Bike I owned for the first 13 years of my motorcycling journey was a 1986 Honda VFR750. Carbed, no ABS, traction control or TFT - just brain and right wrist. Great biking. Agree that a bike with slightly more top end would be good.
Nice to see you again and also great that you were into the older thumping Yamaha singles, brilliant bikes…. I’ve come back to biking after 25 years of outdoor sports with the body can’t take anymore…. Always been used to straightforward bikes and still have my old 1980 BMW 800 twin….. no fuss and thought it was techie because it had a clock on it ha ha ha… I’ve been looking around for a new bike. I just don’t want all the gizmos to be honest…. even though I’ve written the Himalayan 450, which was lovely to ride… I just didn’t want to be beholden too. All the electronics on it the ride by wire functions the ABS and all that even though the latter is a pre-requisite today…. I have pondered on the 350 Enfields, but I came back to biking with the idea of something punchy like the Tenere 500/600 singles….. Not even the new 650 BSA appeals, although I will say I do have a bit of a thing for the Enfield 650 shotgun in green because I do like the green look like your bike…. I don’t know but I’m not paying more than 5K for anything less if I can… and with no gizmos….. Lovely to see East Lothian once more… hope I get back up there before Christmas. Cheers, John
In the mid nineties I bought a 1982(?) I think Yam XT500, the one with gold rims, it was a brilliant bike and it is one I wished I had kept, I certainly couldn't afford to buy one now at the prices they are going for, I had a 411 Himalayan for three years, did just over 8000 miles, a lot of that off road, one of the best bikes I have ever owned, thoroughly recommend looking at a second hand one, a two or three year old one should be a reasonable price. I agree with the thoughts on high tech, I am down to one bike at the moment, a 2015 RE Bullet B5 500, basic and an ideal bimble bike. If noraly goes off the beaten track and something fails she might be stuck as it would be hard to find someone to fix it or even get spares, let's hope she can get back up and support if it breaks down. Thanks for another good video, Best Tim.
@@TimGibbs-p5z hi Tim, great to hear you also owned an XT500! My one was also a gold rim alloy tank model, reg was 666! 😜 411 motors do get good reviews 😁👍 Cheers Bruce
I was watching the Itchy Boots, that Gentleman had some garage of parts for sure. Certainly pasted the test of time, from mid 80’s. Maybe sit on fence, till a decent Yamaha comes along Bruce.😊 not gonna devalue, and people might jump on the bandwagon to buy one now. I preferred the Scram to the Himi. But none of use to me, being a short arse😂. Lovely to see warhorse out n about. That drone is Somme piece O kit.😊
Hi Mark, yeah some garage, spares and knowledge those guys have! 😁👍 I too prefer the Scram and its more basic spec, either another XT or a Scram for under 3K would be nice 😁👍
It's all relative with bikes. If you've ridden Honda Cubs and learner 125s, the Classic is a big motorcycle. Compared to some of my previous bikes, it's small and slow. Like you I need never hit an A-road or motorway unless I choose to, and for back roads a 350cc single is plenty. If I added another bike it would be the Hunter for the tubeless tyres, or something old and 2-stroke.
Nice ride and I'm with you about the high tech stuff. It's just more to go wrong and ridiculously expensive to put right. I believe the Africa Twin has a digital screen that tells you everything you need to know and probably lots of stuff that you don't. Someone said that theirs had failed and it would have cost £1000 to replace were it not under warranty. That's just ludicrous!
I have gone right back to basics, and just run around on my old Morini 350, just so easy, no electrics on it a part from front and rear lights, starts 2 nd kick and away I go, and so light as well.
I thought I’d just throw this out there. No simpler than yours, but sharing the same engine…. A Hunter…. Why!?… well I’ll tell you 😊 Yes I have one… But, riding it, due to the tighter rake, it reminds me very much of the XR400. The ride position reminds me definitely of bikes of the 70s. I’ve had too many bikes, a problem I had… But, whilst the Hunter may not take you to places the XT would… it may. So, tighter rake, slightly more oomph than the Classic, tubeless tyres, price… I’ve seen them as low as £2000. At least you keep the same service kit as yours. Give one a go 👍
Hi the Hunter seems a great bike and our friend John loves his Hunter! 😜 good point on their price and better top end speed and being a J series it will if needed to sustain high speeds in top 👍 Cheap insurance and running costs too and same spares as you mention😜👍👍 Stock pipe sounds great too! Be easy to make one a Tracker with bars and tyres changed! 😁👍👍
Yes Bruce there's a lot more tech on some bixe that is actually needed. Rider's need full concentration on the road conditions and other road users. Keeping an eye on the pavements too for people who now think it's normal to walk straight across the road without looking as they think it's their right of way.
Hi Simon, deft too much on handlebars to distract riders, one reason i do chat over once home editing films as not distracted from thinking what to chat about 😁👍
I've had a load of bikes that I've said I should've kept Bruce. A Xt600 that I bought for £250 being one of them 🙄. RD250/350 many of those. All worth a lot more now 😂. Always liked the aircooled stuff though. Good luck finding a XT. 👌
Do you not think if you would have kept the old motorbike your garage might have a lot less room than it has now, and would you have saved other bike? Love your show and keep up the good work, happy riding.
