By Robert Emslie
Cars fall into many different categories- sports car, luxury sedan, SUV, etc. Motorcycles on the other hand fall into only two – cruisers that make you look like Jesus riding them, and sport bikes that require you to crouch over so far the wind whistles through your butt crack.
Actually, there are a number of distinct forms of motorcycle layout, as shown in the chart above. From the adrenaline-producing sporty jobs all the way up to the galaxy class cruisers like Honda’s legendary Goldwing and the ’70s retro Star Stratoliner, whose motto is don’t just ride the road – own it, there are all kinds of types of bikes. In between those extremes there are the bikes that will let you keep going when the roads give out, and street bikes, which are probably the most comfortable in terms of ride position, maneuverability, and weight.
So many different forms to take on only two wheels, and even if you don’t personally ride – perhaps for fear of that eventual fall, or just because you prefer not to have to drop a boot whenever you come to a stop – you probably still have a jones for some sot of bike. They are after all about as primal an expression of speed and machinery that one could imagine. And today, I want to know which is your favorite kind.
Image source: 2wheelsindia
Jeff Glucker
Naked, of course.
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iRbi4lBTcZ0/TweGG1C75tI/AAAAAAAAHfQ/3nazUJ9_moI/w1207-h905-no/P6280005.JPG" width=550>
Typical Ducati, always on fire.
I keed, I keed!
Like most Ducati's, it's just broke down.
Also, this:
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_me991c0D4j1rl1zk0o1_500.jpg">
I'm not sure how to embed images, but here goes:
Naked with dual headlights. I don't like the newer versions of this bike:
<img src="http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery%20C/Triumph%20StreetTriple%20675%2009%20%201.jpg">
also, cafe racer:
<img src="http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201203/moto-guzzi-v7-racer-11_600x0w.jpg">
This link
http://hooniverse.info/image-embed/
is usually at the bottom of the page (not on Atomic Toasters, though). The page will give you the HTML necessary to embed (looks like you got it, though). The 'width=600' part is important to avoid having a scroll bar at the bottom of the pic, like the Triumph above.
thanks!
Though, just about anything featured on Bikexif really excite me.
<img src="http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/yamaha-xjr1300-deus-5.jpg">
<a href="http://www.bikeexif.com/” target=”_blank”>http://www.bikeexif.com/
One of my favorit on my facebook news feed.
My favorite bikes are single-cylinder street bikes — narrow, simple, fun, and usually weighing no more than twice my body weight.
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/wp-content/uploads/man/myb50ss_web.jpg">
<img src="http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/ktm-390-duke-comes-to-north-america-photo-gallery-55078-7.jpg" width="520">
<img src="http://images.traderonline.com/img/5/plcnad/3897442/110572802_5thumb_770x574.jpg" width="520">
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/motocykly-kawasaki-250tr_3.jpg" width="520">
I want a Duke so, so much. A KTM is more reliable than a Ducati, right?
That's a lot like asking if a Range Rover is more reliable than a Jaguar.
1) An affirmative reply does not constitute a recommendation, and,
2) The question itself is quite immaterial.
I can think of no limitation to these types of bikes that can't be solved by banning 4 wheeled vehicles from all but the inter-states.
Amen, brother!
<img src="http://www.fssnoc.org/images/header.jpg" width="280"> http://www.fssnoc.org/
I think the Grom might be my first bike.
I fully expect to pick up its quasi-predecessor, the CBR125R, on the cheap one day, just for the hell of it. That said, if Honda floods the market with Groms like they did the 125, I do prefer the naked styling of the newer bike.
I'm a big fan of sports-tourers – my VFR750 fits the bill quite nicely.
Why not ask me which is my favorite kid?
<img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5524/9399024335_4a2d4614a6_o.jpg" width="600">
The Light Weight Dual Purpose (DR-Z 400) was my first love. Great for around town. Run to the Kwik-E-Mart or zip through the woods. No fun on the highway when you are surrounded by trucks and not the most comfortable seat for more than a half hour on road.
The Adventure Touring (Wee-Strom) is nice and nimble around town and a joy on the highway. Too heavy for the woods though.
If I could only keep one I guess it would be the Wee.
When my boss lived in Pennsylvania, he lived on one side of a mountain and his job was on the other side. Paved road route was 28 miles *around* the mountain (and with traffic), but there were dirt roads and trails that cut the trip to 12-14. He bought a DR-Z 400 and suddenly every day was an adventure.
