| Author | Message | ||
     Scottorious |
whats anyone think the best UJM is? in a 550CC to 750CC range. | ||
| Aesquire |
Current production? Or historical? Historical, I'd say the early '80's Suzuki TSCC bikes. With the Honda 750 Nighthawk as a close second. Current? Not sure what meets your standards. Kawasaki Versys looks nice, but I know diddle about it. Honda CB500F, ditto. The Suzuki SFV650 looks like the one I'd buy, but it's v-twin config takes it out of the UJM category, I'd think. If you allow engines besides IL4's then Historically, I'd vote the Honda 750 Sabre. In your defined size class. The ones that might really be contenders tend to be too big, for your rules. Like the CB1100, which I, again, haven't paid much attention to reviews, but like the retro look. If your idea of a UJM is a Ninja, then I have no opinion besides brand loyalty. | ||
| Scottorious |
I only set the size parameters as to try to find something with decent mileage. I had a kz550 as my first motorcycle and it was pretty fantastic. I'm just looking for something as an everyday rider. A "ride it to work in the rain and not care" kind of motorcycle. I have considered the blast but I can't say I've ever loved it's looks. But the cb550 and kz550 and the seventies and early 80s UJMs I have kind of always liked. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Honda 400 Scrambler  but the GB 500 TT is damn hot too. | ||
| Ducbsa |
Your criteria excludes the mighty Z-1! | ||
| Aesquire |
Also, the CB1100, but I understand that when you get down to it, anything over about 600cc is ego, not need. ( except for heavy 2 up touring bikes ) I've often said that with 1205 cc's I've got twice as much ego as I need.  It's like the difference between a VW GTI and a Ferrari. You can have a lot of fun flirting with the limits in a slower vehicle that would get you in serious trouble in a fast one. While my personal desires include the ability to "hit the ton" with ease, with a passenger, that's a performance spec, not a daily need in a commuter bike. ( unless you live somewhere where R&P is still the speed limit. The rest of us don't ) Looking at the midrange bikes, and having an irrational dislike for IL4's because of some long buzzy rides, I like the SFV650, and want to try the new Yamaha Triple, ( see other thread ) even though it's bigger than Scottotious's criteria. ( but not that much out of spec. ) The current trend seems to be a bi-polar motorcycle world, with racers ( GSXR ) and cruisers ( Shadow ) with "standard" bikes a small minority. The Cruisers seem to have occupied the ecological niche that UJM's used to hold. Still the relatively upright riding position, pegs under butt, designs, are IMHO the best balanced bikes, even though they are not the current trend. | ||
| Buellish |
How about the Honda NC700X?It's got good mileage,storage and at 7 grand it's not too expensive. http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/10/18/honda-nc700x- road-test/ | ||
| Fast1075 |
You mentioned you once had a KZ-550. KZ-650, 700, 750 are still around and can be had for cheap. They are very durable. The LTD model would be good for your purpose, and is still fairly plentiful. As with any old carb'd bike, the thing to watch for is gummed up carbs. But in the case of the Kawis, if needed, new Mikuni carb sets are still available from Sudco. The last version of the bike was the Zephyr, which was basically a GPZ-750 in sheeps clothing. It was a really nice bike. | ||
| Slaughter |
KLR650 | ||
| Zenbiker |
Wee-strom, klr650 nc700x are all (from what I hear an read) good bikes. Reliable, versatile, inexpensive, fun. I may be in the market for a klr650, as the roads here in Vermont are not the best for sportbikes. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Kawasaki KZ750 (zephyr) was a great UJM. $5000 new, heck of a bike for that much. Air cooled inline four. | ||
| Rick_a |
My favorite is probably the ZRX. Screw your 750cc limit!   | ||
| Pwnzor |
Hmmm.... pretty happy with the one I am currently riding.  | ||
| Scottorious |
I might actually be lowering my parameters to 400 and snagging a KZ440. Even better mileage . And they make cool little cafe bikes. | ||
| Birdy |
KLR-650, ugly, slow, funky and cheap. Will haul anything anywhere. Last so long some of the first ones are still out there running...30+ years. More aftermarket support than you can believe, you want it? Someone makes it. I bought a Versys to hold me over until the AT (Yep, I'm saving my Penneys!  ) comes out. It's a nice bike I was over at 555 in Hocking Hills OH yesterday and had no problem keeping up with the Big Boys...me with all the hard cases on. I miss my XB on rides like this one, slam it in 3rd gear and hang on. The 650 in the Versys mean ya gotta row the box to keep it rolling at speed. | ||
