Here is a simple one. Tell us about the perfect motorcycle. Your perfect motorcycle. The one bike you would like to have in your garage if you could only have one bike. Maybe the bike already exists, and you already own it. Maybe it only exists in your mind.
Tell us how many cylinders it has, how much it weighs and its ergonomics. Is it simple and light? Complex and heavy? Lots of wind protection or naked? Is it designed just for the street, just for the dirt, or a combination? Maybe, your opinion is that there cannot be the perfect motorcycle, and you want to share that. The forum is yours.
I agree with Bobby! Make mine a Vtwin, Dual sport/ all round capable bike under 400lbs and around 10 grand with ABS.
Spoke wheels as an option. And belt or shaft drive if possible. How about Honda fixing up a Bros, the European shaft drive version of the Hawk, with some higher suspension and a bigger gas tank!!! There’s a 10grand “GS”
This is a bike i hear so many American riders ask for and is completely absent. Yes, the “Vstrom does everything-cheap” but i don’t find anything to like about it. Versys- very close, bring ABS over and it would be close enough to grab me- make a “GS” like version and i’d be in love. Honda- How about a new Africa twin, and this time bring it to the US, if only for a year or two;) And there’s always the KLR-“the bike that does 20 things poorly”, i may just buy one anyways:)
(and for all those wondering “why not get a GS?” Had one. I didn’t realize the intial price was just the beginning of the expenses:(
As shaas says, there will never be a perfect bike, I am working with four at present, a C-10 Concours (my C-14 was totaled two years ago), a 1200 Bandit S, a KZ 700 A-1L (a 700 cc Eddie Lawson Replica) and a SV 1000 Suzuki. If the bike could be a perfect bike, it would have to be as strong and light as the SV 1000 (it is quick!!) with the riding position of a Sportster Low, the handling of an Aprilia Mille, the stopping power of a C-14 on a much lighter bike, and the low center of gravity of a v twin, absolutely must be air/oil cooled or water cooled, and quiet running. It would have the quick on/off bags of the C-14 (but mounted much lower, and the old style cobra seat with gel, a quick detach windshield (HD RoadKing comes to mind), a very good HID headlight and LED tail light and turn signals. It will have a 27″ seat height or thereabouts, easily changeable handlebars, mid-pegs, good p-pegs, and a wheelbase of 60 inches or thereabouts. And parts will be readily available.
Sophia Loren with handlebars!
The one strong enough to carry my big fat wife.
I reckon there aren’t really many bad motorcycles around these days, at least from the major manufacturers. The perfect bike depends on todays ride, really, but if I could only pick one it would be a big standard. Nobody makes a modern equivalent of the Suzuki GS850G I fell in love with in college. Wish they did. Meantime, I’m perfectly happy on Harleys and Hondas, Triumphs and Kawasakis, BMWs and KTMs. Oh, and Vespas.
The perfect next bike for MY garage would be a ’76 BMW R90/S or a ’74 Moto Guzzi Eldorado. I could make a strong case that nobody really needs more than two cylinders.
As I get older, I need really comfortable ergonomics. I like the Aprilia Shiver ergo but there is not enough dealer support. I am leaning towards the Kawasaki ER-6n. I wish it had a small windscreen though.
Best bike would be two cylinder 400 CI four stroke that weighs in under 500 pounds. It would have spirited performance, travel up to 80 mph on the highway and get 50-60 mpg. Comfortable, low seat should honor cruiser and street style bikes.
Should sell for $5,000 and handle nimbly.
Here are some stats on a pretty perfect bike, but does not compare to my Vincent that I own:
The Bike would have:
* Showa Big Piston Front fork (BPF) eliminates many of the internal components used in a cartridge-type fork, resulting in lighter overall fork weight. The large-diameter of the BPF internal piston allows a reduction in damping pressure for outstanding feedback and smooth action. Rebound and compression damping may be fine tuned with adjuster screws located on top of the fork bolts. The spring pre-load is adjusted with a M5 hex screw on the axle holders.
* Showa rear shocks feature 36mm pistons with piggy-back nitrogen charged reservoirs. The compression damping may be adjusted with a knob on top of the reservoir. Rebound is adjusted with a thumb wheel on the lower clevis. Rear spring pre-load is also adjustable.
* Nissin® dual front brakes feature 292mm full-floating rotors and four-piston calipers.
* Isolation-mounted XL Evolution 1200 cc V-Twin engine with black powdercoat finish features downdraft Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), high-performance camshafts, precision oil-cooled cylinder heads and a large-capacity oil cooler. Compression ratio is 10:1. The engine is rated at 74 ft. lbs. peak torque @ 4000 rpm (per SAE J1349).
* Upswept, high-volume 2-1-2 straight-shot exhaust system with satin black finish offers extra cornering clearance.
* Chassis features a high-performance designed tubular mild steel frame. The rigid, cast-aluminum swingarm is engineered to enhance handling.
* Dunlop® Qualifier D209 tires were designed specifically for the XR1200X.
* Three-spoke lightweight cast-aluminum wheels, 18-inch front / 17-inch rear, are finished in gloss black with an orange pinstripe on the rim.
* Wide, black dirt-track handlebar for enhanced steering leverage and comfort.
* Rearset foot pegs for additional cornering clearance.
* Compact instrument display with white-faced analog tachometer, digital speedometer, dual trip meter and clock.
* 3.5 or 4gallon fuel tank with aircraft-style aluminum alloy fuel filler. Add some carbon fiber.