Buddy o'mine has a Wee-Strom and loves it. It or the 1000 are on my short list.
Don't even consider the 1000 'strom over the wee-strom. The 650 is a far better bike.
I bought mine from a Triumph salesman that took it in on trade for a Tiger Explorer. He almost kept it for himself. He ended up buying a 1000 but wishes he kept mine.
Also, I figure that if enough people like such an ugly bike, it must have something going for it.
Would like to know your thoughts as to why. Liking the 1000 for two-up long distance on the highway, but wold generally gravitate to smaller bikes.
Generally. . . .
I've never ridden the 1000 so I can't say for sure but I think the 650 is pretty good two-up.
The 1000 adds 53 pounds and is advertized at 40 MPG. I get 60 MPG on my 650 all day long.
A motorcycle-fanatic friend of mine (seriously – more obsessed than anyone I've ever met; I stopped counting how many he's owned when he hit the 50 bike mark) bought a big Strom after he was hit/totaled his Guzzi 1200 Breva Sport. He reports 48 mpg when riding it furiously, and mid 50s at near-legal speeds. He called me Sunday while taking a break during a blitz of the White Mtns (New Hampshire), and said that he'd never felt better at the 450 miles-in-a-day mark. Bar risers, bigher shield & hand guards are the only aftermarket bits on it; I believe he had the ECU remapped.
Admittedly if you're going to be doing serious miles two-up with luggage, you'll want the extra torques and powers of the 1000 – it definitely does that stuff better. However, the 650 is better-balanced; has slightly superior ergos and less tetchy fuelling; and is a really fun and nimble bike that gets awesome gas mileage. I've been riding my buddy's 650 a lot lately and totally dig it. Here's a very good summary from an owner of both:
http://www.jackphelps.com/vstrom/comparison.htm
Can´t make up my mind
Sport (looks)
<img src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs29/f/2008/048/5/f/MV_Agusta_F4_1000Tamburini_HDR_by_mark1960.jpg" width="600">
Sport to live with
<img src="http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2013-Honda-CBR1000RR-WSBK-02.jpg" width="600">
Sport touring
<img src="http://www.givi.com.br/attachfile/content/moto_regionali_br/45545/2.0.1.1996hondacbr1100xxsu2_1600x0w.jpg" width="600">
Naked
<img src="http://opoliglota.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Honda-CB-600F-Hornet-2013-1.jpg" width="600">
Big trail
<img src="http://hiconsumption.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-BMW-F-800-GS-Adventure-Launch-Edition-1.jpg" width="600">
Super Moto
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UF3b46xCkA/UIklulN-UwI/AAAAAAAADKM/3kzPEaMOCLM/s400/ktm_2013_smr_450_03.jpg" width="600">
Classic racer
<img src="http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/kreidler_van_veen.jpg" width="600">
Most sensible
<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/i/e/0/-/Honda-NC700X.jpg" width="600">
The Sidecar. A bike you can ride in the winter and carry home a weeks worth of groceries in.
<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/A/f/-/-/Ural_T_top.jpg">
A close second and third would be a dual sport (offroad capability) or a scooter (good fuel mileage, ease of use, some useable storage space).
Sorry, but I want all my vehicles to have symmetrical handling qualities.
Well that's no fun.
Old school cafe racers do it for me.
Big inline-4-engine standards without lots of plastic bodywork, the UJM's from the 1970s/80s or their descendants. I'm just weird like that.
<img src="http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/GS/GS1100E/1981_GS1100E_blue_800.jpg" width="500/">
<img src="http://motorcycle-specs.com/general/Kawasaki-ZRX_1100G4-1998.jpg" width="500/">
Nom nom nom.
I've got a ZRX (not a green one, unfortunately), with some light modifications. Absolutely love it, despite it being a heavy pig with limitations due to it's dated design. It's taken me happily through 30+ of the lower 48 in the last 5 years.
First choice is my own ZZR1200 sport tourer, which brings lots of fun to the twisties, enough power to move along at the speed of plaid, and good enough ergos for ten hours in the saddle. But to limit oneself to a single bike is sad, so I'm also going to need a Moto Guzzi Griso for relaxed fun; a dual sport for logging road exploration; an Aprilia RS250 for track days; and then something off the wall, like a Royal Enfield or Ural.
