Old Airheads are great and all....

[wilcom]

what makes you gravitate back to technology of yesteryear and continue to own and operate your R65?

I think it's the sound first and the lack of black boxes that need a technician with a computer and a proprietary program to fix second.

First it's got to sound like a motorcyle not some anemic purr of a sewing machine. I was on a ride right after the oilheads came out and we were all talking about the new boxer and we were excited about BMW going back to the twin.

We encountered a new oil head rider at a lonely service station in the middle of Utah. he was topping off his tank as we rode in. We talked about his new bike briefly and admired it. THEN....... he started it and rode off into the sunset. We all just looked at each other and shook our heads at the lack of "song". I don't care how nice a bike it is, or how much more HP it has,  we all(6 of us) thought it was the most anemic sounding motor we ever heard. One comment as he rode away was , "that thing doesn't even sound like a motorcycle".

I guess when you grow up listening to BSA's Triumphs, snorton Norton's and Harley's you just get imprinted with what it should sound and look like to qualify as a motorcycle. I know R65's don't cackle like a AA fuel dragster............. but on a cold morning with full choke, it will "talk to you".

 Second, the black box issue with the electronics and all the lil sealed sub systems hung about the new bikes.They are more reliable, better running, longer running and really pretty bullet proof stuff, however, when you do have a problem it is of the 32nd magnitude type of problem.

At least with my 79, I can carry plugs, extra points, spare coil and a plug wire, some wire, solder, butane solder iron, zip ties, spare tube and I have a chance at fixing the thing in the middle of no where. There's probably MORE chance that I will be fixing it with old technology than with new , but I want to think that I can saddle my own bronc if need be.

But first and foremost it's the sound of an old motor as opposed to the sound ( or lack of) of new technology.

I sold this bike a couple of years back,  a 99 Buell( my only Harley ever). The clip is of my son taking off to the store in the morning. It's pure music to my ears when that thing fires off and settles into a lope, I almost have to adjust my Jeans when I listen to it!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wy4NVMwLnA

[Barry]

I agree that a bike has to sound like a bike and it has to look like one too. Highly irrational I suppose but I like to see an engine that looks like an engine  - none better than an airhead for that.

I don't doubt modern bikes are better in many ways so I actually avoid riding them for fear of being spoilt.

I'm not sure I could live with an old  British bike as a daily rider but for me an airhead is just right because it's very reliable and plenty civilised enough for daily use all year round which is what I do. It starts on the button and the only difference between me and the modern bike parked up next to me is he gets to put his gear on while the engine automatically fast idles while I have to hold it on the throttle.