Favorite Non-Guzzi Street Bike

[SmithSwede]

So fellows, I admit to feeling a bit guilty.   I loved my 2013 Guzzi V7 Stone to bits and racked up some decent mileage on her.  But after my crash, I “turned Japanese” and now ride a 2019 Kawasaki Z900 RS.  Which, I confess, I also love to bits.  So I’m not here on Wild Guzzi as much as I was before. 

So tell me.  You may be a dyed-in-the-wool, no-joke, real-deal Guzzi fanatic.  But what is your favorite non-Guzzi street bike?

[kirby1923]

Congrats on the Kawasaki (I've had 3 Ks' all good.), but for the street and travel, my r1150 beemer has been and still is a good traveler and all-round reliable machine.

For sport and occasional track day,and I love my '97 VFR, the last of the carb models and ridged frame, stock 'except for upgraded brakes (non-linked).

For the Guzzi, the CX100 has always brought a smile and never failed to get me back to the barn, even if on one cylinder.

:-)

[LowRyter]

best bike I've ever owned or ridden

[FarmallA]

My '97 VFR.  Last of the carbies.





FarmallA
Steve

[fotoguzzi]

I'm always on the look out for a low price on a Buell XB9  and check all the Ducati ads.

[Kev m]

Both the Harley Road Kings I had 20 years apart.

The quintessential American motorcycle for seeking horizons.

Plenty of things you want, and plenty of not that you don't need.

Not the best at anything but being what it is.

[AJ Huff]

My Road King. It's got me thinking about selling the California. I find it much more comfortable.

-AJ

[Turin]

I'm a big fan of the first generation Hinkley Triumphs, the Daytona and Speed Triples in particular.

[Shorty]

In my view the best all around street motorcycle ever built was not exciting, not inspiring or visceral like a Guzzi. The beauty of it was the silent feeling you were flying unassisted through space.  BMW K75. Seamless fuel injection, stainless exhaust. Plenty of electrical power for aux lights and/or heated clothing. Good handling (once out of the garage  ). Self retracting center stand. Single sided swingarm and centerstand allows for easy tire maintenance front and rear. Capable of  ton ish speeds all day long. Aluminium fuel tank, quality tool kit.  Ungodly smooth. I would never have sold mine if my health held out.  (file photo)

[Scout63]

Ducati 860GT. Comfortable, killer mid-range and the best sounds in the business.

[bobrebos1]

No DOUBT!  The 1972 Honda CB 750 CHOPPER Baby!!!!!!

[Dukedesmo]

Ducati fan here, currently got 2 (wanted a LeMans since I first saw one back in the '70s had to wait 30+ years to find one in my garage.)


Here's my all Italian trio of twins;





Favourite non-Guzzi, was the 916 but finding myself drawn more towards the Monster in recent years, must be an age thing!

[bobrebos1]

 

Ducati fan here, currently got 2 (wanted a LeMans since I first saw one back in the '70s had to wait 30+ years to find one in my garage.)


Here's my all Italian trio of twins;





Favourite non-Guzzi, was the 916 but finding myself drawn more towards the Monster in recent years, must be an age thing!

[tazio]

Bought one of these new.
Miss that sucker!


As for current "non guzzi" rides in the garage, it would have to be this..

[bobrebos1]

 

Bought one of these new.
Miss that sucker!


As for current "non guzzi" rides in the garage, it would have to be this..

[SIR REAL ED]

So fellows, I admit to feeling a bit guilty.   I loved my 2013 Guzzi V7 Stone to bits and racked up some decent mileage on her.  But after my crash, I “turned Japanese” and now ride a 2019 Kawasaki Z900 RS.  Which, I confess, I also love to bits.  So I’m not here on Wild Guzzi as much as I was before. 

So tell me.  You may be a dyed-in-the-wool, no-joke, real-deal Guzzi fanatic.  But what is your favorite non-Guzzi street bike?

SmithSwede,

Don't beat yourself up, you're only human after all.