Ok here you go. It has to be a v4 if you have herd a piped v4 than you know there is no better sond. It should have about 150hp and weigh about 425lbs. I think the aprilia is just about right only if it came in a more average size, not xs. The new vfr is close but alittle to much money and a little heavy and im not crazy about shaft drive. Everyone needs to realize things are not getting cheaper and your not going to get a new bike with great performance and great componants for under 8k, and that would be a wonderfull deal. I dont think there is a bike i would consider the perfect bike out there right now, so i guess i’m buying used. Touring=gl1800. 600=2004 kaw 636. track day= 2002 rc51. vintage=rd400. I could go on and on. The better question should be what bikes would make up your perfect garage? I know times are tough and that its really hard to open up your new issue of some bike rag and see a comparo between 15k+ bikes and really come away with a good feeling. But if you don’t mind getting a little dirty and learning a thing or two about bikes maybe its time to open uo the garage doors to a couple of older bikes that can get the job done and put a smile on your face just the same. Lets not forget there are alot of bikes out there and you can’t own them all, but you can try. 🙂
How about the new Multistrada with better looks and at half the price?
This one is pretty easy…I believe that they actually make something just like it, but the KTM SuperDuke 990. With Supermoto styling and a twin piston motor…now they just need to get the price down to “reasonable” levels. Oh, and someplace to put bags (not a lot of bags mind you…)
my multistrada. 07 1100S. it’s by far the best all arounder i’ve ridden. almost dirtbike like ergos, feels lighter than it is, peppy air cooled engine, great commuter, tourer and sport up to 100mph.
if i wanted to make it perfect though, i’d make the front end prettier (check), strip the emissions BS (check) put on a nice sounding exhaust (check) and purchase a detachable touring windscreen and seat cushion for long trips (check and check).
it really is a fantastic bike. if they could sort out the ethanol/expanding plastic tank issue, i could see myself keeping it til i kill over!
I’d say the 2010 Kawa. Concours comes pretty close. It’s BMW touring class for $10K less and lacks only a couple of farkles (heated grips/cruise control) to better the beemers.
First off it would be AFFORDABLE ! ! I am talking the the $6K range, plus or minus a few hundred. Bikes have gotten way to big / complex / expensive / heavy, which makes it difficult to enjoy the simple pleasures of riding around on two wheels. It would need at least 60 hp, with 50 mpgs when cruising, and most of the power available in the low – mid part of the rev range so that driving it is easy and enjoyable. It would probably be a liquid cooled 90 degree V twin engine, but an opposed or even a parallel twin with adequate vibration damping would also work well. It would weigh less than 500 lbs wet, have a ‘standard’ upright riding position (the only one that works well on an extended trip), probably a belt drive although a shaft would be great if it didn’t add too much weight. Chain drive is OK if the other options are not available. That’s pretty much it for my ‘perfect’ bike and you know the more I think about the more I realize that little Suzuki SV 650 standard is pretty close to the perfect motorcycle, which probably explains why I never see them on Craigs List or anywhere else. LOL
Zero emissions, 100+ HP, 100+ mile range, ABS. I will settle for zero emissions, cruising speeds of 55 mph and 100 mile range. Fine, 60 mile range. Just enough to get to work and back.
Currently commuting on an 05 K1200S, would like to stop buying liquid petroleum products, British or otherwise. I know, a 250 Ninja would up my MPG quite a bit… but I bought it from a friend, really love it, and 40 mpg is around Prius consumption, which will have do for now. May trade in for an F800ST, I hear they get 60-70 mpg.
Obviously different for each person, but the perfect bike for me would be a twin cylinder dual sport, less than 350 lbs, 50% offroad capable suspension, 6 speed transmission to allow hwy speeds, and came with a set of street wheels and a set of spoke wheels that could be quickly and easily changed. Exhaust covered in such a way to allow throw over saddlebags, 60 plus mpg with a 200 mile range. A charging system capable of handling heated gloves, jacket, gps and a price tag of $10k or less.
Since I haven’t found that, I am riding the next best thing, an 02 Super Sherpa.
The DL650 V-strom, pretty close
The perfect bike will never exist. Perfection is subjective.
If I can only have one, its’ my 96 BMW R1100RS. (I have six and I’m getting old) It does everything I need it to do and I want to see 100K for the first time on a bike. For me it is nearly perfect. I have more exciting bikes, I have bikes with more character, but the Beemer is rock solid, good handling and brakes, two up long day comfort, and powerful enough for roads in the States. Oh, it is inexpensive to own and insure.
Kawasaki Versys…..a Gem of an all around motorcycle.
As Clint Eastwood once said in only the way HE can “Opinions are like Arseholes…everybody’s got one”. Well in my opinion…having owned a lot of bikes…my favourite and ideal one is the bike I presently own. 1999 D6 Kawasaki ZZR1100.
My Kawasaki has run perfectly since I bought it and never fails to put a smile on my face. It’s as fast as I am keen to twist the throttle, it will turn through the twisties beautifully. It hauls ass…goes well in traffic and every time I consider buying a new Zx14 or hayabusa…I think Why spend the extra 10 to 15k?. I cant think of a worthy replacement … Long live the ZZR…best bike I’ve had.
The perfect motorcycle is a 35 to 45hp turbo-diesel parallel twin with a counter-balancer arrangement similar to BMW’s F800ST. It should weigh no more than 375lbs fully fueled. A bike this size is big enough to tour on, yet small enough to be practical around town. A turbo-diesel should approach 100mpg. The moderate hp allows a belt drive, and we can dispense with the highest maintenance item on a bike–the chain. It should have fairly long suspension travel to handle bad pavement or cow trails and have dual-sport ergos.
Honda CB1100F currently for Japan only it seems. Otherwise I like the venerable ZRX1200 or the current Bandit 1200 though I wish it would get some GS1000 Wes Cooley retro styling.
Really prefer a liter plus air/oil cooled bike with fuel injection and six speeds that is sporty but not too sporty. This way its fast enough to be fun, comfy enough to ride all day or tour on with or without a passenger. Reasonably priced , loaded with CHARACTER and good looks.
