So. Does the "one bike does all" holy grail exist? What would your pick be?

[flynrider]

To the best of my knowledge and experience they held their oil until they got some age on them ..... like 20 years, then the head gaskets would seep. None of mine ever leaked. Vibrated, blew bulbs, cracked fenders ...but never leaked.

Same here. My XS650 was oil tight, but thanks to the vibes, you never knew what part was going to fall off next. That wan't just a Yamaha problem. I had several Kaw KZ750 twins (also 360s) that claimed to have counterbalancers, but they also shed exhaust clamps, chain guards and at one point, a big piece of my sissy bar disappeared due to metal fatigue.

I was a big fan of the 360 degree twins until I took my first ride on a UJM inline 4. I kept having to check the tach to be sure the engine was actually running. After that, I never looked back.

Same here. My XS650 was oil tight, but thanks to the vibes, you never knew what part was going to fall off next. That wan't just a Yamaha problem. I had several Kaw KZ750 twins (also 360s) that claimed to have counterbalancers, but they also shed exhaust clamps, chain guards and at one point, a big piece of my sissy bar disappeared due to metal fatigue.

I was a big fan of the 360 degree twins until I took my first ride on a UJM inline 4. I kept having to check the tach to be sure the engine was actually running. After that, I never looked back.
Flynrider: How does the air/oil-cooled CB hold up in the Arizona summer congested [rush] hour traffic? Is it a non-issue, or have you noticed certain limitations - in regards to the bike? Have you done any modifications to avert such situations (if they exist)?

I've been riding air cooled bikes exclusively here in the desert for about 38 years. I've only overheated twice. Both times were on 100+ degree days (over 38C) where I had to sit idling for more than 1/2 hr. Now if I'm stuck in traffic that's not moving, I just shut the engine off.

As long as the bike keeps moving, even slowly, it cools just fine. I imagine without the oil cooler, there would be problems. I recall back in the early 80s that it was imperative to add an aftermarket oil cooler to any air cooled liter bike here in the desert. The cooling fins were just not enough to dissipate the heat generated by the larger engines. Fortunately, both my CBs have factory oil coolers and I've never had an issue with heat.

[peterbaron]

Flynrider, this is solid and true report about CB, backed by tough/hot road test, not to mention about your flying (plain of course). Above combined experience can be fully trusted. Thanks

[GoldOxide_imp]

I really appreciate the supporting testament Flynrider. Thank you.

- - -

I wonder if an equivalent testament can be had for the heavy dripping armpits of the likes of Georgia, Florida, and so on.

[jitaylor_imp]

Like some of you I've owned dozens of bikes and own 10 or 11 right now. I could without a doubt live with just one bike to do it all and it does it all better than anything I've ever experienced.
My 2nd gen 1200 Ducati Multistrada...

It's fast,160 HP, handles like a sportbike, its as comfortable as a tourer - even two up, nimble around town, and gets 42 - 44 mpg. You can load it with gear for a month or take it to the track and embarrass gixers. And, it doesn't do too bad off road.
With a set TKC's it'll do anything a GS will do. I've had it a mile deep in the Utah canyon lands and atop a 14,000 ft mountain at Pikes Peak and mount Evans. I jump on it for a quick errand into town and spend the next week on a 1500 mile adventure.

The multi won the pikes peak hill climb 3 years in a row and set new records each consecutive year and it's been used to tour around the world.

Yep, I love my collection of bikes but I truly could live with just the Multistrada its a real "do anything" bike

Ugh. Really? Self edifying posts are such a waste of our time. Bla bla. I have 20 bikes.
FYI
Nobody cares.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ugh. Really? Self edifying posts are such a waste of our time. Bla bla. I have 20 bikes.
FYI
Nobody cares.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Meet me at Jennings GP where I will bring a GSXR and we will see who gets embarrassed

For me a one would do it might be the CTX700 might even go for the dual clutch version.

I am 67 and I have to consider what I can continue to ride comfortably. I am going to actively thin the herd this spring. Not sure at this point what I'll keep but the heavy stuff is all going to go.

Lots of fellows my age go to trikes and I've decided when I can't continue on two wheels I'll go to 4 not three (sports car). Not to say that a trike is wrong for others.

The CTX is certainly in the running for most comfortable motorcycle ever. It has such a low center of gravity without having to sit on the ground. My buddy and I switched bikes one day and I rode it for about 160 miles. Great bike that keeps up with everyone. My buddy even wanted to lay it down to see if he could pick it back up by himself, while I was there. We laid it down super carefully on cardboard boxes. Then he was able to pick it up by himself. It is that low center of gravity.

[teamvisegrip_imp]

I have been reading through this post with interest. Does the “One Bike Does It All” exist? As I read, everyone needs this bike to do a different set of jobs. So what might work well for one may not work well for another.

For me I am not a long distance rider. Never was and may never be. Most of my riding is just local rides to relax and enjoy the short ride at the end of a rough day.

I bought a 2014 CB1100 so that the wife and I had a good two up bike for local rides and a bike I could take on longer rides if need be. I feel the CB1100 is a good candidate for a “One Bike Does It All” for street use and passenger riding. I truly love the bike.

My one issue with the bike, it is actually my issue not the bike, is that my hands still go numb after @ 40 minutes on the bike. I was very bummed to learn this but like I said it is not an actual issue if I always do short in town rides.

I like all types of riding in moderation. I am not a hardcore street rider dragging a knee through every corner and not a hardcore trail rider wanting to go where no man has gone before! So my “One Bike Does It All” has to do a little of both. Hate to say it but the CB1100 cannot do trails.

Now I have had a number of Enduros trying to find one that works for me from small to large. My latest is a 1985 Honda XL600R. I took this bike on one of my longest runs, in a very long time, of 91 miles to a trail group ride. To my surprise it did the freeway with ease. Handled great and cornered surprisingly well. To my surprise my hands never got numb and the seating was very comfortable for me. When it came to the trails well it just never stopped at all. It motored through anything I felt I could handle and some I thought I could not. I was completely surprised by this bike.

So what would my “One Bike Does It All” be? Hate to say it but the XL600R will be with me till I die… along with the 2014 Honda CB1100, 1986 Honda VFR750, 1971 CZ 175 Trail, 1974 Kawasaki H2 Denco with Tracy Body, 1970 Honda CL100, 1967 Suzuki T-20 modified Street Racer and then a 1967 Honda P50. Yup the “One Bike Does It All” is a fantasy! Variety is the spice of life!

[Stichill_imp]

Unlike all you polyamorous types, I can have only one bike. Luckily, I’m happy with the one I have.

Reminds me of American footballer Roger Staubach's famous retort to a reporter.

[Frulk_imp]

I suppose I could make one bike do it all. Luckily I no longer HAVE to.

[Cormanus]

Thank you Stichill.

[pdedse]

Stichill, that was classic. Gotta love Roger the Dodger.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Straight-shootin' wit. World needs more.