ALT-1 Beginners Guide to Motorcycle Makes and Models
During the history of the development of the motorcycle, there has been a veritable myriad of makes and models produced, some good, some destined to become footnotes on frivolous design or featured models in "The Worlds Worst and Weirdest Motorcycles" . As a general rule, if it's still around and running, if you can still get parts for it, it is most likely not a "lemon". Orphans and lemons may have fanatically dedicated fan bases, but this is not the area for the beginner. Most of these alliances have been formed out of a need to cannibalize parts and share in lost knowledge through a lack of mechanics familiar with the model or make. The best bet for a newcomer to the two-wheeled fraternity is to stick with makes and models that have been around for a long time and still have a good reputation for parts and service.
To assist those who may be dazzled by the choices of make and model out there, this guide provides a brief history of the major manufacturers of today, an appraisal of some of their finer past products and a look at the company and products they offer today's market. Also included are companies who have very popular products, but are no longer producing bikes, so as to assist the second-hand or classic bike buyer.
Aprilla:An older Italian make, usually associated with scooters until the early nineties when they started to release a range of small capacity road sport bikes with highly tuned race-able engines and frames. These made big waves with the entry-level enthusiasts, usually left with only a limited selection from the Big 4 (Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki). For 125cc and 250cc bikes with a competitive edge, Aprilla leads the pack.
Cautions: Watch for thrashed ex-race bikes with bent frames, worn clutches and brakes, illegal tires and various after-sale race modifications which may make them hard to register and insure for the road. Also seek mechanical advice about engine and gearbox condition, as the a 2-stroke is a high revving little rocket and the engines wear out fast. Note, these are very fast bikes, unsuitable for beginners, no matter how good they think they are. On the plus side, they do handle very well, up till wind buffet factors start to affect the lightweight race-replica frames. Since the bikes are made in Italy and are stuffed to the gills with specialized alloys, parts are very expensive.
BMW: A make known for quality and comfort when it comes to touring bikes, commuters, rally-bikes and a limited number of sports models. Often innovative and ahead of the pack in new developments, the BMW has earned a reputation as a bullet-proof, but somewhat uninspiring mount, guaranteed to get you long distances with considerable ease, excellent fuel economy and limited risk. Parts for most models are readily available, and the BMW tends to hold a good market resale value. Any of the R or K series touring bikes are solid mounts, and if the Paris-Dakar bikes are good enough for their namesake rally, they're good enough for you.
Cautions: Few, if you don't mind the Death or Glory boys referring to your safe and quiet bike as a German Air Compressor. Watch out for very unique models with discontinued innovations, ask your local bike mechanic about these.
BSA: An old English brand, but still popular as they are building them new in India. Basic single or parallel-twin engines, rugged frames and basic brakes and instruments. Fairly reliable, but treat them like the bikes they were based on - old British twins and singles. Various parts will interchange between models and eras, so a good range of spares. For new, open-class bikes, the BSA is a good choice for the classic-minded budget buyer. Don't expect blistering performance, and look out for gangs of elderly men, eager to curtail you and reminisce about their old Beezer.
Cautions: Inconsistent Indian materials and workmanship are a concern, but warranties should sort the lemons from the cherries. If you buy secondhand, watch for piecemeal bikes created from a mix of models and parts. Older BSA's enjoy better materials and pride of English Workmanship, but suffer from leaks, poor brakes, horrendous electrics and troublesome carbs. All of these problems are easily rectifiable by introducing modern parts and a wealth of available information from clubs and literature.
Benelli: You may find one of these in a shop somewhere, but they are becoming quite rare. Usually twins or triples, Benelli are a respected and collected Italian sports or commuter bike. Good design, strong motors and excellent handling, the good ones are expensive, ie. Avoid the cheapies, something is definitely wrong. If you want a fast, sweet handling and unique bike, and have the cash, a Benelli is probably one of the better and more reliable classics to seek out.
Cautions: Expensive and sometimes rare parts, Italian colorful spaghetti instead of good wiring, not the best bike for a beginner to drop.
Cagiva: Now part of the Ducati family, Cagiva was fairly competitive in the eighties when they offered a good range of dirt-bikes in Europe, some of which found their way to here and other places with a ready market. These days, Cagiva produces race-replicas, rally and other dirt-bikes and some sport/commuters. Expensive bikes, check with your mechanic for particular problem-children in the range.
Cautions: Maintenance-intensive engines and expensive parts. As reliable as a sports range can be, but an excellent range of options for your particular riding style.
