Motorcycles with 20+ years unchanged...

[ScottRNelson]

Somebody pointed out on the ThumperTalk XR forum that the XR650L will likely hit the 30 year mark unchanged. Other than a few carburetor tweaks and a few years with "bold new graphics", nothing has changed on that bike since 1993. When I'm ordering parts at the Honda dealer or Cycle Gear they always ask what year it is, and I always point out that "they're all the same". Then when they look up whatever part I'm ordering it always says 1993-(whatever) with the latest year being whenever the parts book was printed.

So what other motorcycle models have managed to go unchanged for at least 20 years?

I can't come up with any.

Have there been some Harley models that manage that?

 

[CDONA]

TW200, since '87

 

[cheez]

Suzuki DR650SE was 1996 to 2015...

Kawi KLR650 1990 to 2019...

 

[RWMaverick]

The Ninja 250 from 1987 to 2007! Exactly 20 years!

There was a Ninja 250 from like 85-86 which is now known as the "pre-gen" since the 87-07 model is known to virtually everyone as the first gen haha. Weird tidbit.

 

[SlideSF]

Kawasaki KLR 650 is the classic example of an unchanging model, but that was just 20 years. 1988 - 2007

I don't think there was more than minor changes to the Suzuki GS500 from 1989 - 2016. But you would need to specify the year at a parts shop because of minor changes to bodywork and such

 

[buellistic]

Honda xr100

 

[ScottRNelson]

Kawi KLR650 1990 to 2019...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawasaki_KLR650 says

• Generation 1 (1987-2007)
• Generation 2 (2008-2018)

So yeah, the first generation made it 20 years, but not the ones you've specified.

I'm not looking at bikes that kept the same name for over 20 years, it has to be all parts interchangeable for the whole run of the particular model.

Does the TW200 count as an actual motorcycle? :laughing

 

[Maddevill]

My 1983 GS750E has been pretty much unchanged in decades. It's still sitting out in my garage, waiting to be restored....lol

Mad

 

[SFMCjohn]

the XR650L absolutely rules the model longevity game, for sure. :thumbup

Kawasaki has a large number of long-run engines, though, god bless them.

KZ1000P Police, ‘82-2005, and back to ‘72 if you just count the engine?

EX500 was 7 years, I guess, ‘87-‘93 ... Ninja 500 was ‘94 to 2009, 25 years?

20 year previous generation KLR, as mentioned. no match for the XR-650L. :laughing:angel

the mighty Suzuki GS500 engine goes back even further, if you count the GS400/450?

Indian Chief flat-head engine was ‘22 - ‘53.

Harley-Davidson ironhead XL engine was 1957–1985.
Harley-Davidson XR-750 production racer was ‘72 - 2008.

my Honda-fu is weak, but the 1980-2008 CT110 was 28 years?

Yamaha SR500 was 1978–1999.
Yamaha SR400 1978–2021 ... still in production, kick start, but maybe had gaps in production?

fun to think about ... will be a sad day when the XR650L goes out of production.

 

[zelig]

I dunno about continuous production, but the 2021 V-Star 250 is virtually identical to the 1988 Yamaha Virago 250. (33 years.)

Same goes for the aircooled Honda Rebel 250, which began in 1985 and was replaced with an all-new design in 2017 or so. (32 years.)

 

[GAJ]

So what other motorcycle models have managed to go unchanged for at least 20 years?

I can't come up with any.

The Suzuki DR-Z400 is a dual-sport motorcycle manufactured by Suzuki beginning in 2000.

 

[auntiebling]

Yamaha pw50 was introduced in 1980 and continues through today with minimal changes

 

[ScottRNelson]

Yamaha pw50 was introduced in 1980 and continues through today with minimal changes

Hadn't considered that one. I owned one from the early 80's and I know that nothing but color has changed. One of the few bikes I actually wish I hadn't sold.

 

[GAJ]

Hadn't considered that one. I owned one from the early 80's and I know that nothing but color has changed. One of the few bikes I actually wish I hadn't sold.

How about the Honda Super Cub which started in 1960 but has has several iterations.

 

[auntiebling]

Hadn't considered that one. I owned one from the early 80's and I know that nothing but color has changed. One of the few bikes I actually wish I hadn't sold.

only crossed my mind because i have a 6 year old that has wanted a motorcycle for a couple years and i told him

"no motorcycles till you can ride a bike without training wheels"

well guess who figured out pedal bikes about 4 weeks ago?

pw50 has shaft drive so lower maintenance for parents, fricking brilliant!

 

[ScottRNelson]

pw50 has shaft drive so lower maintenance for parents, fricking brilliant!

Not only that, you can limit how much throttle it will take when the kids first start riding it, and it will only start in a special mode that won't allow it to just take off because it was given too much throttle. A great kid-friendly design. Yep, wish I hadn't sold mine.

 

[HadesOmega]

DR650 is at 25 with the current model (1996-2021) would it kill them to put a 6th gear?

 

[N4teTheGreat]

DR650 is at 25 with the current model (1996-2021) would it kill them to put a 6th gear?

Yes

 

[davidji]

TThere was a Ninja 250 from like 85-86 which is now known as the "pre-gen" since the 87-07 model is known to virtually everyone as the first gen haha. Weird tidbit.

Now I know. "pre-gen" didn't make sense to me before.

 

[ScottRNelson]

DR650 is at 25 with the current model (1996-2021) would it kill them to put a 6th gear?

Yes. And it would kill Honda to do it too.