| Tootal |
If you don't mind kick starting a single lunger then I'd get an old Yamaha SR 500. I use to get 75 mpg out of that thing. It was as dependable as a brick! I use to leave the key in it just to watch people try to start it!! | ||
| Jaimec |
I loved my Yamaha XJ650RJ SECA. They only brought it to the States for one year despite it being a popular model in Europe. Big gas tank, long, flat seat, comfortable riding position and MONSTROUS headlight that just begged for the 55/100 watt bulb I put in it. Damned shame it didn't sell. The Maxim was more popular so it stayed but the better, more versatile SECA was discontinued. For Americans, anyway. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Scottorious, I am in the middle of a cafe conversion now on a KZ400. Very cool little bike, let me know if you have any questions... https://www.facebook.com/groups/446360278728544/ Its a nice candidate for a conversion, because it has a disc front brake (so you can actually ride it with less fear of dying) and many MANY parts from all sorts of japanese 70's bikes can be made to fit it. | ||
| 86129squids |
I'm still hoping to find an original, unmolested Kawasaki GPz550... that's the bike that spawned the middleweight supersport category. I'm partial to Suzooks and Yammies overall- the UJM regardless of brand will have an IL4, 5 or 6 speeds, and chain drive. A very interesting variant was Yamaha's range of triples- had a buddy who rode one with a Kerker header, very nice ear candy! Getting slightly away from the UJM definition, I once owned a Yamaha FZ700, IIRC an '87 model... GREAT bike, awesome midrange, and fun to look at to boot. Oh, and depending on the model, Honda's V-4 motors were built into many interesting bikes. Vern has fond memories of an old V65... And, for an anti-UJM theme- anyone pleazzze holler at me if you find a clean GTS1000 for good money, better yet, an XN85... | ||
| Fahren |
KZ440 was my first bike. Good times :-) | ||
| Jaimec |
I never got a chance to try a 1983 Suzuki GS1100E, but that bike seemed like an EXCELLENT "all-rounder" to me. At least my SECA 650 had the same monstrous-sized headlight. | ||
| 86129squids |
Ooohh! I just remembered the Maxim X! A true UJM, but with the new 5-valve Genesis motor that I had in the FZ! Dang things are collectible now, and believe me, that's PLENTY of motor. Do I win a prize or something? | ||
| Oldog |
Had a '79 1000 zuki, and an 82 750 zuki The tscc bikes were nice kit bought the 750 wrecked and gave it to my friends younger brother for transportation, After repairs. the '79 mill was an anvil. 53 K no major issues.... | ||
| Scottorious |
What does anyone think about yamaha xs450 or xs650. There are a couple deals close to me on both those bikes. I am kind of thinking I like the narrow upright 2 cylinder as opposed to the inline 4. | ||
| 86129squids |
The XS650 had developed a serious aftermarket as of late, geared towards "bobber" kits and such. I've got a buddy who likes to tinker with them. If one can be had for good $$$, jump. Have no idea about the 450, might be fun too if cheeeeeep. Grab that 650 and a couple of issues of "The Horse". | ||
| Bbbob |
I picked up an older 1200S Bandit last fall & am really liking it. Air cooled in-line 4, 98 hp, under 500 lbs. It came with a set of Givi hard bags & top case. It's been bullet proof mechanically & pretty versatile, mostly a commuter & my wife & I have taken a couple of w/e trips on it. I've been getting between 48-50 mpg on it. If I were just using it for one-up commuting I'd consider the 600cc version... | ||
| Oldog |
bBob what year? any pix ? | ||
| Cityxslicker |
take a look at what Ryca is doing with the suzuki 600 single thumper. versatile little bike - great potential. cost affective - easily found most were tea toddled as they were 'cruisers' in their first life - most with very low miles. Happy Hunting. | ||
| Gregtonn |
How many here know what UJM origianly meant? G | ||
| 86129squids |
What City said... basically the motor is half of a bulletproof air/oil cooled Intruder V-twin. Dunno about easily found, but no needle in a haystack either. Belt drive to boot. Me likey this thread. The whole idea of a Universal Japanese Motorcycle is kinda archaic now... all we have left are crotch rockets, HD knockoffs, D/S bikes, overgrown scooters and road couches. The new Honda NC (New Concept ) will be a hit. I want another PC800. First year, phleeeze, hate the colors of later year models. |
