VTR since 2009

[tricatcent]

I bought a VTR about 15 years ago, and have ridden it almost every year since then. I bought it from a friend, who needed the money. I had always liked VTRs, I guess I was just waiting for one to come my way at a good price. A few years later my friend wanted to buy the VTR back. At first I didn't want to sell it. I mentioned to him that there was a reasonably priced RC51 for sale. He bought that one, but it never suited him that well and a few years later he sold it.

I put the VTR away about two years ago because the cam chain was making noise. I have about 11 other motorcycles so it took me a while to fix it. I put in some Krieger manual tensioners recently and now the bike runs perfectly again. It is a lovely bike. These bikes were originally designed for someone just like me. A guy who likes European twins but also likes Hondas. I don't desire any more power than the VTR has. It's enough for me.

I find this bike rides a lot like a Triumph Thruxton R. Has anyone else noticed that? I haven't actually ridden both bikes back to back but that was the impression I got the first time I rode the Thruxton R.

The bike I put away just before I started riding the VTR again was my 1984 Guzzi 850 Lemans. I love the Lemans, but of coarse the VTR has way more power, it's lighter, and probably has more low end torque as well. In 6th gear the VTR is geared a little taller than the Lemans which has only 5 gears. The Guzzis gear box is very slow and I had gotten used to shifting slow. The VTR has to be shifted fast, that takes a bit of getting used to. The great thing about Guzzis is that they are mechanically very simple. Valve adjustment takes less than an hour. You can have the carbs off in 10 minutes. Probably the Guzzi will last my lifetime without any trouble at all.

I also have an old bevel drive Ducati 900ss (1975). It is a stunningly beautiful collectors item. The VTR is a bit like that bike to ride. The VTR is faster, but the 900ss is smoother. I remember one time riding to work on a Sunday on the 900ss after doing the same route all week on the VTR. As I entered the highway on the 900ss I thought how much less powerful it felt, but then I looked down at the speedo and found out I was going 80 MPH, which was quite a bit faster than it felt. You can have the VTR experience for about $2500.00. A 900ss is going to cost at least $35,000.

One bike I rode that is nothing like the VTR is the Ducati 1098. The 1098 I rode was really fast, but it was horrible to ride, really only suitable for the track. The one I rode probably needed a thorough tune up by an expert. I think they are not all as bad as the one I rode.

Nigel

[sirch345]

Welcome back Nigel

A very interesting read that

Don’t leave it so long this time

Chris.

[tricatcent]

Here is my VTR, a few years ago I added the Beetle bags from Corbin. I was looking at Craigslist and I thought I would look up VTR parts. Someone was selling these already painted the right colour. He also had some original mufflers. (previously this bike had some Hindle high level ones) After installing this stuff it was like having a new bike. The bike still makes a nice noise, but a lot quieter. There is no noticeable difference in power. Flames no longer come out of the mufflers on the over run. (it was fun with the loud pipes) I have a set of low level loud pipes now that I might fit if I get tired of the stock ones.

[fabiostar]

Welcome along (back) sir