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Your favorite bike ever.

budman

budman

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Following in the footsteps of the Thumper thread here is another.

What has been your favorite bike...EVER!

When you have owned a bunch of bikes it can be hard to choose.
Given that I have had several Multistrada's they could be a fav... close but nope.
Having an RD350 for a first street bike is certainly the one...? Nope
998 was cool. The R6 proved to be just the right track tool... still nope.

For me it was the 1982 Suzuki RM250. The bike was fast and amazing. Fanning the clutch and lurching out of berms was amazingly fun.
Wheelies for days, whooping it up on track around the Bay Area.
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My current Pikes Peak is certainly a challenger. If it was 100lbs lighter I am pretty sure it would have gotten the nod.
 
Tough call. Has to be Beastie, the ATK 605 saved out of the San Rafael Canal.
The 599 is in the same place in my heart. It was for sure a happy bike. I had 2 and logged about 125k miles (mostly on 880 splitting lanes.) that bike was a real trick pony.
 
I’ve loved all the bikes I’ve had.
My long gone 2015 BMW S1000RR is my favorite on some days but I have to say my current bike (2022 Hayabusa) is my absolute fav.

The bike I liked the least was a 2018 BMW K1600GT. Too tall, too heavy.
I knew it when I bought it, tried to fall in love, had dreams of touring, but it didn’t work out.
 
You may regret starting this thread. :devil

I've owned a bunch of bikes in the 49 years since I got my M1. All the major Japanese brands, Triumph, BMW, Ducati, Aprilia, Moto-Guzzi. Even an MZ and a Royal Enfield, but my favorite bike - it's not even close - would not on its best day impress anyone in front of *$s. What has made this bike special is not what it is, rather it is what it has done, and where it has taken me in on adventures! It's been in more countries than any other bike I've owned. It's crossed more than 40 different alpine passes. It's done the ton over the mountain at the IOM. It has hauled ass on the autobahn. It has crawled down steep gravel tracks in the Hebrides. It's taken me on pilgrimage to Iona and Lindisfarne. It's followed the path of the Route Jeanne d'Arc, and been to Magny-Cours. It's practically a Johnny Cash song! Oh, and I've owned it for longer than any other bike I've had, 15 years and counting.

You guessed it! My first 650 Versys! And while I've kept trying other bikes, I keep buying these (3 so far). And I'll be bringing it home in 2026.495382568_23934456086147892_6974847707389173642_n.jpg36868153_1970999269586889_7952697647276490752_n.jpg
10532547_804087119611449_9166311632939474172_n.jpg10448803_804769049543256_977370192016756932_n.jpg82870245_2948453398508133_9116553764956798976_n.jpgGriffe 3.jpg495379796_23934468812813286_3462097455537591412_n.jpgIMG_20190916_115639796_HDR.jpg1073747_610644118955751_1518536082_o.jpg
 
This is a hard choice to make. For giggles per mile, I feel a certain way about my 2007 KTM 950 SMR. that bike and i melded almost instantly. it’s low tech. grunty. makes my hip flexors hurt, i squeeze it so hard.
i got taken out on this bike and refused to part with it. give me the salvage title and keep your mitts off my precious Fuckboy. :x

IMG_7131.jpeg
 
You all know what I'm gonna say.
My 1986 Suzuki RG500 Gamma. Dream bike. Now with lots of modern mods and exciting to ride every time.
Honestly though, when I go out to the garage, and I want to put a smile on my face, my 2020 KTM Duke 890R never disapoints.
I will eventually sell the Gamma, but the Duke will stay until I can no longer ride.
Gamma500.jpg
890 Duke R 1.jpg
 
If you looked in my shop you would guess TL1000R because you would see 2 race versions and 1 well kitted street version. But, mine would be my KTM 300XC: I LOVE being on track and ripping laps, but in the overall context of time on moto, nothing brings me more joy than trail miles with friends. It's relatively low risk/cost, intense physically, and mentally cleansing. I enjoy the anticipation, preparation, in the moment, and for days afterwards.
 
I've always owned multiple bikes, each with specific reasons and shortcomings, so I couldn't say which one is my favorite. It's like choosing the most useful tool - should it be a screwdriver, a wrench, a pair of scissors or a knife?

I definitely have a least favorite bike, though - '06 Speed Triple; the ergos was so wrong, I felt so cramped on it and couldn't ride it well.
 
two wheel tramp said:
This is a hard choice to make. For giggles per mile, I feel a certain way about my 2007 KTM 950 SMR. that bike and i melded almost instantly. it’s low tech. grunty. makes my hip flexors hurt, i squeeze it so hard.
i got taken out on this bike and refused to part with it. give me the salvage title and keep your mitts off my precious Fuckboy. :x

View attachment 586998
Click to expand...
Obviously hoonin'.
 
Wow….. this is a really tough one. So many great bikes over the years, and even a few I wish I never bought.

You’d think I’d list an XR of some sort from the Thumper thread….. and while many of them were up there…. They wouldn’t be the top.

The 1983 CR125R looked like a factory works RC my heroes all road, and was miles ahead of the turd 81 YZ125 that preceded it. It actually had usable power that could be used off road too… nearly as good in the woods as any of my IT’s.

A street bike should be up for consideration…. My air cooled 1986 FZ600 from my teens would be up there, as well as my 01 F4i that could do just about anything. The later Daytona 675 and Street triple, both sexy as hell… as well as many others before and after.

So it’s not an XR…

IMG_4223.jpegIMG_4221.jpeg

My 18 TE300 is a very close second. Purposely purchased as the last year of the incredibly capable carb’d 300’s and still in my garage. IMG_4222.jpeg

The favorite, my steel framed 2002 YZ250 that was heavily modified for offroad. A basic engine design along with chassis dimensions originating in the late 90’s that’s still relevant today, nearly 30 years later. Had it not been for space, it would still be in my garage.

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2003 SV1000s, bought new in 2004. Upgraded suspension and brakes. Great gas mileage, enough power, comfortable. Commuting, backroads scratching, sporty touring and track days - it did everything without complaint. I would have liked a stiffer frame, but that probably would have changed the do-it-all nature.

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I'm compelled to amend my previous post of my Norton as favorite by adding that on a functional basis and with similar characteristics of torque and stability and visceral pleasures and just fun my "Scrambler Ducati 1100" is right up there with the Norton. I've been paring down my stuff and sold 3 bikes this past year but this is the keeper. BTW the Bullitt is my favorite helmet of all time.New Scram.jpg
 
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