These six seven eight factors are in my tentative order of importance:
- Appearance – I like traditional standard styling with round headlights and curved fuel tanks and bodywork. I don’t think the current transformer/insect/robot styling will have lasting appeal. And why are some recent Honda’s (i.e. NM4) so weird? This may be a later rant post… Related to appearance is fit and the use of good quality materials.
- Ergonomics/Comfort – A slight lean forward with legroom and a comfortable seat. Find it amazing that some motorcycles have seats that are unbearable after 20 minutes of riding. Looking at you – Ducati Scrambler and Honda Grom. Also need to consider seat height. Usually not much of a concern on road bikes, but dual sports and dirt bikes challenge my 30″ inseam. Suspension compression allows me to feel comfortable on a machine with a 32-33 inch seat height. But a 30 inch or a less seat height is confidence inspiring.
- Weight – Less is better. Motorcycles weighing less than 400 lbs are really fun. Over 500 lbs is starting to feel like work.
- Fueling – It’s nice when this is sorted from the factory. Bad fueling can usually be corrected, but it shouldn’t happen.
- Suspension – Compliance and comfort over secondary road surfaces and firm enough to be sporting. Honda does this best.
- Engine Configuration – Twins are my favorite. Then singles, triples, and lastly fours. The triples that I’ve owned have all be great fun, so they’re tied with the singles. Also owned some great four-cylinder machines such as the Honda CB-1 and CB700S, Suzuki GS1100E, and Yamaha XS-550. The one electric motorcycle I rode had lots of low-end torque and was very quiet, it was a unique experience. I’m looking forward for this (battery) technology to mature. Would probably take the electric leap if there was a local Zero dealer.
- Exhaust Note – This quality adds considerable enjoyment to the riding experience. In my opinion, there are relatively few instances where the factory gets the right balance between character and compliance with noise regulations. The Honda CB-1, Triumph Speed/Street Triples, Triumph Street Twin (perhaps the best), and Ducati air cooled “L” twins make you want to twist the throttle to hear their engines sing while still not beating-up the ear drums.
- Factory and Aftermarket Parts – The availability of parts and accessories to make a motorcycle work, fit, or look better helps me retain a long-term interest in the machine. KTM does a good job in having lots of functional and performance parts listed in their catalog (along with reasonable prices). Ducati and Triumph fall into second tier in this category. The last generation of Triumph twin is well supported by the aftermarket.
How about you?
The MOA magazine has a pic of the new BMW “GS” 300 that will follow the R model into the showroom. Right now they don’t ring my bell, but who knows what I will think of it later. The new Kawasaki and Honda “rally” editions look interesting, and of course the SR400 is always tempting. Unfortunately, my dealer does not stock SR’s, but they usually have a TU. Still debating the XR650L and XR350R… My dream plan right now is to head south to Florida the first of March and attend the two day trials in Ocala and maybe do some dirt riding at Crooms, which really makes the XR350R tempting.
That sounds like a good plan to kick off the new riding season. I’m hoping to see a hint of Spring in about 4 weeks. Today, one driveway is blocked by a snow drift and the other is passable but treacherous due to ice and snow. Most of my unfocused daydreams have been about a Super Duke or another Street Twin (and maybe a Speed Twin if that becomes a reality). The Spokane Triumph dealership just took in a white Moto-Guzzi V7 Stone, need to find out more details on this machine.
Smiles and fun are why we ride them! …I’m discarding choices on that dream “future bike” quickly. I really only had a few, the used ’86 XR350R (legal under our rules??), the XR650L, and the radically different Yamaha anniversary R6 crotch rocket. Read up on the R6 and it is an electro-gizmo nest of technology, so ruled that out. Not sure on the XR’s because I can’t decide if street legal or dirt-only is best. Looking for other options, within a realistic price, stay tuned…
p.s. Looks like my dealer will be getting the Honda franchise 🙂
Yes, agree on the smiles and fun. Looks like you’re into the single (motorcycle) scene with the KLR, DRZ, and Reflex, along with the possible addition of an XR650L or XR350R. Seems similar to my parallel twin- roadster fixation. One good possibility for my “future bike” is another Triumph Street Twin or the rumored Speed Twin. But will report back with a more comprehensive list.
And the “Big Ruckus” is a single!
I’m partial to singles also; like their light weight, power characteristics, and visual simplicity. My four singles are the Grom, Zuma, TU250, and Duke 690. Tempted by the Duke 390, Yamaha SR400, and looking forward to seeing the new Husqvarna street singles (Vitpilen and Svartpilen).
Forgot to comment on what you said about your 2000 Bonnie. I think what you have done with that bike is great, and is almost another category because it is so radically different from its original state, the “make it my own” bike. I on the other hand, tend to keep things stock, a buy it and ride it approach that probably relates to the practicality of obtaining parts on the road. Still there are gasps when I give HU presentations and tell them I’m using a stock seat ):
Thanks George. My Bonneville is definitely a “toy”. The changes were made to make it ride, look, and sound better. Not sure of the functionally (except for the handling part), but the motorcycle is much more fun than stock. It puts a smile on my face when the engine surges through it’s powerband and then softly burbles on the overrun.