Question of the Day: What’s Your Favorite Motorcycle?
Though we aren’t able to cover them nearly as often as we’d like to, there’s no doubt that there’s a lot of love for motorcycles here at
WINDING ROAD
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Brock
Triumph Bonneville
94 Taurus owner
Harley Davidson's Hog.
Roland M
Honda CB 900 F Super Sport, Rode mine from Texas to the Grand Canyon with 3 buddies. Fast but comfortable. And had room for my tent, sleeping bag and all i needed for a week long trip...even had a built in FM/tape deck and radar detector!
Still regret selling that bike!!!
Mena
Ducati 998
Kai
Gotta go with the Hayabusa.
Buzz Kanter
As the publisher of American Iron Magazine Text to link - the best selling Harley magazine, most people would think my favorite motorcycle would be a new Harley. It isn't.
I am very fond of the early Indian motorcycles, especially the 1930 Indian 101 Scout and 1938 Indian Four. I also have always admire the 1936 Harley EL "Knucklehead."
There are also plenty of amazing motorcycles from the US, England, Europe and Japan.
Brian
Never driven one, but the DUCATI DESMOSEDICI RR is reported to be the closest thing you can find to a MotoGP racer for the street. I'm sure it'd provide your adrenaline fix for a short afternoon track day. Only 1500 are scheduled for production, of which all orders are already filled. Too bad it's such a limited production run.
Of the motorcycles I've owned, my vote is for the Yamaha YSR. Had one when I was 14. Fun bike! It was only 50cc. But I loved twisting the throttle full-open, quickly working through all five gears, then glancing down at the speedo to notice I was only doing ~45mph. But man... it felt more like 145 on that little thing. If you kept the throttle pegged, you could top-out around 55mph. And that was really movin'!!!
chris
Honda CBR600f4i, CBR600RR, Interceptor, Ducati Monster S4, Honda RC211V.
X3 SoB
The Britten V1000 from New Zealand was one of the most original and beautiful motorcycles ever created. It's too bad John Britten died shortly after making it, he was a visionary genius.
Daniel Coté
I was born in Springfield, MA, home of Indian motorcycles and my first bike was an Indian. Over the years I've owned a lot of bikes that I remember fondly. Honda 750 Four in the first year of production, H-D café racer, BMW R100RS Suzuki GS1100E and Kawasaki Nomad come to mind.
I had dabbled with scooters in the past but I was smitten with the Suzuki 650 Burgman when they were first introduced to the U.S. back in 2003 so I bought one as a toy. Within 3 months of purchase, I sold my H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic. The '03 accompanied me to Sturgis, Daytona Beach and the Tail of the Dragon. Today, my ride is a 2006 Suzuki 650 Burgman Executive and I'm pretty sure I won't ever go back to traditional motorcycles.
Iain
I have never been a bike guy, just cars. But it is hard not to be impressed with bike engineering, especially Ducati.
However, for fun runs to get my mail, Starbucks, bank, etc, I just bought a Vespa LX50 - ideal for local errands and 70 to the gallon :) Other than that, I stick to cars.
uragan
Ducati 748 and any BMW R
RrrrX8
Gotta agree with X3 SoB - the Britten was a magnificent bike. And if I had to ride something older, I don't think I could go past a Vincent Black Lightning.
X3 SoB
I also like Buells and, of course, BMWs. But Google Britten, you will be impressed. I guess it looks like I like motorcycles that begin with "b", but that's just coincidence.
Strada Auto Store
Several bikes
Cruisers:
Harley Fat Boy
Victory Hammer
Honda Shadow Aero
Sport:
Ducati Monster
MV Agusta Brutale
Scooters
Vespa
Mike F.
I guess it's about as basic as you get, but I love my GS500. Easy to work on and has reliably taken me on a 3000 mile weeklong trip. I do lust after a couple of the Buell models, as well as the Triumph Street and Speed Triples. Right now though, I'm thinking my next bike might be a Kaw Versys, even with it's ugly headlight
The King
None. Motorcycles annoy me. Especially Harleys with straight pipes. Their riders claim they have them way so they can crack the pipes to warn other motorists. What a crock! If I did own one it would be a BMW or Ducati like a friend of mine has. Hmmmm? Maybe I do like bikes. See where I'm going here?
Ducati Minor
Mike F.,
There is nothing wrong with enjoying the Suzuki GS500. In fact, I am considering it as my next purchase. It is a relaxed, smooth, and cheap sport/touring bike. The most basic sport bike of them all, the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, is another bike I'd consider for its great economy. The Pashnit crowd echoes praise for both all the time, and so do I.
I love cafe bikes, so the Bonneville is up there. But I'd take the Ducati Sport Classic over it. My favorite bike would have to be the 748. No, it doesn't have the 998's power--but I don't need that much. For me, it'll always be like the Ferrari F355 of Italian bikes.
Ducati Minor
And I'm with everyone on the Vespas. I just came back from Claremont, the prettiest college town in SoCal, and was tempted to buy one just for that weekend trip.
Robert
2006 Honda CBR 600RR Repsol replica
Pedro
I'll second (or third, or whatever) the Bonneville, 748 and Vespa GS. One of the more aesthetically striking bikes has to be the Morbidelli V8, though I've only seen pictures. Overall however I can't complain about my everyday '83 Kawasaki GPz 550 (although a monoposto seat and tail would really make it sexy).
Trinks
As someone who knows next to nothing about motorcycles, the Harley V-Rod looks really nice in my mind.
