Does small-bore bore you?

[Cafe Racer]

Who else has a small-bore bike that they pull out of the garage often and leave the larger bike at home?

It appeared that Kawasaki, KTM and Yamaha (USA) were getting back into the small sportbike arena. Has it been successful? I do see more on the road.

I have a KTM 1090R which was my exclusive commuter and and travel bike. But years prior, my FZR400 was my only choice. I commuted and toured and used it as my daily for many years.

Only recently I have been using the old Yamaha again. It feels great. Brings back lots of memories. And i'm waking in the morning with worn sore "quads" from the riding position.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I commuted on an EX500 rain/shine for 6 years. I walked past 2 GSXRs, a Triumph Daytona and a Bandit 1200 in the garage to do so. There were several reasons I chose that bike for commute duty, the wicked good fuel mileage being a strong factor. Also, I didn't mind spinning the odometer on that bike as it seemed like the obvious choice to put in harms way. Commuting takes a toll no matter how careful you are.
That said, it's a gas to ride. I am never bored with it. As the saying goes, "It's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than to ride as fast bike slow."
:ride

 

[Frame Maker]

First off, need to define "small bore"... Some might say that a 550 is a small bore bike, but I guarantee an SXV550 is anything but boring.

In my book, a 250 is small bore (street) bike. And to answer the question... no, not boring at all. I love my little RZ250R. For the sake of conversation, I would compare and contrast to the Z1000 I had a few years back. Sure the Z1000 is fast as f&#k, but it had the personality of sewing machine. I became bored with that bike and sold it after a few months. I've had my 250R since 1986 and don't plan to sell it... ever.

[/url]20180707_123858 by andbike, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[gixxerjeff]

You are obviously correct Julian, but I'm pretty sure Miguel meant smaller displacement compared to what we are accustomed to as the mid-size norm of today. My guess is he is referring to sub-650cc bikes living in a liter bike world.
The 500 I used as my example would have been considered a tank by what I was surrounded with when I was in high school in the 70's.
That's a tasty 250 pictured there, btw.

 

[Frame Maker]

... The 500 I used as my example...

Funny, I almost mentioned the few 500 Ninja (powered) bikes I've built as also being in the non-boring category. Fun little bikes they are.

BTW Jeff, I've looked for you the last few times I've been out to Carnegie. I guess I should get more organized and actually ping you before I go next time:ride

 

[ScottRNelson]

First off, need to define "small bore"...

I think he actually meant "small displacement".

A 600cc four cylinder is small bore if you consider the bore of a single cylinder (65.5 mm for some of them).

My KTM 790 is "smaller bore" than what I've been riding at 88 mm. :laughing

My XR is 102.41 mm.

 

[Gary856]

Yes, unless it's off road. The smallest displacement street bike that looks interesting currently is the Tenere 700.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Funny, I almost mentioned the few 500 Ninja (powered) bikes I've built as also being in the non-boring category. Fun little bikes they are.

BTW Jeff, I've looked for you the last few times I've been out to Carnegie. I guess I should get more organized and actually ping you before I go next time:ride

And not to thread-jack this in to a vintage thing but this thread brings fond memories to mind. I had a 1973 Honda XL250 as my only transportation during my junior and senior years in high school. My good friend's dad had a candy blue Honda CB550 Supersport and was dumb/kind enough to let me ride it with some degree of frequency. The immediate shock of motorcycle contrast is still fresh in my mind. That thing was a "heavy and powerful beast" compared to what I had ridden up to it on. Those bikes still stir something good deep inside me to this day and for good reason.

 

[gixxerjeff]

I think he actually meant "small displacement".

Scott, I think the main reason he went with the term "Bore" was purely for the play on words aspect. Miguel knows what he's talking about. Not much you can do with the word "displacement" unless you're willing to dust off the old adage "There's no replacement for displacement." :laughing

 

[Lonster]

I have had many small displacement bikes over the years, and they are a hoot. I think my favorite was the RD125 cafe that I owned for about 10 years.
And then there was the plated 1974 Monark 125....

 

[RVFRick]

My big bore bike is a '90 CB-1 399cc. . Watercooled, inline 4, gear driven cams, 14k redline, reliable and economical Charro satisfies everything I realistically need from a bike.

To mix things up my ride group enjoy flogging our small bikes: Yamaha 125 Zuma scooter, 125 Honda Monkey/Grim/Z125 and my 38 year old '82 Honda C70 Passport. It's truly fun and exciting zipping around on these bikes and improving riding skills. We've had them on portions of Highway 17 and it's always exciting esp. when you hold onto cargo racks of the bigger bikes and get a free tow.

Lately, the larger bike owners (think BMW GSs ) want in on the action and are shopping to downsize so they can also enjoy the challenge of riding a slow bike fast. For sure my drum brakes and leading link forks keep things interesting:laughing

 

[mrzuzzo]

I'll take Grom (143cc) over everything.

 

[1962siia]

Picked up a pair of ct90’s recently. Got the first one running last week and it’s a blast. I love small bikes!

 

[squidworth]

I've got a 1992 CBR400RR in mid restoration mode right now. I can't wait to get that running again

 

[CDONA]

Have been waiting for the 4th traffic to wander off.
Mattole rd was busy on Sat. going back with the mini this time.
I have the whole Avenue of the Giants, and Mattole, to roll on 12" donuts.



Mmmmmm donuts, , ,

 

[sckego]

I love little bikes. I like being able to redline shift 3 or 4 gears while getting on to the freeway without hitting reckless-driving speeds. I like having to constantly bounce up and down through the gears on my favorite twisty road.

I also love big bikes. I like being able to crack the throttle open from any gear at any speed and feeling it just PULL. I like being able to ride the full length of my favorite twisty road with a number of gear shifts that I can count on my fingers.

I don't really like middle-sized bikes, that are too fast to wring out, but too gutless to ride lazily.

 

[Karbon]

Small bore, small roads, small tracks.

BIG FUN.

 

[novaks47]

I love little bikes! My first moto was 2009 Yamaha TW200. Put 15K miles on it from new, had a blast! I currently commute on a Ninja 1000, and I absolutely love it, but nothing beats a small bike for just cruising around and exploring. I have a Sachs Madass 125 for that purpose. There's just something about small air-cooled thumpers I love, they're just an absolute blast to ride. I'm probably going to pick up an XT250 this week, as I miss having a small dual sport. Going to go with Cogent for the front suspension, and probably a Racetech spring for the rear, should make it a great little dirt explorer.

 

[RVFRick]

I've got a 1992 CBR400RR in mid restoration mode right now. I can't wait to get that running again

:cool, would like to see this. :thumbup

 

[squidworth]

Here you go! I got my hands on it in a non-running condition, as it has been sitting for 11 years. This picture makes it look like it's in way better condition than it is, but overall it's still in relatively great shape. There are a ton of little things to fix or replace.

:cool, would like to see this. :thumbup