Targa Twin

[Noddabodder]

At the risk of re-hashing some dated discussions on Targa's I'm after some info from owners or folks with experience of these?

Does anyone know:
What they're like to live with?
What the price is? (Cam Lam website strangely short on info which is ominous)
What sort of MPG can be expected?
Servicing issues?
Reliability issues?
Are they all about revs (I know its a two stroke, relatively speaking) or is there usable tractability?
Does anyone produce a long range tank that fits around both carbs?
Why is there such a lack of info out there?
Most importantly, how do I hide the cost from the wife?

I've tried emailing CamLam but every link on their website unhelpfully redirects to a blank page. Looks like I'll have to actually speak to someone on the phone (an option that never sits well with me) but I want to gather some thoughts first.

[Mel K]

Home - Mike Phoenix Scooters
http://www.mikephoenix.co.uk

Click on the menu watsit . Lots of first hand info there .

[mickey c]

I'd second that, nice guy to speak to as well. He runs one & it sounds lovely. I did ask the price but can't remember as it was a sum of money that would see the wife take at least a limb off me, probably more.

[Digger]

I've lived with mine for about 18 months.
Prepared by Stuart Owen initally.
I've done about 4000 miles on it.
Issues - the choke cable nipple came off at the lever which meant bump starting it while waiting for a new cable. Endcan is really crap build quality and I've had to repack it twice to keep the noise down - otherwise faultless.
Had it dyno'd and carbs re-set by Jerome - Readspeed.
Price is as stated on Cam-Lam website plus whatever goodies you want and how much work your pet dealer has to do to get it to work properly - Tino doesn't do quality control very well.
MPG - more or less the same as the rest of my scooters apart from my stock TV3.
You do need to keep it in the band.
I have a 13 litre tank.
If hiding the cost from the wife is an issue I'd recommend you don't - that's don't buy one or don't try and hide it.

[Noddabodder]

Thanks.
Mike Phoenix' blurb is very out of date.
CamLam website doesn't give a price, neither does anyone else.
It seems the first rule of Targa is that no one talks about the price.
The wife joke was a joke.
Worth the the cost?
Do you have to cut the rear runners for wide bodied Lammers?
You're the second Targisti to say quality control isn't great. Have things not improved with each batch?
Was there much depreciation between Stuart and you, ie. do they hold their value?
Anyone know how many have been produced overall and how long production will run for?

[Psychedelicropcircle]

Don't worry about phoning cam lam first thing they'll do is try to get you the f**k off the phone and back on their website!

[soullad]

Before you go spending any cash, have you considered the new Misano cases, and building an engine from scratch?

[Mr G in NYC]

TEST RIDE ONE FIRST if you can and then ask yourself do I love it
and or do I want one ? 6500 miles on mine and Yes
I like it. There's a few on here who have them and if you
can get to a LCGB rally and ask owners in person their opinions.
The engine I believe now is 8000 Euros, not cheap .
Or , if you can get to the Euro you can ask to test ride
Tino's 5 speed fitted targa. It will leave you with a big grin
on your face After that its your choice . G.

[Digger]

I can see the price now on Cam Lam's site however that's just for the engine delivered to the UK - should be a bit cheaper with the current Euro rate.

I've no interest in whether it is keeping its value or not as I have no desire to sell any of my rides.

I don't know it QC has improved - I know of other issues of other owners - my two gripes are quite minor. The endcan I have would cost about 3 times as much as a conventional one but it is really poorly made and I spent a bit of time sorting out the holes in the perforated tube so that it did its job more efficiently.

However for the price I would have expected it to be spot on fro the outset. It was a really poor starter until Jerome sorted it. He also essentially dialed out the power jets.

Is it worth it? - as Mr G said ride one. You can get more bang for your bucks with a tuned RB250 and at a fraction of the cost.

What you don't get however is the sound and sensation of that smooooth twin engine. It fires up first kick and burbles away at tickover. It gives off a lovely burring sound as you accelerate out of the band that transmogrifies into a banshee wail as you get into the band. It is quite a move when you give it some.

[piskie]

You really need to speak to martin robinson if you want to full low down hard facts totally riden targa twin I doubt if there is anyone eles who gone faster or done more miles than martin on a targa twin mike pheonix and eden backwell will vouch for how martin rides and I am sure he can give you more honest details than any dealer

[Digger]

I like to think that I'm a man of integrity.

I don't deal though...

[Noddabodder]

You really need to speak to martin robinson if you want to full low down hard facts totally riden targa twin I doubt if there is anyone eles who gone faster or done more miles than martin on a targa twin mike pheonix and eden backwell will vouch for how martin rides and I am sure he can give you more honest details than any dealer

I did speak to Martin, it was him that fired up my interest.

Strangely,Targa discussions have produced an odd physical reaction in me . Anytime I have a chat with someone about one, the details seem blurred the following day and I'm never really sure the conversation actually happened.

I get the picture though, it's more about sensation (and exclusivity) than BHP figures.

Still don't know the exact cost, anyone?

[dickie]

A little off subject (but only a little).....

I just don't get it. What's the targa twin's raison d'etre?

I mean if you just want to go fast and economical, you could buy an old suzuki sv650 for £1500 with 60 bhp and 60mpg.

And while I think that, I also think that it's up to the individual what they 'waste' their money on.

I've spent near 6 grand on an li125 and it's not finished yet!

[Digger]

As previously mentioned the price is on the CamLam site 8000 Euros which means today it will cost you £6k.

[Digger]

A little off subject (but only a little).....

I just don't get it. What's the targa twin's raison d'etre?

I mean if you just want to go fast and economical, you could buy an old suzuki sv650 for £1500 with 60 bhp and 60mpg.

And while I think that, I also think that it's up to the individual what they 'waste' their money on.

I've spent near 6 grand on an li125 and it's not finished yet!

If you have to ask you wouldn't understand.

I have this to go fast with.

[piskie]

Sorry not meant to be dig at you digger xxx I just doubt anyone has done more hard miles than martin robinson and he is glad to tell it like it is xxx

[Digger]

[jonashford]

Watch this video for some Targa action, Im sure Martin wont mind me posting his fuel hiccup again, & Eden will apreciate the publicity! lol. But this video really shows the targa for what it can be, a high speed touring monster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc5XvqVa1n8

[Scooterlam]

one thing to factor in if you go Targa is who are going to ride with. its a horse for a particular course.
if your mates have stage 4s etc you may find your friendship tested.

[Noddabodder]

Goddit, £6k. Seems reasonable TBH.

Y'see, I've got a big motorbike too. It's fun but not the same kinda fun as doing scooter rallys on Lambrettas.

I reckon I'll treat myself to one but what do I put it into?

I've got a lovely 1964 Pacemaker in original immaculate condition that I never ride or do I sling it into my bastardsonofahundredLambrettafactories bitsa that I ride everywhere?