What bikes do you think meet the widest demands of riders, in terms of skill/performance/etc?

[cg_ops]

I apologize, it was hard to word the title succinctly to convey the conversation topic. Essentially, if we were to take the potential skill set from day 1 beginner to elite racer (or even stunter), which bikes would you say are appealing to the widest range of skills. I was going to say "versatility" but the results probably would've skewed towards hybrids like ADV or Sport Touring.

To clarify, the widest range could mean that it's NOT AT ALL beginner friendly, however a B group rider all the way to an elite championship rider would enjoy the bike without much want for more. You can consider anything you want to factor in - maintenance, power, handling, comfort, etc. Feel free to include bikes that need a little modification to be a total winner (ie suspension on the FZ09)

Feel free to break it into street, track, dirt, stunt, etc.

For example, I'd argue that the WR450 is the best enduro on the market. It's got plenty of oomph for an experienced rider, it'll do fine on the freeway, it makes an AWESOME sumo, it is ridiculously reliable, decent range, and isn't a total pig like its little brother the WR250 (245 vs 305). Skill wise, it seems beginner to advanced riders always seem to love it. Seemingly, beyond advanced, into expert levels of skill, people beging to go for the hyper focused bikes the KTM/Huskys, like an EXC500.

Let's see what ya got!

 

[afm199]

The Vespa 250GS is a monster for around the city, particularly if you can get the 61 two smoke.

 

[berth]

Harley Davidsons.

They sell the most (in this country), ergo QED.

 

[cg_ops]

:laughing And here I was expecting a bevy of SV650 and FZ07 replies

 

[Kurosaki]

'Busa

 

[stangmx13]

if we are breaking it up into ride categories, the answer to "track" seems somewhat obvious.

a best-of-the-best bike would be enjoyed by all without anyone wanting more. a WSBK or Moto2 machine would keep any of us mortals happy and would be easily ridden by anyone with reasonable track experience. they are easier to ride, thats y they are so fast. id include GP bikes, but I don't think any track rider could successfully one.

to all the ppl that'll say, "oh I have plenty of fun with my stock motor" or "stock suspension"... I used to think the same thing. then I built my motor and got the best suspension. I can still have fun riding a Ninja250 tooling around w/ friends. but its only half as fun pushing for my own records on the best bike I can ride.

 

[Rumbo Sur]

Your inquiry does not make much sense on several levels. Too broad to answer in any meaningful way and very non specific, IMO. Rider wants and needs are all over the map. Skill sets even more diverse.

And tell me, who really gives a shit about any of this? What's your point?

One thing I can say for sure is that the WR450 is, IMO, FAR from the best "Enduro". First off, what do you mean by an Enduro? Do you mean a Race bike, as something that could compete in AMA Enduro Class?

While it's true, WR450 is a great dirt bike, it's no dual sport and only would be a true "enduro" race bike if properly set up for that dicipline. Moto Cross vs. Enduro riding? Apples & Oranges.

Or do you really mean a bike with a broader, more versatile nature? More like a Dual Sport? And BTW, the WR450R is not even road legal, even though I know some are plated. Some SUMO race them I guess. Not many??

Question: Have you ever ridden your WR450 for any real distance?
I swapped a few times onto my buddy's WR450 during a two week Baja ride. GREAT off road, terrible on road at 50 mph or faster. :thumbdown

In Europe an Enduro bike is simply a Dual Sport.

Semantics matter.

I apologize, it was hard to word the title succinctly to convey the conversation topic. Essentially, if we were to take the potential skill set from day 1 beginner to elite racer (or even stunter), which bikes would you say are appealing to the widest range of skills. I was going to say "versatility" but the results probably would've skewed towards hybrids like ADV or Sport Touring.

To clarify, the widest range could mean that it's NOT AT ALL beginner friendly, however a B group rider all the way to an elite championship rider would enjoy the bike without much want for more. You can consider anything you want to factor in - maintenance, power, handling, comfort, etc. Feel free to include bikes that need a little modification to be a total winner (ie suspension on the FZ09)

Feel free to break it into street, track, dirt, stunt, etc.

For example, I'd argue that the WR450 is the best enduro on the market. It's got plenty of oomph for an experienced rider, it'll do fine on the freeway, it makes an AWESOME sumo, it is ridiculously reliable, decent range, and isn't a total pig like its little brother the WR250 (245 vs 305). Skill wise, it seems beginner to advanced riders always seem to love it. Seemingly, beyond advanced, into expert levels of skill, people beging to go for the hyper focused bikes the KTM/Huskys, like an EXC500.

Let's see what ya got!

 

[Aware]

Beginner to elite racer? Honda make brilliant street bikes that can also be highly successful race machines.

With that measure, CBR600 or CBR1000.

Are there better race bikes? sure, but most are not as good a choice for a beginner. Plus you didn't say they have to be current elite race bikes ;-)

 

[Junkie]

Your inquiry does not make much sense on several levels. Too broad to answer in any meaningful way and very non specific, IMO. Rider wants and needs are all over the map. Skill sets even more diverse.

And tell me, who really gives a shit about any of this? What's your point?

One thing I can say for sure is that the WR450 is, IMO, FAR from the best "Enduro". First off, what do you mean by an Enduro? Do you mean a Race bike, as something that could compete in AMA Enduro Class?

