Old Vs New: How Much Are You Really Missing Out On Buying Old?

[@martinpeat8374]

I bought a 2003 Yamaha yzf600r Thundercat as my first bike, with a full years MOT, freshly serviced and new tyres for £2000, and although I've never ridden a newer bike, I'm enjoying it so much, I don't feel I need to, so the older bikes as far as I'm concerned, are great value for money

[@Rancid_Ninja]

Thundercat is a great first bike, steel frame so it's a little heavier and more planted, I've had a 2004 for maybe 8 years and I just upgraded to a 2008 fz6 as I am having carb issues and would rather upgrade than dump money into it.

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

Get some test rides on different types of bikes. I've tried small motocrossers on dirt, supermotard on tarmac (very good), cruisers (way more fun and handling if they're small and nimble, some are), tourers (VFR 800, VFR 1200 amazing beast and want one, super blackbird very nice, Fireblades from years ago which are great, RD350 and other two strokes, etc. Try lots of types. They're all so much fun in their own way. The bike I was most hyped to try was the BMW GS1200 after The Long Way Round with Ewan MacGregor and Charlie Boorman. It felt like a big awkward plodding twin. Slow and dull. But I was used to a Fireblade at the time. Honda VFR1200 was like a super cruising super tourer. A Grand Tourer. That engine was great, and the advanced auto was actually very good. Try it for yourself. Honda are smart.

[@MrH250]

I have had over 100 bikes and have now settled with a 2000 plate ZX9R. On the road you cannot ride anything faster in the UK and 180kg is light.

[@davidbarton7463]

Still Loving my 1992 CBR400RR after owning her for 30 years and this year bought my 1st new bike the Moto Guzzi V100S Mandello, both put a smile on my face and turn heads, but your right you can still have a lot of fun on the older machines, just make sure the example your thinking of buying has been looked after.

[@anthonycross9310]

I ridden bikes since 1993 and newest bike I’ve had until October 2024 was a ZZR1400 2010 model I had loads of fun over this time riding to/from work, Sunday blasts and track days. In October I treated myself to my dream bike a 2024 ZX10R and I absolutely love it. It has re-ignited my passion for 2 wheels. I know the cost is ridiculous but I have saved and made do for 30 years. The new bike is light years away from what I’ve had and it’s brilliant

[@1973retrorabbit]

The cost is only ridiculous if, it never moves out of your garage and/ or you've put yourself into a bad financial situation, because you can't really afford it... So as long as you're riding it, and can still pay for fuel, food, the roof over your head and (how did I forget) the insurance, enjoy your new bike, I'm sure it's an absolute blast to ride... I'm not a big sport bike guy anymore, but the ZZR1100 back when it was released, is a huge part of my love of bikes... Barry Sheen and a few others were also to blame... or... be thanked..?

[@raymorris952]

You are spot on, i have a 2003 speed triple, this summer I test road the latest street triple 765, it was good, but not that much better than mine, not worth changing, in fact my 955i has more tourq, so is actually a nicer engine. Yes the brakes where a little sharper and handling was sharp, but it wasn't a massive difference.

[@duanestiles4821]

You are on the money for the majority of stuff about these bikes goblin great job on the video

[@gk73man51]

I will own my 1990 GSXR1100 until it is pryed from my cold, dead hands. It does everything I need a big bike to do (require minimal maintenance and munch miles), plus it sends a message that you are into bikes rather than a filthy casual. It's a proper hard man's bike, probably 250kg with a full tank and you've got the reputation of it being a widow maker at the TT even though on modern tyres and ridden in road situations it's actually pretty friendly other than being a bit big and heavy.

[@nickrider5220]

You don't have more fun on bikes with loads of electronics, if anything it dilutes the sensation. I went back to old bikes, because they don't lose value, are great fun to ride and with uprated suspension/brakes you couldn't want for more.....plus I can do all the servicing 😎

[@Uriel-Septim.]

Buy an old model with less restrictions and IMHO better quality and use some of all the money you safe on renovating the breaks/front fork and give it a big service and fit some new tires and you have, IMHO a better bike and even after all that, for less money.

