"MountainCommand" (MountainCommand)
09/08/2014 at 21:10 • Filed to: None
1
15|
"MountainCommand" (MountainCommand)
09/08/2014 at 21:10 • Filed to: None | 1
| 15 |
Admittedly, its actually a really neat little bike. But would you truly consider buying one, if you were in a position to do so? If not, what quirky bike would you get?
Its a tough call for me. They are really neat, and they are not really a scooter, but not a full size bike, nor a pocket bike. I feel it would be the perfect bike to give my future kid when he turns 16 and gets his license.
jkm7680
> MountainCommand
09/08/2014 at 21:14 |
|
I wouldn't get that for my future kid. It's just too small, and expensive for what it is IMO.
Ninja 250 FTW!
Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> MountainCommand
09/08/2014 at 21:16 |
|
I really want one.
|
MountainCommand
> jkm7680
09/08/2014 at 21:20 |
|
Ive got plenty of time, and im sure groms will be dirt cheap in 20ish years haha.
IMO a ninja 250 would be too small and limited. I am now recommending supermotos anywhere between 350-450 as the end all starter bike. I honestly wish i started on one.
SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
> MountainCommand
09/08/2014 at 21:23 |
|
or a Suzuki GS500
|
Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
> MountainCommand
09/08/2014 at 21:26 |
|
I just looked at the price and I Need one badly now!
The Compromiser
> MountainCommand
09/08/2014 at 21:59 |
|
Dude is totally checking her out. Complete Napoleon Dynamite scene.
vdub_nut: scooter snob
> MountainCommand
09/08/2014 at 22:06 |
|
Too small. And only 125 cc's, so not safe (or legal) to take on highways.
mcseanerson
> MountainCommand
09/08/2014 at 22:15 |
|
CCW Tha Misfit $3,300 250cc 70+mph and 80 mpg. I live in Ohio so there's that loyalty and also I like the cafe racer look even if it is on the downward trend.
Turk
> MountainCommand
09/08/2014 at 22:22 |
|
Actually, these things float through the debris in the back of my head quite frequently. I made a job change late last year that moved me into my city's financial district, which means little annoyances like expensive parking (on balance good change so won't gripe too much). BUT - to your question - there's a guy that parks a Grom in the bicycle rack of the building next door, every day, appears to be his commute of choice. If you're on Oppo, you sir deserve a beer. Yes, they class as scooters due to the miniscule motor. Honestly, if my city was just a *little* more moto-friendly I'd be seriously considering one (I convinced myself to stop moto-commuting when I had a kid). They're really, really cheap as effective transportation goes, and I am one of those idiots that seriously thinks its kinda OK to own more than 2 or 3 motorcycles at once.
As your only bike? No, unless you live in particularly scooter friendly places. But as a fun extra sometimes-transportation tool? Holy crap one of these would be awesome.
As a beginner bike, maybe but really only for a kid. Otherwise there are other cheap, dependable, and effective low-displacement bikes that are great to ride (baby ninja's and CBRs and many others). As a motorcycle nut who already has a kid (she's too small yet for a bike but the time will come), I will probably consider super-mini track bikes or kiddie dirt bikes first. No way I want my kid to *start* riding at 16 on the street, I'd prefer to encourage some skill buildup in lower risk environments if she shows some interest.
As far as quirky bikes that I would rather test the limits of my wonderful wife's patience with, they are numerous, and mostly offer the advantage of being highway-friendly in Texas. Lately I can't stop eyeing BMW R1100s's, 1200s's, rocksters, K1200R's, R1200C's (they are awesome I don't care what anybody says), guzi's, KTM Duke 690 ABS, and I can't wait to try the FZ-09, and there are always the "they were quirky when they were new but now they define a class" bikes like monsters, speed/street triples, z1000... There are a lot of bigger-hp, more conventional bikes I'd like too, but I already have a near-perfect-track-beater SV650 and a project GPZ550, and can't yet justify a literbike for the track with my skill level (see also, any of a million articles on why SV650's are amazing track bikes despite having half the power of modern 600's).
