As has been said in the relevant thread, the meeting at Newlands on Saturday was superb and I met some really great people and saw a multitude of awesome bikes. When I'm at home alone I look at my old ST2 and think it is amazing but seeing it alongside some of the exotica at Newlands I realised she is an old girl. That said, apart from the probable age difference and exuberance of the younger riders when out on the road I couldn't actually put my finger on what the difference is between my old numpty and a £20K superbike. Even old Pete happily told me that just one service would exceed the value of my worthless bike and he was right but I don't get it. I felt that on the roads we rode yesterday there was nothing that I could not do that a £20K bike could do and genuinely want to understand why such little regard is given to older technology? I could understand if the modern stuff does 150mpg and services are £75 but that's not the case so why?
Progress, consumption, style, design, sociology, storytelling and marketing. If your happy with your ride that is by far the most important. Don't get sucked in and chart your own path....
I find that there can be a lot of willy-waving, from some guys, who have always got to have the latest, greatest and most expensive bikes. (I see it with other types of purchases too) The most important thing is, if you are happy with what you have got, ignore it all and crack on in your own happiness!
These two are the main reasons I've moved from a 2009 design bike to a 2022 one: - 1. Reliability - 2. Parts availability I do a lot of miles, and prefer to have a working bike rather than one that works say 95% of the time. I really like Laverdas and owned one or more for 25+ years, but it's no longer a bike I would trust to do a 1,000+ mile trip. The potential hassle (as a non-engineer) is just a step too far, as was the hassle of getting it serviced before and after. A Multistrada is good for 9k between services. I'm now testing that theory!
I not sure cost and buying the latest thing because you can has much to do with it. More new bike sales in the UK are PCP than cash. Anyone with a decent credit rating can have a 25K bike. But it might explain why some (notice I didn't say all) go for the latest edition rather than keeping a keeper. It might also explain why we see fewer evergreen bikes nowadays, where manufacturers hit the sweet spot with a model and leave it more or less alone for years rather than constantly reinventing it every three years. However, that's kind of a separate point to asking why you'd "need" all the latest tech. The latest bikes are invariably far easier to ride faster by less skilled (or let's say less committed) riders than bikes of a generation ago. Some will prefer that as it allows them to safely access more capability than they otherwise might; others will lament the loss of purity and simplicity. Don't think there's a right of wrong answer really. There's a lot to be said for raw analogue simplicity that demands you fully engage and be the boss of a bike to get the best out of it (or in some cases simply make it ridable). But there's also lot to be said for accessible performance with 36,000 mile valve check intervals and little need to own your own toolbox. Peak tech for me is my 2015 KTM 1190. MTC, lean-sensitive ABS and suspension settings you can adjust from the handlebars and very little else - and which I might add has been utterly reliable for 60,000 miles. I also love my old Streetfighter which has bugger all but an engine with two wheels bolted to it and somewhere to sit. Personally I'm not interested in all the latest tech, mainly because I don't understand it rather than because I'm a purity snob - I can barely use my phone. I love the effortless pace and rideability of my (admittedly Nokia 3100) 1190 but I also love the raw simplicity of the 1098. I wouldn't part with either.
My SS used to be the oldest in the group and she was often admired before the newer models. I preferred the older look and the retro square headlight and she was fast enough for me.
I wouldn't over think it. I am lucky enough to have two great sports bikes and a workhorse when needed. The sports bikes are both 30 plus years old so sometimes struggle to keep up with newer stuff, but they're quick enough for me. That said I would love a more modern sports machine in the stable, but realistically can't afford one atm. But I love seeing and riding with the later machines and if someone can afford it then why not - good on them! They help keep the manufacturers and dealers in business which is good for all of us. And I am still looking/dreaming forward to seeing a Panigale R (any) in the garage! One day Rodney...
