What's your dream bike?

[bajakirch]

It's a cold, rainy autumn day and my bike's in pieces in the garage. Such circumstances get me a-pondering...

So -- money's no object. If you could have any bike in the world, what would you be riding?

[Bostonshouse]

I am not sure that I could pick just one. I would like to have a real sports bike....probably the Ninja 14R , but not as a daily rider just something for the track or wide open road. Really would like a KLR as well. Even kind of like the V-Rod. In the end, If I had a ton of money to spend on bikes, I would likely have a variety of reasonably priced bikes rather than one expensive one.

You cannot start a post like this without sharing what your dream bike would be!

[Bumblebee]

Dream motorcycle? Probably not. I don't want some image in my head that turns out to be unrealistic and useless. I just want a practical selection for the intended purpose.

After a year or so of research on needs vs wants and what's available and a proven design:
BMW XChallenge - modified to meet my requirements, nothing major, just capability increases such as range, panniers and a few other things.

As the funds become available, I'll rethink the essential requirements from scratch before buying anything.

[Burgi]

Still lusting after the Italian.

[harrisonfaulkner]

Triumph Sprint GT.


Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk

[bajakirch]

You cannot start a post like this without sharing what your dream bike would be!

Ha! I was wondering if someone would call me on that.

I have 2 problems when it comes to the whole 'Dream Bike' thought.

First, I have a hard time deciding on my favorite anything. Favorite song, favorite color, favorite pair of pants...it's just not something that I'm good at. So I can narrow things down to a certain point, but that's as far as I can get.

Second, my Dream Bike seems to change from day to day. Some of the time I think it's going to have to be a standard bike because, really, how much off-roading am I REALLY going to do. Then I see one of those Honda Transalps and think, "Well, maybe if I had one of those..."

So here's the best I can do. Based on my limited knowledge of the bikes that are out there:
Dream Bike (Standard):  Suzuki Bandit
Dream Bike (Tourer):  Honda ST 1100 or 1300
Dream Bike (Dual Purpose):  Honda Transalp
Dream Bike (Sport Adventure): Suzuki V-Strom or Kawasaki Versys (see, it's a disease)

But I also somewhat share BB's opinion about the proverbial 'Dream Bike'. Nothing ever seems to live up to the positive image we build for it in our minds. I'm reminded of the forum member (sorry, I can't immediately recall who it was) that had always wanted Suzuki Intruder. But when he got it, it was hard to overlook the little things that didn't fit the idealized version that had been built up.

[green427]

Money is no object?

[Burgi]

Well my "dream" bike isn't a replacement for the ones I have....just an addition. 
I love the three I have, for different reasons, but a bigger touring bike that smoothed out the highway and handled wind better would be nice.
You did say money's no object. 

[hppants]

If I can only have 1, then I have the bike I want.  Really, the FJR is perfect for the kind of riding I do.  I can take it cross country if I want to, but she is nimble enough for the day rides close to home as well.  This is NOT a good commuter bike, but I don't ride the bike to work.

Now, if I can have more than 1... well, that's another story.

[fortyhourdays]

Well it's not practical at all, but I've lusted after it ever since they came out, so I'm going to have to go with the Norton 961 Commando

[Floridamtbiker99]

I have five.  BMW, V-MAX, CBX, V-65 Magna, and the Super Magna.

[Floridamtbiker99]

Oops.   I forgot, I changed my mind....Money not object... MTT Turbine Superbike Y2K: 227 mph

This superbike is running using Royl Royce 250-C20 turbo shaft engine. The top speed can be reached by this motorcycle is 227 mph (365 km/h) while it can produce 320 horsepower (239 Kw) @ 52,000 rpm. The transmission system used by this motorcycle is different than other motorcycle by simply using 2 speed automatic transmission.

[SirSeanSean]

Not that it's any surprise, but mine is the 2011 CB1100.

[hppants]

Well done, SSS - if money is no object, then why not pay twice the price and have a CB imported?

[detdrbuzzard]

yamaha rz500, bmw r1200gsA, honda nr750, suzuki re-5

[ariwhiteboy]

If money's no object...



In the real world...any big adventure dual sport. Probably a Strom, Tennere, or the new Honda.

[muttstang]

I'm pretty simple...

probably a 98-01 VFR with removable hard bags, heated seat, heated grips, etc.

[Bumblebee]

Ideal motorcycle:
Stable carrying capacity of the R1200GSA with panniers, top box, tank bag and tank panniers.
Range: 400+ miles with a reasonable size fuel tank. Plus extra fuel instead of a passenger seat.
Low speed gearing for offroad and higher speed gearing for long range cruise.
Electrical: No frigging computers, NONE allowed. Simple electrical system. Plenty of power to run anything I need including charging batteries for cameras and laptop. A decent solar panel on the top box. Controlled Daylight-On-Demand aux lighting capability - when I turn all the lights on, anyone in front of me should think the sun is rising.
Tires from the original speed racer cartoons. Excellent durability, street traction for the road, dirt tire capability when offroad - all in the same tire. (ie: dunlop street and offroad knobbies)
Empty weight plus full fuel: 500lbs when on the road. 200lbs when offroad. 15lbs when I have to pick it up 30 times a day. 
Maintenance: European design concepts. Japanese reliability. CB type organization for ease of wrenching. Dirt simple and highly reliable.


And for two other projects I have in mind, I need a motorcycle circa 1910 give or take 10 years.

[draco_1967]

I'm pretty simple too
Street: ZRX 1200/CB1300F (the RWB half-faired one )
Dual Sport: DR650
Touring: Buell Ulysses
Sport: Buell 1190RS 

 

[LOKi]

I'm going to stick with the practical and go with the Ducati Hypermotard. 


Practical is this bikes middle name right.

or was it the opposite of practical? 

Either way I want one.

[Option13]

I'd have to say a heavily modified DOHC CB750F/900F, probably with an engine swap to a SACS GSX-R 750, just to give it a modern punch. Swap on a new set of forks and a new swingarm, and obviously sort the suspension.








More subtle than these though. No bright yellow springs or writing on the swingarm. I want it to look like a modern factory retro bike.

[bhendron]

I'm keeping my eye out...   Fortunately, this one's within reach:

[hppants]

when I turn all the lights on, anyone in front of me should think the sun is rising.  Tires from the original speed racer cartoons.

 

[JB1290]

Right now, my dream bike is the new VFR1200.

That is subject to change at any moment though. 

[ariwhiteboy]

JB, we ran into a group of VFR riders in the mountains and they said the new 1200s felt slower than the old 750s. I mean that's someone else's butt dyno we're talking about, but it couldn't hurt to test ride both.