Top 5 Middle weight Classic Retro motorcycles 4K

[@davidrochow9382]

I find it very interesting to think of a 900cc bike as being middle weight as I'm old enough to remember when the Kwaka 900 came out and it was one of the biggest bikes you could buy.

[@bikerdood1100]

Not me the market Things a certainly changed but physically these bikes are quite small even if their Engines are not.

[@brockett]

The main gripe I have about modern motorcycles is the poor protection that their skimpy mudguards provide. But wait.... even the so called retro style bikes have very poor mudguards. Take a peek at a Triumph Bonneville that has been riden down winter back roads. In truth the only bike that has decent mudguards is the Classic 350 Royal Enfield. My Moto Guzzi is happy to splash road filth all over me and the front of the engine and cover the rear swing arm, and clutch operating arm, in the same muck and grit. OK moan over. I always enjoy your videos.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

Absolutely, Couldn't agree more

[@bikerdood1100]

Very true Then they place oil coolers directly behind the front wheel 🤷🏼

[@ianhalliwell8604]

The GoldStar has very good mudguards indeed, proper kit.

[@35southkiwi16]

Love my 2022V7. Have 20 000k on her now. Only three gripes.Mudguards, the instrument thing and random engine light

[@brockett]

@@35southkiwi16Random Engine light is a fault that Moto Guzzi have a fix for. I have heard of it affecting the "special" version but speak to your dealer. I think it is down to overly sensitive sensors. Moto Guzzi have a ECU re program mod ( I think) What is " the instrument thing" that you are unhappy with?

[@iitywybmad29]

At 64 yrs old, I bought a V7 Special 850 in the spring of 2021 to return to riding after 40 years. I have been very pleased with it. I live in West Virginia with its hills, mountains and twisties that some may dream about. The bike performs and handles well and I have also ridden interstates on several trips rather comfortably. There are quite a few advantages to the V twin design that people do not talk about.

[@bikerdood1100]

We are very much fans of Guzzi and we have had a V7 for some time, it’s taken us on many happy adventures

[@captratty2167]

Thank you for agreeing that the Moto Guzzi V 7 is number one. I have ridden mine over 20,O00 km in two years on some rough Australian roads, and another 10,000 km in Europe on a tour. I LOVE it ! Previously I had an old Guzzi California. I loved that bike, too. Took it over some seriously rough roads in the Aussie outback and it survived my worst efforts to wreck it. The beauty of any of these ‘retro’ bikes is that they can be all things to most riders. Enough speed for the highway, fun enough in the twisties, light enough to flick through traffic, can carry reasonable touring kit, and they handle gravel quite competently. Also you can pick them up if you drop them. Which you will if you ride for long enough…And they look good. Back in the day when this type of bike was the usual, roads were often unpaved, and the occasional ‘off’ was no big deal, so why do riders think that they need high, heavy, so-called ‘adventure’ bikes at double the cost of these beauties? Or fat tyres on over powered street bikes that the average rider could never use to full race potential and can only ride on smooth tarmac? Go retro!

[@timhicks2154]

As a Guzzi owner, I have to agree. LeMans2, Monza 750, Spada & Cali 3.

[@timhicks2154]

Great all-rounders!

[@bikerdood1100]

We have owned 8 over the years and they remain my favourite bikes

[@SPSteve]

I love my 2022 Moto Guzzi V7 Special. It is a fantastic bike and a joy to ride. Thumbs up for your #1 retro choice!

[@bikerdood1100]

Well I am a little bias 😂

[@TheKRU251]

Maybe my mate was unlucky, but his was plagued with niggly electrical issues.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@TheKRU251 is quite rare these days I’ve noticed generally in modern bikes some of the electrical equipment is a bit cheap and not just Suzuki I suppose costs have to be cut somewhere 🙄

[@BlackdogADV]

I’m 75 and my BMW 1200GS and Husqvarna 701 have become a handful. I dropped the GS far out in the desert and couldn’t pick it up. I looked at all the retro bikes, I could have bought any of them but I ended with an Interceptor 650. For the most part I’ve been very happy, it’s easy to service, very smooth with a low 31” seat height. Triumph is in a different category (I think you mentioned this) being liquid cooled. I was mostly interested in the 1200X Scrambled but it was $10,000 more then the Interceptor.

