During the 1990s, I worked for both the classic and modern press, from when a bizarre headline sticks in my mind. The publication had completed a ‘multi-bike’ test on 600cc four-cylinder sports models, headlined to the effect ‘the Donawha SRX600 blasts rivals’. The standfirst informed that the Donawha SRX600 clocked 158mph, while the Tasama XSR600 ‘is dead in the water at 152mph.’ In between, came the other four tested sports 600s.
All were transverse 600cc, four-cylinder, four-stroke sports motorcycles with six-speed gearboxes, vying for their share of this particular (then very important) market. The first, the Kawasaki GPZ600 launched in 1985, was the pioneer and, as such, ‘the trendsetter.’ And once the GPZ600 was unveiled, rivals appeared to play catch-up in this new class, endeavouring to secure a share of the market.
I imagine no more than a few of us could care a jot whether our Tasama XSR600XSR is 6mph slower than our mate’s Donawha 600SRX, especially when this may be down to the tester having just eaten a hearty lunch or the head wind having increased marginally.
What has this to do with old motorcycles? Few of us want to ride at 150-plus mph – half this figure or less suits most of us. In many countries there are maximum speed limits we comply with and often most of us are happy to ride our veteran, vintage and classic motorcycles within their limits. For me, chuffing along our Fen roads at up to 30mph on my direct drive 499cc Premier is just