There are so many fantastic motorcycles out there, that the person who sticks to just one brand (or even a few models) usually strikes me as a narrow minded miserable curmudgeon with very limited experience and little sense of adventure.

I've never had the deep pockets to be able to sample most of the exotics that many WGer's have owned.  Any favorite would depend upon my mood at the moment and the roads in the immediate vicinity.

But to play the game:  Suzuki DR650, SV650, V-Strom 650, KTM Duke 690, Suzuki GS1000G, Kawasaki VerSys 650, Yamaha XS750, and R5C all come to mind.

My older brother once counseled me that "Motorcycle are like women.  You should try out as many as possible, but not fall in love with any of them!"

Needless to say, the former are less expensive than the later.

[chuck peterson]

I like old skool…

[kballowe]

hahahahahaaaaaaa - favorite ?

 

Seriously, I can't make up my mind.  This one was scratching at the basement door, just yesterday - and the Wife let him in. 
Dang strays !

[s1120]

In my view the best all around street motorcycle ever built was not exciting, not inspiring or visceral like a Guzzi. The beauty of it was the silent feeling you were flying unassisted through space.  BMW K75. Seamless fuel injection, stainless exhaust. Plenty of electrical power for aux lights and/or heated clothing. Good handling (once out of the garage  ). Self retracting center stand. Single sided swingarm and centerstand allows for easy tire maintenance front and rear. Capable of  ton ish speeds all day long. Aluminium fuel tank, quality tool kit.  Ungodly smooth. I would never have sold mine if my health held out.  (file photo)

I would still buy a K75S in a second!!!  That being said, I tode one of the Triumph Scramblers and it was amazing and fit me perfect!   

[SIR REAL ED]

These are always great threads because you learn as much, or more about the poster from their opinions as you do about the motorcycles they are opining about.

You also learn about their resources and skill sets.

Those who own machine shops, welders, CAD systems, and body shop equipment always have interesting lists.

[mechanicsavant]

Personally, for me . A BMW R1200ra  2007 vintage . Suits my ridding style , if not for physical limitation I’d still have it

[Guzzistajohn]

 This one. It's perfect for the places I ride in the Ozarks. Next week on the Three Twisted Sisters in Te-jas

[Dave Swanson]

My hands down favorite was my 1983 FXRS.  It was the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden.  I could ride it all day and never get sore, and have never been able to repeat that with another bike.  It handled very well for a Harley, or just about anything else.  I sold it in an ill fated chase for a '77 900SS and still regret it to this day.

[Tkelly]

Favorite city of Chicago street bike was a Honda 400 four hands down.Lots of power,park anywhere.

[ital4me]

Greetings,
I don't have any modern bikes but out of what I have left, it would have to be my Darmah. Wonderfully smooth, plenty of power, (for me) and an electric start. Probably keep the few I have left. My kids can deal with them after I am gone.

[JJ]

For sporting around town and day trips of 300-500 miles, my '98 Centauro GT is a blast. 





However, for comfort on long distance trips, my '14 Victory Vision is hard to beat...





However, I keep thinking of selling it and getting something like a modern Triumph Bonneville or a Royal Enfield...

[sdcr]

You guys picked a lot of really good bikes, the Honda VFR, Ducati 860 GT, BMW K75. Terrific machines.

 But, if I could find my 1978 SR500, I would buy it back. These big singles, mimic the venerable British thumpers. But, the SR didn’t leak, and the electrics work.
Plus, they are very light and nimble.

[larrys]

I've really taken a shine to my Monster, bought in '19. It has put the fun back into riding for me.
Larry

[adaven]

Good ole' W650. Fun and reliable!

[SIR REAL ED]

You guys picked a lot of really good bikes, the Honda VFR, Ducati 860 GT, BMW K75. Terrific machines.

 But, if I could find my 1978 SR500, I would buy it back. These big singles, mimic the venerable British thumpers. But, the SR didn’t leak, and the electrics work.
Plus, they are very light and nimble.

You would probably enjoy a DR650 very much.  But the DR is godawful ugly compared to the SR500.