Motorcycles?

[Hawkmoon]

Back "in the day," when I was in school I had a Honda CB350, which was a nice little multi-purpose motorcycle that wasn't a touring bike, wasn't a motocrosser, wasn't a touring bike ... but was good for just getting around. It was a style that I have seen referred to as the UJM -- 'Universal Japanese Motorcycle." Yamaha had a similar bike, except theirs was a 2-stroke. Suzuki had one, Kawasaki had one -- they all made them.

Today the UJM seems to have disappeared from the marketplace, unless I'm just not looking in the right places. All I could find is this:
https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/w/retro-classic/w800?cm_re=GLOBALNAV-_-PRODUCTGROUPLIST-_-MPP

That's the right styling, but I don't really need an 800cc engine, and I'm mostly interested in fuel economy for commuting to work, so a similar style bike with a smaller engine (maybe around 450 to 500cc) would probably be ideal. Does such a thing exist?

[RoadKingLarry]

Does such a thing exist?

Sort of. The UJM kind of went the way of the Dodo Bird. Market forces seem to have been the driving force. Kind of sad.

https://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/best-250cc-motorcycles/
https://moneyinc.com/best-500cc-motorcycles-money-can-buy/


There are alternatives.

https://www.royalenfield.com/us/en/motorcycles/

[griz]

Here's Honda's 500 street bike.  They have a 300cc version too, which has a little more power than the old CB 350, but today's roads have higher speeds and the 300 doesn't have a lot of reserve power at 75-80 MPH.  The Royal Enfield is probably closer to the spirit of the original CB350.

https://powersports.honda.com/street/standard/cb500f

[Brad Johnson]

Honda Rebel 1100.

Don't let the 1100 put you off. It's a nice, compact twin rather than a more UJM-typical transverse four. It's still a Rebel in spirit, just a little more grow'd up. No sportbike seat scrunch, no bloated weight to toss around, just a fun bike that's straightforward, comfortable, and easy to ride.

https://powersports.honda.com/street/cruiser/rebel-1100

IF that's more bike than you want, there's always the 500.

https://powersports.honda.com/street/cruiser/rebel-500

Brad

[Hawkmoon]

Here's Honda's 500 street bike.  They have a 300cc version too, which has a little more power than the old CB 350, but today's roads have higher speeds and the 300 doesn't have a lot of reserve power at 75-80 MPH.  The Royal Enfield is probably closer to the spirit of the original CB350.

https://powersports.honda.com/street/standard/cb500f

That's definitely not a UJM. The amount of daylight between the rear tire and the rear fender tells you that. Not what I'm looking for ... not even close.

[bedlamite]

Car styling has changed since the 70's too:



They are out there, griz mentioned the Honda CB500, there is also the Suzuki SV650, Kawasaki Z400 and Z650, they have a retro version too.

[Hawkmoon]

Honda Rebel 1100.

Don't let the 1100 put you off. It's still a Rebel in spirit, just a little more grow'd up with a compact thumber twin instead of the intro-level Reb's single. No sportbike seat scrunch, no bloated weight to toss around, just a fun bike that's straightforward, comfortable, and easy to ride.

https://powersports.honda.com/street/cruiser/rebel-1100

IF that's more bike than you want, there's always the 500.

https://powersports.honda.com/street/cruiser/rebel-500

Brad

I've known about the Rebel since the first one came out 30 or 40 years ago. It's also not a UJM, it's a mini-cruiser. Also not what I'm looking for.

The Royal Enfield RKL suggested is closer to the concept, except that I'd prefer a small twin rather than a single cylinder thumper. But I guess one can't have everything.

[charby]

How old are you and how fast is your reaction time with phone using unattentative car, suv, and truck drivers?

[Brad Johnson]

About the only recent model I can think of with styling that's true to the stereotypical UJM is the Honda CB1100. Looks like nice ones are going for around $8k. More bike than you said you wanted, though.