Ducati: Recently enjoying a rebirth through good marketing, the acquisition of rivals and the involvement of the Ferrari company's ownership through the early nineties, Ducati started out small with powered wheelchairs, moving into mopeds and single cylinder bikes during the sixties. A race thoroughbred stable was built up over time, but the bikes during the seventies and eighties were unreliable as daily transport, expensive, spartan, unusual in gear change and instrumentation layout and they leaked. On the road, however, they handled like a dream and went like stink and sounded like God's pitbull on a strained leash. Currently producing a large range of bikes in co-operation with Cagiva, there is a model for all, as long as there's a bit of racing spirit in you. Ducati are not known for slow or uninspiring bikes.
Cautions: As with any manufacturer, there are some bikes one should avoid. The parallel twin 350's and 500's have an undeservedly poor reputation due to varying factors too detailed for this article. The V-twin 860GT was also an unloved bike. Beware of poor electrics and workmanship on secondhand classic era bikes. On new bikes, parts are plentiful but pricey. Maintenance costs are equivalent with running a race-bred machine, and expect to throw lots of money at your Duke for insurance and Warranty Services.
Harley Davidson: One of the oldest manufacturers of motorcycles in the world, HD has been a mainstay for the US motorcycle market for many years. Periods like the AMF and Sturgis eras, the Aeromacchi 2-stroke badge engineered bikes of the seventies and fluctuating markets have all been weathered by this resilient company. Today, the range is fairly extensive as long as you want a bike from 886cc upwards. HD does not currently produce small commuters, dirt-bikes or Sports Machines. The Sportster features a lighter frame, a motor gearbox "unit" and smaller tank etc so as to separate it from the Wide Glides, Heritage Softails and Dynoglides, which have separate motor/gearbox combinations and a lot more metal to push around. Parts are plentiful, in fact you can build a Harley from spares in such a way as to preclude any original factory item. As a domestic product, HD's can be had for very reasonable prices and the whole of the range is pretty much available on the used bike market. If you just gotta ride your Hog fast, Buell manufactures Harley powered and backed Sports Bikes with exotic racing frames and worked Harley motors.
Cautions: Harleys do not handle like other bikes and their weight and power application characteristics may take some getting used to. They are not meant to be ridden fast and furious, so all you would-be Casey Stoners out there would be better off with a nice V-Max Yamaha. As the entire history of HD is available running and polished on the second-hand market, beware of past "compromises in quality". Don't buy a 78 Shovel Sportster. Watch some AMF or Sturgis Shovels too, they have a variable reputation, so check with your local Hog Driver for info before you buy.
Honda: A well-respected member of the Japanese big four, Honda produces a wide range of bikes for many different purposes. From Racing to commuting, dirt-bike to Quad-racer, Honda has an enviable reputation as a competitive, reliable and well-backed manufacturer. Honda is four-stroke oriented, being one of the first Japanese brands to swing away from two-strokes, and has led the world in development along these lines since the sixties. This does not mean that Honda two-strokes are in any way inferior - the CR dirt-bike and NSR road/sports bikes are proof of this. The CD range has evolved into the CB then CBR designations for four-stroke road bikes, and is one of the longest running model genealogies in motorcycle history. Good parts and backup, but you may have to wait for older model parts, as Honda pursues a rapid R&D path, and some models have limited spares available. Being one of the best known brands, however, means there is an extensive after-market spares supply.
Cautions: Hondas evolve rapidly, so models become obsolete fairly quickly. Watch for sports and dirt-bikes requiring specialist tools for standard maintenance and repairs. Although reliable, the CSX 500 or "plastic maggot" is underpowered, overweight and not particularly inspiring to ride. Good for a work-hack, but they're getting old. Other concerns are radical and now obsolete systems like enclosed disc brakes, overheating on RPVS XR dirt-bikes and Kehin Carburettor problems like jetting availability and set-up. Import NSR's have a reputation for being hand grenades in the reliability department.Indian: Strictly for the collector or enthusiast, the Indian is another US manufacturer, and no longer made. There have been rumblings about new models being reborn, but this has been in the rumor mill for at least twenty years. The Harley crowd likes em, and a good Indian will cost you a packet. Spares are almost impossible to find. If you can't be dissuaded, look for Chieftans and Chiefs, the smaller products are too rare to contemplate for the beginner, unless you find the fabled "Scout, good condition, stored for forty years".
Cautions: Rare, expensive, limited parts, evil handling by today's standards, less reliable than an evo Harley, which will be cheaper and easier to run in the long-term.