Retro modern is nice because it can appeal to those of us who love the old and the new.
SV650N
Being 63 yrs (young/old),having owned 25 bikes,my favorite is my present ride..08Kawasaki zx14 Ninja.Custom paint,D&D slip-ons,K&N filter,custom mapped PC3USB,lowered.Ready to play,or ready to tour.
An updated Honda Pacific Coast.
My Perfect bike would have a six gallon tank, 85 ft-lbs of Torque, 105 horsepower, wind protection, detachable backrest, detachable windshield, detachable hardbags, bike weigh approx. 600 lbs., centerstand, two or three cyclinders, 6-speed, shaft or belt drive, speedometer, fuel guage, gear indicator, trip meter, 500 lb minimum load capacity, 38 mpg, under $15,000.00, with good aftermarket support.
Future Possibilities
a. Triumph Thunderbird
b. V-Strom 1000
c. Yamaha XT1200 (if brought to USA)
d. Kawasaki Concours
e. Yamaha FJ1300
I get a kick out of all of you that have KLR’s and want 30 more horsepower, better suspension, and better brakes all for $4999.00. Don’t get me wrong, the KLR might be the best do it all bike for the money ever! Do some research on how much it would cost to get 30 more hp from a KLR. Then fix the suspension and brakes, and I’m not talking about stiffer springs and braided brake lines. You tight wad KLR owners need a dose of reality. If you were high up in Kawasaki management, how would you change the bike and still keep your company in the black? I would not change a damn thing because you guy’s still buy them by the thousands and bitch bitch bitch about them.
The thing is still a pig at 432 Lbs. Right from Kawasaki http://www.kawasaki.com/products/product-specifications.aspx?id=358
KTM 690 Enduro with bigger tank and wind screen. You have to pay to play or you have to shut up and ride your $5000.00 KLR which is a great bike. Chris
I think the perfect bike for me would have a seat height the same as my inseam (33″), have “standard” ergonomics, have either a 2 or 3-cylinder engine with enough torque to move my 250#, have cast wheels for lower maintenance and better ability to fix flats on the road, have some wind management for highway speeds but not so much that I think I’m surrounded, have a very good reliability record and dealer network. If price were no object I’m thinking the Triumph Tiger (or the rumored Tiger Cub with a 675cc engine) would be the best choice. Since price (for me) is an object, I’ll probably just continue to buy 80% solution bikes and modify the ergos to fit. Or wait until a used 1050cc Tiger enters my price range.
my ’06 KLR with maybe 15-20% more power throughout the range. I’d like to be a little more ‘in command’ on the freeways, at speed. With some of the rubber now available, it can rail on-road well beyond the ‘smart riding’ zone. Off-road I can get into more than enough white-knuckle action. Gotta stay in the 48 to 54 mpg zone. Same durability and serviceablility. It’s pretty like a pit-bull, dependable and friendly if you train it properly.
Three bikes come to mind…
For two up Touring, my 93SE with custom seat, suspension, etc. can’t be beat. Like a 2 wheeled SUV… Can do nearly anything….
For single riding, my 95 Ace 1100 fills the bill… Not high speed, just a very relaxing Put-Put…. New Seat improved this, too!
If I had the $$ an inclination…. My 3rd bike would be a Classic Clone…. A New/Old Triumph, or… Gee I wish someone made an Indian 4 Clone….
I have a KLR650 and a KTM990SMT. The KTM is the KLR with Power, Brakes and Suspension. It is the perfect motorcycle.
Have you ever noticed the similarity between “horse people” and motorcyclists? Ask a horse person how many horses they have..it will more than likely be several. Why? I am not a horse person, but they list the same reasons as we do for having to have more than one bike.
I would add that I have never met a motorcycle I didn’t like. They all have some redeeming qualities.
As can be seen from all the replies, a perfect motorcycle dosn’t exist. It is like asking, “what is the perfect tool?”.
perfection:
Whatever the last one you rode that made you smile the biggest!
Too many choices to pick just one. Ducati 1200 Multistrada, BMW R1200GS, Triumph Tiger all come close. Bennelli Tre with a good dealer network and its own Italian umbrella girl might be the ultimate nervana.
The Yamaha Stratoliner – with minor changes:
1. it is built by Harley Davidson. (thus avoiding your daily “no, it’s a Yamaha” phrase to the people)
2. it gets an upgrade to 200 hp. (thus avoiding the traffic light drag race humiliation, five times a day).
I own an ’08 ZZR600 and it is perfect for me. I’ve owned several bikes, including an ’01 R1. That bike was very uncomfortable, I loved the power and handling, but the ergos were too track oriented! Then had a 2003 Z1000, great everywhere except on the highway…. No wind protection. So I went back to my roots, an old-school supersport 600. The ZZR is actually an 2000-2002 ZX6R in every way except name(ZX600J). Handles great, has plenty of power (for the street anyway), and still looks good. It’s all about fun and this is one fun bike. Each to their own, but this is my perfect bike.
My perfect bike is the one sitting in the garage right now. KTM 07′ 950SMR. It’s quick enough to have fun on, comfy enough to putt around on, eats up twisty roads, bumpy roads, dirt roads, crap city streets and slab. I’ve toured on it, commuted on it, done track days and put piles of miles on it. I can ride all day two up with enough luggage to overnight no problem. Then pop off the bags and go ripping around. It really is a combo of the best traits of several of my all time favorite bikes rolled into one. 97hp at the wheel, 415lbs wet, amazing Brembo’s, sweet handling chassis, great suspension in a durable easy to work on package. I’ve owned many brands and styles of bikes the past 35 years. You name it I’ve been on it, sport bikes, Sport Touring bikes, Cruisers, Dual-Sports, Dirt bikes and have ridden a bit of nearly everything else. Nothing has come close to pleasing me the way the big supermoto has. Love is a wonderful thing!
