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Whatever happened to the Universal Japanese Motorcycle (UJM).
My old 1977 KZ 1000 was the best all around bike I ever had, and I really miss that bike. It would carve up the twisties and cruise all day at 80mph and was comfortable (as was I) doing both.
I was in my local motorcycle dealership and asked why none of the major manufacturers offer a bike with the traditional riding position, and they said they thought that they would sell but nobody makes them any more.
It's either a Crotch Rocket or a Cruiser...There is nothing in between.
Unless you want a BMW (which I don't) and I see the Connie C-4, but even it is too Euro for my taste.
I like my Nomad but the riding position puts a lot of pressure on my tail bone and would like to be able to take some weight off the seat from time to time especially when encountering obstacle in the road. Even with the backrest I feel like I'm pulling on the handlebars to keep myself upright.
On the KZ at about 60mph the wind hit you in the chest just enough to take all the weight off your arms. And your feet were directly underneath of you on the pegs.
Yeah I know I'm getting older, but I can't put as many miles in the saddle of my Vulcan as I could on the KZ, without my butt and back hurting.
Am I a dinosaur? Is there truly no market for such a bike?
my shifter is on the RIGHT side
1970 Sportster (Bronson Replica)
1999 1500 Vulcan Nomad
Iron Head
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One could visit one's local triumph dealer.
nobody rides half as well as they know how.
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Thanks ibafran,
I will try to be open minded when I go. But a vertical twin with only 65hp? I'm still thinking transverse 4 with 90hp.
But I will go look and maybe take a test drive, if they will let me.
my shifter is on the RIGHT side
1970 Sportster (Bronson Replica)
1999 1500 Vulcan Nomad
Iron Head
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| I was thinking more in the way of the tiger. Upright seating position. Minimal wind screen that works well. Fairly narrow bike. Good HP. Granted, it doesnt look like a UJM. But it feels a lot like one when being ridden. You could try the honda dealer and see what is being sold nowdays as a Nighthawk?
nobody rides half as well as they know how.
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Junior Member
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Last Login: 11/13/2008 2:08:59 PM
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| When surveyed, the American public will say they want a UJM. When push comes to shove no one seems to buy one. Examples I owned -- Honda Nighthawk 750, Kawasaki W650 (retro ujm), Suzuki Bandit 1200 (unfaired). All sold poorly. Examples I've never owned - Kawasaki Zephyr, Yamaha Seca. These also sold poorly For whatever reasons these bikes never sold in the quantities needed to support them in the U.S. and the manufacturers gave up. Too bad, 'cause they were my kind of bike. Now I'm riding a cruiser because I'm too old to get a leg over a taller bike. Ray Nielsen, in Minneapolis and rode to breakfast this morning!
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Take heart. There are lots of bikes today that are not super sports or cruisers. We prefer to ride sport bikes, however. I'm 60 and my wife is older and we are both comfy with our R1s, but each to their own. We've owned many different style of bikes and remember the UJM well. Perhaps one's riding environment is as important as one's age in choosing a bike. We are able to pretty much avoid freeways and all straight roads for that matter. The R1 is comfortable and works well for all day twisties, and overtaking is never an issue. We love to throw on the soft luggage and get out of Dodge for a few days. Analyze your needs carefully, but don't give up your search.
Wife,R1,Kendon,Mountaineer,Alpinestars,Levis,Bose
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New Member
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Thanks for the Responses,
I am definitely living in the past. When I went on the Triumph website the first time I didn't even look at the Tiger because I figured that just like in the old days it was a single carburated Bonneville. After it was mentioned by ibafran I went back and looked and the specs are great, but it looks like a Katana. And I never liked them either. I can see the differences though, It has a much wider handlebar and a lot more upright seating position. I will have to try one to see how they feel, but I think they look ghastly.
Meanwhile I rode my Sportster to the local Rod Run this morning. and this afternoon, I rode the Vulcan for about 100 miles on some new to me roads, and I must say I am getting used to having a windshield in front of me. I adjusted the backrest up closer and it helped a lot. It's a 1999, but I've only had it for about a year and a half. I took a 9 year break from riding to drive race cars. I sold the 1977 KZ 1000 in 1999 to buy the race car. I owned the KZ for 21 years and it was like an extension of me.
I bought the Vulcan thinking I was older now, and needed a cruiser. But I still find myself wanting to carve up the twisties. My body might be 55 but my brain is still 25.
As was suggested, I will have to really think about my needs before I jump to something else.
my shifter is on the RIGHT side
1970 Sportster (Bronson Replica)
1999 1500 Vulcan Nomad
Iron Head
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