[@bikerdood1100]

Don’t really know why they sell the GS as a desert bike If certainly is no such thing Big old tourer in drag Much too heaven to be practical and far too expensive

[@ianhalliwell8604]

I've had a BSA GoldStar for a year now, brilliant bike especially now I've up graded the rear shocks. I've no plans to sell it but i do really like the Kawasaki W800 far more then the expensive Triumph or the others you mention. The GoldStar has been faultless.

[@bikerdood1100]

Kawasaki has its virtues Does vibe and not as good a package as the Guzzi

[@brettroman3218]

Spot on commentary! Unbiased and honest opinion.Thanks,

[@bikerdood1100]

We try Not like I’m selling anything

[@kshred3043]

6:31 So glad that you pointed out the 270° crank bikes are just wannabes in the sound department.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well it’s true MCN described their sound as Classic Shows what they know about Classic bikes 😂😂

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

The 270˚ crank are way more than “wannabe in the sound department”.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

Hammer.....nail......head. Spot on and enjoyable .....again 🙂 As a Guzzi man, currently riding a T120.....the latter is very much a modern bike, looking a bit retro/ classic?

[@bikerdood1100]

Without a doubt

[@wesleycardinal8869]

When I were a lad, 650 was a big bike. Did the ton, sounded great, ridden by yoofs. Now it's a beginner bike! How times change. PS I was waiting to see the rest of Miss Triumph seeing as we saw every other aspect ;)

[@bikerdood1100]

Have to say I do hate the term beginner bike So many long time riders don’t ride larger bikes We leave that to the mid life crisis types 😂😂 For me in a world of speed cameras 100mph is plenty fast 😂

[@rickconstant6106]

In my day, a beginner bike was a BSA Bantam or Triumph Tiger Cub, or for those with more exotic tastes, a Honda CD175. Now it amazes me what the Americans consider "beginner bikes", which they can jump straight onto without even any formal training, in some states.

[@pggp273]

I also despise the term "beginner bike" it's only a beginner bike because you are told it is. There are bikes out there that are lower capacity machines that can be used by beginners but I refuse to categorise them as such as they are not good beginner bikes they are just bloody good motorbikes. Not everyone gets their rocks off over spec sheets

[@bikerdood1100]

@@pggp273 yeh I think the longer you ride the less the spec sheet matters to be honest

[@noahwail2444]

Nice collection again, thanks for that. But could you please mention the weight on all of them, it would be nice. ;o)

[@bikerdood1100]

Well these days it hardly seems to matter Their all surprisingly heavy compared to early machines

[@andrewdyson4255]

Have to agree, sold my interceptor and bought the V7 both great bikes but the V7 has it

[@bikerdood1100]

It’s just a bit better

[@rickh8380]

Great bikes as usual. I really like the look of the Moto Guzzi. Who am I kidding... I liked all of the bikes. Thanks for sharing. Ride safe Bikerdood family. Take care. Cheers

[@bikerdood1100]

👍

[@nigelthomas8315]

I got a V9 and it's great

[@Mike40M]

As always, interesting to hear your opinion on different matters. Just one thing. Back then they where heavy machines. Things have changed. Young friend needed a bike for a 100 km trip. Chose the Vincent instead of a Gixxer or a Ninja. More comfortable.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well a great many bikes would have been more comfortable really 😂

[@carltonwittland1300]

I like everyone of these bikes. I currently ride a RE 350 Classic which l use for commuting and riding the country back roads. All people are different and have their own points of view. I like the look of the BSA and I think that 650 single sounds lovely for a modern bike. Also the price is reasonable and if you want to spend extra customizing it , I think money well spent to improve the bike further. Thanks again for your comparison of the 5 bikes.

[@bikerdood1100]

Know a couple of people of people who’ve had the RE 350s and speak very highly of them

[@carltonwittland1300]

@@bikerdood1100 After 35 years of not riding, the RE 350 Classic has been a great bike to cut my teath on. I enjoy your channel regarding the classic bikes and modern classics. I struggled with the design's of some modern motorcycles and therefore look favourable at the classic styles. The modern classics/retro bikes are certainly becoming more popular with all types of riders. Thanks again for your excellent channel. 😁👍

[@paulcooper5610]

Got to love a Moto Guzzi, obviously it is my number 1 also, I think I would of had the Kawasaki W650 /800 as my number 2 just because it was more true to the original in it's sound and certainly the 650 also looks right. Nice video as always, looking forward to the Japanese retros with the Z900rs and Suzuki Katana etc.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well the Kawasaki is true-ish Bevel OHC was interesting but not original Also the new jazzed up styling has moved away from original Unfortunately. Definitely has the tight sound though

[@xt225]

Makes me smile; you try to big up the BSA but struggle. From the title and content surely the W650 is the winner.

