DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

exc911ence wrote:I have four bikes in my garage alongside the 911SC:

2013 Triumph Bonneville w/sidecar


2017 Suzuki VanVan200


2008 Suzuki B-King


1983 Suzuki Katana 1260 resto-mod

The Katana would be my pick of the bunch, nearly bought a 650 when they came out first. They still look very cool - loving yours.

2nd Generation Fireblade ... 1997 , which I am about to put on the market here.
Testing first ever image with new provider.

A couple of pre-lockdown acquisitions. Very happy with both, though my kick-starting technique could usefully be improved! The green bike is a 1968 Commando fastback and the red bike is a 1969 Dunstall Commando

DSC_0001 by robert barrie, on Flickr

DSC_0019 by robert barrie, on Flickr

Those are both very nice even though I prefer jap. both well turned out..

Has anyone owned a Diavel? I’ve generally toured on sports bikes but as my reactions slow and desire for speed drops away I find myself drawn to some laid back touring but I’m not ready for anything with chrome quite yet.

Sam wrote:Has anyone owned a Diavel? I’ve generally toured on sports bikes but as my reactions slow and desire for speed drops away I find myself drawn to some laid back touring but I’m not ready for anything with chrome quite yet.

Not directly - friend bought one last year ... said he loved it (I thought it was a "mad move") .... it was sold again x months later ............. hmm , actions speak louder than words.

Mad fast , braked well , handled well ................. would I buy one , defn NOT !! (Laid back it isn't - test drive one , pref on a dry road , and decide yourself)

1970 Commando Fastback.Hadnt moved since 1972.Engine build by Norman white with revvy cam.Single Mikuni.Kegler rear swingarm, anti wet sump by Colorado Norton works as is rear light unit,oil lines etc.gps clocks,thruxton frame brace.6 pot front caliper by Don Pender.Pazon leccy spark.New loom courtesy of the "ferrret" (If you know old bikes youll know him) Can ride this every day.Every known update has been done.Damn best riding, handling & grin factor of any bike ive owned.I have quiet a few.

As in it’s a bit too quick and encourages you to press on too much?

I kinda pictured it being like a Bentley Conti GT - capable of going very fast but not in its character to do so 99% of the time...

1952 Vincent Comet, in Wideline Norton "featherbed" frame.Or Norvin as most known.

961 50TH Anniversary cafe Racer.Collecting from factory 2018.34 miles on it now.Off To Bonhams in April.Unrideable for more than 20 minutes

one-two wrote:A couple of pre-lockdown acquisitions. Very happy with both, though my kick-starting technique could usefully be improved! The green bike is a 1968 Commando fastback and the red bike is a 1969 Dunstall Commando

DSC_0001 by robert barrie, on Flickr

DSC_0019 by robert barrie, on Flickr

F****** hey for the Dunstall my friend.

Dug out a pic of my then new Ducati 900SS Superlight with Mavic wheels, referred to these days as the rare white framed model! My little boy is 30 now....

In another life...

Sam wrote:Has anyone owned a Diavel? I’ve generally toured on sports bikes but as my reactions slow and desire for speed drops away I find myself drawn to some laid back touring but I’m not ready for anything with chrome quite yet.

My first bike was a Diavel, Dave at Ducati Coventry wouldn't let me have the then 1199 Panigale, said it would be too much as a first bike, the diavel would be far better. The bike has come on a lot since then but when I had mine back in 2011, it was a very nice, easy to ride comfortable bike. Bags of power.

Quite a wide bike but you kind of get used to that, wasn't keen on filtering on my commute into B'Ham, but doesn't sound as that would be what you want it for. Never really did great distances on it, most was probably a early morning blast circa 150-200 miles, did feel a bit lethargic round the bends on a b-road, but then again it isn't a sports bike

As I say, my experience was on the first generation, it come on a lot since then. One thing you must do with one though, is a full system termignoni.

A couple of recent acquisitions - 1966 Honda CL77 and 1979 Ducati 900GTS