[chromium ghost]

A few months ago in Thailand I spent about 2 solid weeks doing nothing but ride around on the Honda Click, which is a pretty amazing little 100cc bike. NOT a “scooter” per se, what with it’s rationally sized 16 inch wheels and actual power.I rode this thing to the peak of the tallest mountain in Thailand and it did not hesitate once. Did I mention it’s fully automatic? I rode it through mud, sand and dirt trails, a rocky embankment and the little bastard just smiled a beatific Buddhist smile at me and purred back to life with the slightest touch on the starter. Incredible bike, a hypermodern variant of the Honda Cub which is the worlds best selling motorcycle of all time for a reason. The entire country rides these things, schoolgirls, little old ladies, I’ve seen an entire family of 4, groceries and a tiny dog on one of these bad boys. Truly incredible machines.

So, coming back to NYC and having to schlep to the subway everyday was just not cutting it. Sadly, having not driven a car for 10 or so years, my license was a mess and I ended up paying about 700 bucks in fines, and going through endless red tape to get my permit. etc. etc. The process of getting a motorcycle license in NY is without a doubt, a kafkaesque nightmare. But now, I have it. It has my picture on it an everything.

Having witnessed first hand the god like powers of Soichiro Honda, I decided that I needed to own one of my own. The Click, or better yet the airblade, are without a doubt, the ultimate urban transportation vehicle. They are nimble, fast, LIGHT, i.e. 200 lbs wet, and almost literally bullet proof. Plus they go for about 1200 bucks in Thailand. The scooters that Honda offers us fat slob Americans are truly insulting. Bloated, tiny wheeled behemoth death traps with the soul of a castrated sea cow. Disgusting considering the elegant and efficient machines Europe and Asia get. Also, they want 6000 fucking dollars for a scooter????? Don’t even get me started on Vespas…

So, I looked at Ducati Monsters but there was no way I was going to spend 7k for something that would leak oil on my foot from day one and I would more than likely drop. And a used ducati? That’s like buying a used fiat. Considered the SV650, but again price, and a complete and utter lack of soul. Suzuki has made their mark in the motorcycle world by directly copying Honda. Honda Cb 160? Suzuki S32. Honda CB750? Suzuki POS. The SV650 is like a canal street ripoff of the ducati monster. Modern Harley’s are truly the bloated rotten corpses of Harley 75s. Yeah, they sound great, but they are almost all ass ugly, except maybe the sportster… and will break down if you look at them funny.

So, what to do? While doing my daily Craigslist hunt I came across the CB650 Nighthawk. I’ll be the first to admit, the 4 into 4, comstars and badass chrome pretty much sold me on the bike before I even knew it’s specs…which were pretty damn good, for 1982…. So after making the ferry ride out to Shaolin to pick her up, I sent her directly to the shop and waited WEEKS for these guys to fix her up. Tank was a gummy Kremed out mess so I had to have the carbs completely rebuilt. 800 bucks…but considering the bike only cost me 650 bucks and has less than 8k miles I figured I got a pretty great deal.

Anyway, before I ramble on and on and on and rant more about the souless, mind numbingly boring non sport bikes that Honda has shat on our great land, She is now finally on the road. Yes there have been small issues here and there, note the oil on the ground in the picture, but being forced to learn about float bowls and compression issues and how to troubleshoot a bike early on I am hoping that I will be a better rider/owner for it. I am still having trouble feathering the clutch in U turns and DOWNSHIFTING, but the Nighthawk is very forgiving and SMOOTH. My jeans are filthy and covered in oil and gas spots, but I think that without a doubt, this is the most amazing thing I have ever owned. Oh yeah, I recently discovered that the tires are the ORIGINAL TIRES FOR THE BIKE FROM 1982…needless to say I see some Avon Roadriders in my future.

Comments, flames, rants welcomed. Oh yeah, here she is:

[Budd]

That should be a nice, friendly motorcycle for you. You might try importing one of those clicks.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Candice]

Hey, it looks like a good lookin’ bike and sounds like you are happy with it! Were you in Thailand doing Muay Thai or something? I wanted to go there to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I like your description about the family of 4, their dog, and their groceries on that little bike – that’s quite the mental picture LOL!

[ranette]

Family of 4 on a scooter? I was in India in April and swear I saw a family of 6. Dad driving with 4 year old on his lap, mom riding side saddle with a kid on each knee, not holding them mind you, she was eating, they were balanced, and an infant, I shit you not, on the handlebars. There are things you see on the roads over there that would put a North American driver behind bars for years that are simply accepted practice.

Back to your post I’m surprised that none of the flame bait has caught fire. “Utter lack of soul” “bloated rotten corpse of Harley 75’s” “Canal Street ripoff of a Ducati Monster” them’s fighting words my friend. Not fighting with me, the only insult you hurled at my ride is that it is overpriced, at least until I sell it when it becomes the equivalent of a “used Fiat.” Actually pretty funny stuff but I’m kind of looking forward to someone taking serious offense at something up there.

I know you have your endorsement, so do I, but if you are interested in taking the BRC I’m taking it in the Bronx in November, they told me they have plenty of seats still available for most weekends in Nov.

[Munch]

Hope you get all the kinks worked out.
No worries, no flames from me, the mere contradiction of your views that are presented in your current purchase speaks volumes!!….lol

Seriously though… I hope you enjoy her and get alot of memories out of her.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[chromium ghost]

No Muay Thai, just had some regular checks from Uncle Sam coming in so I figured my 365 a week would go much farther in Thailand…The 10 dollar a night bungalow on the ocean still exists down there…just have to go to the right Islands.

[chromium ghost]

You know, I’ll bet they are much, much better riders than almost anyone in the US. I only saw two crashes after riding for a few weeks up North. The first one was some hot shot kid on a souped up Honda Wave who looked like he broke his knee, the other was a little old man, his wife, and an infant. Their scooter was totaled but the three of them were all unscathed. No helmets, freaking SANDALS and I’m pretty sure the wife was wearing a skirt. I did my fair share of squid riding in Chiang Mai after somebody stole my helmet, and I must say it is a totally liberating feeling to go helmetless.

I need to sign up for the MSF…I’m not sure they are going to take me without my cage license though. What day are you taking the course? Do you live uptown? Maybe we can meet up for a ride or something.

emile

[chromium ghost]

It is. Very smooth power delivery and relatively forgiving.

[chromium ghost]

She’s a Tokyo cartoon caricature of a Harley. What’s not to love?

[Matt]

Love the photos

Very nice bike good sir.
—
“The two seconds between ‘Oh S**!’ and the crash isn’t a lot of practice time.”

[Dagger]

Nice bike.. Look like you got it into showroom shape.. I love those pipes…

Dagger

I just want to make it out of this life alive…

[Jim]

Lovely photo down the NY street. Upper West side? Oh…nice bike too!

[ranette]

This is where I’m taking the course, http://www.ridemss.com/. I’m pretty sure if you’re legal to ride a motorcycle you can take the course. I’m taking it the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of November.

I grew up in Westchester, lived in Manhattan(Gramercy and Chelsea) for 15 years but have lived in Vermont for the past 9 years. The courses in Vermont end in October and don’t work with my schedule so I’m taking the class on my semi annual pilgrimage to New York. Won’t have my bike in NY this time, I may ride down in June.

[chromium ghost]

Far upper West side, 148th and Convent.

[chromium ghost]

thx

[Author]

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