I nominate my Triumph T100. Beyond it’s very cool retro looks, it has a torquey,simple air cooled engine. A comfortable seating position, handling above what you would think it’s fairly skinny tires would provide, and around 50 MPG.
Here is my list of requirements:
1. A standard with a comfortable upright position;
2. Good wind protection;
3. Midsize engine with lots of torque starting around 3,000 rpms;
4. Gets good gas mileage – for a motorcycle, not for a car;
5. Decent size gas tank, so no need to consider fueling until about 200 miles;
6. Reliable transportation;
7. Reasonable cost of maintenance, parts and repairs;
8. Easy to add cargo capacity, i.e. rack for top case;
9. Quality suspension and brakes.
That about covers it. Can you guess what I ride? Yes, a V-Strom 650. It’s not perfect, but most of the above apply. OK – quality suspension – it’s necessary to upgrade (i.e. Elka rear shock after the OEM shock died). My wish bike? The BMW F800ST, but it’s pricey to buy and maintain. Terry
A downsized version of the original Goldwing GL1000. 750cc, opposed 4 cylinder, direct fuel injection, lighter engine, frame and components should be able to shave well over 100 lbs off the original. With today’s direct injection and electronic ignition, the smaller displacement a mild state of tune could exceed the original’s 84 HP. Styled similar to the original with the special Vetter fairing that never made it to production in the mid 70’s and detachable luggage.
The new Ducati Multistrada 1200–without a doubt. Scary fast, comfortable, packs a good load, can even do light off road duty. Ride one. You’ll see what I mean.
The SV650S, with far better suspension, a slightly longer wheelbase, and decent touring accessories. I know the DL650 does most of that, but I prefer a much more compact, sporty riding position.
I’m still a little bitter that my Ninja 650R doesn’t have better suspension and ABS – with it, it’d be a keeper. As it is, I may have to look to the BMW F800ST, which is a bit more complicated than I’d prefer.
The VERSYS hands down .
A VTR-1000 Superhawk with better fuel mileage/range is close enough for me. Most things in life don’t require perfection to be enjoyed. In fact, in some cases, persuing perfection actually robs some of the enjoyment of the activity.
The rumored(3-4 years back) Aprilia RSV450, which would have been the RS250 chassis with their 450 twin. I was saving my money for this bike that never came to be.
I own an 08 CBR 1000RR, I love it, but most roads youre in 3rd gear, sometimes 1st adn 2nd. You really cant ride these things anywhere near their potential on the street, which is why I do track days.
Bring back some small displacement bikes to America, i had an 88 FZR 400, super fun and you could humble big bikes in the turns.
I wish my 2008 CBR 1000RR was more comfortable. Often, I have to get up around 5:00 AM, ride two hours to get to the twisties before the Harley riders and the RV campers do. My body is worn out before I’m done due to the sporty position. It’s worth it though, I live for the handling on sportbikes. I would like a little more comfort.
In Europe the CBR 600 was offered in the sporty model (same as the USA model) and a second model was offered in a more comfortable package with the same performance.
I don’t think there’s any one perfect motorcycle. However, one that I’d like to see that hasn’t been produced would be an ultra light-weight street bike. Something that would be great for racing in lightweight amateur classes, but still suitable for beginners. I’d think something that had single or twin cylinder with about 60rwhp, displacement suitable for lightweight classes, under 275 lbs with a full tank of gas, all built with an emphasis on handling over straight line power.
The perfect bike is the one that makes your heart sing anytime you see it or sit on it or ride it. It’s the bike you feel connected with and you ride it, not it ride you. The perfect bike is always in flux and will be different for every rider. My SV was perfect for me at one time but eventually it no longer made my heart pitter-patter the way it once did. I found a new love, my VFR and I sold the SV and haven’t regretted it once. The SV is a great bike and maybe I’ll end up back in the saddle of one someday but for now, it’s V4 VTEC power…
The closest motorcycle to “perfect” for me is the BMW GS. I dont own one currently. I own just about everything else……but I’m gonna change that. The GS is simply a great motorcycle for riders that dont have any desire to pretend to be a racer or something else. The bike is just total function. If I were to wave a magic wand and make it better….the result would be 40 or 50 pounds lighter and it would come from the factory with a set of 17 hoops with street rubber and another set with the current sizes for dirt or dualsport tires. Otherwise, that’s it. Maybe put the ADV seat on the std GS.
My perfect bike would have to be a Harley Davidson Road King. I had one for quite a while and then traded it in for a BMW R1200GS. The Beemer is an awesome bike but I couldn’t stop missing my old Road King so I bought another one. I’m not even going to try to defend my choice except to say that when I ride it it makes me happy and that my friends is reason enough!
I once had a 1974 V.W. Thing, my favorite car and still miss driving it. I get it. But I am not that way with bikes for some reason it is not the same.
My 2000 Buell Cyclone M2 is about as perfect as can be for me. It is relatively light, simple, and fairly maintenance-free with belt drive and air cooling. It’s got tons of torque for roll-on power in any gear. It’s fast enough to be entertaining and sounds like thunder when you open the throttle. It handles well enough to be considered sporty, and yet is really comfortable. It is so versatile; it can be a Sunday morning sportbike, or I can strap on full luggage and do light touring. Above all, it is simply a blast to ride. Truly, in the 9 years I have owned this bike I have not found another that hits all the marks like my Buell M2.
Perfect bike? One on which I set the limits on my riding, not the bike. Easy.
An updated Honda ST1100 – as long as it kept that engine as it was – bulletproof and easy for any DIY’er to work on. A heavy sport tourer, but dead reliable and on those long tours, isn’t that the most important thing?
