Rumblings from the bottom of the biscuit tin. (
apologies to Frank Westworth for the start of the title)
Ok, I'm probably going to upset and divide the ranks here. I have an admittance to make. My name is Dave. I'm a long term motorcyclist, and I don't like 2 strokes.
I've only had 3 in me lifetime (a little TZR125 thing, a Kwack KR1S and an MZ ETZ 251). Everything else has been IL4s, V-twins or big singles). Mind you, out of the 3, that MZ used to be a hoot in the corners, and I even did a bit of despatch riding on it.
But, they were just too bloody noisy and that put me off. Plus the starting...sheesh. Even worse when it was hot. Or cold. Or not run for a while. Or run everyday, used to get to the shops, step back outside, and it refused to start again. - Results in sitting on the street, plugs out, lighter in hand and starting the whole process again.
Kick, kick, kick, kick...got it started!! - Proceed to annoy the hell out of the neighbours ringing it till the smoke clears. Imagine firing up a chainsaw at 4am outside yer house? This
Rrrring-ding-ding-ding-ding-a-ding-a-ding, with clouds of blue smoke everywhere, a balls hair throttle (twist the throttle 2 inches and nothing?....twist another 1mm and PHOOOM - it's off like a scalded cat).
The 2 strokes I rode were never fun in the snow or really wet roads. You'd be forever nursing the throttle to keep her ticking over....and then...again...PHOOM....the powerband would try to let you know it's still there, the back end would all go to sh1t.......and so would the bikes.

I almost filled my shorts a good few times when that happened.
So, with all that above taken into consideration, it was time to stick to in line fours. Smooth power delivery, luggage carrying, comfy seat, no farting about with pre-mix, and
no-one could hear you coming from 6 streets away (erm...ok, that's all changed again with the VTR and the chosen cans!

). They looked like
''proper bikes'' and you were more respected in the neighbourhood, as you were no longer a ''hooligan'' making noise and smoking up the street at 95,000 revs (in
first gear, trying to get it to move without lifting the front end every-time).
''Honestly Officer: They're all like that y'know....It's the way the Japanese made them, and it's how they're meant to be ridden. It even states the fact in the handbook.''
I'm not even a fan of the ''Classic'' 2 strokes. The Kawasakis H 2 n' triples. I know it's snobbish, but if there's a few Yamaha RDs (LCs or coffin tankers) lined up at a show, then I just keep walking. The folk that usually stand with drooling mouth and misty eyes, are riders in their late 40's/early 50s, who still retain the pony tail at the back (even tho the top and sides are almost gone).
I guess it's the same for really old duffers...when they come up when yer on the BSA, and start drooling and spouting ''I remember the time I had one of them'' and then half yer day is gone listening to him. There will always be bikes that one fondly remembers, with riders wanting to re-live that experience. But the reality is, if a lot of those original riders climbed back onto an old bike, I don't think the experience would be the same. Rose tinted glasses
can affect one's vision y'know!
Horses for Courses. Each to their own etc etc....