<img src="http://www.visordown.com/news/images/013JUN02_FR_KAW_ZZR1200b.jpg" />
<img src="http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/motor-guzzi-griso-stelvio-and-norge-available-in-north-america-photo-gallery_8.jpg" width="500" />
The Lotus, of course.
<img src="http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/attachments/f120/28500d1148139479-lotus-super-bike-lotusbike2.jpg" width="600">
Anything Bull Dock or AC Sanctuary touch.
<img src="http://s40.radikal.ru/i087/1012/af/04ccf66c378e.jpg">
<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oAh_Dhb8Was/Tp2jry6ZHAI/AAAAAAAAFPI/OqPHdFR19kE/s640/Honda-CB1100RD-RCM-156-sanctuary_1.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://stblogs.motortrend.com/files/2007/12/7954918.jpeg" width=500>
Suzuki, in the early 90s, took a go at defining a new UJM and produced three bikes with similar simple but good looks and function more the goal than anything else.
My daily ride is a 1992 Suzuki GS500E. Kick-ass bike that was great when I was a beginner and is still fun now that I'm not. They made this bike essentially mechanically unchanged for twenty years (though they added a fairing in 2005).
<img src="http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/947/images/SUZUKIGS500EX5-0536-01.jpg" width="350/">
Also available at the time was the VX800. Similar styling, though it had a V engine and dual-shock rear end. Nice bike.
<img src="http://cdn.tradebit.org/usr/manuals/pub/9002/vx800.jpg" width="350/">
This is the one I want, though. The GSX1100G. Shaft-driven race motor in an upright bike, capable of an easy 140. Your body's a parachute at that speed in that upright position. Amazing roll-on acceleration–70 to 100 when you accidentally flex your wrist. Scary, but awesome scary.
It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine. . . .
<img src="http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/suzuki-history/1994/1994_GSX1100G_black_550.jpg" width="350/">
Honestly, though, with the exception of cruisers (which I merely like), I love everything on two wheels.
Wait, no. Just sorta tolerate scooters.
In addition to my big bike I have a 49cc scooter. It's an absolute blast to ride around town.
Scooters are like golf; I will probably never try one because I might like it and then I'll have to take back all the nasty things I've said over the years.
/wink
Love the GS500. If they'd sold the GSX1400 in Canada, I'd have one now. You know, just to round out my collection of unnecessarily huge naked bikes.
<img src="http://www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/personal/pdh/images/gsx1400.jpg" />
Me gusta.
If I'm gonna go that big, I'm goin' all the way.
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/wp-content/uploads/man/KZ1300.jpg">
Yeah. Oh yeah.
You know what that bike reminds me of? An old square Crown Vic. If the old Vic had a 427 in it.
I also really like well-built cafe bikes.
<img src="http://www.cb750cafe.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/gd22.jpg" width=500>
I like my cafe bikes to be significantly less hipster-douchey than that.
<img src="http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/attachments/130908/" width="500">
EDIT: Sorry, wrong photo at first.
I know exactly what you mean, but when he built this sucker in 2006, the styling at the time felt classic and classy, where now you can buy the same thing in a kit.
"An unexpected database error occurred. Please try again later" is what I get when I try to open that borked image in a new tab.
What's supposed to be there?
A BSA DBD34 Gold Star.
Let me try this one instead:
<img src="http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Classic/BSA%20Gold%20Star.jpg" width="500">
Both gorgeous (the earlier image is working for me now), Love clear-coat over polished nekkid metal.
My heart and soul say a sport touring machine like a Honda ST-1300, but my 30" inseam dictates I ride a classic cruiser..like my VTX1300.
If I had my way, everyday would would be spent piling up miles at triple digit speeds across the American Southwest on a high powered German luxury tourer.
Preferably listening to the Ring Cycle with a .357 snub in my pocket and heading towards a Sapphire and tonic.
<img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c1DI6sw5Brs/UKvGm7fPbmI/AAAAAAAABU0/GcjZb0bJN9w/w701-h526-no/2012-11-20_11-05-34_737.jpg"width=500>
Here's the last thing on two wheels that I rode. You didn't specify the means of propulsion.. 😉 Haven't ridden anything on two wheels in over ten years, so I guess you could say it's also my least favourite bike as I can no longer easily ride anything on two wheels.
