It does nothing for me either.
Far too fussy and over-designed/complicated....Be a bugger to clean.
As I get older (approaching 50), I am much more drawn to the simpler approach. A unfussy, general purpose machine that is easy on the eye and simple to ride, maintain and tinker.
Which is why I like bikes from the 70's. Or 80's bikes with their roots in the 70s.
A bike with a steel twin loop frame.
A fuel tank - with some range. 200 miles, on a run.
Engine - reasonable power, low down grunt, from an air-cooled motor that has been design to be viewed as a part of the ensemble - not an amorphous blob festooned with low quality fixings/pipes/sensors and wiring, that needs to be hidden behind a load of fussy plastic panels
Two wheels - spokes are a preference, not too wide.
A flat saddle that can take a passenger for short trips.
Conventional front suspension.
Decent but not spectacular brakes.
Twin shocks.
Wider handlebars
Able to take a set of basic throw-over panniers for a longer trip.
Most of my riding is local. I do not need to be much over the limit often.
I need to be able to ride urban, extra urban, minor roads/bridle ways in the country. If I am going on a long trip, it will be at a reduced speed. I want to see my surroundings as I pass through. No longer into tunneled vision.
The modern bike just does not fit the bill for me.
I went down to my local bike show room recently. They are all clustered together in my town. There were very few bikes that I even stopped to look at. I liked the Yamaha W800 and the little Motoguzzi - basic models, the simpler the better. Not struck with the Triumph. Nothing else. Wasted an hour though.
Massive multinationals, trying to provide 'one size fits all' bikes for the entire world, just do not get it - or at least many don't. And if they do, the importers do not - so you never see the models that you actually want.
A slight ray of hope was that the Yamaha SR 400, is being re-imported to the UK this year, apparently. Unfortunately, Yamaha/importer has seen fit to slap a £5000+ (fashion tax) price tag on it. Would probably sell like hot cakes if they sold it for £4000.
Rant over....
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