Posted by merlotbrougham on July 14, 2006, 6:53 pm
Hey all. I've seen this q on differerent groups in the past, but I was
wondering what you all would consider your dream bike(s). Today, I'm
feeling 3:
Commuter/light tourer: brand new 650 V-Strom. Add a bigger windshield,
luggage, and I understand a comfier saddle.
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/DL650K7/Default.aspx
Putt around town with the boys: Redneck Engineering BadAss. Repro pan,
lotso chrome, loud. Prolly like a high-maintenance girlfriend.
http://www.redneckengineering.com/images/Bike%20Pics/BAD-REDNECK03.jpg
Bike to kill myself on when I'm just fed up with this world: how 'bout
an old Suzuki Gamma 500 tastefully modded. This one on ebay looks DAMN
tempting:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-RG500-Gamma-RG-500_W0QQitemZ220005238388QQihZ012QQcategoryZ6027QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Posted by Venture Rider on July 14, 2006, 7:06 pm
Since I mostly like to go out on day trips outside of town, or go
touring for a few days, and since I want comfort, some music and a
cruise control, my dream bike would be a Yamaha Venture. I wish I had
one of those!
Oh, wait...
--
"What, me worry?" - Alfred E. Neuman
Posted by Joe on July 15, 2006, 1:15 am
> Commuter/light tourer: brand new 650 V-Strom. Add a bigger windshield,
> luggage, and I understand a comfier saddle.
> http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/DL650K7/Default.aspx
1000 seat...
Windshield available aftermarket - e-mail me for details.
Luggage? Hmm... Can't help you there.
Anyone know what the deal is with the switch to two spark plugs per cyl. on
the new 650 V-Strom?
--
Joe in Northern, NJ - V#8013-R
Currently Riding The "Mother Ship"
Ride a motorcycle in or near NJ?
http://tinyurl.com/5apkg
http://www.youthelate.com
Posted by blazing laser on July 15, 2006, 4:34 pm
Ive been thinking about this for a day or two now. Like you, I don't
think any one bike does everything well. Any motorcycle (or actually
anything designed by man) is a compromise.
The V-Strom stands out in this list because it is a deliberate
general-purpose compromise. for touring/commuting/off-road/other. But
if you really loved one or another of those things, you could buy
special-purpose tools that were better, like a Gold Wing for touring,
or a real dirt bike for off road.
The custom bike is also special-purpose, but it's not for any of the
above purposes, it's actually just to LOOK at. I've seen a lot of
these exotic customs in shows and at the local consignment sales
outfit, but I never see them on the road. I appreciate them the way I
appreciate tattoos and Harley Davidsons--I admire them on others but
woudln't want one myself. I think the Honda Valkyrie Rune is about
the most beautiful bike I've ever seen, which is not to say I'd want
to ride one (and, of course, it is not unique, it is not 'custom',
anyone can buy one just like it!) Also I saw a custom bike on EBay a
few weeks ago that had a special 3-cylinder engine, like a Harley
engine with an added cylinder so it made kind of a 'W'. I thought
that looked very cool indeed, but again it was a bike for showing off,
for turning heads, not for riding. And for what it cost I could buy a
whole garage full of bikes that I could actually ride and enjoy!
The RG-500 is sort of similar. There's novelty in a 500cc bike that
has 100 hp. And don't get me wrong, I think speed is thrilling, and
it's one of the reasons we ride motorcycles. Ever notice how the
words 'exhiliration' and 'acceleration' sound alike? Probably not
just a coincidence. But for practical purposes, I think a Hayabusa or
a ZX14 would be more practical since you can get parts & access. for
them. Certainly just as dangerous. 8^)
I've often fantasized that it might be nice to have a collection of
different kinds of bikes, and take them on cross-country rides with my
friends--sort of like Malcom Forbes did. Except they would probably
have to be my employees, not friends, because their real job would be
to take the bikes along for me to use. I'd pick which bike I wanted
depending on the situation. For long stretches on the Interstate I'd
ride the Gold Wing. When we got to a relaxed country road I'd get off
the Gold Wing and onto a 1960s Triumph or an old BMW Airhead. When we
got to a jeep road I'd get onto a BMW GS. For twisty mountain roads
I'd have a CBR or GSXR. In other words, instead of one bike that did
everything well, I'd have a collection of special-purpose tools, like
a bag of golf clubs.
