• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

The perfect two bike stable?

Squidly McSmearstain

Squidly McSmearstain

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 26, 2006
Location
San Ramon
Moto(s)
2024 Triumple Speed Triple RS, KTM RC390
Once upon a time I had to limit myself to a single motorcycle. I needed a "do everything" bike. I started with an SV650, moved to an FZ1, briefly owned a Sprint ST 1050 and finally settled down with a Tuono. I have a fantastic '07 Tuono Factory that is an absolute dream machine.

My riding is mostly commuting to work (45 miles each way) on a mix of back roads (not that twisty) and highway.

I get out occasionally on the week ends for some canyon fun (mostly Redwood and every once in a while, Mines).

I did my first track day last year, and it looks like this year I'm going to get to do 6 or 7 events; mostly Sears Point, with 1 day at Laguna Seca and 2 days at Button Willow.

The Tuono is GREAT for commuting and riding on the week ends. It's comfortable, yet a great handler. It's got Italian sex appeal (despite it's "interesting" color scheme). However, it's too much for me on the track and too expensive if I wreck it. So, I have an sv650 (with a GSXR front end) as my track bike.

The Tuono was purchased as a single bike that can do it all. Since I've broken things up into two bikes, what would be the perfect two bike stable? I've been thinking about the following:

Speed Triple & Daytona 675
The Speed Triple would be a great commuter and the 675 would be wonderful on weekends and track days. I LOVE the triple engines. My previous experience as a Triumph owner was pretty unsatisfying.

ZX14 & any of the 600 sport bikes from the big 4.
The ZX14 would make a great commuter (except I'd probably get arrested) and any of the 600 sport bikes from the big 4 are great for track days. I know a lot of you have passion for a particular brand of 600cc sport bike, but the truth seems to be they're all basically interchangeable (at least at my track skill level).

GSXR 750
I've been considering a GSXR 750 as my trackbike, but I'm concerned it's too powerful.

Obviously, I could mix and match any combo. For example I could just keep the Tuono as a commuter and pick up a 675. I could buy nothing (not much fun, but much more responsible). I could get a 600rr (for example) and a Speed Triple.

Just curious, if you had an otion for a two bike stable with commuting, week end fun and track days as your primary uses, what would you buy?
 
It's a bit of a generalization, but for the street, I'd take either a liter I4, or any V-twin.

For the track, I could say any 600, but if I had to be specific, an R6 has been the best out of the many trackbikes I've had, hands down. I'm so pleased with the R6 that even after tossing it, I'm spending the time and the money to put it back together, even though my m.o. in the past has been to just simply buy a replacement. :thumbup
 
Something big and comfy-ish, like a Busa/ZX14 or even a Blackbird, and a big bore motard.
 
A sport touring bike and a dual sport covers pretty much all types of riding. With a more sport-oriented sport tourer like the Ducati ST you can do your sport riding as well as long trips. Dual sports are also a lot of fun on twisty roads even if you don't upgrade to supermoto wheels and tires.
 
I have a Sprint ST and an SV 650. If the SV had a proper suspension, I would be set....until I do some dirt riding...
 
I have two race YSR's and a company truck :twofinger


If I needed a street bike, I would need a do-it-all bike and a track bike. Track bike doesn't matter, they are all fun. If you race, then it depends on the classes you want to run. Street bike, probably something of a few year old 600SS bike; late 90's early 00's.
 
V-Strom & Vespa

'cept that kinda leaves out serious dirt and serious track and... Hmm... I like the pairing of ST and DS but that feels like it leaves stuff out too.

It prolly depends on what 'bikiness dimensions' you're concerned about:

track <--> street
pavement <--> dirt
weight & height
power & speed
coolness...

What other dimensions are there?
 
why limit it to two???

feed the addiction!!!

--S
 
Dual sport and a sport-tourer works best for me so far. The KLR is great for the City streets. It can take a lot of abuse. It's also good for fire roads in the national forests. I haven't done any true off-roading with it, but it is possible. The VFR is good for long distances without sacrificing too much in the handling department.

But if you commute a lot on freeways and do trackdays or dirt riding, you're going to want a different combination. Modern motorcycles are very purpose-built, and you need to figure out what your purposes are. And sometimes a different bike will bring out an enthusiasm you never knew you had.

But yeah; why (except for finances) limit yourself to two? If I were to have three, I would probably trade in the VFR for a Hyabusa or a Bandit 1250 and then get a Datona 675 to round things out :ride
 
I like Loooooooong rides and twisting it up so I already own one of the best all around bikes available, the VFR.

If I were to get into track days with any kind of seriousness I would get a CBR 600RR.

I am a Honda man, what can I say?
 
07+ 600rr for everyday riding
nsr/rgv for twisties/track
 
V-strom 650 (with 50/50 dual sport tires) and the new Ducati Streetfighter.
 
street use, I keep my FJR. to have a "complete" two bike stable it'd be an off road capable dual sport like the KLR. One for the pavement, one for the rest of the planet (except the underwater parts).

It'd take a Three Bike Stable to then add a 600 or 750 for "track use".
 
Right now I want a:

ZX12R
Ktm 690 Duke

to go with my VFR.

And a 450 exc to round out my 4 bike stable. Screw two bikes, we are fantasizing here. Dream big, my grandpa always told me!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top