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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFeuPWgDB9k
I love a standard bike. Would probably be an air cooled Ducati Monster
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.
Because they were asked to choose only one.
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...
QuoteJust one? Inconceivable!
Just one? Inconceivable!
There can be only one…my 1974 Norton Commando roadster! I bought it new in Springfield,Illinois in 1975,it had sat on the dealers floor for a year at 2695.00 then they dropped the price 800.00 and I knew this would be my last chance at a new Norton! I rode it to Lake Tahoe in October of 1978 and stayed for 5 years! Unless you are fairly lucky you have probably never had a chance to ride one… It is such a charismatic piece,full of foibles but when properly fettled a ride like no other!!!
It's easy to be dissatisfied in life, especially in the western world where there's plenty of options, free time and disposable income (or cheap credit.) how many people in the world will only ever own a small displacement two stroke or Honda CT-derivative four stroke single bike? If the alternative to having just one bike forever is not having a bike at all, I would be happy to have just about any bike. Getting to choose whatever I want is a win-win. My choice of V7 Sport is less practical to fix & repair than my FLH shovelhead (which would happily be my alternate forever bike) but I can live with the consequences of choosing either, whether that means tall bars and a King & queen seat on my Guzzi or clip-ons & rear sets on my shovel..... And if needed, the old CT90 parked in the shed beside my other bikes would be completely adequate to keep me in the wind. That's exactly why it's there.
Kevm, the front rim, which I assume is from a V7 Stone, required two trips to my good wheel/tire guy to smooth out the sealing surface to make it work. I figure that's why Guzzi puts tubes in the cast wheels. They know the inner surfaces of the rims are not finished well enough to ensure good seating for tires w/o tubes.
But you are not in the Western world.You are in Chad’s world and he did say “if..”
What's it like in Chad's world? Do people have a funny accent or do they talk normal?
Chad posed the question about living with ONE bike, not “I really like this one on a sunny day” or, “my KLR is great for 174 - 273 mile days, but I still need my Sport for canyon carving...” Blah, blah..There are also examples of..“I just change the wheels if I want to ride in the mud”, or, “I simply pop in another engine if I want more power”, or, “I alter the ‘bars to suit my mood..” I like the aspect of the question that contains the meaty goodness.The whole point is that, it’s not always sunny, there are not always canyons..etc.The ONE bike that you will not sell in your remaining lifetime, it has to do everything from here on to the end and if you sell it, you’ll never own another.It’s the eternal compromise.Your “favourite bike” may not necessarily be the “best bike”, because when thinking about favourite rides, you’ll be selecting little jewels from a great pile of dross, that makes up a goodly proportion of your total experience.The ONE bike that has to fit all tasks and when you’re on it, you know there will never be another.Even if your next ride demands something different.Likely as not, if you select wisely, it’ll not be great at anything, but acceptably good at everything.....A bit sad really... :
As much as I love the Beast if there could only be one it would be my current going on 21 years old V11 California Stone. It just does.....
Nice graphics and color. I don't think that combination ever made it to the USA.What year is that bike?
I bought it new (Metallic blue) in January 2008 @ AU$8500 ride away and had never owned a single cylinder 4 stroke nor did I test ride it. No need to preach to the choir for those who own a DR even in dead stock form.It would appear it is the end of the line for the DR650SE here in Australia due to no ABS (Of course DR owners know the stock front brake is a form of ABS)It said one bike and the DR will do anything, on road, off road, long distance, single track, back roads dirt or tar, go to shops and light enough at around 150 kgs + to be manageable but still give a plushish ride.A less is more, just get it done without fuss bike that has the charm of something from simple bike times of long ago.Of course you can modify them to do everything better or with added comfort as an option but it will still have the DR character.I will never sell mine.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bfJlPyycdI