Best all around bike ever? (if there is such a thing)

[inditx]

Let’s hear it.
What do you believe is the best choice, if you could only ride 1 bike, and it needed to take you through most types of riding?

Go!
inditx

[NC Steve]

Royal Enfield Himalayan

[oldbike54]

 Are we including some dirt roads in this ? Ease of maintenance ?

 Dusty

[Johncolleary]

That's Easy... My Stelvio!

[fotoguzzi]

Whatever I ride NOW.

[Murray]

KTM Super Duke GT

[DaSwami]

Suzuki DR650  IF I could only have ONE

[Lcarlson]

Somewhat to my surprise, this is it so far.

[Guzzistajohn]

I like the one I'm on 

[bacongrease]

Sportster.....(I don't have one.)   

[guzzimatic]

Norton Commando 1974, last of the kick start,right side shift! There is truly nothing like a well sorted Commando...

[Tusayan]

Other bikes are much better at specific things but the best all around bike I've known is the R100GS BMW.  I've had three of them.  They are very comfortable, can be sport ridden, commuted, off road ridden, they tour well with lockable hard bags, carry a passenger well, are incredibly easy to service and maintain and can be run for any mileage, forever.  I could list a number of faults but none of them are enough to distract from that conclusion.  My favorite version is the 1988-90 model

That said, I would not want any bike as my only bike...  So many of them sparkle in different ways, particularly Italian bikes, and having more than one to ride highlights the individual strengths of each.

[davevv]

I have to agree with bacongrease on the Sportster, and I do have one.

[alanp]

We often talk about motorcycle choices in the context of "head" vs "heart", and folks will generally say go with your heart.  But when you put the qualifier of "best" on the choice, this suggests a "head" based decision. 
That said, I think the "best" crown rests firmly on the head of the Suzuki vStrom 650.  They aren't exactly exciting, but they are efficient, eminently capable, as reliable as anvils, as comfortable as sofas, and have great aftermarket support.  If I wanted reliable transportation tool with 2 wheels, there is no question.  VStrom all the way. 

[wymple]

Guzzi 85TT. Hands down for me.

[PhilB]

My vote goes to the early Ducati Monster M900.  I bought one new when they came out in 1993, and rode it for 24 years, everywhere, for every purpose.  It did everything well except carry a passenger comfortably (the bike was fine with it; the passenger objected after 100 miles or so), or carry a ton of luggage.

I rode it daily for commuting.  I rode it to 35 states, plus parts of Canada and Mexico; 600 miles in a day was easy; 900 hard but do-able.  I rode it on several racetracks for trackdays.  I rode it camping, on fire roads and even some light offroading.  It also fed the heart well -- fun to ride, aesthetically pleasing, made good noises.

It made 265K miles, without the bottom end or transmission ever having been opened.  I'd still be riding it if we hadn't gotten taken out 2 years ago by a hit-and-run driver.  Would have been not far short of 300K by now.  Have a 1995 M900 now.

PhilB

[fossil]

I second the choice of the V85TT. Because a bike can be as versatile as it can get. But it also has to grip my heart. I have not ridden the VStrom 650 but the V1000 for two days. And if the 650 is in any way similar for me it cannot be THAT bike. The V1000 felt boring and outright cheap (it was brand-new!).

But my 2013 V7 Stone for me comes very close to the best all around bike.

[molly]

For the poor roads in the UK if I had to pick a 'do anything' bike it would be the BMW R1200GS 2010-2012 model  (last of the air cooled engines)) and I just happen to have one in the grage to prove the point.

[Huzo]

Probably my Triumph 1050 Sprint ST.
It doesn’t smell as crazy carefree fantastic as my Suzuki GT 750,did.
It doesn’t draw as many oooh’s and aaah’s as my MV Augusta F4,did.
It certainly does not have the crazy top end that my GSXR 1100, did.
It doesn’t wheelie at the touch of throttle like my Daytona 955 i, did.
It doesn’t knock over 16,000 k like my Norge in the last 6 weeks, did.
But it pulled like a 14 year old with a Penthouse and looked no uglier dirty than clean...(but I just love the Norge more..)

[JohninVT]

Best all around...do everything...one bike.....

That means different things to everyone.  I love riding dirt roads.  Riding around town a lot plus the ability to take a weekend trip.  Mostly solo but passenger comfort is also important.  I’m sick of heavy bikes and would want it well under 500lbs for dirt riding and ease of use in town.  It has to be stone reliable and inexpensive to maintain.  When I buy it, I have to be confident I can put 100,000 miles on it without needing a major repair or engine work.  Needs to be able to run 75-80mph for an hour at a time without putting my hands and feel to sleep.  A minimum of a 150 mile range between gas stops.  A bare minimum of 50hp.  I can always add weather protection with a windshield and hand guards but removing a big fairing for around town work is harder so I’d opt for a naked or standard.  Most importantly..I have to WANT to own it.  If it’s my only bike there needs to be some garage appeal. 