[@bikerdood1100]

No just honest about it Like all the bikes here and all bikes full stop it’s not perfect and there’s things I would change

[@marcbrasse747]

Pity the styling of the new “sports” V7 has been watered down quite a bit compared to the original cup version. Would have been better if they had stayed closer. I would only have removed the race number plaque. Nice V50 special, by the way.

[@bikerdood1100]

Maybe the racer didn’t sell Who knows

[@marcbrasse747]

@@bikerdood1100 Nope. It was a Guareschi developed cup competition model so never meant for road use / high sales. See the elegant exhausts. It's more probable people kept asking for a roadgoing version but some marketing "geniuses" watered it down.

[@bikerdood1100]

Oh that one Pity it did look great, I was surprised the6 didn’t follow that up

[@marcbrasse747]

@@bikerdood1100 Well they did. Sort of. 😄

[@johnalees99]

All nice bikes and I would have any of them, because they all look like bikes used to look. You could also add the the Harley 883 Sportster to this list, as its basic formula lasted a long time before it finally went away a few years ago. I like my Honda Shadow RS for being vaguely retro, but also Honda dependable (it does the sportster thing without harley problems), and the 52 degree v-twin is a sweet little motor.

[@bikerdood1100]

The sportster of course is no longer available Not at all keen on the new liquid cooled bikes

[@shirsoghosh4238]

the new BSA gold star doesn't invoke the emotions the old one did. They just want to make money!

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Do you really think that BSA, back when the original Gold Star was introduced, didn’t do it for the sake of making money?

[@bikerdood1100]

You could make the same argument against all the machines here Especially Triumph who’s practices as a company have been questionable at times to say the least

[@shirsoghosh4238]

@@kasperkjrsgaard1447 if they did it only for the money, they would still be here, wouldn't they? Secondly, if the company was run by true enthusiasts of motorcycling, this wouldn't have be the case with BSA, they would have created atleast one truly retro with a kick starter. And other modern bikes!

[@shirsoghosh4238]

@@bikerdood1100 i agree on Triumph. But I couldn't agree with it if you include Kawasaki w800, or RE 650 and 350. They are truly retro minus the kick starter. Even the moto Guzzi V7 and BMW r12, R18, Yamaha SR 400, Norton Commando 961

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

@@shirsoghosh4238 They certainly did it for money, but unfortunately the members of the board were more busy pulling money out of the company than to making sure that the company would have enough funds to pay out for developement and new machinery. They were to put it mildly arrogant beyond belief, believed that they could continue flogging obsolete machinery out to the public, even after the japanese, with Honda as the leaders, were beginning to sell bikes to the europeans. Bikes that, compared to the british marques, were like swiss clockworks. If the management back in the late 50’s to early 60’s had used their head to more than just a place to keep the hat and prevent it raining down the throat, many of the old british marques would still have been here. But unfortunately they were a bunch of greedy morons. If you haven’t read it, I would suggest reading the book “Whatever happened to the british motorcycle industry”. A good, bud at the same time, sad reading. Highly recomended.

[@rustyturner431]

Interesting video...until my curiosity got the better of me and I started reseaarching prices for these bikes. Christ, these things are EXPENSIVE! In the last 4 months, I've been involved with helping two friends refurbish/update two "vintage" bikes, a 1971 Honda CB450 and a 1977 yamaha XS650. Both bikes were in decent condition and did not require full rebuilds, but we did take them down and refurbish the frames (yes, gussetting them in a couple places) and repacing much of the wiring and switch gear. Mind you, this is not complex work and could be done by any reasonably, competent amateur wrench. I did the paint work myself, and with rebuilt forks/brakes/dampers/springs/exhausts the bikes both look splendid. The thing is, total expenditure was under $3000 for the Yammie and barely over $2000 for the Honda. A T100 is almost $11K here in the US and, yes, it is better at many things than either of these old bangers...but not THAT much better, with a few mods. As a former dealer, I hate to say this, but the new motorcycle market is simply insane. There are so very many viable used bikes out there that can be had for silly sums and will run almost forever if given some sympathic care. But I'm biased: when I was a dealer, we sold fewer new bikes than any of our competitors, but more used ones than all of them, combined. It made for loyal and repeat customers, and we did a ton of parts/accesory business!