Donald
Gotta say, it's a weird one maybe, but the 1986 Yamaha Fazer FZX700 (?) is my favorite bike. Bought my first one as a 20 year old right when they came out, after devouring every article about them I saw. I bought my second one in spring of 2000 - paid about $2300 and it was alright, but not in super condition. I'd love to get a third one. That thing had enough power it could climb a wall, and it was comfortable enough to put may miles on at a stretch. Its styling was like nothing else on the road, either. I appreciate that.
I wanted a V-max for years. I got one in 2005, rode it for a year. Didn't like it. It had lots of power, no doubt, but... it just wasn't livable. Filling the gas tank was like wrestling with a polar bear, and that seat is legendary for the pain it inflicts on your nether quarters.
I personally do not like the current bikes. To me, they all look the same. Cruisers are indistinguishable, sport bikes all look the same... If I were to get a new bike now, it'd probably be an enduro. KLR or XLR. Triumph, however, has made a lot of improvements to their line up over the years, and the speed triple is the road bike I'd check out.
Don, seattle-motorcycles.com
D. Randy Riggs
2001 Honda VFR 800 Interceptor— The perfect all-around sports tourer with an engine sound that's marvelous, excellent handling, comfort, good fuel economy and the whine of those gear-driven cams, before Honda screwed it up in 2002 with weird styling and V-Tec. The 2001 model marked the high point in the model's lifetime, a bike I will never sell and I've had 43 motorcycles in a lifetime of riding.
J Klaus
Moto Guzzi V7 Sport
John Tacchetti
As a 40 year old that has ridden many motorcycles throughout the years , I was really blown away by my first drive on a new Harley Wide Glide in 2000 . It was so different and comfortable that I was shocked. I purchased one immediately.
Now , I worry about HD. I really feel most of the dealers are really in over their heads with too much overhead . Let's face it, a Harley is just a toy and how many do you need? I saw that Harley had a patent on a tilting 3 wheeler. That could be a new niche.
klarens
mv augusta brutale
benelli tornado
morgan
r1 1098 and RSV
Jonathan Fung
Yamaha R6. If I could get any bike, that would probably be it.
Austin
Yamaha Roadstar Warrior. Love at first sight. Hoping to find a nice used one some day.
02chuck
A friend had a BSA 441 when I was in high school, loved the sound of the big single. Today I would get one of the 1100-1200 BMW RT series, sporty but a great cruiser.
Brett
Proleterian trash! I agree with X3SoB, the Britten V1000 is the coolest cycle ever built. Too bad they only built 10 of them.
X3 SoB
i don't need your help. You are, after all, an idiot.
Tate
A Ducati Monster
Eljay
I'm partial to the Yamaha MT-01 myself.
VK3NYC
KTM 525EXC
Intrigue
Suzuki DL650
Paul In Jersey
The Suzuki SV650 combines a nice price, darned good engineering, comfort and performance. The Honda CBR 600 is damned comfortable for something that is ever so squidly. The Ducati supermotard thingy is the only new bike I'd like to own. The 1972 BMW R75/5 with a short wheel base is the most reliable and useable day-to-day classic under the sun. The Vespas are beautiful, but way overpriced. Their in-house rivals from Aprilia and Piaggio are more appealing. For all-road versatility in touring and or the afternoon ride, you'll have a hard time finding a better mount than a BMW oilhead from the last 10 years.
Rick
Triumph Speed Triple
phd_engineer
My Harley Road King and my Vespa P200E. However, nominating a favorite bike is kinda like judging a beauty paegent. All of the contestants are appealing.
Steve K.
My current one.......2002 Honda GL1800 Illusion Blue.
dan
KZ 1000 is it for me. I rode one in 89', my first bike ride and boy was I scared. I rode it passed an small airport in Middleton, Wi. I later took it to Sharer Cycle Center in Verona, Wi. for a rebuild. With the addition of a fork brace, small fairing and progressive front springs and rear shocks, that baby would give me a rush like no other and handle to. All I had to do was twist my wrist and leave all 4 wheeled boxes in the dust and I did it frequently. That bike reminded me of a P-51 Mustang. That motor with my flat black headers, spoked wheels,... Man!
Dane
The one in my garage...
Triumph Bonneville....
pjstevens77
DUCATI ST4-S
Best of all worlds, sport, crusing, travel....
By far the best bike I have ever had the plearure of riding and owning.
Simon
In 1991 I imported a new Suzuki RGV250 from New Zealand. 90 degree two stroke v-twin, Aluminium frame, usd fork, 'bent' swing arm, that bike was stunning, certainly the best I've ever owned.
As for bikes I haven't owned (or tried) I can't believe no one has said GSXR1000. 1/4 mile in 9.7 @ 147 mph; good Lord, the veyron can't do that! Could there be a better bike?
Sean
Triumph Boneville (a new one). Beauty, reliability and fun to ride, a class act all the way.
Big Jon
Harley's Rule - Triumph Bonneville close second !
The trouble is were comparing Apples to Oranges ........
There all good !
Timothy Personal Trainer Austin TX
My 1986 Ninja 900. I was 16 when I bought it. The guy who sold it to me said "It's to fast". I hated to sell it, but it was great while I had it.
Olivier
Ducati 916
Yamaha XT500
Cafe racers and supermotard bikes
BillyBob
Only 'bike' I ever owned was a Yamaha Enduro,,,and it gave me hemmoroids.
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