What was/is your favorite motorcycle - why?

**smokier** · 06-01-2019, 08:44 AM

Greetings,

We all have ridden multiple motorcycles over the years. Which one stands out in your mind as your favorite.
Was it the BIKE itself? Was it the memories on that bike? What was it and why?

For me, the 2001 Vulcan 1500 Classic, "Pearl".
My (ex) wife bought it for me on my 40th birthday. Put 65k miles on that bike over the next 6 years. Custom paint job, lots of mods and tinkering. Mostly a lot of great, memorable rides. It was the bike I had when teaching both of our kids to ride. They had a Honda CX500 "Water Buffalo" and Yamaha XS650 Maxum. It was the bike under my the first time down Deal's Gap. Great times during that phase of life...

Ride safe,
Smokier

oldbeezer · 06-01-2019, 09:02 AM

For me it was a '74 Ducati 750GT. Best looking unit construction engine ever. Great sound, good looks, long legged, good performance for the day. Got it in the mid 90s dead stone stock except for the carbs. It didn't have a fly in the paint but it did have a dead Italian bug underneath a warning sticker on the speedo. After 10 years or so I made the biggest motorcycling mistake of my life and sold it.

Jim

**Sabre-t** · 06-01-2019, 10:58 AM

I've only had 2 bikes, a 2003 Honda Sabre 1100, and the Voyager. For sentimental reasons, the Sabre is my fav. My dad never let me have a bike because of how reckless he had been on one. My first wife would not let me have a bike. I just assumed Theresa would not let me have one either. About 11 years ago, when I was 55, I was hovering over a MC add in a mag. She saw me looking at it and asked if I wanted a MC. I said yes, and she said "Why don't you get one?" !!!!! A week later, I had the Sabre. A few weeks after that, I took the MSF course. Been riding ever since.

**Top Cat** · 06-01-2019, 11:17 AM

Lets see, was it my 90cc Bridgstone, my 250 BSA, my 305 Honda, my 400 Norton, my 450 Honda, my 650 BSA, my 650 Yamaha, my other 650 Yamaha, my 1600 Nomad, my other 1600 Nomad or the 1700 Victory I have now.
I have some great memories of all of them but the Kingpin I have now is by far the best handling and most powerful, not to mention it is pretty comfortable. Oh, I guess I just did mention the comfort.
Sooooooooo, I am going to say my favorite is the Kingpin.

**smokier** · 06-02-2019, 08:17 AM

OldBeezer - Never have had the privilege of riding an Italian bike. However, have lusted after one or two here and there.

Sabre-T - Wives are surprising and a blessing!

TopCat - The KP is a great looking machine. The bride's XR is the only VIC we have spent time with. But can easily see how it could become a favorite.

**schoeney** · 06-02-2019, 09:37 AM

For memories - my 1970 Honda SL100. My first brand new vehicle, bought it when I was 13 yrs. old. Rode it through most of high school.

For function - probably my current 2006 Goldwing. Comfortable, powerful, reliable, quiet, smooth, does everything well. 13 yrs. old and still in great shape.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Chuck A. · 06-02-2019, 10:07 AM

I'd have to say my current bike. 2015 1700 Voyager with Russel Daylong seat and the ECM reprogram. I can ride that thing all day without hurting in the back, legs, or buttocks area. I have sat on a lot of really good bikes and just couldn't get comfortable. Stock seat on the 1700 really just was the worst seat for my build I had ridden on. THANK YOU Russel Cycle Products!

Still have my '03 1500 Nomad with the Russel seat which is a very close second.

ponch · 06-03-2019, 12:55 AM

Well, favorite is a tough one. Memories are often biased positively. My first bike was pretty cool, a 1978 KZ1000, but when I compare it to bikes I have had and ridden since, it was crude. It's like with my new car, a Subaru Ascent. After driving it for several months, I drove our 2013 Passat and the passat felt like a hoopty car. My current ride is my favorite, but I am always willing to find something better eventually, either test ride or own. I am afraid to ride a new beemer. The R1250's are the bomb. The reason is that it does everything well. Handles like on rails, goes well enough, stops excellent, gets good enough gas mileage, has excellent range and is relatively light. It has quick detachable luggage that is airtight and the boxer engine has it's own unique thrum. The K1600 doesn't really interest me. The valve adjustments are expensive if you don't do them yourself I wouldn't with that bike. They also had teething problems when they came out. Lots of power though and very smooth. The BMW I will probably check out is the R1800 that is coming out next year. Air/oil cooled boxer, 1800cc's, shaft drive and there will be a touring model that will kind of be like a bagger with a fairing and such. Considering the R1250 is rated at 105ft/lbs, the 1800 should be a torque monster.

