Sorry to hear of his passing and your loss. I met Henry back in the fj1200 days also. He, Carey and Dean really stand out in my memories of those good times camping with the FJ1200 group.
I had a Corbin on my fj1200. It put my butt back farther from the bars, which aggravated neck and shoulder pain. The hard foam wasn’t much of an issue. Sold it and modified my stock seat.
Before I started this thread, I had my heart set on a MG 1000SP. Had to cross it off the list due to ergos.
It’s been about 13 years since I tested a modern (2008 Norge) MG, and I can’t remember how the engine felt, whether it was lumpy like my Sport, or did they smooth it out. I’m assuming the...
I guess if you have to ask the price you can’t afford it. Would love to have a Norton, need to ask an acquaintance if he still has his stalled restoration project. I know he had the engine rebuilt.
Good question.
I guess I define character as one or more of these elements:
Looks
Mechanical parts exposure
Body/wheel styling
Paint
Engine Character
Power delivery
Sound
Visceral reaction
Operating experience
Visceral reaction
Maintenance (I do my own, mostly)
Maybe I’m defining character...
Very good suggestion. Test riding one of those led me to buying a carry over Speed Triple. Always wished I had bought the Tuono, the demo people had that bike setup really well on a real nice ride down thru the local valley park. Wheelies were not discouraged. The Tuono is what I had hoped the...
I’m not selling my 14es, I love it, just looking for a character filled bike before my ‘good’ riding days come to an end. Like many here, I started riding around age 14 and have had many bikes over the years, mostly Japanese but some English and Italian in there. Presently have the FJR and a...
Not certain whether the Stelvios were involved, but some years of the 8 valves had tappet/cam recalls. Need roller tappets. Would be smart to check if the bike you’re interested in has been “rollerized” or is good to go without. My understanding is that the roller tappet kits are expensive.
If...