How old?

[Mr Gazza]

We all know that Ducati will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Monster next year. (Or now if you count the start of the production year as August?)

25 years is a pretty respectable run for one model sticking fairly closely to the original concept.

Question is, how many other motorcycle models have achieved this?

I can only think of one offhand that might challenge the Monster and that's Honda's VFR, which was released in 1983, apparently. Not sure when the model ran to though, it might even be still current for all I know?

Maybe the Goldwing would be in the running? Or Harley's Sportster?

Thought you chaps could do with a distraction....:mand::chuckle:

[Maggsy]

Are we talking continuous production here?
The Triumph Bonneville initially ran from 1959-1983 (only 24 years)!
Then 1985-1988 under Les Harris, although his license started in 1983 (I'm sure something must have got built sometime during 1984) so I'm going to say this qualifies as continuous production!
Hinckley production began in 2001 and still continues, as does development of the model.
I know you have a soft spot for Triumphs Gaz so I'm fully expecting you to admit the Bonnie into your Hall of Fame. :biggrin:

[utopia]

Depends what you count as sticking close to the original concept.
Now I fully accept that this is my own, personal, slightly contrived opinion, but ....
To my mind, the naked, simple, 90deg twin roadster began in the early 70s with the 750GT.
Some later monsters became too complicated for the "simple" tag, but the evo hits the mark .. made me grin like an idiot all afternoon at the NEC show the year it came out.
I don't consider that the saga has necessarily ended yet, but the scrambler is probably the nearest current model, and doesn't quite tick all the same boxes.

Funnily enough, my other ride has been a pretty long-term concept too.
I think the 4-valve, aircooled, single cyl Honda traillie thing began in the mid 70s with the XL500, and continues to this day (I think) through the likes of my NX650 Dommie and the later FMX models.

Both concepts make for a bloomih' good bike.
No coincidence then, that both are keepers.
And, by happy coincidence ... my Dommie was made in Italy. :mand:

[J_Dub]

Suzuki GSX-R750 from 1985 onwards.

[Darkness]

How about the Honda Super Cub aka C50. That's been in production for longer than I can remember.

[emzedder]

MZ 250 through to the Kanuni, same fundamental engine config and purpose.And excellent engineering it was.

[Jez900ie]

A classic bike hall of fame must include the Yamaha DT125 Production 1974–2008

[Flip]

Suzuki’s TS range must be up there too.

First manufactured in 1969 and although production of the 185ER variant is meant to have ceased in 2015 it is still listed as a current model on the Global Suzuki website:

http://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/products/ts185er/

[utopia]

D'ya know, I toyed briefly with buying a project TS400 last week.
I could proper fancy a 2-stroke single "crosser".
It was a decent price too.

[Jez900ie]

Suzuki’s TS range must be up there too.

First manufactured in 1969 and although production of the 185ER variant is meant to have ceased in 2015 it is still listed as a current model on the Global Suzuki website:

http://www.globalsuzuki.com/motorcycle/products/ts185er/

I rode an orange/red TS185 for a while back in '79! Great bike.

[Mr Gazza]

Good game, good game.

I will give the Bonnie an honest 24 years maggsy. I would love to include Harris's effort, but that would mean I would have to allow the Hinckley thingies in, which won't happen on my watch!!

So we are talking same model name and/or designation, continuously produced by the same manufacturer.

Darkness is on the money... Quoted from Wikipedia;
"In continuous manufacture since 1958 with production surpassing 60 million in 2008, 87 million in 2014, and 100 million in 2017, the Super Cub is the most produced motor vehicle in history."

So...
Honda Super Cub, 1958-2018, 60 years.
Yamaha DT125, 1974-2008, 34 years.
Suzuki GSX-R 750, 1985-2018, 33 years.
Ducati Monster, 1993-2018, 25 years.
Triumph Bonneville, 1958-1983, 24 years.

Keep 'em coming.

