Thinking about a thumper or middle weight.

[jeffe]

I had a 1978 SR500 thumper. Kick start only and probally the most fun bike I've ridden. Should of kept it.

[Special Ed]

Wow, I haven't checked the site in a while. I'm pleased to see riders are still posting to this thread! Yep, it was the last post I was thinking about. That 600 single has been used in at least a couple of other brands. I think BMW used it for a while. That Yammy would be a nice thumper. Thanks!
Special Ed

[Crusty Snippets]

More thumper

My dad used to take my brother and I to the motorcycle races in the fifties in NZ. He also knew Forest Cardon one of the better riders at the time.
Peter Murphy was the number one plate back then, John Hempleman was another notable, so was Len Perry the father of Geoff Perry.
I included the names for the Kiwi's on this site.
Anyway I can still clearly remember the sounds of all those early bikes.
Norton, AJS, Velocette, Matchless and many others.
The main track near Auckland was located in the Mangere rural area that now has the Mangere airport. Travellers to Auckland NZ land there.
At Ardmore we went to the car races, but the sounds of the Ferraris and Maseratis have been lost somewhere.
My dad born in 1911 used to ride his various Nortons ( 16H ) in the South London area during the thirties.
His last ride was on a sixties Triumph Bonneville near Orewa north of Auckland.

Uncle Crusty

[windjammergump]

picking up your bike

i think you would be unhappy with a smaller performace...but there is a good like on picking up your bike on here ....using the strongest muscles in your body instead of your back and arms ...a good read along with others that come from alot of Ironbutt.....i am truely impressed by my bothers on here posting helpful hints....i am a member of the concerned bikers in my county and suggest everyone checks on your local area ....we have to stick together and for 25 a yr for a single or 35 a yr for a couple ....you get a life insurance policy(nc i know) for 2000 a piece..just for joining...and we do a hr. a month meetings and 3 rides a yr.....local,state and non-profit..if you dont have one in your area ....it takes 5 ppl (officers) to start a local chapter hope this helps ....all they really ask is for ppl to care about bikers rites ....and reg...to vote...they have lawyers..they tell you who is for and against ................we meet ere 1 hr a month.....

[LoHo]

I can see Ed's point, as I use the XS to lengthen the longevity of my Suburban, which sucks down gas too much for a daily ride, but is needed to pull the boat or haul camping equipment. A smaller bike might be nice for around town, work commute, etc. I have an XV500 Virago for that purpose, if I ever get her going reliably.

Ed, a 250 Virago might be more to your taste and needs. I was thinking about a new Kawi GPz 250, which hauls booty and gets 70+mpg, or so they claim, but has that sport bike laid-out style that is too rugged on my old back for extended periods.

[XSive Okie]

A guy I work with has an '05 Honda Shadow 750, which I have ridden a couple of times just for fun. Fairly light, yet has decent power and MPG. I see them used all the time for not much moolah.

[cywelchjr]

You know Ed, a thumper might be ok, but you might think about an XS 650 or maybe 400. They were nice machines that with some care are still viable daily riders and for around town use can be plenty powerful and pretty nimble to boot. The only problem with the XS twins are they can be a little "buzzy" on the highway if your trying to run long distances, but your 11 can serve well for that.

Or maybe do a Fred, and hang a sidecar on the thing.