Hesketh motorcycles

Posted by: velofellow on 23 February 2004

I assume that most Naim enthusiasts appreciate the finer things in life and therefore may be interested to learn that the Hesketh motorcycle is still in production.A mere two decades after its apparent death dear old Mick Broom has sorted out all the original bugs(and there were plenty) and will build you a truly beautiful 1200cc,dohc gentleman's tourer.The £12000 may make you wince until you look at the specs which are top end plus. www.heskethmotorcycles.co.uk is the place to go.Cheers Tony
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by Duncan Fullerton
Blimey! That's a blast from the past. I remember seeing pictures of it when it was pre-preoduction yonks ago and thought it looked the bees knees. Errmm .. obviously some things age better than others!

Duncan
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by jayd
...or perhaps a modern revival of the Vincent...


Vincent Motorcycles
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by BigH47
Trust the Americans to go just that one step too far. From classic to ugly.

Howard Frown
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by jayd
Agreed. Sadly. Still, they're nicer than many new bikes to be had.

Jay
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by Martin D
Heap of scrap guys, what are the yanks at?
Martin
Posted on: 23 February 2004 by Steve G
Hideous.
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by BLT
The Hesketh is a hideous British bike, not American! I remember the original from the late '70s. My freind's father owned a motorbike dealers in Elgin and had one as his personal transport - it was a piece of junk! The bike is now in the transport museum in Aford.
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by Markus S
What's up with these wimpy bikes? <crocodile dundee mode on>This is a real bike.<crocodile dundee mode off>
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by BLT
No way! that's a wimpy bike, too - this is REAL motorcycle! http://www.bosshoss.com/
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by Rockingdoc
No, they are all very silly.
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by trickytree
We had a guy turn up at a Morini Riders Club track day on a Hesketh. It made quite an interesting mobile chicane untill it (inevitably) broke down and went home on the back of a recovery truck.

Paul.
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by Robbie
The new Triumph Rocket Three is a REAL bike.

Rob.
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by Rasher
What is the point when this Hesketh Vampire costs as much as a Ducatti 966.
It's just 20 years out of date style wise. Hey, even Triumph updated the looks of their bikes!!
£13,000 for this. No upside down forks. Puny brake calipers. Old size wheels & tyres. Absolute crap.
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by Rasher
The handling must be awful. Those spindly forks must flex under the weight (I've seen bigger forks on an Aprilia 125!!!) and the rake is so shallow it must understeer like a snowplough.
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by BigH47
My ugly comments related to the "new" Vincent. Mind you they could apply to the Hesketh as well!

Howard
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by J.N.
Here's my baby

Posted on: 24 February 2004 by Steve G
Very nice. I've considered a R1100S as a replacement for both my CBR600 and Deauville - might give it some more thought this year.
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by Martin D
Embarrassed at the silly number plate are we? They annoy me to death. That’s for another thread though!
Martin
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by J.N.
quote:
Embarrassed at the silly number plate are we?


Why would I be embarrassed about the number plate on my motorbike?

It's erased here for a reason that you clearly haven't worked out.
Posted on: 24 February 2004 by J.N.
Thanks Steve

I've had it 5 years and love it. A different beast to a CBR 600 of course, but I think you'd be surprised at how capable it is as a sports bike.

I've had a few touring holidays on it, and it's comfortable enough to do reasonable distances.

It was preceeded by a VFR 750, and I reckon that it handles as well. The available torque gives it a great spread of power through the rev range and it's surprisingly smooth.

The shaft drive is fantastic, and helps to keep the back end clean. I wouldn't want a bike with a chain again.
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by Rockingdoc
It's erased here for a reason that you clearly haven't worked out.[/QUOTE]


I've never understood why people erase the reg. number on the web and in ads either. Can someone explain.
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by Martin D
Hey guys
I'm not being funny but I really cant see why you'd want to hide it. Perhaps its in some way relavent to the bike i.e A600 CBR besides that a)cant see the point in these type of registrations b)why hide it - please say if there is an obviouse need to not show it - Its probably me being thick c)my reg is VN53 DTZ
Martin
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by Steve G
Isn't there an issue with people "cloning" number plates from similar vehicles in order to avoid paying fines etc. and to make driving without tax & insurance harder to catch?
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by Rasher
But they are on public display in every street. What's the difference?
Posted on: 25 February 2004 by Martin D
Rasher
I think your dead right IMO.
I've heard (my brother in law is a cop in Avon And Somerset Police Serious Crime Dept) and read of people committing crimes and scams by getting reg numbers to clone from cars on the back of car transporter lorries, car parks, garage forecourts (a classic way apparently as the vehicle has an I.D. but is not in use on the road) the street, I fail to see why you'd "attempt" to hide something that is by definition publicly available by the methods described above.
Martin