This might have come up before here on BR. I don't remember. Doesn't really matter because I was thinking about it today and thought I'd throw it out there for discussion.
So........... if you could only own ONE motorcycle, what would it be? And for the sake of this discussion, let's assume it would be:
ONE motorcycle.
Not a single bike. A single model bike. If you replaced it, you'd have to replace it with the same model. Ignore the possibility of model cancellation by the manufacturer. This is to discuss what each of us would choose as the ONE bike we would choose for the rest of our lives.
Me?
Probably a Hyabusa.
I kid! I kid!
I'd have to do some serious pondering but it would be either a Suzuki DR650 or a Kawasaki KLR650.
I have ridden both and both can do pretty much anything and everything. Not as efficiently as a dedicated purpose bike, but they can do whatever you throw at them. Jacks-of-all-trades. Master-of-none.
I tend to lean towards the DR650. Probably because I own one and I love it. I think it is one of the best all-around motorcycles ever built.
But the KLR..... Lots of appeal there too. Just not as capable off road. But, arguably a bit more suited to the highway stuff.
What would it be for you?
I would have to 2nd the DR650.
The bike is bullet proof and can do a little of everything.
Thanks Brian, now I miss mine again. ;)
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A 650 thumper is the only real answer. IMHO.
It doesn't matter which. They are all really the same bike.
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I'd have to go with the ZRX. Other than lack of offroad capability (it can still do fire roads and gravel without killing you) it really does everything well enough for me. I've done 800 mile days on it, it should run a 10 second 1/4 mile and the handling is good enough that it'll punch way above what most give it credit for. It's been damn reliable and easy to work on. Only short coming is that with all the power and torque it loves rear tires.
The ZRX reminds me of my '84 Nighthawk S: A standard UJM.
And both fine examples.
I did an Iron Butt ride (1000/24) on my Nighthawk S and it did a fine job, but I'd still opt for the DR650 if I could only own one bike.
I look forward to seeing more responses.
Quote from: Brian A on April 22, 2017, 09:11:06 PM
The ZRX reminds me of my '84 Nighthawk S: A standard UJM.
And both fine examples.
I did an Iron Butt ride (1000/24) on my Nighthawk S and it did a fine job, but I'd still opt for the DR650 if I could only own one bike.
I look forward to seeing more responses.
Ya that's the problem is the dirt factor. Just really hard to really get a DR or KLR to ride like a dedicated dirt bike. Though what Fencejumper accomplishes on that KTM 690 Enduro is impressive and also with a sumo setup might just be the best all around compromise after thinking some more.
I'm going to go with the KLR. Last weekend I did 985 miles on it . I rode it to the woods, through the woods,and then 4 1/2 hours home on the interstate. Other than vibrating out a couple of fillings and a bolt or two, it performed flawlessly. If I can only have 1 bike that would be it.
Well first of all I will have to say my immediate reaction to this line of thought is; :o What cha talking about Willis? :o One motorcycle? As in one motorcycle forever? Uuuuaaaagggg.
But I digress.
Yea, a 650 dualsporty type bike can do a little bit of everything but it can not do anything well.
Too heavy for a day of in the mud, in the woods, slippery leaves and big ol'log to cross riding.
Yea it is nimbler than a Adv type bike but a light weight trials bike leaves in in the dirt. Try bunny hopping up onto a ledge and see.
It can travel far on the street but by the end of a long day, or better yet, a long week of traveling, something bigger will be on your mind.
It will flow though a section of twisty pavement with no problem but not as fast nor as confident as a well sorted sportbike.
As far as a trackday goes, yea you could ride it but once you hit the limit of speed it can do, your done. Game over.
It doesn't matter if you want to admit it or not, limiting yourself to one bike limits what you can do.
But if I am limited to just one bike (and I can not leave that communist state that makes that one bike per person rule ;) ) make mine a DR650 dualsport. ;)
One motorcycle ? That would be tough but I'd probably go with a KLR650. I haven't had a real dirt bike for years so I know I can live without that. The KLR is really adventure bike, not a dual sport and that works for me. It's also a pretty good sportbike on the tight and twisty roads that I like. It's reasonably comfortable for day rides on the street. What can't it do? Long days on the highway suck but I seldom do that anyway. Two up? I tried that once. I know some people do it but it wouldn't work for me. I guess I would consider a slightly bigger Adventure bike. Maybe the new Yamaha XTZ700 if it ever makes it here.
The rules of this thread said one motorcycle. It didn't say anything about scooters ;D So I can still have my Yamaha Majesty for long distance touring and two up riding and a small scooter for running around town ;D I'd have a real tough time living without at least one scooter.
