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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
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Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 2 Feb 2009
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Quote:
Using a classic MV as your daily hack is sacrilege. These are sunny, summer weekend bikes.
Sort of agree with you here, but im still keeping my derbi for riding round leeds and that. Anyhow Im not overly keen on the engine block look of the classic classics. Im sure these are well built bikes, but it looks as if the engine housing could be taken out with a strong gust of wind.

That RD125 looks spot on though, almost exactly what I had in my minds eye. Unfortunately didnt make it out today to get my copies of the classic bike mags (due to the polar bears that are in-habiting my garden) but il have a good luck tmrw. Thanks again craig, most helpful. And you too dave, cheers mate.
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  #2  
Old 2 Feb 2009
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Originally Posted by tommysmithfromleeds View Post
That RD125 looks spot on though, almost exactly what I had in my minds eye. Unfortunately didnt make it out today to get my copies of the classic bike mags (due to the polar bears that are in-habiting my garden) but il have a good luck tmrw. Thanks again craig, most helpful. And you too dave, cheers mate.

Now you've really opened up a can of worms. If this thread gets going, opinions on which classic bike is more classic than the rest is going to make the HUBB vs ADV and BMWs are reliable threads look like "you're my besh mate, hic" evenings in the pub

Just to kick things off I don't think you can go far wrong with an RD125 - if you get a half decent one or are willing to do some spanner work. Just about the most fun I ever had on a small bike was on an AS1 125, the RD's granddad. They're great bikes if you're in a bad mood as you can thrash the nuts off them and you're still only doing 40mph!
I was going to use one to go London to Athens - 2 up, until something a bit bigger came along at the last minute. I spent a happy day on big brother - a RD200, last year (a friend has a matched his'n'hers pair) and it reminded me just what fun they are. Sadly there aren't any in Classic Bike this month (in the readers ads anyway) but there is a Puch M125 for £800 or a MV Gran Turismo 125 from a dealer, yours for £1800 if you're happy to do a complete restoration.

Now wait for the posts that say that RDs are unreliable piles of junk, that landfill is too good for them, and what you really want is a Bantam / Mito () / MBX / Francis Barnett etc
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  #3  
Old 2 Feb 2009
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Does it have to be a classic bike or could it be a retro bike? I saw a very passable retro 125cc a while back but it's buried in a huge pile of magazines so if you're not interested I won't bother fighting the mag-blizzard.

Well I might do anyway now I think of it
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  #4  
Old 4 Feb 2009
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And there's more!
How about a Benneli 250 two stroke twin, with Ace bars:



Or a Moto Guzzi 250 4 cylinder four stroke



Just to add to the confusion!

Chris
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  #5  
Old 2 Feb 2009
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tbh I need to do my test, get it out the way and that.I was expecting that statement to come in at some point. The RD sounds fun and looks the part, whereas the old MZs and Bantams have that 'pre war postman' look about them, which is cool. Id like something boxy, thats has its seat horizontal to the tank. The RD seems to fit that profile. Il have a look around and test one out.

Its getting though that its hard to tell between 'classic' and 'clumsy'. The sportsbike looks cool though, with the minimal fairing. Im just a sucker for dropped handlebars though, which i suppose I could do on the RD.

Anyways, let the can of worms be opene, feel free to lift the 125cc restriction so the 'bigger boys' can join in!
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  #6  
Old 2 Feb 2009
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Originally Posted by tommysmithfromleeds View Post
Im just a sucker for dropped handlebars though, which i suppose I could do on the RD.
I took a head-on pic of a BSA Goldstar at a show a few years ago. Can't find the pic now but it is a good look.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tommysmithfromleeds View Post
Anyways, let the can of worms be opene, feel free to lift the 125cc restriction so the 'bigger boys' can join in!
At the end of the day, they're all bikes. Just depends on personal preferences. I'll have a go on anything with 2 wheels and a motor, as seen in "Exhibit A" below

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  #7  
Old 4 Feb 2009
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While on the subject of classic bikes, did anyone else see the Rex Acme that was on eBay a couple of weeks ago? Looked like it had come from the National Motorcycle Museum, after the fire that is!
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