If you could have ONLY ONE M/C in a lifetime?

[s1120]

Its really hard to say because there are a lot of bikes that may be the one... but I haven't ridden them yet. Also I need to look foward to the future when I get older, and have different needs then now. I had a 82 Suzuki GS650GL back in my mid 20's. I had that think for like 20 years, and I tell you it did everything. Small and light enough to move around. Fast and good handling enough to keep me happy. Nice on the road trip, even 2 up. It was a little cruzer, and little sporty, and little everything. It was kinda bland though and one reason I finally got rid of it. My cal stone metal is pretty close also. Not quite as sporting as I like, but as you know, all the T frame bikes are kinda mix and match.. Would have wanted it outfitted like a V7 sport or 1000S, or a more standart T3 style now..  But really in a few years it might look just like it is, with a sidecar to last me my years.

[SIR REAL ED]

good question.  I'd be happy with most of the bikes posters mentioned.  Answer depends hugely upon my age and location.

I had a 1980 Suzuki GS1000G for about 18 years.  Too heavy for me today and where I live.

For most of the places I can imagine living, it would be a 1996 or newer Suzuki DR650.  A versatile do-it-all machine that can be customized into more specialized roles.

A couple sets of wheels/tires, gas tanks, sprockets, windshields, luggage, etc, and you have a small fleet of motorcycles.

The DR 650 would be a hard bike to give up now.  Tough to imagine going back to any bikes that are more specialized.  Luckily, more than one is still an option.

[bikeridertim]

I would have to say my 99 EV.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I'd have to sell my fleet and get a 2021 Centanario V7

The Breva 1100 is too big and heavy for my after-work rip around runs in the mountains behind my house. It's supreme for 2-up rides and grocery-grabbing but not the best for the tight steep twisty roads I most enjoy.
The v65 is perfect for afternoon rips but my wife hates riding it with me, and it's not very powerful. The cafe/brat setup I have rides just fine on dirt roads, but it lacks luggage and it has been a needy pain in my ass the entire time I've had it.
The Ambassador is great for solo sporty (beyond its capabilities) riding back roads or our 2-up day rides, but not great for commuting or touring, not that long distance capable if you need high-speed highway miles to get where you are going. And it's 'too nice' for the fire roads around me.

I think I would trade the lot for a guzzi with retro looks and enough umph to carry me + wife and some soft bags at highway speeds.. With a second set of wheels wearing DS or scrambler tires for my dirt road excursions.

[rustygman]

I don't consider myself a particularly high mileage rider but at 59 I am probably in excess of 350,000 miles. That's a lot of rebuilding on most bikes.

Don't know what I would choose but it would definitely be a V-Twin between 750-1100 cc.

[Bpreynolds2]

Knowing what I know now it would be and Adventure bike. Upright seating, roomy cockpit with comfortable ergos, wind protections, wide bars, LT suspension, ability to carry lots of stuff on/off road in a variety of systems and a huge alternator for powering all manner of aux stuff.

This is what I’ve found is the “best” setup for me personally tho I do enjoy all manner of bikes.  But if I need one to do everything it’s going to be a long legged, high, upright bike with a lot of electric capability.  My 990SM has 500 watt capability and it’s enough to run heated gear and gadgets as well. 

[Scout63]

Interesting that a BMW GS didn’t come up.

[larrys]

I would be fine with my Cal 1100. Have owned it for twenty years and still like it.
Larry

[blackcat]

LeMans 5.  Great all rounder scratching or touring.

Mike

Mike, that is a pretty bike.

[9fingers]

Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello! If I can't have that it would probably have to be some ADV bike and I do really like my V Strom 650, but would hate to not have my V7III Special or a new V7........see, not possible to have only one bike.....not sure how some people do it.
Scott

[Travlr]

Mike, that is pretty bike.

Thanks Black Cat,

You've got a "to die for" collection of bikes yourself.

1968 Norton Fastback
1976 Lemans
1981 CX-100
1993 1000S
1997 Daytona RS
2007 Red Norge

I'll have a LeMans 1 someday to match to the LeMans 5.
I'd love your Fastback but I won't own a kickstart bike anymore.

Mike

[Kev m]

Lots of rebuilding depending on the bike. Plenty of bikes out there able to do that sort of mileage if you are willing to ride them that much.

Truth.

With my pick of the EVO Harley it would've been easy to buy a crate motor and just transplant it the first time, then rebuilt the one while the other is used. Rinse and repeat as needed.

[Tusayan]

The LeMans V would be an excellent choice, I rode my earlier Le Mans as my main bike for 10 years and while I don’t think the V is as pretty, when I rode one a few years ago I was much impressed with how it worked.  The maintenance was the same, excellent for the long haul.

Of the bikes I’ve owned, an ‘88-‘90 R100GS would be my choice.  I have a ‘90 now and it’s a truly great all rounder, it does almost anything well except high speed motorway riding, and it does that well enough for 500 mile days.  I did 200 miles off road in a day once on a previous ‘88, heading south in Baja with bags mounted. Also, like a Guzzi, easy to maintain for decades.

[LowRyter]

[80CX100]

     If it had to be a bike available to me at 20, I'd have to say a G5 or SP1000.