[@bikerdood1100]

Check out the price of modern litre bikes You’ll faint 😂😂😂😂

[@brian07900]

Have to agree, I have the same amount of fun on my £650 20 year old bike as the fellows on the 10k+ modern watered down sanitised versions.

[@gntdriver2840]

This genre of motorcycle is the one i pay least attention to,they just dont really float my boat. Give me the originals any day

[@bikerdood1100]

🙄 I own the originals but look at the average rider age Not everyone can afford or start them or the technical skill to maintain them

[@timhicks2154]

Ah! That’s a nice Guzzi. Not that I’m biased of course…..

[@bikerdood1100]

Well nothing wrong with that

[@simonwalker7957]

An interesting collection of machines but what puzzles me is that you rightly in my view point out the Triumph is a pastiche of a classic and that the W800 is the closest or equal closest to a classic yet you put the Bonnie ahead. Personally I’d say it was a two horse race between the W and the V.

[@bikerdood1100]

The W is pretty good and is much more of a true classic experience To a point The bike can be quite vibey and certainly isn’t perfect Ahead of the Triumph A tough one but certainly a case could be made From a purely visual perspective they updated its looks recently and I’m not sure it’s come off The same could be said of the REs This is why I usually avoid ranking the machines in my videos A bloody nightmare 😂😂

[@martinowl]

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these machines. It’s down to personal preference & price mainly.

[@bikerdood1100]

Like most modern bikes, they are all very competent

[@ph-albertoalberto3979]

Kinda disappointed that you didn't feature a stock w800. That "scrambler" mod you showed didn't quite do it justice. 😂

[@bikerdood1100]

Well it’s all I had, better than not at all. Having said that the latest models with blacked out engines are very disappointing

[@triumphrider9796]

Good list. I've a slightly older Bonnie ('02 T100, Centenary Edition, built in the UK). Did a 1900 mile road trip last October, no problems at all (longest day was 540 miles, others were mostly 200 to 300 range). Stock suspension was too soft, as was the front brake, thankfully there's a huge aftermarket for that sort of thing! Other than those niggling bits it's been utterly trouble free.

[@bikerdood1100]

Excellent We did 550 miles in one day but only once and I still blame the wife Long old time on your ass 😂

[@triumphrider9796]

Long day yes, longest I've done on the Bonnie, but far from my longest day ever. Last summer I had a 400 plus day, using a Motone Customs cafe seat, and it turns out that for long rides the stock seat is more comfortable for longer!

[@bikerdood1100]

250 is a good solid mileage 550 was way too much I’m still blaming the wife Of course

[@triumphrider9796]

Best of luck with that! My idea of a long ride was hugely influenced by riding across the US both ways (on my Yamaha TX500) in 1975, my longest day was from Marshfield, MO to Albuquerque, somewhere around 900 miles or so. On the return trip I rode from just south of Fort Smith, AR all the way to DC, but that took more than 24 hours.

[@harrylor66]

Very nice video, thank you very much! 🙂 In my opinion, the most iconic retro motorbikes are made by the small company JANUS - MOTORCYCLES in Goshen/Indiana (for example: the JANUS HALCYON 250/450). These are made entirely by hand. Many supplied parts and the leather work are made by local Amish people. Therefore these motorbikes are very expensive. The stretched design of the tank is very reminiscent of the BROUGH SUPERIOR. However, the engines are robust and simple Honda clones, which not everyone likes. But these motorbikes are absolute eye-catchers!😍🤩 But not available in Europe and the UK.

[@bikerdood1100]

I have seen them They are certainly interesting Not sure the are available in the UK currently

[@harrylor66]

@@bikerdood1100 Unfortunately, Janus is not available in the UK. A private import is certainly possible, but then it will be even more expensive.😦😉

[@TheKRU251]

Great channel. Love your subjects. One thing. Can you use 'old measurements' too? I have to stop the videos to convert Kg to pounds and litres to UK gallons etc. Old retro measurements too you see !!!!!! 😂 PS. Have a 2019 RE 650 Interceptor myself.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well I do give both measurements where available But don’t expect displaced in cubic inches I have my limits 😂

[@TheKRU251]

CC's are fine !!!!!!

[@toddwhetton1959]

How are 800cc middle weights.

[@bikerdood1100]

That’s the modern world for you How are near 2 litre HDs motorcycles? Or 1250 BMWs designed for off road ?