<img src="https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74465213/moi%20maltsu.jpg" width="600" </img>
With some modifications I could ride a trike(hell no), can-am(eeehh…), sidecar(ok), or with some wheels to support the bike while standing still, a normal bike. And I probably will at some point when I have the space and money.
[youtube UuOjXoWpdsw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuOjXoWpdsw youtube]
A few years back, Honda made a strange, brief foray into downhill mountain biking.
<img src="http://pedalevivaemequilibrio.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/honda_rn01_2.jpg" width="600">
No motor but it does nicely combine two of my favorite interests!
Looks pretty cool but that gearbox looks like an unneccesarily complicated and heavy solution to try and combat the disadvantages of a single pivot suspension.. It does remove the derailleur from the swingarm so there's slightly less unsprung weight, and the routing of the chain probably lessens kickback and eliminates the need for a floating brake caliper.. I would still prefer a lighter design without the fancy gearbox.
How much do modern DH bikes weigh anyway? 11 years ago my Orange 222(pictured above) was about 16,5kg, and I believe the factory team bikes shaved a couple more kilos off that.
Shoot I don't know. I used to have some 1500 posts on the Pinkbike forums and I was a huge gear whore, would have been able to tell you off the top of my head. Lately I just ride more casually and don't pay any attention to the industry. Most of the top DH rigs are carbon these days. Actually I think they now have carbon cranks for DH which is pretty insane. I'm guessing weights are down a bit.
I kept it simple, cheap and indestructible when I picked out my current ride. Freeride hardtails FTW
<img src="http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb6773074/p4pb6773074.jpg" width="600">
I also had a similar bike, a Planet-X bommer steel frame with a -98 151 boXXer or Judy 100 at times. Skinny tyre and no brake up front with the Judy, 20cm Hayes disc and 2,6" Nokian Gazzaloddi on beat up DeeMax wheels with the boXXer.
Cro-Mo cranks with 5mm thick front gear, 8-speed XTR at the back. The frame is currently up on my living-room wall after i bought it back from the guy I sold it to..
My Orange had the same wheels as your bike, only black. A bit lighter and much better looking than the stock Mavic D321.
They are good rims by all accounts. Mine are laced to Norco branded hubs though. That made me nervous but they're holding up well.
I remember when the big Gazza's were the s**t! My buddy had the 3" width. So heavy but very confidence inspiring. He was rocking a Banshee Scream at the time. They don't make bikes like that anymore.
The 3" Gazza's were monsters.. Insane grip, and so wide they didn't even fit properly on most bikes. The 2,6" just barely cleared the frame and fork on my bike.
I had a look at the Banshee Scream and the design looks similar to the Ellsworth bikes I used to lust after. This was around the time bikes with insane suspension travel started appearing and Bender did some amazing jumps. Funny how i remember all this even though I haven't had anything to do with bikes for over a decade.
Bender rode a Banshee! I think they were "faux bar" – single pivot frames with a linkage to drive the shock, while the Ellsworth designs were a legit four bar layout with two pivot points between BB and dropouts.
It's easy to remember details of stuff you obsess over. I'm glad that's not my life anymore, obsession can be an unhealthy thing. I was reading your story above and I'm not sure on the details of your situation, but have you ever looked into a 4 wheel mountain bikes? Look up Stacy Kohut, the dude shreds DH on his.
Haven't tried a 4-wheel bike but I have tried monoskis a few times, They're pretty fun.
<img src="http://www.sitski.com/2012/monoski1.jpg" width="600" </img>
Being obsessed with something like bikes, cars or computer ain't so bad as long as it's fun..
It looks like it's made of beer cans.
It's. . .beautifuuuuul.
Paint is weight – add lightness!
My 2009 Buell Ulysses XB12XT and my 1991 Suzuki GSF400 Bandit. Best bikes I have ever owned and I have owned a few.
Tadpole-configuration cabin scooters! Legally motorcycles! Whoo!
<img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3550/5733681301_89a874e566.jpg" width="500">
…Anyone? No? Just me, then. Fine.
And yet, no helmet requirement. Wassup with that?
