What is the most significant bike?

[Caroanbill]

I AGREE-- WHO R U? SOMEONE WHO'S RODE A BMW SINCE 1986? YEA U AINT GOTTA CLUE BOUT A HARLEY..... FACT O THE MATTER IS-- MOST BLUE BLOOD BMW OWNERS CANT SEE PAST THEIR LAME PREJUDICE AN ADMIT,, OR FOR THAT MATTER EVEN REALLY HAVE MUCH KNOWLEDGE OF ANYTHING HARLEY. I'D NEVER ASK A BMW RIDER FOR AN OPIN ON A HARLEY-- BUT I'LL TELL U THIS---- AS A CROSS OVER AN CURRENT OWNER I CAN EASILY SAY-- ONE VASTLY OVER RATED BRAND OF MOTORCYCLE. FURTHER--- SEEMS A CLEAR TREND IS DEVELOPIN THAT FORMER HD OWNERS ARE DROPPIN THE BMW'S AN GOING BACK TO HD--- ESPCIALLY ANY HD WITH AN 88" MOTOR UP. COURSE I DONT EXPECT MOST HERE TO BELIEVE THAT JUST LIKE MANY OF YALL ACTUALLY THINK A BMW ONLY LOSES 10% VALUE WHEN IT LEAVES THE DEALER SHOWROOM. 2 FACTS HERE FOR ALL THE R1200R OWNERS-- MOST OF YALL PAID A MINIMUN OF 15,000 UP FOR YOUR BIKES ASSUMING YOUR BOUGHT NEW OF COURSE... AN 2- IN GENERAL YOU CAN EXPECT A 25% LOSS OF VALUE THE INSTANT YOU TELL TO SELL IT,,, AND ACTUALLY-- CAN REVEAL THIS INSIDE INFOR--- THE ACCEPTED RATE OF LOSS IS --- 30-35%. I HAPPEN TO TOTALLY AGREE WITH THAT LOSS VALUE WITH IS INDUSTRY INSIDE INFOR WITHOUT CALLIN NAMES OR DEALERSHIPS...........

Oh, dear, I threw out the same tired old bait and got a nibble. From a catfish. How unexpected. Not meaning to insult people with thoughfully held beliefs, but here in (gun-free) Australia we find the red-neck community - those who constantly think they have "inside" information on conspiracies (such as this one BMW owners apparently perpetuate to delude ourselves on resale value) - and those who repeartedly venture into other folks' homes to start arguments - never rate more that about 6% of the vote (compuslory here) ... and it is always comforting to know that, however loud, they're such a minority.

One might wonder if our porcine pal bought a BMW to try to improve his mood or intellect or social status and is sorely disappointed at its failure to do so (while we, longtime BMW riders in particular, are actually very happily uncool .. "dags" as we call ourselves here ). However, that would be without knowing his initial handicap ... large, one assumes.

As for adducing a Hardly into a discussion of significant bikes ... well, I suppose we could admire his moxie. Me, I happily have no clue about HD, but I did grow up driving a tractor - is that different ... ? 88" ... no, I'll leave the metric jokes for now.

I still think the Honda CB750 is the winner, and back to our usual programming

[qgaex]

Hi there

Methinks you are all a bit limited in looking at post-WW2 bikes only.
There are at least two very significant bikes before that:

1) Messrs Harley and Davidson built their first V twin and left such an impression on the American market that a significant number of customers still today think a true bike must be a V twin.

2) The Bavarian Motor Works turned away from aircraft under the Versailles treaty conditions and started building motorcycles. Their flat twin "boxer" design was quickly recognized as superior to anything existing in the market. And a significant number of customers still today think that a true BMW must be a boxer.

Interesting note: The US army in the early 40's came to the 2) conclusion and ordered HD to build flat twin bikes. HD built a few thousand and most were put on a ship for Europe for the army to play with them under serious conditions. The German navy very wisely torpedoed that ship. Most effective piece of market and copyright protection ever. HD then gave up on the idea since they also had trouble manufacturing to the standards needed.

And of course don't forget the Hildebrandt & Wolfmueller!

Cheers

qgaex
+withaneyeonhistory+

[celticus]

It almost sounds as if you are bragging about that "gun free business".

Anyway the Yamaha DT1 125 was a landmark motorcycle for me way back in my youth.

Mark

[michaelb1]

..... Again they are pretty, and a relatively dependable machine if not used outside the envelope they were designed for. Last year they sold slightly over 300,000 bikes so someone must like them. Thing is, I would imagine most of the people on THIS LIST ride outside that envelope.