[@longislandhillbilly4780]

Great subject as I bought a 2000 Yamaha R-1 back in 2015 for $2700, with 16,000 miles. The previous owner put $5,000 worth of work into the motor, Barrett clutch , jet kit , 13:1 pistons, under cut the engagement dogs in the tranny, full titanium exhaust and stronger connecting rods( titanium) . I put on steel braided lines and stickier pads . So far nothing new has appealed to me. The weight:428 lbs (194 kilos) but probably lighter because of the titanium exhaust. Great video PS all the receipts for the mods came with the bike including dyno results = 159 rear wheel hp A lot of gems out there GSXR’s , Fireblades etc . I will probably not be buying a new bike anytime soon!

[@langhamp8912]

I recently did a trackday with my '22 XSR900...a fairly street oriented motorcycle although I did put on a Nitron N3 shock. And newer bikes with TC basically stomped all over the older motorcycles regardless of power, because newer motorcycles can easily and safely get power to the ground on the slower turns. And even the brakes you could see the newer bikes pushing their braking markers further into the turn as the day progressed, way beyond what older bikes could safely manage. There was even a BIG difference between older TC and newer TC bikes that you could hear and see on slower corners. Older bikes would sound like morse code, and newer ones wouldn't sound like anything...but they'd accelerate harder. Newer bikes corner like they're on rails, and they get into and out of the corners with very little drama. They don't look like they're going particularly fast but they're untouchable with bikes that don't have TC/ABS. It was shocking to me the difference between TC and non-TC bikes. I very quickly realized I could carry way more speed into slow turns, then open the throttle at very great lean angles and keep that throttle open all the way down the straight. And all the non-TC bikes...they were highsiding without crashing or otherwise being forced to wait before opening their throttles! Notably, it wasn't the people on the newer bikes that were crashing or running off the track. It was the older non TC/ABS bikes that were doing so.

[@longislandhillbilly4780]

In my experience lap times are largely dependent on skill level over equipment. Your description of of track days are a little cut and dry whereas I’ve seen a more variety of different ride/ motorcycle combinations that resulted in a.variety of results. Maybe I just experienced weird examples. I definitely think the new bells and whistles do have advantages in performance but it definitely isn’t a giant leap for mankind. IMHO

[@Titot182]

SV 650 or R7... I'll take the SV650 for that sub 70bhp punchiness and fun flexible chassis and keep half the funds to buy a second bike, such as your aforementioned CBR600RR. I know that MCN did a piece on how awesome the new Euro 5 CBR600RR is, but let's not forget that the 07 CBR600RR was probably the sweetest road middlewight supersport. So, for £5-6k, you can get both bikes for the price of a nearly new R7. Will you be missing out on much? Nah, I don't think so. One thing that I do appreciate on my Fazer Thou is the fact that carbed fuelling makes for lovely smooth transitions and roll ons, which FBW throttles of most modern supersports don't necessarily do particularly well. I don't need mixed riding modes. Stop chasing peak horsepower figures and deliver us some driveabl torque as well as useable power delivery. As much as I'd want to have a new R1M for the road, I doubt I'll be able to use the excess power and performance it as over my 4C8... There's me specualtively thinking that an R9 will do me well.

[@langhamp8912]

I have the '22 XSR900 which I recently put out on the track. The TC/ABS makes the bike shockingly fast on the track compared to its non-TC/ABS brothers. I find the mixed modes useful. Put it in the weakest mode, and you have a small bike feel that rides well with the 400's. Put it in the most powerful mode, and you have a bike that's keeping up with Yamaha R1's until 90'ish mph.

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

Just how good is the Fazer 1000? I think they're beautiful. I want one.

[@Titot182]

@@Google_Does_Evil_Now It does the job. To think that one of the original hooligan naked bikes makes for a very competent roadster is quite the endorsement. I'd say it's the ideal bike for British roads with ample useable power to get yourself in trouble and embarrass yourself if you were on a sportsbike. I might treat mine to some better tyres since I've soldiered on with BT023s for the past 6 years because they did the job. As for looks - it looks angrier, compared to the softer, rounded Bandit 1200 and ZRX1200S.

[@grandprixjames]

Couldn't agree more. Truth! All these electronics are driving cost up and making them unaffordable to the average person.

[@skandix]

The old stuff is good, but don't fool yourself parts are hard to find and expensive and the cost of by a good Mechanic to repair or up keep will have you wondering.

