GooF2
Well-known member
+1 love my TW! I have an '87 and it's nice because most of the newer parts are compatible (or slight upgrade - disc front end, better rear shock). I hope they never stop making them.
Motorcycles with 20+ years unchanged...
- Thread starter ScottRNelson
- Start date
+1 love my TW! I have an '87 and it's nice because most of the newer parts are compatible (or slight upgrade - disc front end, better rear shock). I hope they never stop making them.
duck_rider
Well-known member
Hayabusa has remained pretty consistent since 1999. Pretty minor revisions across the 3 generations.
ScottRNelson
Mr. Dual Sport Rider
If there are three generations of them, then there will be a lot of parts that are different. I.e., it doesn't qualify. :x
OaklandF4i
Darwin's exception
I think the XR650L wins the longest with zero changes or upgrades other than color ways. Others longer, but with minor changes and upgrades.
The basic engine architecture of the XR650L has been around since XR/XL500 in 1979.
It will be around as long as they keep selling and will never see an upgrade or redesign. Won't be redesigned because it will then need to meet current emissions, which the design won't. Truly a dinosaur (in a cool way.)
I assume the DR650se and DRZ400S haven't seen changes for the same reason.
The basic engine architecture of the XR650L has been around since XR/XL500 in 1979.
It will be around as long as they keep selling and will never see an upgrade or redesign. Won't be redesigned because it will then need to meet current emissions, which the design won't. Truly a dinosaur (in a cool way.)
I assume the DR650se and DRZ400S haven't seen changes for the same reason.
superhypered
(╯°□°)╯ ლ(ಠ_ಠ ლ)
I can't speak for the 650 or 500 specifically, but I have an 85 XR350 and those old Honda motors are just solid tractors, bike still runs great to this day. Very happy it was an 85 with a single carb vs the previous year with dual carb
DefyInertia
Original Saratogian
I was going to say PW50 too but I think they made some meaningful changes to the rear suspension in recent years.
I have two from the 80s and also a 1987 BW80
So cool.
I have two from the 80s and also a 1987 BW80
So cool.
ScottRNelson
Mr. Dual Sport Rider
Retro style? :laughingThe DRZ is old enough that its retro style is fashionable again. At least to me
Dual sport motorcycles generally only look one way and that's because function is more important than style.
islemann
Re Tired Not Dead
While it too has gone through some subtle revisions/upgrades - the Kawasaki Concours 1000 stands in the midst of a plethora of Kawasaki models that have had very long lives. Kawasaki did some amazing durability engineering back in the late '70's and early '80's as they developed their water cooled bikes. Ninja 500 (*used basically 1/2 of a Ninja 900 motor bored to 500(ish) cc's. Ninja 900/1000/1100 + GTR1000 (Concours to the NA market) all used the same basic motor/transmission unit. Bores changed and cams and carbs and internal gear ratios varied but most of the other parts swap painlessly between the lot.