pre65 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 03, 2020 9:54 pm
To be honest Baggo, it seems to me like the XBR is perhaps not the right bike for you.
An entirely reasonable view Phil, but at the risk of boring the others, I shall respond.
As you know from our nigh on twenty years of forum path-crossing, I'm a fanatical, dyed-in-the-wool, lettered throughout single cylinder man. The 'VH' became too heavy for me to push around so I had to find an alternative before I dropped something. Since Britbikes were out and I don't have the patience to deal with temperamental and often volatile Italians, the obvious source for a replacement one-lunger of higher performance (which ruled out the Indians) seemed to be Japan. I borrowed a GB500TT from a friend and liked it but not being prepared to spend silly money on a seat and fuel tank, I acquired the XBR option of the same machine; mine is one of the last 200 made which came with proper wire wheels. It also came with the non-standard handlebar arrangement as I explained the other day, but this did not work at all for me - it was a pig to ride as the balance was all wrong. However, replacing the original clip-ons (which fit above the top yoke so are in no way extreme), restored proper control.
I imagine the Honda people were aiming at a market some 50/60 years younger than me, so your question might well be rephrased as "Are you too old for the bike?" Of course, that might have been your original implication anyway! Well, I think not; after all, I still ride a Manx pretty rapidly, having regard to the large green things with yellow wheels which lurk around Devon's blind corners. The XBR is only a few horsepower short of the Norton, is slimmer, lighter, more nimble and with brakes that work. Furthermore, it has an electric leg to which I have become addicted! Now that I have managed a few miles on it (and the Dunlop tyres), I'm learning to handle it. In short, I'm thoroughly enjoying what I have come to regard as an unusually good bike. So, I think that It probably is the right bike for me and am coming to think that perhaps I'm the right rider for the bike. It is all consistent with my philosophy of dying young as late as possible.
So, I'm convinced that if I can sort out compatibility of posture/vision/skid lid, I shall be a very happy camper indeed. In any event, I'm not yet ready for a Francis Barnet. And don't you dare suggest an Invacar.
Last of the late brakers.