While it's true, WR450 is a great dirt bike, it's no dual sport and only would be a true "enduro" race bike if properly set up for that dicipline. Moto Cross vs. Enduro riding? Apples & Oranges.

Or do you really mean a bike with a broader, more versatile nature? More like a Dual Sport? And BTW, the WR450R is not even road legal, even though I know some are plated. Some SUMO race them I guess. Not many??

Question: Have you ever ridden your WR450 for any real distance?
I swapped a few times onto my buddy's WR450 during a two week Baja ride. GREAT off road, terrible on road at 50 mph or faster. :thumbdown

In Europe an Enduro bike is simply a Dual Sport.

Semantics matter.

mine's plated, on 17s. I've had it at the track once, then decided to pick up a track bike rather than risking yardsaling a difficult to replace bike.

I've done 350mi days on it. Not comfortable, but doable for me.

 

[ScottRNelson]

...which bikes would you say are appealing to the widest range of skills.

If you're covering the widest range of skill, there are a bunch of additional skills in the dirt that I would think would cover more "range" than any street-only bike.

I would say you need a dual sport or adventure bike to be able to use more "skills". The KTM 500EXC if you won't be riding far on the street or the 690 Adventure R if you're going further. If you'll be including cross country riding, then the KTM 1090 Adventure R. Apparently I'm biased toward KTM, but only if dirt capabilities are important.

 

[nebulous]

Who are you calling beginner!? :laughing

Beginner to elite racer? Honda make brilliant street bikes that can also be highly successful race machines.

With that measure, CBR600 or CBR1000.

Are there better race bikes? sure, but most are not as good a choice for a beginner. Plus you didn't say they have to be current elite race bikes ;-)

 

[cg_ops]

if we are breaking it up into ride categories, the answer to "track" seems somewhat obvious.

a best-of-the-best bike would be enjoyed by all without anyone wanting more. a WSBK or Moto2 machine would keep any of us mortals happy and would be easily ridden by anyone with reasonable track experience. they are easier to ride, thats y they are so fast. id include GP bikes, but I don't think any track rider could successfully one.

Oooh, I hadn't thought to consider dedicated track bikes... nice

Lots of unnecessarily hostile junk

Who shat in your cornflakes? It's just a fun discussion, inspired from a conversation at my work. After the stress of prepping my bike for AFM this weekend, I was looking to start a light-hearted thread...

Semantics matter

So does a sense of levity. Lighten up, have some fun :laughing

 

[Rumbo Sur]

Who shat in your cornflakes? It's just a fun discussion, inspired from a conversation at my work. After the stress of prepping my bike for AFM this weekend, I was looking to start a light-hearted thread...

First off I'm afraid you've mis-quote'd me. I never made above comment. You should edit that out ... or let the mods edit your post.

If your question/thread was about doing track days or AFM racing ... you maybe should have limited it to that? Maybe a little more specific?

Seems to me you opened it up across the board then tossed in Sumo bikes.
Hard to follow.

So does a sense of levity. Lighten up, have some fun :laughing

All for having fun ... but I didn't get that in your post, sorry.

 

[NoobCorpse]

Who shat in your cornflakes? It's just a fun discussion, inspired from a conversation at my work. After the stress of prepping my bike for AFM this weekend, I was looking to start a light-hearted thread...

I'll be more polite than Rumbo and ask: Why is your question framed around a bike, and not a rider? Some riders I've seen had trouble riding a ninja 500. A lady in the CMSP class I took a while back had trouble on a Rebel 250. I've ridden a plated ktm 350 on the highway (85 south!) and it's doable but I wouldn't want to tour on it.

In the spirit of skillsets of the widest possible range of riders here on BARF, my answer is riding trials on a trials bike. Or maybe racing on an old 80s supersport race bike.

 

[cg_ops]

Ok. Good point. Stupid post.

Mods please lock/close/delete it.

 

[pepesm]

Ghost Rider!! Ride the bike with fire wheel and burn the road at Warp-speed, blasting cars off the road. What's cool? No helmet because your head is on fire.

I wish I could do that. Interstellar skills!!!


BOOP!

 

[Gary856]

Setting aside cruisers, let’s say 30% want, and can afford, liter bikes and full-size ADV bikes, and 20% can only afford, or are content with, entry-level bikes, that leaves the majority in the middle. I think the most versatile bikes (cost-reward) are the middleweight like an SV650, FZ07 and Versys 650. Even better - bump the displacement up a bit to the 700-750cc range and give it a good suspension.

 

[stangmx13]

Setting aside cruisers, let’s say 30% want, and can afford, liter bikes and full-size ADV bikes, and 20% can only afford, or are content with, entry-level bikes, that leaves the majority in the middle. I think the most versatile bikes (cost-reward) are the middleweight like an SV650, FZ07 and Versys 650. Even better - bump the displacement up a bit to the 700-750cc range and give it a good suspension.

I won't be surprised if that happens. it seems that manufacturers slowly get into "tech wars" with each bike category that sells. they gotta do it to make your old bike obsolete. they also gotta do it to out-do the other manufactures. now that middleweight twins are selling, I think we'll get bigger/better/faster ones eventually.

oh wait, the KTM 790 is nearly here :laughing. I think the forks are non-adjustable cartridges.

 

[denhaus]

'Busa

*turbo 'busa

 

[Smash Allen]

sv650s can be had for $1000 and will take you from fire roads to track records. not much more you could ask from a bike! (besides more power)

so...turkey pan? or rear fender? :laughing