Brad

[Hawkmoon]

The Suzuki W800 is closer, although I would still prefer something in the 400 to 500cc range. They used to have a W650, but it didn't meet emissions standards and was replaced by the W800.

https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/w/retro-classic/w800

[MillCreek]

I still kick myself that I did not get a Suzuki TU-250 when they were still being made.  I wish Suzuki would bring it back.  I always liked the UJMs.

ETA: I always thought the Royal Enfield Himalayan looked good, but I wonder about an inexpensive motorcycle built in India.

[Hawkmoon]

I still kick myself that I did not get a Suzuki TU-250 when they were still being made.  I wish Suzuki would bring it back.  I always liked the UJMs.

I wish I had known about the TU250 when it was still being made.

[Brad Johnson]

Kawasaki Z650rs

https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/z/retro-sport/z650rs?cm_sp=JAN2021NPL-_-HPP:Z650RS-_-LEARNMORE

Brad

[griz]

That's definitely not a UJM. The amount of daylight between the rear tire and the rear fender tells you that. Not what I'm looking for ... not even close.

Ok, if it's classic styling you're looking for there is the British option:



But obviously that's not going to be met the J requirement in UJM.  Honestly, it's going to be difficult to find something with the wheel close to the fender.  Bikes then only had three inches of wheel travel and even street bikes have twice that now.  You could get an actual 1974 CB350.  They're out there and you'd have the fun of dealing with carburetors and 50 year old suspension systems.

[dogmush]

Griz beat me to it but the Street Twin is pretty close to what you want, if with too much engine again.

They are fun bikes though, and classy looking.

[Hawkmoon]

Kawasaki Z650rs

https://www.kawasaki.com/en-us/motorcycle/z/retro-sport/z650rs?cm_sp=JAN2021NPL-_-HPP:Z650RS-_-LEARNMORE

Too much air between the rear tire and the rear fender.

You're probably too young to remember the UJMs.

[Hawkmoon]

Ok, if it's classic styling you're looking for there is the British option:

Yeppers -- I've seen that, drooled over it, and wished I could afford it. A friend had a Bonneville when I had the Honda CB350. Another classmate had a Triumph Daytona, which was basically the same bike as the Bonneville but with a 500cc engine instead of the 650. If they'd make a new Daytona today, it would be exactly what I want (except that I probably still couldn't afford it).

[RoadKingLarry]

You'll nearly have to go used/vintage to get very close to the UJM concept.
I would suggest finding a MSF Basic Rider course and signing up. You'll ride their bikes and it'll give you a chance to get your bike legs back while.your looking for something you might like.

[Bogie]

The enfield things are VERY popular with my skinny jeans neighbors.
 
Me? If I was going to pick a commuter bike?
 
https://suzukicycles.com/scooter/2022/burgman-400

[Hawkmoon]

The enfield things are VERY popular with my skinny jeans neighbors.
 
Me? If I was going to pick a commuter bike?
 
https://suzukicycles.com/scooter/2022/burgman-400

That would be good for inner city. My commute is 25 miles each way, over a mix of back roads, 2-lane state highways, and a stretch of interstate highway. I'm more comfortable with a motorcycle than with a scooter.

[Bogie]

Uh... That is a 400cc scooter.

[MillCreek]

^^^ I had a 2004  Aprilia Scarabeo 500 maxi-scooter that could go 80 easily. I only traded it in because parts were hard to come by and had to be shipped from Italy.

[Hawkmoon]

Uh... That is a 400cc scooter.

Yes -- it's a 400cc SCOOTER -- with nothing down the middle for your knees to grab while riding.

[Bogie]

I be manspreading.

[tokugawa]

Of all the times to ride a bike, commuting hours would be my last choice. Nobody is really driving in their car. They are all thinking about being late, getting home, did the dog get fed, will the raise come through, etc. The most dangerous time to ride.