[Flip]

D'ya know, I toyed briefly with buying a project TS400 last week.
I could proper fancy a 2-stroke single "crosser".
It was a decent price too.

Watch this space, I have a plan, a van and a trip to Wales next weekend!!

I rode an orange/red TS185 for a while back in '79! Great bike.

My very first bike was a 1980 TS50ER- loved and thrashed in equal measures for a year. Giving me the independence of not having to ask Dad for a lift, impressing the girls at the local youth club with clutch dump wheelies and ‘ripping it up’ through the woods with my mates- happy carefree days!!!

Good game, good game.

I will give the Bonnie an honest 24 years maggsy. I would love to include Harris's effort, but that would mean I would have to allow the Hinckley thingies in, which won't happen on my watch!!

So we are talking same model name and/or designation, continuously produced by the same manufacturer.

Darkness is on the money... Quoted from Wikipedia;
"In continuous manufacture since 1958 with production surpassing 60 million in 2008, 87 million in 2014, and 100 million in 2017, the Super Cub is the most produced motor vehicle in history."

So...
Honda Super Cub, 1958-2018, 60 years.
Yamaha DT125, 1974-2008, 34 years.
Suzuki GSX-R 750, 1985-2018, 33 years.
Ducati Monster, 1993-2018, 25 years.
Triumph Bonneville, 1958-1983, 24 years.

Keep 'em coming.

Plus the Suzuki TS then- 1969-2015 making 46 years (or 48 if you take them as still being available)

[Maggsy]

I rode an orange/red TS185 for a while back in '79! Great bike.

I also had a TS185 early 80’s as a runaround whilst my Bonnie was “resting”. Great little bike. Took my mate “two-up trail riding”, he nearly cr4pp3d himself!

[Mr Gazza]

Yeah. Sure Flip... In she goes.
A few surprises in the list for me.

Honda Super Cub, 1958-2018, 60 years.
Suzuki TS, 1969-2018, 48 years.
Yamaha DT125, 1974-2008, 34 years.
Suzuki GSX-R 750, 1985-2018, 33 years.
Ducati Monster, 1993-2018, 25 years.
Triumph Bonneville, 1958-1983, 24 years.

[Mr Gazza]

Just looked up the Bullet and found this on Wikipedia;

The Royal Enfield Bullet was originally a British overhead valve single cylinder four-stroke motorcycle made by Royal Enfield in Redditch, Worcestershire, now produced by Royal Enfield Motors, the successor to the British company, at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in India. The Royal Enfield Bullet has the longest production run of any motorcycle having remained continuously in production since 1948.[1][2] The Bullet marque is even older, and has passed 75 years of continuous production. The Royal Enfield and Bullet names derive from the company's links with the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, London.[2]

What do you reckon? should we let it in?

[Flip]

Oh if you take the YAMAHA DT as a range rather than just the specific 125cc version you can add a few more years as the first ‘DT1’ was out in 1968

[Albie]

Yamaha still make a TT so from 1976 still a single

Yamaha still make a SR from 1978 in a few engine sizes but still the sr500 is now a sr400 looks the same still.

[Jez900ie]

Just looked up the Bullet and found this on Wikipedia;

The Royal Enfield Bullet was originally a British overhead valve single cylinder four-stroke motorcycle made by Royal Enfield in Redditch, Worcestershire, now produced by Royal Enfield Motors, the successor to the British company, at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in India. The Royal Enfield Bullet has the longest production run of any motorcycle having remained continuously in production since 1948.[1][2] The Bullet marque is even older, and has passed 75 years of continuous production. The Royal Enfield and Bullet names derive from the company's links with the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield, London.[2]

What do you reckon? should we let it in?

Only if you let the Bonnie in on the same basis? LOL

[Darkness]

Only if you let the Bonnie in on the same basis? LOL

Isn't the Bullet the same bike by a different manufacturer with the same name as opposed to the Triumph, a different bike by a different manufacturer with the same name?