A Yamaha MT01 with 150 BHP and weighing 450lbs with a redline of 11000rpm
Torque is king if someone made a long stroke, light weight, high horsepower, big cube sport bike and people test rode them they would be sold. I had a Buell – but strange handling and brakes and not enough power, Then an Aprilia Tuono – good handling, brakes and fast which is great for going quick but needs a more lazy torquey engine for when you want to cruise and now I’m looking at a MT01 but it would be perfect with more bhp and less weight.
The perfect bike would look like a Sportbike, ride like a Sportbike but have the comfort of a standard. Think 1988 Ninja 750 brought to modern standards and even higher bars. Give it shaft drive, hydraulic valve adjustment, 100 HP at the rear wheel and make it weigh about 450 pounds wet. That’s not too much to ask is it? And give it a real seat you can sit on all day. Three or four cylinders, though a parallel twin could work too. I can dream.
No such thing as the perfect motorcycle, just as there is no such thing as the perfect man or woman.
The closest I’ve come to the perfect bike is my R1200GS which does many things okay, but nothing really well. The closest to perfect in a woman is my wife by a mile or more…
I love my ’07 ST1300 and it is my “one” bike. Improvements? Sure, shed 75-100lbs, better stock lights, brighter instruments, more comfortable pillion options. But really it makes a fine commuter, smooth shifting, easy handling, comfortable upright position, 48mph average, mile eater long distances at the drop of hat and enough power when you need/want it. It is simple and bullet proof almost boring some say. Minimalist but with the potential to add whatever farkles you want. Adventure tourer? Nah, gravel is over-rated. Gimme a buff ST.
Ditto, but mine is an 04!
the perfect rider wouldn’t need the perfect motorcycle. A perfect motorcycle might match the ergonomic dimensions, emotional intelligence, and need for cool every rider has in varying degrees.
an engineer will argue numbers but the perfect bike isn’t numbers. Perfection in something you sit on and wrap your legs around must be a subjective, but few would argue that a BSA Goldstar, Ducati 916, or Harley Road King aren’t the perfect bike – for someone.
consider how burt munro matched his indian. eric buell is/was his motorcycles. indian larry had the perfect motorcycle – for indian larry.
the honda cub may be the perfect motorcycle as more humans have bought and ridden them than any other powered two wheeled machine on earth.
Litre V-twin Adventure bike
470lbs. (wet)
re: HONDA VERADERO 996cc,
AND! available stateside!
Sport touring bike, V4-engine, weight no more than 500-510 lbs wet, somewhere around 120bhp or more, 85+ ftlbs torque, windscreen/fairing air management, decent headlamps that actually illuminate the road, moderate ergos (sport touring),slipper clutch, adjustable foot pegs, fully adjustable suspension, optional hard bags that actually work…pretty basic but no-one makes anything close. Oh ya, no stoopid underseat exhaust. Also hopefully available in something other that pavement camoflage silver/grey as is often the case.
Other than the V4 part, you can build something fairly similar to what you described out of any of a number of bikes including the SV1000S or either the first or second generation FZ1.
I’m pretty sure the new VFR1200F is just about right… except for the price tag. The unfortunate thing about “getting what you pay for” is paying for it.
The perfect bike lives in a 4 bike garage. A bike for commuting and bad weather fun – low maintenance (BMW Airhead?). Another for vintage events (pick anything that’s as old as you). A speedy one for road, track & dirt (XR, WR, KTM with sets of wheels) and the tourer with luggage & comfy pillion (big V-twin?).
So true. I’ve got two of the four. The v-strom for commuting and a bonneville for vintage. All I need is the sport bike and long tourer. maybe a motard/VFR/Street triple and a 90s GoldWing. I hate to say it, but I’d take a HD Ultra Classic if i had to.
I’ve always thought the perfect bike is a 5 motorcycle garage.
1) touring bike for long -distance rides
2) sport bike for track days
3) dirt bike
4) cruiser (for dates)
5) collectible
But, that’s just me.
KTM 690 Enduro that weighs 245lbs.
One bike? I ride numerous venues. I can’t imagine a road/motocross/enduro/trials/ice bike.
However, I don’t see a street bike on the market that I would pay money for. I plate off road bikes for street use.
What I would like to see from the street bike industry is a bike of about 80hp as close to 300 wet pounds as possible. Make it a street fighter or street tracker with dirt bike think plastic, if there is any at all, and sticker graphics. I don’t care what the engine configuration is. As long as it’s an engine that is easy to deal with and isn’t a behemoth I’m good.
It doesn’t have to be cheap. But the general repair part should be. In fact. The more parts sourced from the dirt bike industry the better. Including the handle bars and most the controls.
Heck, make the darn thing so the dirt track guys will love it. I’d be more partial to 17 inch wheels, nothing larger than a 160 rear please. But I wouldn’t turn my nose up at 19 inch hoops. Some of my best friends are dirt track guys.
My perfect motorcycle is the one I am riding now-the Suzuki Bandit 1250S. The classic modern U.J.M.. In LIne Four. Reliable,comfortable, and way fast enough for the street. I no longer require a motorcycle that goes 186 MPH and 2.5 seconds 0-60 MPH. The Bandit does not look like a space ship and does not cost $20,000. It is a great all around Motorcycle for a reasonable price which does not stay parked very long in the garage.
The “perfect” motorcycle doesn’t exist, as the only persuit to perfection is through compromise to mold a machine that gives up excellence somewhere to do all things competently. No one is ever going to agree with my opinion, but then I ride a Honda Nighthawk 750.