[@luiscardozo0000]

yes the difference is minimal and that is a triumph is a lot less if you compare to a 2000 japanese even you can go older and the difference still minimal ...for me from 88 zx10 till today is pretty much the same not big changes in riding or power and thats more than 35 years difference ...unbelievable

[@nonyabusiness4151]

Another thing, in the case of a fifth gen VFR, is what you are giving up buying the newest models. You're giving up a cable throttle, gear driven cams, dual radiators, linked brakes(?), and an unquorked exhaust. For a possible weight reduction, ABS, cruise control, and a costly electronic suite.

[@brunocarmona4958]

Forget TFT dash, riding modes, etc. There are three game changers in the last 10/15 years in motorcycles. Slipper clutch, quickshift and cruise control. I sold a 2011 Speet Triple 1050 three years ago. And bought a 2021 Speed Triple 1200RS some months ago. The 1200 cost roughly twice what I sold the 1050 for. Is it twice the motorcycle? Yes Because it has 50hp more? No. Riding modes? No. IMU and leaning everything? No. Because the 1050 lacked slipper clutch, QS and cruise control.

[@langhamp8912]

About 60% of new motorcycles sold in the US (not UK) have no ABS/TC whatsoever. I don't think most riders understand the towering difference that electronics make for safety on the road, and outright performance on the track (especially TC).

[@douglasgrosch228]

comfort is #1 then power why naked bikes and sport touring are great for street..

[@600raficrow]

i like injected bikes ad older carbed bikes the carbies do drive nice when setup but the injected are better if your bike sits for a bit of the year .. i love my high mileage cbr600 f4i

[@1973retrorabbit]

Cruise control is no doubt handy (literally) when you're munching motorway miles on, let's face it, a bike that really isn't designed for that. But with how wristy (not meant as Australian slang... honest) Super Sport bikes are, being able to rest and shake out both of your wrists/ hands (preferably not at the same time), is very likely a nice advantage... at least until your butt tells you it's time to pull in and let it relax a bit too (although you probably can shake that, while still on the move)... Do you remember the old Tudor Crisps advert? Look at that saddle, it'll be like sitting on a razorblade... #notallsportbikes 😂

[@richardseaton6390]

If you're riding sensibly then you really won't miss traction control, ABS, riding modes or any of that other newfangled rubbish. Yes they might be useful if you're pushing your bike to the limit but on the road they really won't make much of a difference. Learn on a 2000s 600 or 1000 and you'll be a better rider for it.

[@jonesy4468]

Been thinking of buying old for my first big bike but cant decide what to get

[@richardseaton6390]

There's loads out there under 3k, I'd recommend going to local dealers and looking at trade-ins (also often listed on autotrader).

[@Titot182]

Fazer 1000 - Gen 1. They're solid bikes for £1500. Don't be afraid by high miles. Mine's done 55k and I've only recently replaced the rear shock before it went proper. Great all round bike for UK roads. All that torque for day to day useability... And you have a side stand. My other bike is an 07 R1. Much prefer the Fazer for the road

[@Uriel-Septim.]

Suzuki 650 Bandit, Yamaha fazer 600 or a Honda hornet 600 is all good solidt beginner/first big bikes, if your in to sports bikes and can all be found at a low price from 2000-2010

[@jonesy4468]

@Uriel-Septim. Yeah just been looking at a bandit

[@ThePresidentofMars]

If old bikes had a gear indicator id happily buy old, but what ive seen, they dont

[@iandawson7373]

Why do you need a gear indicator

[@ThePresidentofMars]

@iandawson7373 cos i keep forgetting what gear im in. Maybe it wouldnt be as much of a problem when im not constantly changing up and down but even in my car i forget and have to occasionally reach down and check.

[@monkeyzx9]

Just buy a gear indicator for £30

[@ThePresidentofMars]

@monkeyzx9 how reliable is that though. Dont modern ones work cos theres a sensor somewhere in the engine?

[@monkeyzx9]

@@ThePresidentofMars very reliable, some plug into the diagnostic port and others get wired in, both home jobs.

[@AdamBrowne-eg1eb]

Gsxr1000k5 is 166kg and 180bhp with no aids. It’s the goat. Modern bikes have nowhere near the torque of the k5

[@monkeyzx9]

I had one, took it round Silverstone too, great bike

[@Simlife101]

Your knowledge isn’t as much as you make out your “how to ride video” tells me this as your advice will get someone killed like staying in position 3 you call it lane 3 that’s silly and not what you should do all the time and second Quick shifters can be fitted to 90% of older bikes I have a quick shifter on my 1999 ninja And my ninja 300 2015 track bike.