[BS] What's your pick for best motorcycle ever made (for motorcycling)

soggy

soggy

on the pole
Just pondering about bikes for pavement use and began thinking about bike recommendations and what I would suggest if I had to pick the best motorcycle for most people in most situations. Taking into account the categories of cost, maintenance/reliability, being enjoyable to riders of all skill levels and purposes (commutable/trackable), and customization/modification. Cool factor has to be here too, because hell, that's the reason a lot people ride motorcycles if we are being honest.

The SV650 is my #1 pick for all of those categories, but would love to hear what others would pick. I just can't think of a more reliable, versatile, customizable, fun, and friendly to all riders for all purposes bike than that. The cool factor is a bit lacking, but the new sv650x is pretty cool off the shelf.

Let's hear some recs.

:ride
 
Pushrod

Pushrod

Well-known member
1976 BMW R 100 RS with a Luftmeister kit installed.

Fewer moving parts than an anvil, enough luggage capacity to move your mother-in-law out of town, a tool kit capable of a 95% teardown, five gallon fuel tank, 40 mpg, undesirable to thieves and looks like a cop bike to cagers.
 
Whammy

Whammy

Veteran of Road Racing
Motorcycle for Motorcycling?

I guess one could just pose with it?:rofl
So many choices where to start?
 
bikeama

bikeama

Super Moderator
Staff member
soggy said:
Just pondering about bikes for pavement use and began thinking about bike recommendations and what I would suggest if I had to pick the best motorcycle for most people in most situations. Taking into account the categories of cost, maintenance/reliability, being enjoyable to riders of all skill levels and purposes (commutable/trackable), and customization/modification. Cool factor has to be here too, because hell, that's the reason a lot people ride motorcycles if we are being honest.

The SV650 is my #1 pick for all of those categories, but would love to hear what others would pick. I just can't think of a more reliable, versatile, customizable, fun, and friendly to all riders for all purposes bike than that. The cool factor is a bit lacking, but the new sv650x is pretty cool off the shelf.

Let's hear some recs.

:ride
Click to expand...



Well that leaves out all the bikes I like. :twofinger
 
DonTom

DonTom

Well-known member
soggy said:
Just pondering about bikes for pavement use and began thinking about bike recommendations and what I would suggest if I had to pick the best motorcycle for most people in most situations.:ride
Click to expand...
Most situations would be less than 40 miles per day and for that I would take one of the electric motorcycles.

But different bikes for different purposes. If I want to take an unpaved road that is 100 miles up the freeway, I would take my Stelvio. Also if I need to go 350 miles between gas stations (8.5 gallon tank).

If it is unpaved all the way, I would take my DR200SE. If I were going across the USA all on pavement, I would take my Harley for its comfort on all day rides.

Also, other factors like if it's very cold, I will take my Triumph Trophy SE. If it's very hot, I would take my BMW (no fairing or windscreen.).

The best for all situations doesn't exist.

-Don- Reno, NV
 
bmwbob51

bmwbob51

BMWBOB
The Swiss Army of motorcycles is still the BMW GS. I've lost count how many diffrent manufacturers and variants of motorcycles I've ridden and all have their niche, but the GS seems to do everything well. With a competent rider it can embarrass sport bikes and then head to the hills down a dirt road.
 
sckego

sckego

doesn't like crashing
1986-2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Name another bike that's so good it was kept in production practically unchanged for over 20 years.
 
soggy

soggy

on the pole
sckego said:
1986-2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Name another bike that's so good it was kept in production practically unchanged for over 20 years.
Click to expand...

This crossed my mind....I sport toured one to Cabo San Lucas, rode on Sandy beaches, dirt trails, everywhere. It was bullet proof
 
Lagwagonlead

Lagwagonlead

Well-known member
DRZ400SM. Cheap, reliable, track ready, more enjoyable commuter than any sportbike, sips gas, doesn't eat chains or tires, cheapest insurance ever, crash proof, can go offroad, bazillions of ways to customize it. Cool factor to non-riders, zero. Cool factor to any rider with more than a year under their belt? 10/10.

I sold my SM about a year ago and my wife keeps saying she's going to buy me another one because I don't shut up about how good that bike was at everything. I often find myself saying "Well if I had the DRZ right now..."
 
splat

splat

Well-known member
If I could find a clean example of the CBR F4 I had, I wouldn't hesitate. The I'd say the F4/F4i would be a top contender for all that you've mentioned.
 
flying_hun

flying_hun

Adverse Selection
sckego said:
1986-2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250R

Name another bike that's so good it was kept in production practically unchanged for over 20 years.
Click to expand...

KLR? :toothless

I'm with Auntie, the best motorcycle in the world is the one I'm riding. :ride

Or a GS.... :later
 
N

NoTraffic

Well-known member
splat said:
If I could find a clean example of the CBR F4 I had, I wouldn't hesitate. The I'd say the F4/F4i would be a top contender for all that you've mentioned.
Click to expand...

Agree, or the VFR which has been around since 1986. When I consider reliability, quality, and ease e of maintenance - Honda is always first on my list. Maybe not soul stirring but I'm sure some VFR owners will beg to differ. It's body outlines also just screams "typical" motorcycle look.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top