[@nigelthomas8315]

I like that we agree that 360° crank is the best

[@bikerdood1100]

Smooth low speed running and cool sound

[@nigelthomas8315]

I had a 790 Bonnie and back in the 70s a Triton with a 69 Bonnie engine with a db32? Cam and the 790 engine reminded me of the 69 engine but I had triumph america and didn't realise there was different engine and it was shit?

[@aceofspades5786]

V7 deserves first place. Only to add the V7 is light weight and very reasonably priced second hand.

[@bikerdood1100]

Light weight It’s an 850 these days The Triumph 400 it ain’t That goodness 😂

[@chrisweeks6973]

I'm in no rush to swap my '05 Guzzi Breva 750; 62,000 km up and going fine. It'll do this 78-yo! 😉

[@bikerdood1100]

Great bike the Breva

[@marcbrasse747]

Nothing against it as such but the new Gold Star shows its weight. To me it looks too tubby. That can not be fully explained by regulations. The small tank however can. Modern air filters are massive. Good choice for number one. 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

A comment that can equally be applied the the Triumph Only the Guzzi has a decent size tank really

[@marcbrasse747]

@@bikerdood1100 Absolutely!

[@borderlands6606]

Bikes like this aren't done any favours by naming it "Gold Star". The DBD34 represented a particular approach and time, the only residue of which is a single cylinder and a badge. It would be better to market them as "what if" bikes, what a BSA single might have looked like if it the company made it to the late 1970s and early 80s.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well it’s a comment that applies equally to the Bonnie, but different eras And all that. There’s a strong market for these machines, some nostalgia but also many who just like the style and relative simplicity too. There’s definitely a push back against modern Japanese styling and tech driven bikes..

[@sanjaysharma-jf8fv]

RE's Bullet 500..for the retro look.. As far as good looking goes the Bullet doesnt lag too far behind the Intercptr

[@bikerdood1100]

True And what a history behind it

[@andrewpeacock4695]

Triumph missed out when they did not give the new Bonneville a more classic sound. Could this not have been done without sacrificing performance? This is my biggest niggle with my 2009 Bonneville SE. I considered buying a Moto Guzzi V7, but interaction between my knees and the cylinder heads ruled this one out immediately.

[@bikerdood1100]

Tom is 6ft and and his knees are nowhere near the heads ? Calling urban myth on that Try sitting back He found more problems with the new Bonnie Making the Bonnie in Asia doesn’t endear it to me especially when they plaster the thing in union flags and try to pass it off Just Plain dishonest to me If you want to build at abroad fine, just don’t pretend it is

[@andrewpeacock4695]

I am significantly taller than Tom!😀@@bikerdood1100

[@captratty2167]

Those Guzzi cylinder heads are great hand warmers in winter. My V7 has Oxford heated grips, but these don’t do the back of the hands. One at a time, of course….all you need then is a Kaoko throttle lock so you can do the right hand.

[@ducatobeing]

I was excited to see the BSA, but once it was launched, I must admit that it didn't do anything for me. I could be perfectly happy with any of the others.

[@bikerdood1100]

We are still not completely convinced hence 5th Deb did test it and enjoy but felt the RE and the Guzzi in particular Are better

[@Jer0867]

5:33 "Bonnieville"???

[@bikerdood1100]

Well it’s a bit Vile 😂😂😂

[@jez6208]

The R E 650 is the super meteor mate. The meteor is a 350. 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

No really

[@jez6208]

@@bikerdood1100 I'm sorry. I know how detail based your videos are so when I saw it was incorrectly labled, I thought you should know. I wasn't trying to score points. My wife thinks I'm a bit autistic. I don't want to get tested. I really like your stuff.

[@bikerdood1100]

@@jez6208 😂😂😂😂 Bound to get the odd one wrong Don’t get tested though They always find something 😂😂 One of the rare occasions you should ignore the Wife 😂😂

[@rachelthompson9324]

have you done a best bike of each decade list?

[@bikerdood1100]

Ohh controversial that would be 😊

[@Jer0867]

3:25 Why are you showing this bike, but talking about the W800? Makes no sense...

[@4thinternational283]

What is that bike?

[@bikerdood1100]

They are one and the same Except the poorer styling on the 800 At least that one looks cool

[@bikerdood1100]

So someone lightly customers a bike and you can’t tell what it is Er ok 😂😂😂😂 It’s a W 800 Are you serious Can’t you tell me? It’s like making videos for bloody rain man 😂😂😂🙄🙄🙄

[@IndianaCarrollski350]

Boring 😴

[@bikerdood1100]

Sorry Fell asleep reading your comment 😂😂🙄