Kawasaki: The second member of the Big Four, Kawasaki is renowned for cutting-edge technology, performance, reliability and innovation. The legendary Z900 of the seventies was the benchmark multi-cylinder road sports machine for many years. This developed into the GPz, then ZZR ranges, using the Z900 engine as a baseline for evolution. Kawasaki gearboxes are sought after by the drag-racing fraternity due to their bulletproof reputation. Two-stroke development was also pushed up a notch with the seventies two-stroke triple series, known for blistering performance and major advances in expansion-chamber development. Kawasaki will often develop their engines in ways considered too expensive by the other members of the Big Four, but this means excellent value for money, longevity, and up-to-date performance whether road or dirt oriented.
Cautions: Electric Starters in the older KLR's are somewhat fickle, as are the electrics in general on the otherwise sensible GPz 750's. Some technology is expensive to fix, and Kawasaki seem to stuff all the mod-cons and innovations they can into each model - if buying used, be sure to get a mechanical check done on the bike. Kawasakis are sometimes more expensive than the other common Japanese makes, but it's usually worth it.
KTM: An Austrian company, KTM are an innovative producer, leading the way in competition dirt-bikes for decades. They pioneered chip-controlled ignition systems in the eighties and were also one of the first to use rear disc-brakes on mid-capacity motocrosses and enduro bikes. Lately, KTM has been making inroads in Supermotard bikes and has a new road-bike with excellent credentials to offer. Good reputation for parts supply.
Cautions: Few, but watch for earlier developments like disc-brakes which overheat and some electrical problems with earlier models. Being from Austria, once again the parts may be expensive.
Laverda: Another Italian name with a long and illustrious pedigree. It was the Laverda Jota of the seventies which coined the phrase "It's not how fast you go, but how long you go fast. The Jota was the fastest bike in the world for over twenty years. Excellent mechanically, a dream to ride, a sound like "sex-on-wheels" and generously appointed, the Laverda company produces bikes in a class of their own.
Cautions: The 500 parallel twin suffers from a poor power-to-weight ratio. Much exotic materials involved in the manufacture, so parts are expensive and sometimes hard to find. Very expensive bikes to buy in the first place.
MotoGuzzi: The Moto-Guzzi uses many of the same factories in Italy as Ducati, and produces unique, reliable and popular bikes for those wanting something different. Excellent brakes, handling, and a legendarily reliable opposing Vee engine make the Guzzi a popular choice for Sports-tourers, Cruisers (with the California range) and long-run commuters. The engine was developed from an agricultural motor used for small tractors in the 50's and has torque and power in bucket loads. Excellent carburettion by Del-Orto.
Cautions: Due to the design of the motor, any Guzzi with evidence of horizontal road-time needs to be checked out by your mechanic. Some parts, like Marzocchi suspension, Brembo brakes and Continental exhausts are very expensive to repair or replace. Exotic magnesium components also cost a packet. Watch you don't crash your older Le Mans models, as the spark-plugs will contact the road first, leading to fire-risk.
Norton: Another British bike with a reputation for speed, handling and better reliability than other collectibles from England. The Commando is probably the most sought-after model, but there is a good range of models in the 500 - 850cc capacity stretching over many years. Norton also developed very fast Rotary racing bikes in the early nineties, but these are very hard to find. Some parts are common, but others are getting rare.
Cautions: Nortons are no longer produced, so parts availability varies. Avoid the ex-police rotaries of the seventies and eighties. In fact, all Norton Rotaries have little in the way of parts or mechanical literature to back them up, so unless you've got lots of money, and really want one, buy an 850 Commando. Amal carbs have the usual drawbacks, and Nortons are getting pricey due to collectors seeking them out.
Suzuki: Alphabetically number three of the big four, Suzuki have been producing bikes since the early sixties. The RM dirt bike series and the GS (GSX/GSX-R) road bike range have been competitive market-leaders since their inception. Suzukis are competitively priced, well developed and reliable in either two or four-stroke models. Their engines are well sorted before being released for sale, the clutches are legendary in smoothness and brake and suspension development has been at the forefront for decades. Suzuki has an excellent parts back-up, and they retain their market-value for resale. For a reliable commuter or a competitive race-bike, Suzuki has a model designed for your purpose. As far as the beginner goes, you could do a lot worse than a TS185ER trail bike for your first purchase. They are un-killable.
Cautions: Some GSX-R models will have been thrashed by boy-racers and will need thorough examination before you buy. Some dirt-bike models are lagging in the competition department, so check the capacity and performance before your assault on the Motocross world.
