The folks that run Portland Cars & Coffee do many theme days during the year. One of the most popular ones isn’t about cars at all. It’s “Motorcycle Day”, and it’s one of their biggest events. This year it took place on a cool, cloudy September, Saturday morning at the World of Speed Museum in Wilsonville Oregon.
I will begin today’s tour with one of the oldest bikes I saw that day, a charming Velocette MAC 350. This one is from the late 40’s or early 50’s. One thing I always notice about motorcycles from this era is how much smaller these machines are compared to modern bikes. It’s dwarfed by the Kawasaki in the background.
If you look closely, you can see a small puddle of oil that has dripped on the ground beneath it. Even in this minty condition, it’s still an old British motorcycle. Some things never change.
My oh my, look how far we have come today. This KTM Super Duke V-twin looks like something Bat Man might ride. Like most modern sport bikes, it’s insanely fast, and handles fantastically. The state-of-the-art technology includes ABS, fuel injection, lots of carbon fiber pieces, adjustable suspension etc.
If the KTM doesn’t seem modern enough for you, then check out this 2019 Yamaha Niken GT with twin fork suspension. It’s powered by a DOCH 847cc triple. I’m not sure if I’d spend my money on one of these, if I was still into riding, but I do see a possible advantage in handling on slippery roads. It looks like no other motorcycle on the road today.
I’m going back into my comfort zone now with some classic Japanese bikes beginning with this 1981 Honda CB 750. I know it’s an ’81 because the only new motorcycle I ever bought was this bike’s little brother, the CB 400T Hawk.
Back in the day, these were considered pretty high tech. Their air cooled 4-cylinder engines, made plenty of reliable horses, and they were versatile enough to commute on, tour, or even race. That they still look so good today says something about the build quality of these bikes.
This customized Honda 550-4 makes a very nice café racer.
For all of you that enjoy classic Yamahas, here is a good example of the RT 360 Enduro. Most of these old dual sports lived pretty rough lives. It’s nice to see this one still being used and in pretty good shape.
Here is another beautiful old Yamaha, the RZ350 two stroke. These were pretty much the last of the street legal two strokes that were sold in the USA. They were known for their impeccable handling, and the ability to humiliate riders of much larger motorcycles. Notice the little bell above the cylinder head? It’s a perfect accessory for this ring-ding little racer.
This RD350 is probably 10 years older than the RZ above. It’s in a bit rougher shape, but I bet it’s still a blast to take it for a ride down some twisty roads.
When I was in my early teens, I used my paper route money to buy a Rupp Scrambler mini-bike. It was a fun little bike, but if I could have afforded it, this Yamaha Mini Enduro was what I really lusted after. No lawn mower engine and pull cord starter here. This was just like their super popular full range of dual-sport bikes, but sized for kids. There was nothing else like it.
Mini-bikes today have kind of followed the same pattern that cars have over the same period of time. This Honda Monkey 125 is an amazing machine. I’m sure it’s better in almost every way than the Mini- Enduro of the 70’s. But it’s also way heavier, more complicated, and expensive. The real question is which mini-bike would be more fun. Which one would be more likely to put a smile on your face?
Here is another odd Honda. This heavily modified Ruckus scooter looks nothing like most of the scooters that I normally see. I wish I had gotten a good shot of the Eddie Lawson Replica Kawasaki in the back ground.
Let’s take a look at some European motorcycles. I had almost forgotten about the Ducatis that were produced when Cagiva owned the company. It was nice to see this early 90’s Ducati 907 IE. Definitely not my favorite Ducati, but the styling still looks pretty fresh, even today.
I have long been a fan of the toaster tank BMWs of the late 60’s and early 70’s. When I was much younger, a guy in my hometown had one of these. While most of the bikes from this time were loud and obnoxious, the BMW was almost silent. It looked entirely different than most other motorcycles, and to me seemed to be extremely classy.
I was thrilled to see this immaculate R90S. I remember reading about these in motorcycle magazines as a teenager. They were some of the most expensive motorcycles of the time. Designed by Hans Muth, the 900cc boxer twin was the flagship of the line-up from 1973 to 1976.
Here is another BMW I’d want to own if I still rode. In a world where I had more time, money, and riding ability, I’d love one of these, to make a long, slow journey through western Canada and Alaska. I know I’d get some interesting photos on a trip like that.
This old Norton sure looks like a fun machine. Yeah, modern bikes would run circles around an old bike like this when ridden to its limits. But on a sedate back road at a moderate pace, this little Norton would be a nice riding partner.
