My all time favorite bike

[Darren Williams]

About to speak some heresy, but of all the bikes I have owned and really enjoyed, the current main one I own now stands heads and shoulders above all of them when it comes to doing what I want a bike to do. My second favorite was my 1200 Sport. 40,000+ miles and intended to keep it forever, but the second failing dash caused it to be traded for a Stelvio.
I actually bought a couple of bikes before I decided on the Stelvio's replacement after it was totaled in a deer strike. The replacement is a Yamaha FJR, a big displacement sport touring bike like the 1200 Sport. Has big side cases like the Norge ones on the Sport, shaft drive, , standard size sport tires, standard kind of sporty ergos, and a big gas tank. Those were some of the requirements. Some of the things that really hit home for me was using regular gas, actually useful power windshield, electronic cruise, ABS/traction control/ride modes and really good fuel economy. Also it has long maintenance intervals and a reputation for dependability. This last one is very important to me as I like to travel and not wrench on the road. I got that out of my system when traveling by bike back in the 80's.

I do have several other bikes to ride when I want something different.

[Huzo]

"No doubt about it. CT90."

I have to agree! I never had one, but saw them when they were new. I was a backpacker and so the thought of a bike that could do trails had a lot of appeal for me. When we were in the Gila Wilderness one time, a Game and Fish fellow was hiking out and we stopped to talk. On his pack frame he had two front wheels to Honda Trail 90's. (Motorized vehicles were illegal in wilderness areas, and still are). I wonder if the bikes might still be there, 45 years on?

I was a Postie in Australia for 35 years. If you work out 40 k's per days x 5 days per week x 48 weeks per year x 35 years it comes to 336,000 k's. I kinda' got used to CT 110's and CT 90's. A mighty tough little bike. I have an almost new one in the shed and am getting serious about riding it from Cape Otway to Cape York, a distance of 4,000 km. I reckon that'd be memorable. Oh did I mention... and back.

[oldbike54]

 My favorite motorcycle is one that will run at 80+ all day long W/O easily , carry me on 2,500 mile road trips with no drama , and if it does act up is easy enough to sort , offers decent weather protection , doesn't weigh more than 580 lbs wet  , has some decent saddle bags , will deal with some gravel or dirt or even some occasional mud , and doesn't go obsolete in 5 years .

 Dusty

[Arizona Wayne]

R1150R and its 80 lbs lighter.

:-)

80# lighter than what other bikes you own ?

[Denis]

My favorite motorcycles are my SPII (owned 27 years), '74 Eldorado (owned 24 years), my first motorcycle ('74 850-T I sold to get the SPII but wish I could have kept it anyway), my 1940 Indian Model 640-B ex-Canadian Army bike I built from a pile (took me like, 10 years).

The SP and Eldorado are old friends who give whatever I ask, no matter what.

I love my '85 Le Mans but hardly ever ride it.

[john fish]

Honda CT90. Hands down, head and shoulders, the best damn bike design for its purpose, ever.

No doubt about it. CT90.

Dammit, man.  Now I want one.  A friend bought a lot of 10 of them in various states of repair.  Might have to call him. . .

Also, found this.  A buyers guide:

https://ct90-ct110.com/Getting-A-34CT34.html

[Lcarlson]

R1150R and its 80 lbs lighter.

:-)

  :1:

[Arizona Wayne]

Guess I could say my 750 Breva is 80# lighter than my other bikes.........until I added a few things to it for my liking like fairing, hard bags, top case, center stand, tank bag, + all the stuff that goes in them.   

[kevdog3019]

Gotta say I'm really liking my Honda Nighthawk 700s. Easy runner with good character for an inline 4; handles great and spirited motor. No nigglies.

[z8ee]

Like others, I have owned several bikes over the years, and I am considering getting a California Touring. I currently own a Yamaha FJ-09, which I should love, as it does almost everything well, from twisties to commuting, to touring to very mild dirt roads, but the bike that holds my heart and is my all time favorite is  my Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory. It is surprisingly comfortable, incredibly fast and flickable, drop dead gorgeous, and makes a sound from motorcycle heaven. How it got by EPA is a mystery. Truly a great bike.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Welcome, z8ee..  I'm afraid a California touring isn't in the same league as the 09 or Tuono if you like go faster stuff. It has it's own charms, of course.

[ohiorider]

Mine was & is my 1982 1000 Katana. What it was for me new and continues to be to this day is irreplaceable. Nothing has even come close to knocking it off of its throne in my heart.



Todd.

I believe the German designer, Hans Muth, designed that particular Katana.  I always thought it was one of the best looking bikes of the time, or perhaps any time.  He also had a lot to do with the BMW K100RS, the looks of which absolutely grabbed me so badly that I saw one parked in downtown Pittsburgh, and owned one a week later!

[Arizona Wayne]

That explains why that Katana was like no other Suzuki I had ever seen!  I've always thought it looked weird and still do. I expect a bike to show how it flows thru the wind.  This 1 doesn't, IMHO. 

[chuck peterson]

Here you go Lee, found one for you....warm up that right leg!

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/6215367082.html

[cruzziguzzi]

That explains why that Katana was like no other Suzuki I had ever seen!  I've always thought it looked weird and still do. I expect a bike to show how it flows thru the wind.  This 1 doesn't, IMHO. 

Tough I love my first Gen Kats completely - strangely, I COMPLETELY understand when someone loathes the styling.

