Four" to agree to limit the top speeds of any of their bikes to a "mere" 186 mph. This agreement held for some time, but seems to have loosened up. Ducati's V4S Panigale has reached 191.3 mph. Yet high-power motorcycles still are not running at 200 mph or better. This is frustrating, given that at least ten machines out there, if the throttle governors were removed and the bikes were geared properly, could easily exceed 200 mph. Now, even one of the American "muscle cars" can reach 200 mph. It's time for motorcycle makers to move faster.
* There's a new category of machine called "Adventure Bikes" -- When you clear the air and look carefully at these motorcycles, one thing becomes apparent: They are nothing but larger-displacement versions of what we have always called "dual-purpose" motorcycles -- and that's it. Instead of being only, say 250cc to 500cc, today's "adventure" bikes have displacements exceeding 750cc. Fine and dandy. But one thing remains certain: These bikes still are spending most of their lives on the pavement. Very few of their riders truly are adventurous enough to take to the rough.
* Some great brands have returned in newfound glory -- This was starting to happen when I was still involved in the sport. Triumph, of course, had been reborn and now that manufacturer offers a full line of interesting road bikes, including one with the largest-displacement engine on a streetbike, the 2,500cc Rocket III. And then there is Indian Motorcycle: Polaris Industries bought the brand in the aughts and has restored it to magnificent glory. Harley-Davidson has noticed and is reacting. But Indian, however, is offering modern technology (see the Scout, the FTR 1200, and the SOHC Challenger V-Twins). Bravo!
* Ever hear of "baggers"? This is a "new" class of streetbike, and all it is is a machine that has stock saddlebags. That's it. So what? (Ah, it's called "marketing." Hmm, I see.)
* On the dark side, however, is a lurking four-wheeled menace called "distracted driving" -- Seems like people simply cannot put down their smartphones and, as a result, are killing others while they drive. Motorcyclists beware. Already, when it comes to car/bike collisions, automobile drivers are guilty by a large margin. It is only getting worse with smartphones.
* Gone are the days of the really, really small streetbike -- You will not, in the U.S., see 100cc to 200cc streetbikes any longer. They are long gone. Which is a shame, because those little machines were great for newbies as learning bikes. Their low prices also helped. Today, though, a "small" streetbike rarely comes in anything smaller than 300cc. Too bad.
Well, at any rate, I had to get all this off my chest. So thank you, and happy motoring. (And stay safe.)
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