In praise of the UJM.

Universal Japanese Motorcycle.

We are all familiar with these, 4 cyl transverse air cooled engine, 4 carbs...... most from the 70's and 80's.

I love these things because they are common and cheap to buy. Around here, bikes are only pleasant to ride for 4 months of the year so most used bikes are low mileage examples.

They also, IMHO work very well. Personally, I like the 'standard' bike layout, as most of these things are. These bikes are usually decidedly fast, smooth and good handling (more so than all the newer cruiser bikes I have ridden) and utterly reliable

I like newer bikes but, by comparison, so many are simply too 'sporty' for comfort or have too many limitations associated with cruiser bikes.
Also, since I have way too many hobbies and not enough cash, I love the fact that I can get such a sophisticated, functional bike so cheap. I could not justify a new bike's cost by comparison (especially to the wife).

The downside....... parts are sometimes tough to get. You really have to LOVE synchronizing 4 carbs. The machines are somewhat wider than modern V-twins. Also, they are a bit invisible, and do not draw the attention that newer machines get (from the public and other riders.) But I do not care much as I ride to ride, not just to be seen.

So, any other fans of the UJM out there?

I think the UJM was a great idea. One bike that could do just about anything was very practical and economical. With a little aftermarket support and simple hand tools, a UJM could be easily converted to a 90% full-dresser, 90% racer, 90% cruiser and back. I owned a Honda Nighthawk, one of the best UJM's ever IMO, and sometimes I wish I still had it. I ride a Harley Fatboy now, and don't get me wrong I love it, but it can't do all the things that Nighthawk could (although it looks and sounds better doing what it does!).

In today's world of specialization, the UJM went the way of the dinosaur because most people follow trends. The motorcycle industry basically split into 3 catagories: Race replicas, Harley clones/cruisers and full dressers. This basically killed the profitability of the UJM and facilitated it's demise. There are semi-naked sportbikes out there now that pretty much fill the UJM's role, but in my opinion, they are not true UJM's.

I'm definitely a fan. I like to think that my 919 is a modern take on the old UJM of the 80s. Jack of all trades master of none...

Who wants to ride a sport bike up the coast? not me
Who wants to take a cruiser through the twisties? not me
etc etc.

When you vary your riding habits you need a bike that can vary with you.

The Honda VFR's were awesome all around bikes, that's why they were #1 for like 15-20 years running in most cycle mags. The drawback to some people were the later versions were full-faired, and looked like a sportbike which some people don't prefer. I love the looks of many of the new naked sport bikes, and wouldn't hesitate to own one if the Mrs would let me have two bikes. Unlike many Harley guys, I appreciate a nicely done Japanese or English bike.

That's mostly what I've always ridden. I currently ride an '83 Yamaha Maxim 650...a very compact and capable bike, comfortable and surprisingly gutsy for a 650, if you aren't afraid the wring it's neck a bit it has an explosive rush or power that comes on at 7000 rpm and stays all the way to redline...they were a very sophisticated (for the time) 650 sport bike engine adapted to UJM use...utterly bulletproof, I've never seen a Maxim get blown up unless badly neglected and abused.

I also had an '89 KZ100P, the standard police bike. VERY comfortable, very fast (mill based on the Z1) and very well balanced, could be ridden with the steering to the lock turning around in a driveway and you wouldn't even feel the need to put your feet down...

Another I have fond memories of is the Kawasaki LTD series...I started riding on a 440 LTD, had a 750 LTD and a 1000 LTD...the 1000 could probably present a threat to most potoato cannons and many sportbikes in a light to light sprint....again, good, solid, forgiving and reliable bikes.

These are the ones I always try to talk new riders into picking up first, though few listen...you can't beat a $700 motorcycle that you can have a lotta fun on without worrying about a newbie low speed drop or etc...