A thread for classic motorcycle fans…

[Cavalol]

compared with modern bikes, they’re very crude, but still exciting to ride, they just need modern rubber.

For me, it was the riding position, the fact I kept catching my (very) large hands on the fairing and pushing it backwards was like trying to shove a super tanker. I just honestly didn't really like anything at all about it (except the looks) and found it very rider-unfriendly. Fast forward a few years and I've got an old ZX6R which is like night and day compared to the 'blade. The Kawasaki is not just a doddle to ride, but is also massively nicer in all departments.
That of course is just my opinion, nothing personal or whatever.

 

[Hilldodger]

compared with modern bikes, they’re very crude, but still exciting to ride, they just need modern rubber.

Not crude, that implies poor quality. They just don't have all the silly electrical gubbins all over them.

 

[Gunk]

Not crude, that implies poor quality. They just don't have all the silly electrical gubbins all over them.

It’s not just electronics, everything has moved on in the last 30 odd years, especially brakes, suspension and handling. Those early Fireblades were great fun but they were a proper handful on the limit.

 

[Drago]

The problem is too many riders were cocky with them on the road and they earned the Widomaker moniker. The limts are far in excess of that whcih people should be approaching in public, so they had it coming. Ridden sensibly they were quite docile.