I like the Honda Deauville we finally got, the NT700V. The only thing I don’t like about it is the 52-degree V-twin engine. If I could transplant the 700cc V-four that I had on a 1984 Honda VF700S Sabre into the NT700V, that would be exactly where my money would go. I want something close to 500 pounds with reasonable wind protection, at least for the chest area, and the low-vibration tractable torque a 4-cylinder engine provides. Popular sized radial tire rims also a huge plus. The NT700V ergos duplicate the Nighthawk 750, and I wouldn’t touch anything other than the powerplant. And yes, I would keep the 5-speed tranny and the shaft drive.
That should tap-dance with the gas barges in comfort, and at 54 years of age that’s where my ambition is at. I’m not out to race anymore.
the aprilia rs250. No maintenance (almost), light, gorgeous, fast, and FUN. They only thing this bike doesn’t have is knobbies to go off-roading (but I’m thinking of something) lol.
1st generation Yamaha FZ1 only 100lb lighter
Klr 650 30 more HP, no price change
My RD400 motor in a Aprilla RS250 frame, scary power band in package that handles.
I can’t imaging any one bike being “the perfect bike”
+1 on the KLR 30 more HP.
I agree, no prefect bike but if I could only have one the KLR is it.
Thumbs up for the KLR!!! of the bikes I’ve owned, definately my favorite! in fact I’ve had two. An 04′ and a new 09′
Best roadbike – Yamaha XJR1300.Big powerful comfortable simple handsome and extremely capable…Best Dirtbike – Bultaco Pursang Mk10 250,light fast powerful simple and beautiful.
What an easy question! I have a Moto Guzzi Breva 750 with hard luggage that I have toured on, ridden on short blasts, and to work and back sometimes, to the shop to get milk and bread etc etc.. so I would like the same again with
Monoshock suspension
1/2 fairing
Oil cooling
SOHC
about 75hp please.
About 175kgs please.
Currently riding a honda hornet 599. I got tired of waiting for honda to unbreak the vfr800… we all know how that sad story turned out.
800cc honda v4, no vtec junk (or any of the new junk on the new vfr1200 super scooter). FI and an ipod application.
Naked (if you are not on a track then plastic is for squids), much like a triumph speed 3, but with a sexy v4 putting out about 110-120hp.
Sport bike tires, upright seating, rear sets. Sold!
Exactly. I currently ride a 919, its great, but its not a V4. I’m actually thinking about selling the 919 trying to find a salvaged 1998-2001 VFR and making a streetfighter out of it. Of course nobody in their right mind sells one once they’ve got it so the pickings are slim.
The Ducati ST4s, this bike can do a track day or go accross the country.
996 motor
Ohlins shock
Brembo brakes
Marchesini wheels
yea baby, yea
Wow, people love the humble SV ! An SV1200 would make me move on from the beautiful SV1000s that I’ve had from new in 2003.
But if only one bike was allowed in the garage it would have to be a motard-style because not all roads are sealed and not all destinations are reached by roads. Something with enough grunt to be satisfying on high speed sealed roads, yet light enough to ride trials-style around a gnarly sheep track on a hillside.
Aprilia SXV550 anyone ?
Cheers
Flange
Sounds like a lot of people here want the new Ducati Monster 800.
– Styling close to the original SV650
– Lightweight
– Great suspension
– More motor, but not too much
Zero DS with the following specs:
Top speed – 125mph
Range – 250 miles
Charge time – 10 minutes
comfy seat
😀
That’s an easy vision for me. Take my already existing Yellow Pearl 2000 Honda VFR800Fi (with cam gear drive) that I really love, and add two more identical cylinders to make it a 1182cc V-6 engine, Ohlins forks and rear shock, Staintune stainless 6-1 exhaust and turn me loose!
A KLR 650 with another 30HP, and a 6th gear.
At age 57, I’ve owned just about every kind of bike, except a Harley (though I did rent one once). Just sold my BMW R1100GS (got tired of the seat height) and bought the perfect, minimalist 650cc twin that makes me feel like a teenager again…my 1989 Honda Hawk with 11k miles (from original owner). It just feels….perfect!
350 lb, twin from the Ducati 1198, naked with upright bars, 6 gal tank, tight ratio 1-5 gears with an extra tall 6th gear for the highway. Electronically adjustable suspension (highway riding/twisties/track), linked braking system, single sided swingarm, loud exhaust with db killers. Michelin Pilot Roads on Magnesium rims for the street with a set of carbon fiber wheels with Michelin Race tires.
Comfortable, brutally fast, docile when you want it to be (electronic suspension, db killers, tall 6th gear), street fighter look.
My dream would the Vincent Motors Black Lighting ST touring version check the web site out. But the “perfect” bike to me would be: 1000-1300cc, fuel injected V5 cylinder, liquid cooled, 6 speed, shaft drive, full fairing with adjustable windshield, removable hardbags and trunk, heated grips, adjustable handlebars, under 600# with optional heated seat and cruise control in something other than black and silver! Adjustable suspension. Build it and I will buy!
http://www.vincentmotors.com/
The perfect bike? I just came back from 1400 miles trip to Ozark mountains on my 2003 anniversary V-Rod, decently comfortable for 120 miles at a time (which is when it needs gas anyway), very good in the turns due to its light steering, excellent power to keep up with my friend’s Bandit 1200, and very well planted at speed due to its weight and very foregiving to mistakes made. So for me its the perfect bike, I also own a ’85 Cagiva Alazzurra and a ’05 Ducati 999, I would not take either of the two on a trip this long.
Right now, the 2010 BMW R1200 RT is the bike i would love to have. It does everything I want to do. If they came in RED or BLACK, that would make it perfect. I’m not real tall and I’m glad BMW came with all kind of seat height options for vertically challenged riders like myself. It would be totally perfect if it was 60-75 lbs lighter. I love the look, the style, and everything that comes on it.