ponch · 06-03-2019, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbeezer

For me it was a '74 Ducati 750GT. Best looking unit construction engine ever. Great sound, good looks, long legged, good performance for the day. Got it in the mid 90s dead stone stock except for the carbs. It didn't have a fly in the paint but it did have a dead Italian bug underneath a warning sticker on the speedo. After 10 years or so I made the biggest motorcycling mistake of my life and sold it.

Jim

Sometimes I get a jonesing for a moto guzzi. They sound pretty cool. Ducs do too. Like a SB v8. The problem with Ducs is maintenance. They are pricey to maintain, but they are nice bikes.

kbyte · 06-05-2019, 02:05 PM

My favorite was a 2005 Suzuki V-strom 650 because it did just about everything, was easy to maintain, cheap to run, and never broke on me.

I have had lots of bikes and I liked most of them but I kept the suzuki around as a second bike through many of the others.

Although I traded it off to get my 2015 Voyager I sometimes regret it but I really wanted cruise control and the long range comfort.

The new 2019 Versys 1000 checks off all my must haves so I may be heading that way soon!

06-01-2019, 08:44 AM	#1
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	What was/is your favorite motorcycle - why? Greetings, We all have ridden multiple motorcycles over the years. Which one stands out in your mind as your favorite. Was it the BIKE itself? Was it the memories on that bike? What was it and why? For me, the 2001 Vulcan 1500 Classic, "Pearl". My (ex) wife bought it for me on my 40th birthday. Put 65k miles on that bike over the next 6 years. Custom paint job, lots of mods and tinkering. Mostly a lot of great, memorable rides. It was the bike I had when teaching both of our kids to ride. They had a Honda CX500 "Water Buffalo" and Yamaha XS650 Maxum. It was the bike under my the first time down Deal's Gap. Great times during that phase of life... Ride safe, Smokier __________________ You only get one, so "Make it the best day ever!" 2014 Victory Cross County Tour Blue Fire Gloss (BFG) "Cruella" Brides Ride: 2012 Victory Crossroads in Sunset Red "Ruby" Previous Vulcans: '15 Vaquero, '12 Vaquero, '10 1700 Nomad, '04 1500 Classic, '01 1500 Classic, '88 Vulcan 750 VROC # 10967 \| VBA # 3115 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-01-2019, 09:02 AM	#2
oldbeezer Jr. Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Coumbia SC Posts: 32	THE bike For me it was a '74 Ducati 750GT. Best looking unit construction engine ever. Great sound, good looks, long legged, good performance for the day. Got it in the mid 90s dead stone stock except for the carbs. It didn't have a fly in the paint but it did have a dead Italian bug underneath a warning sticker on the speedo. After 10 years or so I made the biggest motorcycling mistake of my life and sold it. Jim
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06-01-2019, 11:17 AM	#4
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Lets see, was it my 90cc Bridgstone, my 250 BSA, my 305 Honda, my 400 Norton, my 450 Honda, my 650 BSA, my 650 Yamaha, my other 650 Yamaha, my 1600 Nomad, my other 1600 Nomad or the 1700 Victory I have now. I have some great memories of all of them but the Kingpin I have now is by far the best handling and most powerful, not to mention it is pretty comfortable. Oh, I guess I just did mention the comfort. Sooooooooo, I am going to say my favorite is the Kingpin. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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06-02-2019, 08:17 AM	#5
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	I like 'em - keep them coming. OldBeezer - Never have had the privilege of riding an Italian bike. However, have lusted after one or two here and there. Sabre-T - Wives are surprising and a blessing! TopCat - The KP is a great looking machine. The bride's XR is the only VIC we have spent time with. But can easily see how it could become a favorite. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-02-2019, 09:37 AM	#6
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	For memories - my 1970 Honda SL100. My first brand new vehicle, bought it when I was 13 yrs. old. Rode it through most of high school. For function - probably my current 2006 Goldwing. Comfortable, powerful, reliable, quiet, smooth, does everything well. 13 yrs. old and still in great shape. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