Of course, it's not the first paradox wrapped in irony surrounded by an anomaly in my life either.



Todd

[Lee Davis]

"Here you go Lee, found one for you....warm up that right leg!"

Chuck... You are a cruel fellow. That is a terrible thing to do to a guy that grew up on British junk. Now you have me pacing the floor. No... I shall try to be strong. Luckily, it wasn't a Velocette!

[Huzo]

Like others, I have owned several bikes over the years, and I am considering getting a California Touring. I currently own a Yamaha FJ-09, which I should love, as it does almost everything well, from twisties to commuting, to touring to very mild dirt roads, but the bike that holds my heart and is my all time favorite is  my Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory. It is surprisingly comfortable, incredibly fast and flickable, drop dead gorgeous, and makes a sound from motorcycle heaven. How it got by EPA is a mystery. Truly a great bike.

Welcome to the forum jungle z8ee. Is the forum name paying homage to perhaps your first bike? My current bike is an'07 Norge and I'll never sell or replace it. The most exciting and memorable one was my first (sound familiar?) a new SL 70 Honda in 1973. Could not believe I could be so happy! Like they say , you mightn't remember your second, but you WILL remember your first...

[keener]

a CT 90 is not a motorcycle ...it is a pet....

[ohiorider]

Tough I love my first Gen Kats completely - strangely, I COMPLETELY understand when someone loathes the styling.

Of course, it's not the first paradox wrapped in irony surrounded by an anomaly in my life either.



Todd

You are too kind!  It is a lovely bike, and you should love it ...... no apologies required.

Bob

[Chesterfield]

Wow! Honda CT90! I wants one...





- Pasta

I just sold my CT90....it was a cool little bike.

[nick949]

No question!   

Nick

[lrutt]

Would be hard to pick a favorite. I have 26 bikes and they all have their unique personalities. the one I got to the most though is my Honda XR650L. That massive single cylinder just makes barrels of TQ and is the ultimate urban assault vehicle for running errands. I put a rack on the back and just use the hell out of it.

The Commando amazes with it's TQ. The old Triumphs just always put a smile on my face as the are so usable. The Duc....after a good romp I feel like I should have a cigarette...and I don't smoke. It's a very pleasing mistress but not around town. The Triumph Scrambler is a great ride but the seat kills my arse after about 2 hours. The Lemans kills my wrists at about the same. The Honda dream is so lacking in power and braking but it's so much fun to 'float' down the road. The Suzuki 250 always amazes with it's abundant power for a little 2 smoker and cruises down the road easily, but it's kind of cramped. The Honda Trail 90's are amazing little bikes but definitely under powered for real world road use. The Yammie Enduro is fun but a gas hog. The HD works great when I'm just in the cruising mood but not tossable like the XR.

[Lee Davis]

url=http://ibb.co/d6G5LF][/url]







   I agree with the comments about the loopframes... they are a hard bike not to love. Here are 3 1970's. The white one has Craven bags (original in 1970), and I have gotten rid of the ugly seat. Note the dual air horns on the front fender (also gone). The second one is in the lineup to restore, but it may be a while, since I have recently gotten another '70, a LAPD bike that is complete and a beauty for restoration. Have 3 others in the pipeline. Sure am attached to those old Ambassadors! When I bought my 441 BSA, it was $1,049.00 (in 1970). Little did I know that a new Ambassador was $1,245.00 at the time.  Those were the days.

[drbone641]

 


private picture hosting


My all time favorite, 1982 Honda CBX. Last year and probably the most civilized. My Dad was a Harley man, but he loved this bike. We owned it "together" which meant, I kept it, rode and repaired it, however he still owned half (he would only let me pay him half of the purchase). He got pleasure from asking how "our" bike was doing. UJM seating position was excellent and the sound was incredible. Too many toys and I sold it after Dad passed, because if you weren't riding it enough, it would carb crud, and that was a PITA.

[keener]

i wish i had a favorite motorcycle  ...i have five and they are all unique from each other so the one i am riding becomes my favorite during the ride.
i have one that i would never sell and in a way its become a friend , more than a motorcycle to me  ... since new  a 1974 Kawasaki Z1 900 

   

[jpv7]

'97 900SS/SP.  72 hp, 400 lbs.  Awesome on a twisty road.  Was lured away from her by a killer deal on a Monster S2R1000.  Still find myself browsing for them...

[Guzzidad]

    I have a couple of favorite bikes for different reasons. First is a Norton P-11 I had many years ago I was just too young, dumb, and broke to keep it running right. But when it was running right it was the most fun bike I ever rode.


    My next most favorite bike I rode for 124,000 miles. It was super dependable, fast, and most of all, sexy. I still have it and plan to freshen it up in my recent retirement. Can't wait to let her breathe again.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

My '69 Ambassador is most definitely my all time favorite. Owned 20 years now and has 109k miles on it. Top-end was rebuilt at 54k miles, but the bottom-end, transmission, clutch and u-joint have never been touched. The rear drive was reshimmed and resealed at 98k miles. Still going strong...

[Dofin]

My most favorite 2 motorcycles!!  The RD400 I bought new in 1977!  Rode it from Turkey to Begium in 1986.  PC800 is my Tow Truck a crazy great bike.
 

[guzzler]

Mate, that's one of the best looking Griso's I've seen!
Cheers Guzzler