Several people already said it, a Suzuki SV650 with a 750cc engine. Simple, light weight,and upright riding position. Suzuki please, drop the ugly, stupid and overweight Gladius (or what ever its called)style and go back to the old SV650N style.
The perfect bike for me already exist. It’s just not sold in America. The Moto Morini Scrambler. 1200cc of fire road fun and twisties heaven. Put hand gaurds on it and find a “winter” wind screen when the weather changes and everybody wins. If Suzuki would shave weight from the SV650/Gladius bike and put high pipes and long suspension on her I would be eually at home.
Street Triple R is all you need. 100 plus horsepower. Ton’s of instant torque everywhere. All day riding comfort (not a touring bike but I don’t tour, I ride all day though). Awesome supsension. Comfortable riding position. Soul stirring sound. Great build quality. And most importantly it is an insane amount of fun to ride whether you are in the mountains, on the track, or just commuting to work. Add an Arrow 3-1 low boy and the sound makes the hair on your neck stand up it sounds so good. This bike even makes my lazy ass wake up early to go riding. To me that makes it the perfect bike.
I think Marcus may have said it best of all, any bike may well be the perfect bike, After reading so many valid points about so many outstanding motorcycles I must surmise that the perfect bike is the bike that makes you smile each time you throw a leg across the seat start the engine and enjoy the freedom that a motorcycle provides
Corny I know but yet so true
Ape hangers on and MV Agusta F4 with bitchin knobbys!
You forgot wide forward foot peg:)
How cool would it be to show up at the local H-D dealer on that thing? You nailed it man. Chris
So far after owning 50 bikes I’d say in the road catagory (this includes ADV bikes) the Honda Goldwing GL1800 and Kawasaki Versys.
In the dirt catagory KTM 250 XCW.
Interesting questions and some eye opening answers.
A touring package for my zx10r; which would include: adj clip ons, rear sets,(For a more upright seating) a laminar lip, smaller rear sproket, PIAA bulbs, fuel cells, bag system incorporated into the rear seat cowl, radar absorbing paint
Tough question as what’s perfect for me today, may not be a decade or even a year from now. That said, the bike that surprised me the most is my 650 VStrom. I purchased nine bikes over the last decade, the VStrom in 2004. Including the ZX9R I traded in for it, it has outlasted six of the nine. I’ve used it for touring, day trips, and commuting. I agree that it is not pretty (perhaps even ugly)but it handles well, is comfortable and very economical. Every time I think of making more room in the garage, I find it difficult to consider giving it up. Suzuki did it right when they designed this one.
A Suzuki sv1200 naked. It would be Suzuki’s response to the new Multistrada and Streetfighter..except naked. So that means traction control, electronic suspension, engine power modes. 160HP 80torque. 400lbs. And sex appeal.
If Ducati can sell v-twins in America, so can Suzuki. I love my current ’05 sv650 naked! A sv1200 parked next to it would be awesome! I’m sure my Ducati Monster and CBR1000rr wouldn’t mind a new stablemate either.
i really like my tuned ktm 950 for the road and ez dual sport, and this even after test riding the fancy 150 horse multistrada with really bad low end fueling
1000cc V4, 5 gallon tank, 50mpg, ergos like a F800ST with wind protection of a NT700V, no linked brakes, ABS, belt drive. Saddle bags like those on the NT700V but with a better looking rear end. 160 rear tire, 120/70 front. Under 525lbs.
My Suzuki DR-650 has been a relevation. It has an aftermarket 18″ front rim, street tires, a jet kit, and low-rise, narrow handlebars. While it may not have tons of horsepower, it is lightweight, smooth, responsive, inexpensive, durable, effortless to ride, and easy to service. I love its power characteristics, its sound, how little space it takes in my garage, and how it handles on back roads.
A nicer looking front-end 2008/2010 Honda CBR1000RR design, with 16 more crankcase bhp, 15 less Lbs of dry weight and better (non ABS) brakes. Include a gear indicator, traction control, latest Ohlins suspension at both ends, a full Akrapovic titanium exhaust and Markesini forged Aluminum wheels running on the new Pirelli Rosso Corsa tires. That´s it! I´m close already, owning a 2009 non-ABS CBR1000RR w/power commander and ignition module, full steel Akrapovic and Bridgestone BT 016 tires. Dropped the passenger foot pegs assembly and have a clean tail with a cowl lid instead of the passenger´s seat. Best bike in the twisties, no matter what. Just wish for the items mentioned earlier. Cheers!
In my post “modedels” should me “models”. Please use Sharpies to correct on your respective displays.
I did a quick text search. I can’t believe nobody posted the ’09+ Ducati Monster 1100. 100HP, 84Lbs of Torque. Upright comfort, but sporty. Light. Agile. Good brakes. 50mpg. 2-year warranty. 1st required maintenance at 600 miles, next required maintenance at 7500 miles (oil change included). I’ve had a motard. I’ve had an SV. I’ve put 3k miles on the ’09 Monster and commute 30 miles each way daily. Have done several canyon rides. This bike is easily a 9.0 out of 10.0 for an all around bike. Haven’t ridden the new 796 yet, but it is the same everything except a little less motor. So it may be the perfect novice’s (note, not starter) bike.