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06-01-2019, 10:58 AM	#3
Sabre-t Join Date: May 2015 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 838	I've only had 2 bikes, a 2003 Honda Sabre 1100, and the Voyager. For sentimental reasons, the Sabre is my fav. My dad never let me have a bike because of how reckless he had been on one. My first wife would not let me have a bike. I just assumed Theresa would not let me have one either. About 11 years ago, when I was 55, I was hovering over a MC add in a mag. She saw me looking at it and asked if I wanted a MC. I said yes, and she said "Why don't you get one?" !!!!! A week later, I had the Sabre. A few weeks after that, I took the MSF course. Been riding ever since.
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06-02-2019, 10:07 AM	#7
Chuck A. Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Hartselle Alabama Posts: 995	I'd have to say my current bike. 2015 1700 Voyager with Russel Daylong seat and the ECM reprogram. I can ride that thing all day without hurting in the back, legs, or buttocks area. I have sat on a lot of really good bikes and just couldn't get comfortable. Stock seat on the 1700 really just was the worst seat for my build I had ridden on. THANK YOU Russel Cycle Products! Still have my '03 1500 Nomad with the Russel seat which is a very close second. __________________ Have A Good One, Chuck Patriot Guard Riders Sons Of Liberty Riders Alabama Road Captain 2015 Voyager 2003 1500 NOMAD FI sold 6/19 VBA #2993 RUSSELL DAYLONG SEATS ROCK!! DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling "DAMMIT" at the top of your lungs There is no substitute for laminar flow in which a helmet is the primary disturbance. SO MANY ROADS, SO LITTLE TIME.
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06-03-2019, 12:55 AM	#8
ponch Sr. Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Way East Valley Posts: 12,017	Well, favorite is a tough one. Memories are often biased positively. My first bike was pretty cool, a 1978 KZ1000, but when I compare it to bikes I have had and ridden since, it was crude. It's like with my new car, a Subaru Ascent. After driving it for several months, I drove our 2013 Passat and the passat felt like a hoopty car. My current ride is my favorite, but I am always willing to find something better eventually, either test ride or own. I am afraid to ride a new beemer. The R1250's are the bomb. The reason is that it does everything well. Handles like on rails, goes well enough, stops excellent, gets good enough gas mileage, has excellent range and is relatively light. It has quick detachable luggage that is airtight and the boxer engine has it's own unique thrum. The K1600 doesn't really interest me. The valve adjustments are expensive if you don't do them yourself I wouldn't with that bike. They also had teething problems when they came out. Lots of power though and very smooth. The BMW I will probably check out is the R1800 that is coming out next year. Air/oil cooled boxer, 1800cc's, shaft drive and there will be a touring model that will kind of be like a bagger with a fairing and such. Considering the R1250 is rated at 105ft/lbs, the 1800 should be a torque monster. __________________ Ponch VBA 0019 VROC 8109-R BMWMOA 162849 BMWRA 41335 BMW: When you care enough to ride the very best. My Motorrad Blog My Motorrad YouTube 2009 BMW R1200RT Previous bikes:2007 Nomad \| 2001 Vulcan 800 Classic \| 1984 GPz750 \| 1978 KZ1000A2 Rallies: Custer '09\|Prairie Du Chien '10\|Crescent City '11
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06-05-2019, 02:05 PM	#10
kbyte Jr. Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Ohio Posts: 6	My favorite was a 2005 Suzuki V-strom 650 because it did just about everything, was easy to maintain, cheap to run, and never broke on me. I have had lots of bikes and I liked most of them but I kept the suzuki around as a second bike through many of the others. Although I traded it off to get my 2015 Voyager I sometimes regret it but I really wanted cruise control and the long range comfort. The new 2019 Versys 1000 checks off all my must haves so I may be heading that way soon!
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