One Bike Solution

[Donkey Hotey]

Originally Posted by wizz

Ducati/Cagiva E900 Elephant

Yup. It has the best ergonomics of any of my bikes, it's always my favorite to ride, handles and brakes well, has amazing wind protection and sounds like a motorcycle should. If it had factory luggage, it would be the perfect motorcycle.

That's why my vote would be for a new Multistrada.

[DualSpaz]

The lightest bike that would handle 100 miles of of pavement if the need arose. Probably a KTM 500 EXC. Although I'm not sure I could resist the simplicity of a plated 300 XCW.

[Lornce]

If I had to pare it down to one of the eight, it'd be the Buell Ulysses.

Single track is way down on my list of priorities. The Uly shines brightly in every other riding situation.

[PS-RagE]

Originally Posted by vwboomer

950 Adventure

This was the correct answer - thanks for playing

[twinjet]

I've been trying to find this bike all my life. In the 60's we complained because our bikes had to be modified to do what we wanted (dirt, roadrace, etc.). Today we seem to have come full circle trying to find a more universal design in a field of sharply focused "niche" bikes. All of the bikes I've owned all were either to small, to heavy or to sharply focused to be "one bike solutions". The KLR650 I'm riding now would be close if it had another 10hp. Maybe a KTM 690 Duke with a couple more inches of wheel travel?

[Grainbelt]

Tiger 800 XC

I don't really ride any dirt but with that I could still pretend.

[eric2]

Originally Posted by Elburrito

1200gs

+1, by far the most versatile bike I've owned, and its so ugly I can keep the panniers on it and nobody notices. No need to lock them either, even smart people can't figure out how to open them without a salesman nearby.


I pulled up next to a cute girl on a pink scooter in downtown austin, who had the prerequisite chihuaha in her lap. She looked up at me and asked " Is that even a motorcycle"?

[DriveShaft]

Originally Posted by eric2

" Is that even a motorcycle"?

It'd be my number one pick if I could throw it around off the beaten path. The margin for error on that beast is a bit narrow for my skinny ass to have much confidence. It does, however, reign supreme if 2-up is a priority.

[eric2]

Originally Posted by DriveShaft

It'd be my number one pick if I could throw it around off the beaten path. The margin for error on that beast is a bit narrow for my skinny ass to have much confidence. It does, however, reign supreme if 2-up is a priority.

Quite true. It doesn't do well in the more gnarly off road situations at all. Luckily, in central Texas there are no gnarly off road situations; in fact there's very little offroading to be had at all. So i have to settle for worn out county roads which it handles perfectly, along with the daily potholes I encounter.

Then again, it can tread water OK, just not mud.

[CodeMonkee]

Either my Husaberg 570 or a Christini 2WD.

Why would I want only one bike??

[sailer]

Originally Posted by Josephvman

It really depends on what kind of riding you do, but if you're going to cover all these bases:

1. Sport Riding
2. Touring/Traveling, luggage capability
3. 2-Up riding
4. Trail/Dual-Sport Riding
5. Track Days
6. All weather capapbility (decent rain protection, heated grips)
.

off of this list , my choice would be F800GS
( with a 18inch front wheel for track days ) and ( up grades in supension for trail stuff )

IMHO I have done all 6 on list and bike has preform well.

[rodhersh]

So what are you going to do when your wife reads this thread and gets the misguided idea that a guy only needs one motorcycle? It seams to me threads like this are irresponsible.

[zilla]

Originally Posted by rodhersh

So what are you going to do when your wife reads this thread and gets the misguided idea that a guy only needs one motorcycle? It seams to me threads like this are irresponsible.

No wife, no problem.

Great stuff here.

[DriveShaft]

Originally Posted by sailer

off of this list , my choice would be F800GS
( with a 18inch front wheel for track days ) and ( up grades in supension for trail stuff )

IMHO I have done all 6 on list and bike has preform well.

It's pretty nice that they've sorted out the F800 in so many options...all OEM. Wheels to go over boulders...or around them. suspension jacked...or low. Beefed up brakes...or not. fairings heavy, medium, light. Fully loaded luggage, or not so much.

[motu]

I have a do it all bike - it's a Lego bike, I swap bits around.







And all sorts inbetween. I have 2 sets of wheels, 2 seats and rear guards, 2 front guards, 3 exhaust systems, 2 sets of panniers, 2 screens (I have an S fairing) and lots of handlebars.