     Reality was, that MGs weren't part of the motorcycling world I lived in, it would still be another 35? yrs before I actually saw one in the flesh.

     fwiw

[Moparnut72]

If I have to go back to my 20s, CB 305 Honda. Up to current, my Triumph Bonneville T120.
kk

[Huzo]

The beaut thing about the way that Chad phrased the question, is that it’s not hard to think of #1.
The hard bit in the answer is NOT to mention #2...

That’s the part that makes you think...(most respondents managed it).

[steven c]

 I  have tired a few times for a forever bike and it seems to last around 10 years then something else catches my eye or it's starts to bug me.The 09 650 VStrom I just bought should be it, just a very competent bike, but doesn't set the soul on fire.I think a V85TT would work. It it had to be something from my 20's I would say a T-3.

[italia]

I love a standard bike.  Would probably be an air cooled Ducati Monster

[twowheeladdict]

I am kind of amazed at the number of people that were able to choose a bike that can't easily evolve with changing needs and/or wants.  Especially since most of us have been riding a long time, and possibly a lot of miles. 

When I think about everywhere I have ridden in my lifetime and what bikes took me to those places it really is an impossible task to come up with one bike even though I posted the most versatile bike I am familiar with. 

Of course the V7III I currently own is very similar to the XS750 except for the lack of a frame mounted fairing to mount to it. 

[coast range rider]

So question is: what m/c would have suited you for decades, even if it wasn't around back in the day you can still pick it as your "forever bike"?
Nothing in the rules says I can't pick a bike that is not around today. So I pick the upcoming, yet unnamed adventure version of the V100 Mandello. Everyone on this thread that already mentioned adventure bikes should understand why. I also appreciate Ohlin's semi-active suspension, IMU functions like cornering ABS, and CC, alongside the more traditional MG traits.

[Huzo]

I am kind of amazed at the number of people that were able to choose a bike that can't easily evolve with changing needs and/or wants. 

Because they were asked to choose only one.

[Kev m]

I am kind of amazed at the number of people that were able to choose a bike that can't easily evolve with changing needs and/or wants.  Especially since most of us have been riding a long time, and possibly a lot of miles. 

Well, it's a hypothetical question so some may just accept the limitations of the question and answer as best they can.

But to directly address your amazement I can explain my own answer and perhaps it's easier for me than some.

I spent a good amount of time chasing what I THOUGHT I should want.

And though I enjoyed every one of the experiences (really did, even the ones I hated a little), it took me far too much time to realize I was chasing what I'd already had and shouldn't have let go.

My choice is easy NOW, maybe it wouldn't have been or wasn't in my late 20's and early 30's.

But hindsight is 20-20.

and though I'd likely never want to voluntarily live within the limitation of this thread, FOR ME AT LEAST the choice itself is easy.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

THE 2008 1200 Sport

[Tom]

'75 Eldorado.  Police model.

[mhershon]

I'm happy with my first-series V7 Special, now with cast wheels. I wish it had a single-sided swingin' arm. By the way, as many of you will know, when the V7s with cast wheels come from Mandello, they have tubes in their tires. The wheels are rough where the tire beads seat - you cannot assume that tires without tubes will just mount and work on those cast wheels. Ask me how I know...

[Bill N]

It's my Hot Dog and Mustard 98 EV. Hasn't left me stranded has always got me home.
Bill

[LesP]

Or a Sunbeam S7 or S8. Don't know what it's like to ride one but I've always thought it the best looking of all bikes.

-AJ

The S7 Deluxe (The S7 is 1946 to 1948) and S8 from 1949 onward have the same driveline.
I would liken riding an S7 Deluxe to near any plunger rear suspension bike but the big 16 inch tyres/tires add some cushion as does the cantilever sprung seat (a spring in the top frame tube)
The SOHC engine sounds like most British twins but somewhat like a two cylinder Morris Minor.
They have a heavy external flywheel and the mechanics are very car like.
#
One bike based on logic and experience from 20 yo on (1979)
Easy, the 1996 to present Suzuki DR650SE (which I bought new in January 2008)
The same bike churned out for 25 years plus.

I even picked up a 2021 brand new take off tank this year so splashed out on a new MY21 black rear fender headlight cowling and SM front guard.
Modified of course but does everything.
Two sets of wheels (I got Procycle 17 inch wheels and big brakes for it back in 2009) a Corbin seat etc and it could do to the supermarket (off road or not) or round the world.
To own one is to know one.





Road wheels, big tank equals over 600 kms non stop.

[Bulldog9]

My heart wants to say my first love the Yamaha XS1100, but the Griso has pulled even with it. I've never been able to ride back to back, and the Griso is also a forever bike but the sentiment for the XS is strong.

But If I had to choose 1 bike only for the rest of my life it would be the 1200 Sport. Decent at Sportish riding, Supremely comfortable, nimble, reliable and easy to ride, with full touring luggage capability, plus it is rare, unique, and flat out gorgeous.

Going to upgrade the HB 30's to Journey 40's with the white flash, will paint white flashes on the Junior 55 Topcase and accent both with red pinstripe to match what I did on the white fairing and seat cowl pieces.

[LongRanger]

Just one? Inconceivable!