Possibly! Though i have a wooden shed also so could have stored it there 😁👍 I think i would have still bought a J series Classic 350 as such a lovely bike 😁👍👍
Hi Andrew, i so wanted a first generation Transalp! I got the later 2000 model relaunch model but like the later Dominators it was poorer quality build, but the engine never missed a beat! 😜👍👍👍
Hola! Ho avuto due XT600 in passato......pentito di non averne tenuta una. Ora ho una Honda nx 650 dominator del 1991. Non ha il fascino della XT ma mi ci divertiamo moltissimo. Per natale dovrebbe arrivare una classic 350 signal a farle compagnia.....colpa tua😂🎉
You teally should try a 411 himi.... its definitely a quicker bike, parts are peanuts and always available, responds well to tuning and big bore, sits at 70 all day...what's not to like. I had xt600e, 660 teneres and 660 r and they were only 70 mph bikes too
Hi, i have not discounted the Scram 411 either, i prefer its more stripped down build and they can be bought for the same price as a 20 year old Yamaha! 😁👍👍
Could always build your own "frankenbike". Make for some good content. (Not that you don't already provide it) I regret selling my 1973 Honda CB175 twin dual carb. 🥃
Wouldn't have a bike without ABS now..lifesaver.....nice video,great scenery..👍.
Thanks 👍
Bike I owned for the first 13 years of my motorcycling journey was a 1986 Honda VFR750. Carbed, no ABS, traction control or TFT - just brain and right wrist. Great biking. Agree that a bike with slightly more top end would be good.
Thanks for sharing this Stanley 😁👍a bit top more on a brilliant bike would be great!
Nice to see you again and also great that you were into the older thumping Yamaha singles, brilliant bikes….
I’ve come back to biking after 25 years of outdoor sports with the body can’t take anymore…. Always been used to straightforward bikes and still have my old 1980 BMW 800 twin….. no fuss and thought it was techie because it had a clock on it ha ha ha…
I’ve been looking around for a new bike. I just don’t want all the gizmos to be honest…. even though I’ve written the Himalayan 450, which was lovely to ride… I just didn’t want to be beholden too. All the electronics on it the ride by wire functions the ABS and all that even though the latter is a pre-requisite today….
I have pondered on the 350 Enfields, but I came back to biking with the idea of something punchy like the Tenere 500/600 singles…..
Not even the new 650 BSA appeals, although I will say I do have a bit of a thing for the Enfield 650 shotgun in green because I do like the green look like your bike…. I don’t know but I’m not paying more than 5K for anything less if I can… and with no gizmos…..
Lovely to see East Lothian once more… hope I get back up there before Christmas.
Cheers, John
Hi John, hard to decide what to buy, bigger newer bikes do indeed have more tech, older if you can find the right one would be good! 😁👍
Totally agree all these sparkles and farkles leave me cold, you go out on the bike to "switch off" not log in :)
Yep less tech is more pure, back to basics 😁👍
Agree, Some of the best fun I had in the 80's was my XT 250 Yam
80’s bikes were indeed great Davy 😁👍
In the mid nineties I bought a 1982(?) I think Yam XT500, the one with gold rims, it was a brilliant bike and it is one I wished I had kept, I certainly couldn't afford to buy one now at the prices they are going for, I had a 411 Himalayan for three years, did just over 8000 miles, a lot of that off road, one of the best bikes I have ever owned, thoroughly recommend looking at a second hand one, a two or three year old one should be a reasonable price. I agree with the thoughts on high tech, I am down to one bike at the moment, a 2015 RE Bullet B5 500, basic and an ideal bimble bike.
If noraly goes off the beaten track and something fails she might be stuck as it would be hard to find someone to fix it or even get spares, let's hope she can get back up and support if it breaks down. Thanks for another good video, Best Tim.
@@TimGibbs-p5z hi Tim, great to hear you also owned an XT500! My one was also a gold rim alloy tank model, reg was 666! 😜
411 motors do get good reviews 😁👍
Cheers Bruce
I was watching the Itchy Boots, that Gentleman had some garage of parts for sure. Certainly pasted the test of time, from mid 80’s.
Maybe sit on fence, till a decent Yamaha comes along Bruce.😊 not gonna devalue, and people might jump on the bandwagon to buy one now.
I preferred the Scram to the Himi. But none of use to me, being a short arse😂.
Lovely to see warhorse out n about.
That drone is Somme piece O kit.😊
Hi Mark, yeah some garage, spares and knowledge those guys have! 😁👍
I too prefer the Scram and its more basic spec, either another XT or a Scram for under 3K would be nice 😁👍
@@Coastriderscotland did see a nice XT225 on autotrader
It's all relative with bikes. If you've ridden Honda Cubs and learner 125s, the Classic is a big motorcycle. Compared to some of my previous bikes, it's small and slow. Like you I need never hit an A-road or motorway unless I choose to, and for back roads a 350cc single is plenty. If I added another bike it would be the Hunter for the tubeless tyres, or something old and 2-stroke.