I could live with just one bike if I were just 2" taller. As of now, they don't make my perfect bike...vtwin adventure tour with a 29-30" seat height, low center of gravity vs manageable weight(around 480#). I would choose the vstrom 650 all day long.
My CS is the perfect compromise. The only thing I would add is a 6th gear and another cylinder.
If I had anything other than a touring bike, I'd be riding solo. Sandy wants comfort and security. She feels safe with bags and a trunk surrounding her.
With that being said, I'm OK with having an old, over-weight, slow, low maintenance ride. I think since I could be described using the same adjectives, my Harley and I are a good match. A Harley touring and me has been known to surprise some folks by what we can do at times.
In the first 50 years of riding in the US, a standard bike did everything. In the 1950's, my Dad took a Triumph 500 and ran hill climbs, raced Flat track, raised hell around town and rode me to my first haircut on the fuel tank. Then the motorcycle companies started building specialty bikes. A bike for racing, one for off-road, one for adventure, one for touring...... Now most riders lean toward the style bike that matches their style of riding.
I'd rather have a touring bike that I can and have taken down a dirt road 1 % of the miles. (Thanks Springer and Lawny) Than suffering through road miles on the rough ride of a dual sport.
It is hard to say I only want one style of riding. It would be harder to not ride at all. So give me any style bike and I'll enjoy the ride.
Quote from: yamahamer on April 22, 2017, 03:31:00 PM
I would have to 2nd the DR650.
The bike is bullet proof and can do a little of everything.
Thanks Brian, now I miss mine again. ;)
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I'm missing your bike again too 8)
a dr650 would be great with a wider seat and just a little taller in the bars. those were the only things I ever found needed changing.
I'm going to have to agree with Johnny. I love dual sports and riding dirt & gravel. But if I could only have one, it would be a comfortable, long-distance touring bike. I haven't put many miles on the Wing yet, but I can already tell that I am going to love it. Once I finish cleaning this one up, I may need to trade up for a new one.
I'm calling dibs on the Wing!
I only have one so far so it's not a hard choice for me. I will always own a nice cruiser since that is the type riding I enjoy... With that being said though, I am really wanting to add a dual sport to the stable of motorized wheeled machines in my stable. I grew up riding dirt bikes and all these dirt roads I see while I am out riding the back roads always seem to call my name. I do ride down some of them but with a heavy low riding cruiser there is only so much I want to try. I think my new garage will have plenty of room to add a KLR650 next to the V Star. I just got to convince the wife of that.
1290 adventure. superbike motor, decent enough for dual sport stuff, embarrass sport bikes at track days, and just a fun all around bike...n
Of course I am going to say my KTM 690 Enduro
21/18 Wheels w/ ground clearance for anything but the gnarliest hard enduro
17" Sumo for twisty roads and track days.
With the right seat the bike is bearable for a 200-300 mile gravel road day
I love this bike and it takes me where I want to go and as I only have 1 (running) bike....THIS IS THE ONE!!
Forget about the mean wing, Fencejumper? You're at two now pal!
I'd have to go with a Vstrom 650. It did nothing spectacularly but most things very well. It was comfortable, quick enough and always made me smile. Are there better bikes for particular applications? Most certainly! But you'd be hard pressed to find a two wheeled machine that can fill more roles than a Wee-Strom.
This discussion comes up often and I never have a good answer. I hope I never have to make this decision, that will be a sad sad day.
But I think I have to choose a Can Am Spyder. I know I can ride it when I get older. Riding motorcycles is all about being safe and secure and being able ride forever, right?
I'm kidding.
I would probably pick a KTM 690 Enduro but a very, very close second would be a DR650 with the Aussie FFRC ultimate suspension upgrades, a Lectron carb and a Seat Concepts seat. Of course 17" SUMO wheels would be required for either choice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGdLm9sXzdo&feature=youtu.be
Tough call, I like several of my bikes too much to ever get rid of them.
Of the ones I currently own, I'd have to go with the '92 R100GS, It's been toured on, sport ridden, fire roaded, and even single track.
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Part of it is I like bikes I know well and have complete confidence in working on without dealer assistance.
Watching the video that Mulley posted though, makes me think a DR650 would be a good choice, if only I could ride that well.
Wee-Strom 650 just because I had one and it was the best all-around bike I've ever had. Cheap to own and gobs of farkles out there and great gas mileage.
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Despite what I own now and if it was only one bike. It would be a difficult decision between a 2017 Aprilia Touno or KTM SDR 1290. I want it bad ass and sexy ! I still ain't explored enough asphalt to think about a dirt oriented bike.
Mine would be a KLR.....it was my only bike for many years, served me well. Melony and I done a 600+ mile day 2-up....I've ridden it in a 24 hour off-road endurance race, rode it to Indy for the MotoGP race, and put tens of thousands of miles commuting on it....KLR's can do it all.