[350TSS]

Your question was length of production not how good it was/is. On that basis it is the winner and has to be in.
I have never ridden one so cannot comment on how good it is, however my first proper bike after a Honda 50 step thru and a C90 was a 1948 rigid Matchless G80 bought for £10 which I absolutely loved. The RE is by my understanding a similar concept low power / heavy flywheel chuffer.

[Aviatore]

Suzuki DR650... bombproof thumper is the basis for many round the world adventure rides. Extremely minor changes since its intro in 1990... mostly color, stickers, and a few extra frame gussets early on. Oh and a change from kick to electric start in '92 I think. Thats about it that I can remember. I think it qualifies as sticking to the original concept more than most. Not the oldest by any means but in sticking to the original design with little to no change... very much a contender.

[rendo]

If a honda cub gets in then a Vespa P/PX series qualifies, first release in 77. there was a brief stop in production (2007 acc to wiki)

[Jez900ie]

Isn't the Bullet the same bike by a different manufacturer with the same name as opposed to the Triumph, a different bike by a different manufacturer with the same name?

Ah But Mr Gazza said "So we are talking same model name and/or designation, continuously produced by the same manufacturer."

So a change from Triumph to Mr Harris the guy who produced Bonnies under license would be the same, but apparently disallowed under the Gazza H of F rules. LOL

[Flip]

If a honda cub gets in then a Vespa P/PX series qualifies, first release in 77. there was a brief stop in production (2007 acc to wiki)

Oh yeah- I forgot about those, shouldn't have though as I've got me one in the garage.

A 1978 P200E, I think the reason Vespa stopped production for a bit was because of a struggle getting their aging two stroke through various emission regulations but once they'd worked out a new (Italian) way of doing the formula (I think they ended up fitting a Cat into the exhaust?) it was full speed ahead at the Pontedera factory apparently churning out 40 PX Wasps a day.

https://s20.postimg.org/fwyw6chhp/Scoot.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/dsej59fux/)

http://www.vespa.com/en_EN/Heritage.html

[Maggsy]

Ah But Mr Gazza said "So we are talking same model name and/or designation, continuously produced by the same manufacturer."

So a change from Triumph to Mr Harris the guy who produced Bonnies under license would be the same, but apparently disallowed under the Gazza H of F rules. LOL

Yeah, come on Gazza! 😉 👍😀

[Mr Gazza]

Okay. Apparently I have House of Frazer rules???.. Whatever... :chuckle:

Since this was only ever going to be a bit of fun, I'm letting the Bullet in for such a magnificent achievement and it is in the spirit of what I first suggested.

The Bonnie gets an extension too, to include Les Harris's contribution, and after all he gifted me a brand new kickstart shaft for my Ajay when I visited his Newton Abbot factory to interview him.

The Hinkley thingy is not the same animal and is not part of the continuous production.

Vespas not allowed... Motorcycles only... :look:

Royal Enfield Bullet, 1948 - 2018, 70 years.
Honda Super Cub, 1958-2018, 60 years.
Suzuki TS, 1969-2018, 48 years.
Yamaha DT125, 1974-2008, 34 years.
Suzuki GSX-R 750, 1985-2018, 33 years.
Triumph Bonneville, 1958-1988, 30 years.
Ducati Monster, 1993-2018, 25 years.

Oops that puts the Monster at the bottom of the table??

[Flip]

Vespas not allowed... Motorcycles only... :look:

Booo!! What not even under 'Italian Rules'?

You know the kind- where capacities for certain competitions can be doubled due to half the cylinders or whereby Italian exhaust volume is slightly louder than everyone else's but that's okay? :eyepopping:

[Mr Gazza]

Booo!! What not even under 'Italian Rules'?

You know the kind- where capacities for certain competitions can be doubled due to half the cylinders or whereby Italian exhaust volume is slightly louder than everyone else's but that's okay? :eyepopping:

No! They're pants and they smell funny... :chuckle::chuckle:

Aw. Go on stick 'em on the list, so I don't have to. :)

[Jez900ie]

Okay. Apparently I have House of Frazer rules???.. Whatever... :chuckle:

Since this was only ever going to be a bit of fun, I'm letting the Bullet in for such a magnificent achievement and it is in the spirit of what I first suggested.