I still use my 350 as a reference to what other option of bike to get and prob a Hunter is looking to fit the bill! 😁👍👍
I love my Hunter, but I test rode the Guerilla.....it's like a Hunter but with more pep, I was grinning the whole time, worth considering
Nice ride and I'm with you about the high tech stuff. It's just more to go wrong and ridiculously expensive to put right. I believe the Africa Twin has a digital screen that tells you everything you need to know and probably lots of stuff that you don't. Someone said that theirs had failed and it would have cost £1000 to replace were it not under warranty. That's just ludicrous!
Hi Ralf, so many people agree in the comments! that everything has become too much tech, too much money, and just not needed!
Cheers Bruce
The RE 650 classic appears to be close, I am looking forward to the reviews.
I’m keeping an eye on that one coming and reviews on it 😁👍
I agree , too much tech on modern motorbikes. Im currently on the look out for a 70-80s Japan made 2 stroke single Enduro . Cheers.
I owned a Kawasaki KDX175 years a go and it was brilliant! Air cooled too! 😜👍👍
@@jonyoung6405 would love a nice late Yamaha IT250 or 200 . 🙂
I have gone right back to basics, and just run around on my old Morini 350, just so easy, no electrics on it a part from front and rear lights, starts 2 nd kick and away I go, and so light as well.
Brilliant Frank! 😜😁👍👍
I thought I’d just throw this out there. No simpler than yours, but sharing the same engine…. A Hunter…. Why!?… well I’ll tell you 😊 Yes I have one… But, riding it, due to the tighter rake, it reminds me very much of the XR400. The ride position reminds me definitely of bikes of the 70s. I’ve had too many bikes, a problem I had… But, whilst the Hunter may not take you to places the XT would… it may. So, tighter rake, slightly more oomph than the Classic, tubeless tyres, price… I’ve seen them as low as £2000. At least you keep the same service kit as yours. Give one a go 👍
Hi the Hunter seems a great bike and our friend John loves his Hunter! 😜 good point on their price and better top end speed and being a J series it will if needed to sustain high speeds in top 👍
Cheap insurance and running costs too and same spares as you mention😜👍👍
Stock pipe sounds great too!
Be easy to make one a Tracker with bars and tyres changed! 😁👍👍
Yes Bruce there's a lot more tech on some bixe that is actually needed. Rider's need full concentration on the road conditions and other road users. Keeping an eye on the pavements too for people who now think it's normal to walk straight across the road without looking as they think it's their right of way.
Hi Simon, deft too much on handlebars to distract riders, one reason i do chat over once home editing films as not distracted from thinking what to chat about 😁👍
I've had a load of bikes that I've said I should've kept Bruce. A Xt600 that I bought for £250 being one of them 🙄. RD250/350 many of those. All worth a lot more now 😂.
Always liked the aircooled stuff though.
Good luck finding a XT. 👌
Hi Colin, aye another TTR would be nice - at a sensible price! Or maybe a Scram 411? 🧐😜👍
Do you not think if you would have kept the old motorbike your garage might have a lot less room than it has now, and would you have saved other bike? Love your show and keep up the good work, happy riding.
Possibly! Though i have a wooden shed also so could have stored it there 😁👍
I think i would have still bought a J series Classic 350 as such a lovely bike 😁👍👍
@@Coastriderscotland I like the idea of a spare shed, go on buy one, you know a cheap one that you could do up!
I ride a old Honda 650 transalp 06 goes as fast up hill as it goes down hill just put fuel in it and go bullet proof engine cheers keep it simple
Hi Andrew, i so wanted a first generation Transalp! I got the later 2000 model relaunch model but like the later Dominators it was poorer quality build, but the engine never missed a beat! 😜👍👍👍
Hola!
Ho avuto due XT600 in passato......pentito di non averne tenuta una.
Ora ho una Honda nx 650 dominator del 1991.
Non ha il fascino della XT ma mi ci divertiamo moltissimo.
Per natale dovrebbe arrivare una classic 350 signal a farle compagnia.....colpa tua😂🎉
Hi, i never owned a Dominator but loved the look of them 😁👍a Classic 350 will make a great addition to your toys 😁👍
Dimenticavo......saluta Murphy!😊
You teally should try a 411 himi.... its definitely a quicker bike, parts are peanuts and always available, responds well to tuning and big bore, sits at 70 all day...what's not to like. I had xt600e, 660 teneres and 660 r and they were only 70 mph bikes too
Hi, i have not discounted the Scram 411 either, i prefer its more stripped down build and they can be bought for the same price as a 20 year old Yamaha! 😁👍👍
@@Coastriderscotland yes scram seems a good choice... if not going too far off road
Could always build your own "frankenbike". Make for some good content. (Not that you don't already provide it) I regret selling my 1973 Honda CB175 twin dual carb. 🥃
Hi Lance, so many options and i am enjoying hearing other folks ideas! 😁👍👍🥃🏴
back to basics map in a tank bag no gps its the proper way
Deffo Paul 😁👍👍
New technology is all well and good until it goes wrong, then you're scrapping a bike or car cause it would cost stupid money to fix.
Exactly, one of my favourite sayings “Less is More” is true! 😁👍👍