Are motorcycles regressing in design?

 Hi,

I haven't been riding in ten years, my last bike I bought new, a 1986
Suzuki Cavalcade.  1400cc V4, water-cooled touring bike.  With my 29"
inseam I could put my feet flat on the ground and it had great seats for
me and my wife.  Four air bladders in the seats and backrest, adjustable
floorboards for her, sliding backrest for her.

Other bikes at the time were mainly inline fours (except for H-D).  The
fours were smooth....

Now all I see are big, BIG, V twins.  Are they smooth?  Really?  They do
have a low seat.  I found a Suzuki C50T cruiser, wire wheels, tubes,
drum brake on the rear...  I got rid of that stuff in 1980, why is it
coming back?

Nobody cruises with a good buddy?  At least the seats I see (aka fender
cushion) don't inspire long rides.  The footpegs for her put her knees
near her chin!

Where are the standard fours!?

Don't want a Goldwing, always been too wide for me.

BMW R1200RT has a good seat, but I can only tiptoe with one foot.

Ahh to have my old 1980 Suzuki GS1000G back.

If you ride two up, what do you ride?  All day rides?

Use to be you could find a decent fit in just about any brand, now after
five brands/dealers, I have not found anything we both would enjoy.

Thanks for listening,

Tim.
(Go Boilers!)

 
Check out the Triumph Speed Triple, Kawasaki ER-6, BMW 800ST, or get
something a little sportier with a banana seat and invest in some bar
risers.

Personally, I'll tiptoe for proper ergonomics.

 

<Nods in agreement>

Or the Street Triple, which I have. Don't worry about it being 'only' a
675: it's an amazing machine.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F SH50 Triumph Street Triple
Honda XBR500  MZ TS250/1.
If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com

 Timothy Lange wrote:

 > Are motorcycles regressing in design?

No, in my (non-expert) opinion. Suspensions are getting better, handling
is getting better, tuned exhaust systems are improving; frame and
engine alloys are getting more refined; emissions are decreasing
(where such laws apply).

Stylistically the market seems to have polarized between
the hunched-over-the-gas-tank and the laid-back-cruiser riding
positions. The old fashioned, dorky (but comfortable)
sit-straight-up-with-feet-under-the-body style seems to be obsolete,
with a few oddball exceptions such as the Suzuki V-Strom and
the (Hinkley) Triumph Bonneville, basically a nostalgia machine
for baby-boomers. (Btw I want one, but can't afford it). (Yet).

Well there are some die hards who contend that NO modern machine
(especially Japanese) can handle as well as [some vintage machine
of the orator's choice such as a 1930's Bruff Superior].
(pronounced "Brough"). I don't buy this argument though.

Anyway, dirt bikes and dual sports aren't regressing; they're
getting more and more space age (and ugly) in appearance.

Ditto for sport bikes.

I have no doubt that they ride better than bikes from
the 60's and 70's though.

Cruisers are by definition regressive. (Especially if they emulate
Harleys).

Harley-Davidson itself is a curious mixture of old and new; that is
they work hard at retaining the essential "character" but with modern
innovations such as fuel injection. If you want a really regressive
Harley then get any variation on the Softail Springer. (I believe
the current version is called the "Cross Bones").

SQ

 
Ducati GT1000?  Very standard.  Very upright, multipurpose bike.
Harley Electrglide Classic?  Very comfortable for two.    Kawasaki
Z1000?  A Sargent saddle and some Givi bags and you have a touring
bike that will absolutely SLAY the OP's vaunted Suzuki GS1000
standard.  Honda Silver Wing 650?  Moto-Guzzi Griso 1100?   Aprilia
Tuono 1000 R?  Ducati Streetfighter?  Monster 1100?   Suzuki Bandit
1250?  Buell 1125CR? XB12R?

Come on, there are many, many, great standard motorcycles out there.