I’m under the impression that these old BSAs weren’t very good motorcycles, but my God it’s beautiful. I love the look of the alloy fuel tank.
It’s always nice to see a Vincent. These amazing motorcycles were years ahead of their competitors of the time. They were rare and expensive then, and are even more so now.
As unusual as it is to see a Vincent, this Egli Vincent is an even rarer bird. About 100 of these bikes were produced from 1967 to 1972 by a Swiss engineer named Fritz Egli. At the time Vincent motors could be found for pretty low prices, but their chassis had become extremely outdated. He designed a modern frame and used top quality suspension pieces to create the Egli Vincent like the one seen here.
Let’s take a look at Some Harley Davidsons. I’m going to be completely honest here, I don’t get Harleys. I know there are legions of fans out that absolutely LOVE these motorcycles. The company has been building motorcycles for over 100 years, and many of them were groundbreaking designs. Yet, somehow I’ve never understood their appeal.
Just look at these three motorcycles. I see tiny uncomfortable seats, no fenders, no front brake, tiny fuel tanks that offer little range between fill ups, and loud exhausts. Some people are more than willing to live with these things, because they like the looks and sounds of Harleys.I guess I’m more of a form following function guy than a fan of fashion.
Why would a rider accept all of these limitations, and sacrifices to safety, handling and performance to simply look and sound cool? I might be wrong, but there are plenty of bikes presented right here that look and sound cool, that offer so much more riding pleasure.
I kind of like this Tour Glide or whatever this particular one is called. I do understand that Harleys like this are well suited for comfortable cruising. They are designed for American riders and American roads, I get it. But to me, it would be the same thing if Chevrolet said to itself “This 57 Bel Air is perfect. Let’s keep making essentially the same vehicle for the next 50 years or so.” Triumph still makes a Bonneville twin, but they also produce some very modern sport bikes and adventure bikes. Triumph seems to be doing pretty good these days, but Harley Davidson is falling on hard times, and it breaks my heart.
I like this Buell. It doesn’t look like it was designed in the 1930’s. But it wasn’t a “real Harley” so they dropped it. They just keep making bikes for rich old accountants and dentists who like to dress like pirates, and wonder what happened to all the younger customers? I sure hope they get themselves out of the financial mess they are in, and can save a historic American company and all of their workers’ jobs.
While H-D rested on their laurels for decades, Indian rose from the dead. And from the looks of this new Indian Scout, at least one American Motorcycle company has been busy designing some fresh hardware. Harley Davidson needs some competition to keep them on their toes.
Some stunning motorcycles there. The Suzuki GS is enticing – has been kept looking very original (not bobbed of cafe-ed, as seems to happen far too often), but has an aluminium swing arm. Nice improvement, and suggests the rest of the bike will be well set up.
The unit single BSA can’t be dismissed as a bad bike. They were an entirely typical product of the British bike industry of the time – a fundamentally decent design, but under-developed and implemented with some poor detailing. Issues with poor implementation (such as the weak timing side crank bearing) can easily be resolved with careful assembly and mild modifications. Built well, they are a very willing and satisfying engine, typically combined with a sweet-handling chassis. There’s a reason that classic scrambles (motocross) is almost entirely populated with unit single BSAs, and they make a very decent road machine as well. Any poor reputation is understandable, as they need a careful and conscientious owner, and because they were cheap and plentiful, they often got young, careless owners. Spend a bit of time and care on them, and they are very capable and rewarding machines.
“They just keep making bikes for rich old accountants and dentists who like to dress like pirates, and wonder what happened to all the younger customers? ”
This made me giggle.
I am not a motorcycle guy, but the old ones have an undeniable appeal for their direct mechanical simplicity.
Me too. So did my wife.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the perfect way to spend one’s morning as I knock down the first pot of coffee (this is being written at 0824) prior to taking on my morning bicycle ride and getting on with the day’s chores. A couple of thoughts:
That Yamaha Niken GT is the first evidence I’ve seen that those bikes are actually being sold to the public. Yamaha isn’t making it easy, as dealerships aren’t carrying them (the shop where I worked had absolutely zero interest in getting one for the showroom floor), so it’s basically you come with something like $21,000.00 and go to your dealer to order you one. And then there’s supposedly a waiting time until it arrives. There was one back in late March when I left the shop.