I guess I like quirky bikes? I thought this would be a short post but I got on a roll.
TL;DR - quirky bikes are awesome, Groms are quirky bikes, therefore they are thoroughly awesome.
|
MountainCommand
> Turk
09/08/2014 at 22:39 |
|
Oh yeah, i wouldnt have a quirky bike as a primary. Thats certain. The grom would be my third choice. I can already tell i have a horrible habit developing haha. I got my sportbike, now i need a supermoto, then ill have to get my quirky bike. Why must bikes be so practical and affordable...
This bike has a very specific purpose. Either as a city sipper, or just filling the role as the quirky bike to have fun with. And talking about my future kid riding it, its only if he likes bikes of course, and who knows what will actually transpire. Its just a thought that runs through my head.
In my mind a quirky bike isnt a sport bike or cruiser. Id almost refer to them as the odd kid in school who sits in the back, something like a highly modded ruckus. Something completely impractical for any true purpose so no one actually gets them for a purpose, but by itself is a sweet machine that has potential only the owner can define.
|
MountainCommand
> mcseanerson
09/08/2014 at 22:42 |
|
cafe racers always will hold a special place in my mind. I kinda want to turn my fzr into a cafe style, but id feel bad totally chopping up a future potential classic.
But i love the older style suspension like that. I really want to ride one to see what its like.
|
MountainCommand
> vdub_nut: scooter snob
09/08/2014 at 22:43 |
|
just add boost! (easier said than done, i know haha)
But nobody buys a grom to go on the highways with... At least i hope not.
|
Turk
> MountainCommand
09/08/2014 at 22:57 |
|
The bikes I listed fit as none of them really quite slot into their target categories (odd kid in the back of the classroom). The BMW's are all thoroughly weird (the R-S models are sportbikes with less power than a contemporary 600, the R-C is a boxer-motor cruiser with a load-bearing engine in a two-piece frame, the K1200R is a 600+ lb, 160ish hp 'naked', the rockster is... just stinking weird), guzi's are sporty or cruisery but not powerful, the Duke is a motard that also isn't a motard, the 'nakeds' are sportbikes deprived of fairings and sporty riding positions...
The rest of your definition perfectly fits how I look at cheapo café racers (I have noticed some moaning and griping about that particular genre on oppo, but I love em, too bad). Think about it: you take something that had stellar performance 30+ years ago, slap on some clubman bars and hack down the tail. What do you have? An overly heavy bike (mostly tubular steel frames then) with lackluster power by modern standards, skinny tires, and no passenger capacity, but a sporty riding position. It's now too uncomfortable to do much real distance on, but also too slow to be a track bike (vintage racing is possible exception).
Versus Grom - well, I don't know of any 50cc vintage bikes that would both make a convincing café racer and also be that cheap to run or near as reliable as a newish Grom, and probably not as fun, if you want to keep that parking advantage too I guess. So yeah, if you're a weird enough motorcycle nerd, again, Grom = thoroughly awesome=p
And yes, your most important point - it is indeed a terrible habit. I can help by flogging your sportbike to death and back on my local racetrack while you live vicariously through me and slowly fight the withdrawal symptoms on your road to recovery if you wish. :)
|
MountainCommand
> Turk
09/08/2014 at 23:04 |
|
I guess i was more refering to the bmw's, they can still be practical overall.
I for one love cafe racers. I met a guy in a photo class in college who just took old bikes, 2 and 4 strokes, and turned them into mean looking cafe style bikes. The ones he showed up in only cemented my love for them. Would i ever get one? Maybe after i get a grom haha.
hahahah, my fzr has over 53K miles on it and counting. So only if you buy me a new rear tire, you can live as vicariously as you want! She's been around the block numerous times... She handles my flogging like a brute!
grahamrh808
> vdub_nut: scooter snob
09/09/2014 at 00:01 |
|
Where I live anything over 50ccs is allowed on the highway, though I sure as shit wouldn't want to try.