Triumph: One of the Best Known and respected British brands, Triumph has enjoyed both highs and lows in reputation. In the forties, fifties and sixties, Triumph produced a full range of four stroke road and dirt bikes, but the number of models dwindled to become Trident triples and Bonneville Twins later in life. During the nineties, Triumph was reborn and still make fast and reliable Sports and Sports commuter bikes with innovative and cutting-edge accessories. Good spare-parts and service availability, the modern Triumph is far better than the Classics. Faster than some Nortons, but lacking in handling finesse, the Classic Triumph is chosen by model and condition. Brakes are not the best but adequate, handling is archaic for the beginner, but the power for age index is high.
Cautions: Triumphs don't leak oil, they just mark their spot, or so the enthusiast will tell you. Parts are getting harder to find for older models, but the modern range is well supported. Some new parts for modern models will be very expensive, as will rare parts for your 69 Bonnie. Amal carbs have the usual setbacks, but they are fairly simple to dial in. Watch for mid-to-late seventies and early eighties Bonnevilles manufactured under the Harris badge, they have a reputation for unreliability, as does the oil-in-frame 750 Bonneville.
Yamaha: The final member of the big four, the Yamaha is the bike of choice for those seeking a myriad of model choices, excellent parts back-up and performance. Always vying for position as No#1 in both dirt and road competition mounts, Yamaha has an enviable reputation for quality and reliability. Some legendary models include the RD/RZ 250/350 two strokes of the seventies and eighties, the DT/XT/YZ range of dirt-bikes and the FZ/FZR road-sports bikes. Yamaha often redesign great components and include the improved product in their general range, a good example being the Brembo brake caliper copies found on many Yamahas. The XR Honda was similarly dissected and redeveloped into the famous TT range during the mid-to-late eighties, proving a competitive and reliable alternative to the Honda. The modern R1 and R6 are leading the way currently in the Superbike series, and Yamaha will be the name to beat for many years.
Cautions: As with the rest of the Big Four, very few. Some accessories may be of lower quality in the chroming or finish department. Check for surface rust on components, roughly stapled seat upholstery and be wary of in-house carburettors unique to the model - jets and parts may be hard to find. Chain length on the 250 Virago is excessive and leads to frequent chain and sprocket replacement.
DO NOT BUY: Lemons abound in the automotive industry, and the motorcycling fraternity is not immune to their insurgence. Until you are familiar with the foibles of each manufacturer, avoid these bikes and models if you wish to avoid expense and heartache. Some may have been mentioned already.
BMW: Early singles.Bultaco: As good as a Spanish Vintage Bike gets, but not for the beginner.Casal: Portugese junk . No parts, no mechanical back-up. Unlikely you will find one.Ducati: 860 GT, 350 or 500 parallel twinGilera: Impossible partsHarley Davidson: Sturgis or AMF shovelhead models. XR1000CR is also very hard to get parts for. Avoid the 78 Sportster.Honda: As mentioned earlier, don't buy the CSX500 or the turbo derivative. VT250's are known for cooling system problems and obsolete, overweight accessories. '83-86 XR range prone to overheating and detonation.Jawa: Also known as CZ, old, unreliable communist bloc manufacture and parts.Kawasaki: The power output of the early two-strokes outdoes the handling and brakes. Suicide machines for the unwary.Laverda: Money pits for the beginner. Avoid the orphan 500 twin.MZ: East German = poor quality. Some of the newer models are good, but no parts back-up.Norton: Development left many models behind as obsolete and underdeveloped. Avoid early models, expensive and impossible parts.Ossa: Obsolete and long dead support network. Where did you find that thing, anyway?Puch: See Ossa.Suzuki: The fat old rotary developments were a lemon from the start. Avoid like the plague.Triumph: Don't buy the Harris badged bikes, or the oil-in-frame Bonneville.Yamaha: Four-stroke road going triples of the eighties do not live up to the Yamaha reputation for reliability. Some RD/RZ two-strokes will have been thrashed, and they develop fatal cooling-system gasket problems - bad at 120mph.Chinese imports: Some of the Big Four, particularly Honda, have sold the machinery and tooling to produce older models to China. The workmanship, materials and general build quality are not anywhere near the Japanese models, and you are getting yesterday's technology. Poor welding and finish, inconsistent parts and under-braked and suspended bikes are not doing the Chinese any favors. Buy a second-hand Jap bike of the same model.
To conclude, the range of bikes for the beginner is extensive and only limited to budget and local licensing requirements. There will be a bike for your usage and bank account, but shop around, listen to other owners and get every bike you consider buying checked by a mechanic familiar with the brand.