Harley’s. No, you don’t get them, and more power to you. I do, to the point that this past summer I traded in my 2016 Gold Wing (bought new, my retirement gift to myself) on a 2011 Electra Glide Ultra Classic – and I’m MUCH happier on the Harley. The Wing and I never jelled, one of the few bikes I’ve owned that’s been such a flop. The Ultra, within days, felt like a bike I’d owned for years. It all depends of what a motorcycle needs to be for you. And a rational assessment of your riding need and abilities.
Ducati 907ie. If you ever have a chance to ride one, do so. As a sport tourer, the only thing that beats them is the first generation Hinckley-built Triumph, the T3s. Of which I’m on my third. That 907 is the successor to the 906 Paso, one of Ducati’s better sport tourers and one of the few sport bikes I’ve ever been comfortable on. Still miss mine.
All that wonderful vintage iron, and a Velocette no less. I was talking with my mechanic yesterday (had the Triumph Sprint in for a new front tire) and we both agreed that for the average abilities of the American motorcycle rider abilities , all the more that’s needed is a classic British twin with modern production values, fuel injection (maybe) and electric start.
Which explains a lot as to why there’s so many Harleys out there. There’s a lot of American riders who know their limitations, know how far and fast they want to ride, and buy the motorcycle that fits those needs. Yep, Harley-Davidson as a rational purchase. Whoulda thunk it?
Some very nice stuff here, especially the older 2 stroke Yamaha Enduros which are scarcer around here … or at least less visible … than even Vincents and Velocettes. I too had a sibling of the ‘81 CB750F as my first new bike, but mine was its elder sibling, a 900F. and in silver and blue of course, because Freddie Spencer. As for Harley’s, I totally don’t get the choppers, never did and never will, but some are works of art, or at least craftsmanship. Others just seem like a mishmash catalog build.
But the touring bikes … well, I didn’t see much in them when I was younger. I’ve been riding 45 years now, mostly sportier bikes, and despite owning dozens and having ridden dozens more, I’ve never ridden a Harley. But I think the modern Harley tourers are more of a 2 wheeled pickup truck than an update ‘57 Chevy. A modern pickup may be big and heavy, RWD, BOF, etc (hmm, like the ‘57 Chevy, come to think of it) but its got modern brakes, powertrain, luxury features just like a modern Harley. Not saying I want one, but they’re probably a lot better to ride than one might think. Just like a truck.
Fantastic pictures as usual, Tim, thank you, all of these motorcycles look amazing, I think I’m drawn to the ’70’s and early ’80’s ones as a group and the Ducati 907ie as I recall reading a lot about it back when I was into motorcycling and have seen a few around (mostly back then around San Francisco).
Your dislike of Harley mirrors mine, to the point that some of the stuff you’ve said is things I’ve said almost verbatim when talking about them. Of course, my late mother also worked at a Harley dealership for a while when we lived in Washington D.C from 06-08. I’ve had the cult of Harley shoved down my throat during that time, and my family believes the exact same things despite their lack of knowledge of motorcycles (For reference, they’re part of the “Loud pipes save lives” crowd.) Now that I’ve grown up and learned more, Harley has become unattractive to me, being the last bike I would buy brand new with my own money and I’ve felt Indian is making better bikes with the same American style. Plus the image has become tainted to the point I don’t want to be associated with it, and considering I’m not image conscious the vast majority of the time, that’s saying something.
25 years ago I wrote a satire piece describing how groups of motorcyclists were riding around all night saving lives with their loud pipes. The challenge was hitting all the quiet neighborhoods so that all lives were saved.
Those Vincents are amazing indeed.
I just learned about the Yamaha Niken GT the other day and they look absolutely wild. Not sure the benefit is worth the complexity and weight penalty but I am glad they exist.
Not a big Harley fan myself. I can understand why others like them but they are not for me.
My favourite style is probably the British and Japanese standard bikes of the 60s and 70s so my pick would be the Kawasaki 900.
One of the reasons they exist is people like me. I’m 69 years old, have been riding 43 years now, and am facing the reality that in the next (hopefully not less than) 11-15 years I’m no longer going to be able to keep two wheels up. Which means, I’m going to have to go to three. Which, at the moment leaves me with the following alternatives:
1. Sidecar. If this awful moment hits this week, that’s probably the route I’ll take, which is why my two latest bikes were the Gold Wing and the Electra Glide. Handling sucks, but it’s still a real motorcycle with motorcycle inputs. And I’m a traditionalist.