A better question, at least until I win the lottery, is 'what ONE bike
would be the best compromise for everything you wanted to do?' The
V-Strom might be that bike. I've never ridden one but I hear great
things about them. I love my ST1100, but it's a bit heavy for the
'perfect bike'.
Posted by merlotbrougham on July 15, 2006, 8:57 pm
blazing laser wrote:
> Ive been thinking about this for a day or two now. Like you, I don't
> think any one bike does everything well. Any motorcycle (or actually
> anything designed by man) is a compromise.
> The V-Strom stands out in this list because it is a deliberate
> general-purpose compromise. for touring/commuting/off-road/other. But
> if you really loved one or another of those things, you could buy
> special-purpose tools that were better, like a Gold Wing for touring,
> or a real dirt bike for off road.
> The custom bike is also special-purpose, but it's not for any of the
> above purposes, it's actually just to LOOK at. I've seen a lot of
> these exotic customs in shows and at the local consignment sales
> outfit, but I never see them on the road. I appreciate them the way I
> appreciate tattoos and Harley Davidsons--I admire them on others but
> woudln't want one myself. I think the Honda Valkyrie Rune is about
> the most beautiful bike I've ever seen, which is not to say I'd want
> to ride one (and, of course, it is not unique, it is not 'custom',
> anyone can buy one just like it!) Also I saw a custom bike on EBay a
> few weeks ago that had a special 3-cylinder engine, like a Harley
> engine with an added cylinder so it made kind of a 'W'. I thought
> that looked very cool indeed, but again it was a bike for showing off,
> for turning heads, not for riding. And for what it cost I could buy a
> whole garage full of bikes that I could actually ride and enjoy!
> The RG-500 is sort of similar. There's novelty in a 500cc bike that
> has 100 hp. And don't get me wrong, I think speed is thrilling, and
> it's one of the reasons we ride motorcycles. Ever notice how the
> words 'exhiliration' and 'acceleration' sound alike? Probably not
> just a coincidence. But for practical purposes, I think a Hayabusa or
> a ZX14 would be more practical since you can get parts & access. for
> them. Certainly just as dangerous. 8^)
> I've often fantasized that it might be nice to have a collection of
> different kinds of bikes, and take them on cross-country rides with my
> friends--sort of like Malcom Forbes did. Except they would probably
> have to be my employees, not friends, because their real job would be
> to take the bikes along for me to use. I'd pick which bike I wanted
> depending on the situation. For long stretches on the Interstate I'd
> ride the Gold Wing. When we got to a relaxed country road I'd get off
> the Gold Wing and onto a 1960s Triumph or an old BMW Airhead. When we
> got to a jeep road I'd get onto a BMW GS. For twisty mountain roads
> I'd have a CBR or GSXR. In other words, instead of one bike that did
> everything well, I'd have a collection of special-purpose tools, like
> a bag of golf clubs.
> A better question, at least until I win the lottery, is 'what ONE bike
> would be the best compromise for everything you wanted to do?' The
> V-Strom might be that bike. I've never ridden one but I hear great
> things about them. I love my ST1100, but it's a bit heavy for the
> 'perfect bike'.
Went into a local dealership to pick up a motorcycle stand today. (btw-
went with a Pit Bull) The place has a pretty big selection of the 4 Jap
brands. And there it was; the V-Strom calling my name. Wedged in
between an ST1100 and a possibly a DR200. Man, what a nice all-rounder.
I've lurked this group all winter and see that it's got some good
reviews.
Why is a small stable of bikes a fantasy? There's plenty of real
affordable older bikes that do a bang-up job. Like you mentioned- how
'bout a beat up CBR, a KLR (of course now I'm partial to the NX650),
and maybe a SilverWing or similar. Bet you could get all 3 for less
than $5k during the winter.
That Redneck Badass bike is the shit! Yeah, it's more show than go, but
damn! Don't even bother comparing it to a comfy reliable Jap cruiser. I
know, I know it's just to look at!
Maybe a vstrom in my future or a BMW F bike. We'll see. 'Member I'm a
newbi/re-entry/re-bie rider. Put in about 1500 miles or so (this
decade) havin a blast, being safe. Weekend project: chain and sprockets
and order tires.
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> luggage, and I understand a comfier saddle.
> http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/DL650K7/Default.aspx