Triumphrat

D9

Well said! The Bonneville is a perfect example... it's a classic,
honest motorcycle, not "trying" to be something it isn't, superb
at being what it is, possessing a character far greater than the sum of its parts...

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Irishguy

My baby, Black Betty, will be 12 years old in January of of 2013. According to the sticker on her frame she was born on January of 2001. I think she must be one of the early ones. Almost 30,000 miles and zero trouble. Both valve checks were spot on. Never even a cam cover leak. I try to take her out and flog her on a regular basis. She seems to like it.

PaulMattoon

Don't know why this old post surfaced, but glad it did. Nice thread.

Much of the discussion was on the subject that good designs are timeless, hence the name 'retro' ought to be changed to 'classic'.

When getting back into motorcycles after a 26-year period of family-raising, I was looking for what was the back-then familiar and was put off by all the plastic-covered bikes hiding the engine and sport bikes.

I was going to say that I'm convinced that such remakes of old will be popular for a time with people like me, but us old farts will eventually die off, but on reflection young people (in their 20s and 30s) like classic-looking bikes, so the market of classic bikes may continue.

I always wondered why companies haven't produced classic cars or planes that have great lines, but it's probably a production vs. cost to the buyer reason.

vzshadow

My thirty-one year old son couldn't understand whey I was getting a Bonneville. He just didn't care for the look. Then he rode it. Everything changed!

rmak

Ha! A great idea for a topic. "What Would Steve McQueen Do" (WWSMD). I bet he would have a modern classic somewhere in his stable too.

I owned a 12GS. I found it to be top heavy, heavy in general, not that attractive, unnecessarily complicated and unsuited for just hopping on and running around town and country. I'm loving my Scrambler because it is not any of those things. I'm almost 6 years into my love affair with my Triumph. I personally wouldn't trade it for two GS's.

RickMcCl

When I returned to motorcycling after 30 years off; I wasn't sure what I wanted. I did know that I had no interest in a HD, because my son has one, and it looked way to big, bulky and LOUD for me.

I wanted a "real" motorcycle, and when I saw the used T100 at the shop; it really "spoke" to me.

It just looks "right," and appeals to many others as well, because I'm definitely a member of the "nostalgic old guys who like my bike club." Every day I ride it, at practically every stop I make; someone wants to look at and talk about it.



Rick

Baltobonneville

The retro trend is a result of the huge baby boomer demographic bulge. Everyone is attached to the music/motorcycles/cars/whatever of his youth, but there are very many baby boomers, and many of them seem to have some money to spend to indulge this.

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Uni filter, no snorkel, 118/40/NBZT "Thruxton" needles/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s, Ricor Intiminators, Dunlop GT501s, D9 gauge panel.

larrykahn

Ecstatic!

Stanislao

Not just the baby boomers, there are plenty of people in my generation that love genuinely old things, and retro products. Plus my parent’s generation is getting to the point where they have the time and money of the baby boomers.

lam@ratf

I didn't start riding until 2009. It was all about the gas prices, I didn't expect to love riding so much.
I got thismy Suzuki 2009 TU250
and added this my 2010 Bonnie

I'll never willingly give up either bike. I ride them both the year round.

If I had the money I'd get one moreKawasaki's 2012 ER-6n

All three are considered naked standards. Other than that I can't tell you what all three have in common besides I love them and want to ride them. Well I love the two I have and I'd like the chance to love the ER.

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Physics always wins

You're a fast idle knob. - Demonic