Ural look-alike rigs made by one of big four, having good performance with or without the sidecar attached. By the time the modedels hit the showroom the average age for riders will be 69, and they’ll sell like hotcakes. (now where did I put my dental adhesive)
I’d be happy if I could buy a new, slightly updated RD400/RZ350 again
Me too, if I still weighed what I did when I was 17
That’s it, I’m taking my RZ350 out of moth balls this summer and riding it!
dual-cylinder, 800 cc or smaller engine, dual purpose, large fairing, comfortable, under $9k (e.g. Kawasaki Versys modified for off-road use, a less expensive GS800 with larger fairing)
I agree: bring back the Africa Twin, and bring it to North America
Have owned various sportbikes in the past. All had big horsepower and they all were expensive to insure. I am now 50+ years old but still crave the twisty backroads for some fun rides. I have always thought there could be a market for a sportbike in the sub 600 category that still made 70 to 90 horsepwoer but still be a full on sportbike. Well, having been a Honda fan for a long time, I found just that type of bike. I found a CBR250RR. A japanese import. Though it is only a 250, it still has an inline 4 cylinder engine, tops out at just under 200 km/per hour, revs to a true 19,000 rpm, yes, you read that right, and is the most nimble, fast stopping motorcycle that was ever made. It runs on standard 17in. sportbike tires. The fun factor goes way into the redline and beyond. I am not sure what the perfect bike really is, but for sport bike riding this is a little gem with a motor that sings the most beautiful song ever heard on the road, something similar to the sound of a muted F1 race car. This bike is cheap to run, cheap to insure and all parts are still available. It may not be perfect, but it is really close.
That sounds great Peter! I love the smaller discplacement 250 and 400 sportbikes that are available in Japan. I’ve thought about trying get one somehow.
Burt:
they are out there, maybe not readily available, but they are out there, the build quality and looks are not that far off of todays bikes and a blast to ride.
Had Honda seen fit to bump the VFR800’s displacement to around 1000cc, ditch the useless VTEC and linked brakes, upgrade the suspension and brakes a bit, and perhaps freshen the styling, it would have been my perfect bike.
Alas, it was not to be.
Notice, not a one Harley.
Perfect bike? A BMW R1200GS with out the hideous looks!
Simple, my R1200S!! Great at touring, amazing on track days, cost a dime to insure!!
Now if only i could go offroad with it….
if the rumors are true….the triumph tiger 800 will be close. around 100hp with lots of torque.
a couple things that it needs to be the perfect bike:
ABS
belt drive
50mpg
5 gallon tank
hydraulic valves
excellent stock adjustable windshield
optional handguards
adjustable seat (31 inches at the lowest would be nice for around town, then being able to easily adjust to 33+ inches for long freeway days) this adjustability should be made part of the subframe I think. pop off seat, add in spacer, put seat back on.
crap suspension, okay bear with me on this one. no stock suspension is ever going to be acceptable for a long term motorcycle, so why pay for stuff you;re going to change anyway?
regular bars, not formed pieces of metal like the sprint st. regular bars means cheaply adjustable for each specific rider.
and finally: make several peg positions available from the factory. make the peg mount so that pegs can be made that are up to an inch forward or back, up or down from stock.
If a manufacturer actually did all the adjustability (seat, pegs, bars) they’d have a smash hit on their hands assuming that dealers could have a couple different setups available to sit on.
Honda DN-01 in a half-faired Suzuki Suzuki SV650 body. Price point of a GS500.
I have everything I need in my 06 KTM 950 adventure. 90ish HP, reasonable weight, good weather protection, handles on road, off road, shoulder of the road….
perfect american cruiser/tourer: harley davidson heritage softail. perfect japanese sport/standard: cb1100.
Its a 90 degree twin water cooled upright ergos 400lbs dual purpose with seat height less than 32 inches. It has some wind protection and lockable storage. It has 100HP and 70lbs torque or more. Complex expensive gizmos or zoomy styling are not desired. It’s hard to break,easy to maintain and,low maintenance. People don’t like high maintenance in people or machines. Oh yeah and becasue BP delayed its development by months with their oil spill they have to pay a fine – less of a joke than fining them because the government put people out of work with a moratorium. Oh yea and we criticise BP’s report which the government reviewed and approved. Hello socialism lives
A Triumph Sprint 675 with hard bags and 5 gal tank. Keep it light <500 pounds and 30 inch seat.
I had an 02 SV650 naked – I wanted a better suspension and more motor
I got an 03 SV1000 naked – great motor, I wanted a better suspension.
I got an 07 Triumph Tiger – great motor, I want a better suspension.
Is there a trend here? An upright seating position, naked OR semi faired, some engine between 750-1000cc with a lot of tourque. It needs to has some aftermarket luggage capacity and some decent sporting intentions when required. Also, based upon a lot of the responses here, it seems like a majority of the older experienced riders opinions are leaning towards a smaller engine with a great suspension & decent brakes and a tourqey motor. I would tend to agree!! Could be a twin OR a triple in my mind…..
Honda CB750 Nighthawk with shaft drive.
Fork mounted windshield faring.
I really like the CB900 with shaft drive. I think 750cc is just about right but all of my CB750s had chain drive.
I have a 1500 Wing right now and my wife won’t ride on the back of a standard anymore. But I sure like a simple, plain, standard.
I do not care for the GS\V-Strom style. Too big,too tall and ugly.
Give me a SV-750 with 100+ HP and weighs less than 400 lbs. Cost under $9000.00
FVR riding position with room and a seat for a passenger.
vfr400
the VFR400 does the business. I agree with Johnny ro…… bring back the smaller sportbikes with EFI and a little more horsepower and I will be first in line to buy one.
Kawasaki 650 Versys or Suzuki SV 650 engine, bumped up to 750CC, in a Suzuki DRZ-400 chasis. Limit suspension travel to 9″, better seat, 5 gal gas tank, fully fueled weight under 400 pounds.
KTM 950 supermoto sounds close.
My ’03 Triumph Tropy 1200 has been good to me. But the “perfect” bike to me would be: 800-900cc, fuel injected inline 4 cylinder, liquid cooled, 6 speed, shaft drive, full fairing with adjustable windshield, removable hardbags and trunk, heated grips, adjustable handlebars, under 600# with optional heated seat and cruise control in something other than black and silver! Build it and I will buy!
They already made it…and then they took it away: The RZ350!