No motorcycle endorsement is required on one's license, either. Thank you, RCW 46.37.530(1)(c)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.3…
RCW 46.20.500(6)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.2…
and RCW 46.04.330(2)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.0…
because otherwise I have no idea how anyone would physically be able to pass the state's motorcycle test in something like this.
It's a good thing the exemption extends to a "partially enclosed" cabin, too. This means I can make use of the factory sunroof.
I like standards… and standard that classified moto does up.
<img src="http://classifiedmoto.com/wp-content/uploads/background/17.jpg" width=500>
And naked goldwings (DON'T TELL TANSHANOMI)
<img src="http://www.thebikergene.com/gallery/albums/Naked%20Goldwings/zijaanzichtrechts.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/naked_honda_gold_wing.jpg" width=500>
A naked Goldwing makes absolutely no sense, but wow does that black and gold one ever look cool!
In other words it makes perfect sense.
Gotta love Randakk's supercharged OldWing
<img src="https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3441/3734715889_d396ef68ed.jpg">
But not supercharged in that photo. That's when he was running dual Webers on it.
aaaand that's what I get for trying to post from my phone! Boo, me.
Very understandable, since his blower is such a stealthy installation.
<img src="http://thekneeslider.com/images/randakksupercharger.jpg">
<img src="http://randakksblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/RC003Red171.jpg" width="470">
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/wp-content/uploads/man/gl1200std.jpg">
Naked Gold Wings I have no problem with at all.
Custom, faux cafe/race Gold Wings, on the other hand…
King/queen seats are an abomination.
That's not quite a classic deep-dish king/queen replacement seat, I believe it's the original equipment (well-designed by Honda, who were doing pretty much everything right at the time).
It may well be the stock seat, but I find that profile hideous. Corbin Gunfighter & Lady, or the Sargent equivalent, if you need a pillion seat. Or just a big ol' flat slab on most anything Japanese or British up to the early '80s.
Cruisers rank at the very lowest of my two-wheel hierarchy ('busas with loads of chrome & stretched swing arms are way down there too). I know the 'Wing isn't a cruiser, but with those bars & that seat, Honda got close enough that I'd never own one of that iteration.
Me wants.. There was one at the local honda powerhousea few months ago dressed in satin black that looked badass, I really need a new car so no bike for me.
As an FJ1200 rider I'll say sports-touring. But, when you ride one of these in sports mode it's a lot of fun surprising the "squids."
Power cruiser!
<img src="http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/Xedicon/CameraZOOM-20120425161655372.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo CameraZOOM-20120425161655372.jpg"/>
<img src="http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/218656/images/Honda-CB1100F.jpg" width="600">
Standards. And I think that Honda's gonna sell a lot of these.
Hopefully, but not likely too many in the US, if historic patterns hold.
I don't know. These are pretty expensive relative to their competition.
My 2003 BMW K1200RS is the best *anything* I've ever owned. I ride it almost every day, have put about 40k miles on it so far, and I plan to keep it as long as I possibly can.
<img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3633/3479548228_fbdc2d96ee_z.jpg" width="600">
Beautiful.
40K? Nearly broken in.
I already have my favorite bike – lightweight, nimble, easy to work on and it's paid for.
<img src="http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg538/motorcyclejohn/cl350_15.jpg" width="600">
Beautiful!
Airheads. Love me some airheads.(Women and Bikes, HAR HAR HAR) I have a real soft spot for R90S especially.
<img src="http://www.bobsbmw.com/motorcycles/images/used/950870/74%20R90S%20001.jpg" width="600">
Considering the prices people pay to get these into their garage, lots of people have soft spots and open wallets for the R90S bikes…
I gravitate towards standards (UJMs and vintage British iron FTW!) or sport tourers (I have a thing for Iron Butt-grade BMWs and sensisble high-visibility green gear, I guess).
<img src="http://www.tribute.ca/tribute_objects/images/movies/One_Week/oneweek4.jpg" width=500 /img?>
That said, I wouldn't mind taking my Rebel in this direction (might be a while before my wife gets on the back of anything I'm riding anyhow);
<img src="http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/honda-rebel-2.jpg" width=500 /img>
Supermoto is the only answer. Feels illegal just to start my KTM. It is awesome.
Though you can pry my Buell Ulysses from my cold, dead hands.
2200km trip last year, 3500 trip this year. Surprisingly comfortable!
<img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7445546372_a7a3c7ad88_h.jpg">