We might not acknowledge it but we’re in a golden age of middleweight motorcycles.  The Japanese have flooded the market with really great sub 1000cc offerings; everything from the Yamaha XSR700 & 900 to the Honda CB300R are being offered at low prices and they’re excellent machines.  The SV650 or V-Strom 650 are probably the obvious choice for me considering my priorities, with the Strom being almost ideal.  However, I’m really holding out for a roadster version of the V85TT.  I came very close to trading my Touring for a V7II with a Scrambler kit this Spring.  I think Guzzi hit their peak on the V7 design with the II and despite the mechanical improvements of the III, I can’t stand matte finishes and I like the valve covers of the II better. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

There is no such thing.. <shrug>

[kballowe]

Woof.

THat's a hard decision.

I'd have to say..... something in GREEN

[maquette]

V Strom 650 or Honda ST1100

[Ncdan]

I’ve learned over the years that anything that is supposed to be designed for everything in really not great at nothing.

[tazio]

My first"bought new" motorcycle. I was 19.
Hands down.
 This thumper took me anywhere my little black heart desired.
1982 Yamaha XT 550.
On/off road large single. 44k miles in a few short years w/no issues.
Rode ALL winter long in Niagara Falls,NY. Fabricated sheetmetal lower legs for winter use.
Made my first of many out-of-state trips with her. Left home on it (twice) for warmer climes. Florida!
"I liked it for the most selfish reason of all, because I was young" quote from Biloxi Blues.

[Huzo]

My first"bought new" motorcycle. I was 19.
Hands down.
 This thumper took me anywhere my little black heart desired.
1982 Yamaha XT 550.
On/off road large single. 44k miles in a few short years w/no issues.
Rode ALL winter long in Niagara Falls,NY. Fabricated sheetmetal lower legs for winter use.
Made my first of many out-of-state trips with her. Left home on it (twice) for warmer climes. Florida!
"I liked it for the most selfish reason of all, because I was young" quote from Biloxi Blues.

Yeah we all remember our first..
Who’s innocent of that crime..?
I wonder if the answers would have been the same, if the thread title was..
“Favourite all ‘round bike ever” ?

[Litre1000]

Probably my Triumph 1050 Sprint ST.
It doesn’t smell as crazy carefree fantastic as my Suzuki GT 750,did.
It doesn’t draw as many oooh’s and aaah’s as my MV Augusta F4,did.
It certainly does not have the crazy top end that my GSXR 1100, did.
It doesn’t wheelie at the touch of throttle like my Daytona 955 i, did.
It doesn’t knock over 16,000 k like my Norge in the last 6 weeks, did.
But it pulled like a 14 year old with a Penthouse and looked no uglier dirty than clean...(but I just love the Norge more..)

You had an MV Agusta F4 and got rid of it?! I’m shocked. I could never imagine letting that go. What happened ....?

[ohiorider]

Maybe not the 'best' but she's been a good one for me.  Thru thick and thin!




Taking a breather at rest stop in Frazee, MN - 2009




When she was brand new - Mid Ohio 1991




Leaving Jamie's shop after extensive work - Sept 2018

[DougG]

OK...maybe the best place to start is to describe the "Swiss Army Knife" of motorcycles (for me, that is):

1.  500# max
2.  30" seat ht.
3.  50 mpg and 6 gal tank
4.  850 - 950 cc
5.  easily detachable side and top cases
6.  full electronics - cruise, abs, tract contrl, ride modes (all switchable)
7.  adjustable windshield
8.  GPS, personal audio through helmet spkrs
9.  open tread pattern street/hwy tires
10.  heated grips & seat
11. bar and heated pool (sorry, I got carried away)

IF ANYONE FINDS THIS BIKE...TELL MY DEAR WiFE THAT I WANT ONE FOR CHRISTMAS, CHANUKAH, HALLOWEEN, KWANSA...I DON'T CARE ANY OCCASION WILL DO.

Be well,
DougG

[Darren Williams]

IMHO, it has to be an adventure bike. While I really like traveling on my GS, I've had a Wee-Strom, Stelvio, couple KLRs, DR... along with many std road bikes.

I would say the BMW boxer GS (maybe the 100 or 1150 because of less gadgetry) just because they truly can do it all.