2. Can-Am Spyder or Ryker. Three wheels, two up front, but it handles like a snowmobile, not a motorcycle. And it’s too overly-computerized, has serious reliability problems (among my jobs at the motorcycle shop was handling the Can-Am warranty claims and recalls, which were huge), and doesn’t even have a damn front brake lever! I almost totaled the first prototype I rode back in 2008 at the first traffic light, because I went for the front brake when I had to stop.
3. Classic American trike (two wheels in the rear). Great for flat out running, leaves a lot to be desired in the handling department. Popular due to all the Harley Servi-Car and Indian equivalents from the old days. This means a new(er) Harley which are expensive as hell and keeping their value used.
4. The bolt on ‘training wheels’ adding two wheels to the driving rear. I’ve got serious problems with the concept. i’m too old for training wheels. No ‘effing way.
The Yamaha does away with my one big objection to the above. It leans, you ride it like a real motorcycle. In the past week, I’ve just found out above a company that makes a like bolt-on setup for Harley’s. It looks like hell, but the picture of an Electra Glide going thru the twisties almost scraping the floor boards definitely piqued my interest.
And I definitely know I’ll be riding for a while. Fifteen years ago, my late wife and I went up to Bangor, ME to take her father’s motorcycle away from him, as he was 89 and still riding, but was definitely getting to be a danger to himself. The kicker was his bike: A 1929 Indian 101 Scout. Yes, he was still kicking it over himself and hitting the road. He understood that bike like I never could.
Piaggio Mp3 maybe?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj1irO5UY68
They say it handles like a motorcycle.
Nice selection, love that orange R90 although in 30 years of riding I have never experienced a BMW opposed twin.
I get the Harley thing, but it’s not for me. A friend of mine is a big HD enthusiast, he loves the social angle to it.
They’re fascinating. I had a ’76 R90/6 (the model under the one pictured) and it was an incredibly comfortable tourer. Quiet, almost bordered on boring while it would take you anywhere with grace and pace. The weirdest thing about them is the propensity for the back end to jack up and to the right when you cracked the throttle.
Would love to have one more someday.
Because I have short legs, I can’t ride most of the bikes made these days. The Batbike/preying mantis themed bikes all have seat heights way above mine and I find the styling distasteful. I _like_ being able to put both feet on the pavement at the same time, it’s more secure and it’s much safer and being able to do so has saved me on gravel and oil before. I scrolled thru the Big J 4 websites after seeing this and with a few exceptions, I didn’t see anything I’d want. The exceptions are the Suzuki TU250, Yamaha Virago 250 and the Honda Monkey 125. My tastes tend to run toward the UJM style.
I get what’s said about american riders and american abilities, I suppose mine are at that level as well. The Isle of Man TT need fear nothing from me.
The reason rider ability (lack thereof) is such an American thing is that, once you get your license (hell, once you have your permit) you can buy anything on two wheels. Yamaha R1, Honda CBR1000RR, and other bikes that can only be ridden to maximum effect by people who have contracts with professional racing teams? Sure!
And you don’t necessarily have to take a safety course beforehand. Just borrow a friends 250cc licensed street legal motorcycles (or even a 150cc scooter) and go down to the local DMV and complete whatever they call a test course and you’re all set.
I’ve been screaming for decades that the US needs a British-style graduated license. The last time I was over there, a newbie was limited to 250ccs and a big red “L” on the front and rear of their bike. I’ve heard the engine size is down to something like 125cc now. And you earn your way to bigger bikes. Yes, there are shortcuts to get to the big bike, but they’re regimented and expensive as hell.
As a result, British riders make their American counterparts look laughable, in general.
Of course it’ll never happen over here. Harley-Davidson’s lobbyists alone would see to it that it get killed.
Comments are still not posting. I’ve taken to copy/pasting them and then submitting. Or not commenting.
Just checking that you are actually logged in when posting? I have far more issues when not logged in. Thanks.
Hi Tim, great pictures and thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Looks like you had fun.
It’s nice to see some of my favorites out and about. The Yamaha Niken is not that unique since the basic concept came form the Piaggio MP3. Interestingly they are used as race official bikes for major European bicycle races.
The Yamaha RZ-350 is a bike I’ve always wanted, but the BMW toaster tank never appealed to me, I always preferred the cafe racer look of the S models.
I’m with on the Harley versus Buell. The interesting bit is that early Buells got 30% more power out of a 1200 Sportster engine with nothing more than a bigger airbox and muffler and some carb tuning. I try to demo a Harley every few years but they mostly remind me why I’m a BMW owner.
I really enjoyed that day…It’s marvelous show you know.