The Bonnie gets an extension too, to include Les Harris's contribution, and after all he gifted me a brand new kickstart shaft for my Ajay when I visited his Newton Abbot factory to interview him.

The Hinkley thingy is not the same animal and is not part of the continuous production.

Vespas not allowed... Motorcycles only... :look:

Royal Enfield Bullet, 1948 - 2018, 70 years.
Honda Super Cub, 1958-2018, 60 years.
Suzuki TS, 1969-2018, 48 years.
Yamaha DT125, 1974-2008, 34 years.
Suzuki GSX-R 750, 1985-2018, 33 years.
Triumph Bonneville, 1958-1988, 30 years.
Ducati Monster, 1993-2018, 25 years.

Oops that puts the Monster at the bottom of the table??

Nice! Then again I have always thought I had discerning taste in bikes. I've ridden alot/ owned five on the list. Turns out I liked mass market machines that everyone else had too... I've thought about an Enfield Bullet, never considered a Honda Cub but all the others have been at my house.

[Flip]

What about Yamaha's RD range too?

Does depend if you go back to the routes with a YD-1 first produced in 1957 or with an RD prefix it's 1972 but either way production continued until 1995 with the Brazilian made RD350YPVS-F2.

Put those on the list too and I'll up my total of five models so far:

C50 (x2) C90 (counting as one model)
TS50ER
GSX-R750WT SRAD
M900 (& an S4) (counting as one model)
Vespa P200E

[Mr Gazza]

Uh oh! Splinter list!!.. :chuckle::chuckle:

[Flip]

Oh yeah....sorry!!!

Just so many great memories of thirty five uninterrupted years of motorcycling in one little list!!

[Darren69]

What about the 900SS?

[Maggsy]

Okay. Apparently I have House of Frazer rules???.. Whatever... :chuckle:

Since this was only ever going to be a bit of fun, I'm letting the Bullet in for such a magnificent achievement and it is in the spirit of what I first suggested.

The Bonnie gets an extension too, to include Les Harris's contribution, and after all he gifted me a brand new kickstart shaft for my Ajay when I visited his Newton Abbot factory to interview him.

The Hinkley thingy is not the same animal and is not part of the continuous production.

Vespas not allowed... Motorcycles only... :look:

Royal Enfield Bullet, 1948 - 2018, 70 years.
Honda Super Cub, 1958-2018, 60 years.
Suzuki TS, 1969-2018, 48 years.
Yamaha DT125, 1974-2008, 34 years.
Suzuki GSX-R 750, 1985-2018, 33 years.
Triumph Bonneville, 1958-1988, 30 years.
Ducati Monster, 1993-2018, 25 years.

Oops that puts the Monster at the bottom of the table??

Yesss! Bonnie makes it.
Cheers Gaz.
I’ve had 3 off that list (TS185, T140V and M696).
Always fancied a DT175 or DT250! 🤔

[Mr Gazza]

What about the 900SS?

That's an interesting one.
Did the SS run continuously from the round case bevel 750, through to the square case 860s' and 900 belters?

Feel free to do the research and add the bikes and dates to the list, as it's all so intriguing.

I will maintain the role of editor in chief, in case the rules are broken.. :mand:

[Darren69]

It didn't run continuously at least not as an SS as such, iirc there was a break of a few years when they switched from the last of the bevel Mille SS, Hailwood reps and S2's in the '80's and then started the belter Pantah/F1/F2 bikes which were eventually developed and became the 750/900 Sport and then the 900SS was relaunched with the future classic Monster engine around 1990/91 until the SSie bikes finished but I'm not sure off hand when they actually stopped production of the SSie. I kinda lost track but it must've been a good number of years.