Not to get on a Harley kick but I think Harley as a brand has lost it's way a little bit. They've gone too mainstream. They sell hundreds of thousands of bikes and they have stores in upscale malls. A couple weeks ago I was at the National Harbor in maryland having dinner with some friends. Right next to the uppity womens clothing and hair salons was a Harley Store.
I'll feel a little embarrassed the day my bike maker of choice sells out that much.

Not to mention that the whole "Harley look" is a little played out. I've never seen a guy on a Harley just wearing regular clothes. Always with the black leather, and Harley branded vest, helmet, pants, shirt, gloves. Than again I live in a city. probably out in the country they are more authentic.

Reminds me of that Monty Python movie Life of Brian.
man to crowd: "You are all individuals".
Crowd in unison: "YEAH!!"
lone man in crowd: "I'm not"

[mogu83]

Not to get on a Harley kick but I think Harley as a brand has lost it's way a little bit. They've gone too mainstream. They sell hundreds of thousands of bikes and they have stores in upscale malls. A couple weeks ago I was at the National Harbor in maryland having dinner with some friends. Right next to the uppity womens clothing and hair salons was a Harley Store.
I'll feel a little embarrassed the day my bike maker of choice sells out that much.

Not to mention that the whole "Harley look" is a little played out. I've never seen a guy on a Harley just wearing regular clothes. Always with the black leather, and Harley branded vest, helmet, pants, shirt, gloves. Than again I live in a city. probably out in the country they are more authentic.

I take it that your post is a compliment to Harley. The bottom line for all companies (regardless of their product) is the bottom line. If Harley can enhance their bottom line by selling boots,clothing or condoms it only insures that people who are loyal to the brand will be able to buy new bikes and parts ten years from now. It's only lately that other motor companies have started their own line of clothing, but it was Harley that led the way. You have to admire them, although their R&D department might be a little behind the times their marketing (and legal) department is first rate. Count the companies that only make motorcycles, the few that come to mind are operating on a year to year, or month to month basis and their outlook ten years from now isn't too bright.

[Dan-A]

Some here have cast themselves into a narrow acceptance of what they ride with disdain for other's choices. If you are happy with that, then it is a good choice for you.

For me, my favorite motorcycle is the one I am on, and I hope to own/ride as many different motorcycles as possible before I have to hang up my helmet.

[qgaex]

Hi Mark

It almost sounds as if you are bragging about that "gun free business".
Mark

It seems that building bikes was a way to get manufacturers away from building guns.
Mogu83's BSA Thunderbolt is also only short for "British Small Arms" after all.
So maybe we are all part of a world-wide surreptitious peace movement without ever knowing about it.

Cheers

qgaex
+ridingforeverlastingpeace+

[mogu83]

Mogu83's BSA Thunderbolt is also only short for "British Small Arms" after all.

I thought it stood for Bastard Stopped Again. Actually it stands for Birmingham Small Arms. I started riding BSAs in 1962 and had one in the garage up until two years ago (went to finance the R1200R). If someone has a reasonably priced B33 (my first real motorcycle) I'd be interested.

[xprof]

Oh come on, guys! It's like asking who was the most beautiful woman ever. There have been so many, and so different!

I would credit Harley-Davidson for the enduring success of the V-twin, BMW for the boxer, the various Brits for the 500cc "thumpers" (no longer available) and for the vertical twin, Honda for the in-line 4, and maybe even Ducati for the 90° twin.

I have loved and left them all, but now I'm happily settled down with my R1200R. Doesn't mean I can't look, though!

[celticus]

Oh come on, guys! It's like asking who was the most beautiful woman ever. There have been so many, and so different!

I would credit Harley-Davidson for the enduring success of the V-twin, BMW for the boxer, the various Brits for the 500cc "thumpers" (no longer available) and for the vertical twin, Honda for the in-line 4, and maybe even Ducati for the 90° twin.

I have loved and left them all, but now I'm happily settled down with my R1200R. Doesn't mean I can't look, though!

Well said.
Enough of the bickering also.

Mark

[mogu83]

No bickering here. Only people wasting time and maybe bringing back old memories (doing that a lot lately). Would like to throw my leg over an old BSA or an early 80s Guzzi though.
Let's not get too serious - that's when things get stupid.

[qgaex]

Seriously.
The most significant bike for me was the 1978 Honda CX500. Yes. The ugly thing with the uglier radiator.
Immensely dependable. Very comfortable to ride. And anyhow the first "powerful" bike I had.
And certainly a unique appearance.
Took me anywhere from the Isle of Skye to the north Sahara. Never let me down.
Wasn't as strong, though, as that truck speeding out of that blind driveway.
poo happens.

Cheers anyhow

qgaex
+ex suzuki gilera honda rider+