2012 Motorcycle Desires – 33hp Machines
The next logical stepping stone for the 2012 Motorcycle Desires honours list is to list 33hp machines. The trouble with this is you can restrict pretty much any machine so I’m ruling out any bike that makes more than 33hp in standard form.
This is a tricky category as not many manufacturers cater for this market. Nevertheless I’ve managed to find some crackers to keep those on their 2 year restriction happy. Here we go:
1) Royal Enfield Clubman
2) Kawasaki Ninja 250R
3) Vespa GTS Super 300
I do admit to having a soft spot for the Royal Enfield brand and the Clubman would be my pick of the bunch. Classic Cafe Racer looks wrapped up in a 28hp engine the Clubman would be my choice if I was waiting out my two year 33hp restriction. Actually, sod that, I’d be more than chuffed with a Clubman in my garage now!
Whatever happened to the 250 class? Well the Kawasaki is keeping it alive and kicking with class and style. What better introduction could you ask for to the world of sports bikes than to own your very own Ninja?
If you’re in the market for a classy scooter then the Super 300 would be my recommendation. I imagine if I owned one of these I’d spend my sunny days riding around quaint cobbled streets in an open-face helmet with Ray Bans waving at everyone sipping coffees in cafes. Want a taste of Italy? Then this one’s for you.
Ok, I admit that was actually harder than I thought. There is so very little in the way of decent 33hp machines. Having said that I’ll stand by those choices unless you think you know better?
I am so glad we don’t have the graduated licensing system in the States. Where else could you have gotten your motorcycle endorsement and throw your leg over 196 horses and 1340cc and hope today isn’t your day to kick it. I would hate to think that if I ever were to go back to Germany (they have the restrictions, too) they would tell me I can’t ride that I have to ride this. *shudders* My vote goes to the Royal Enfield Clubman. The Ninjette is a great bike, however. I have never ridden anything smaller than a 600 (GSX-R and CBR) or with less than 50some HP (H-D Sportster 1200 Low), when I turned 15 I decided to skip the moped and keep pedaling until I turned 18 to get my driver’s license. And at that time I was learning to ride on my boyfriend’s GPZ900R… not even realizing that I wouldn’t be able to ride that thing even if my father had not threatened to kill me himself if I insisted on learning to ride motos.
The thing I like about the Clubman is it feels fast even if you’re only doing 50mph! I came late to the motorcycle party having also skipped out on mopeds instead getting a car at 17. It took me another ten years before I ended up doing my ‘Direct Access’ test which meant I could go out and ride anything instead of being restricted for two years.
The thing I find funny about the States is the helmet law with it being only completely mandatory in 12 States but then their rugby players have to wear more crash helmets and body armour than a motocross rider! Lol.
LOL I never thought of it like that. So true! I hate helmet laws. It’s the same as seat belt laws. Give me the option, but don’t freaking tell me how to go about my business. A shame that millions of idiots demand we legislate common sense behavior. I always wear my helmet. I live 10 miles from the South Carolina state line. In Georgia helmets are mandatory, in SC they are not unless you are a minor. I wear my helmet ALL the time, I don’t give a crap about the law, I do give a crap about trying to survive an “adventure” should it happen. Sometimes I do wear less gear than I should, especially when I’m just running up the road to the store or on short rides, but when I’m out for the commute or a “sporty” ride, I’m in full gear.
The trouble with the EU is the imposing road ‘safety’ laws. The French are the most draconian, when you ride there even if it’s a mile down the road you have to be in a luminous jacket, carrying a first aid kit, warning triangle, spare bulbs etc! The problem really is lack of common sense and punishing riders for other motorists faults.
The thing most British riders are worried about is what happens in Europe tends to eventually be forced in over here. If only the British government would open get rid of the speed limit just like on the German Autobahns that’d be something but instead we seem to end up with the silly laws.
One such law is the fact that the motorcycle test is changing again in January so much so that even examiners are struggling to understand how it will work. I can’t even begin to explain it but needless to say I’m trying to convince the wife to do her full bike test this year so at least she’s got it even if she doesn’t get a bike straight away!