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

[Buffalohead_imp]

I have heard nothing but good about the vfr 800.

[DAC]

Another happy VFR owner here. Very capable machine. I sport ride, tour and commute on mine as well. Wouldn't put it in the "one bike does all" list though. It's positioned more to the "sport" side of sport/touring. The riding position means that touring days that go over 400 miles will leave you a bit sore. The touring angle means it's sort of heavy for sportbike duty. Design compromises. But there is nothing quite like the sound of a V4 when it's ridden with purpose.

I'm looking for the CB1100 DLX to be my all-rounder. I'm hoping it'll let me sit upright and not concern myself with strafing corners trying to stay with guys that think they're the next Rossi. It looks like it can be set up to be a good commuter, tourer, weekend back road runner or whatever. And, hopefully, it'll have enough torque to keep a smile on my face.

[calamarichris_imp]

Every bike does all. The best touring bike is whichever bike you currently own. Same can be said of the best sportbike and cruiser.
Robert Pirsig and son rode with several hundred pounds of gear from Minnesota to California in ZAMM on a little Honda 350 (or maybe it was a 305?)

[the Ferret]

Thats a 305 Superhawk in the picture. CB 77

Just because it can be done, doesn't mean it should be done lol

[Buffalohead_imp]

My first bike was a 1968 CB160. Fantastic bike for it's size! Wish I still had it as a collectable!

[Red Mist_imp]

I have heard nothing but good about the vfr 800.

I have heard bad. VTEC bad, comes on hard suddenly like a turbocharger mid-corner. New one is supposed to be better, and a little lighter. I had four of the earlier VF and VFRs and they were great. Once it became an 800 touring bike I crossed it off my list and never owned another Honda V4. It used to be a sport/racebike but morphed into a touring bike.

The KLR crowd might suggest that their bike might be the one. As an
owner, I'd have to disagree. The big single just can't cut it on the hwy.
I've never owned a BMW GS1200 Adventure, but I've read about them,
seen them in movies, and have a friend who owns one. I bet that
bike would be the 'one ' you'd want for the one bike garage.

Agree, have owned a few KLRs. Too anemic to really take on a long ride with any authority in traffic, not bad on a fire road, suspension sucks. F700GS, well, no comparison at all. The 1200 is heavy, very heavy.

Do everything bikes exist. They're just not that exciting. The NT700 and NC700X are good examples. Very capable bikes that are flexible, just no "personality."

Problem with those bikes is they really have low-grade suspension and brakes. Not much in the way of motor either. They are commuter bikes or for entry or near-entry level riders.

One bike that can do it all MUST have excellent suspension and brakes and a good, flexible engine with a broad, usable power band.

Do it all bike, needs 80-120 HP at the rear wheel. Should be between 450-550 pounds, with high-quality, adjustable suspension for preload, compression, and rebound damping at both ends. Riding position should be reasonable. Fuel tank capacity range should be around 175-200 miles to fumes. Some adventure bikes fit the bill (F700/800GS), some naked bikes as well (CB1000, R Nine T, and FZ8 come to mind), some sport-tourers even (VFR800).

[Lord Popgun]

I have VTEC on my Honda 150 outboard. When it kicks in HOLY MOLY(how do you spell that?) and fuel use goes way up. I can see where it could be a problem on a motorcycle.

[Capo]

Purely in terms of versatility, I'd go with my Tiger 800. It really does do everything well. All day comfort, great triple motor, handles well, especially with sport touring rubber. Weighs under 500 lbs. if I was forced to go to a one bike garage, and planned on doing some long distance riding, I'd keep that. With a photo of the CB1100 next to my bed.

[Romo1969_imp]

Thats a 305 Superhawk in the picture. CB 77

Just because it can be done, doesn't mean it should be done lol

Lol. I agree.
But how cool as heck is it to just know a father and sun did this. This is what our american culture is all about and a big part of the soul of what riding means to so many of us.



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Purely in terms of versatility, I'd go with my Tiger 800. It really does do everything well. All day comfort, great triple motor, handles well, especially with sport touring rubber. Weighs under 500 lbs. if I was forced to go to a one bike garage, and planned on doing some long distance riding, I'd keep that. With a photo of the CB1100 next to my bed.

I'm inclined to think a vfr might be something close based on what I see here. Tiger? Well. If your tall. Maybe. Especially the 800. But around town on and off a tiger. No thank you. When you saddle that horse you want to drain the tank. Then it makes sense. IMO of course.


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[Capo]

Thats a 305 Superhawk in the picture. CB 77

Just because it can be done, doesn't mean it should be done lol

Lol. I agree.
But how cool as heck is it to just know a father and sun did this. This is what our american culture is all about and a big part of the soul of what riding means to so many of us.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Purely in terms of versatility, I'd go with my Tiger 800. It really does do everything well. All day comfort, great triple motor, handles well, especially with sport touring rubber. Weighs under 500 lbs. if I was forced to go to a one bike garage, and planned on doing some long distance riding, I'd keep that. With a photo of the CB1100 next to my bed.

I'm inclined to think a vfr might be something close based on what I see here. Tiger? Well. If your tall. Maybe. Especially the 800. But around town on and off a tiger. No thank you. When you saddle that horse you want to drain the tank. Then it makes sense. IMO of course.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Lol. I agree.
But how cool as heck is it to just know a father and sun did this. This is what our american culture is all about and a big part of the soul of what riding means to so many of us.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Purely in terms of versatility, I'd go with my Tiger 800. It really does do everything well. All day comfort, great triple motor, handles well, especially with sport touring rubber. Weighs under 500 lbs. if I was forced to go to a one bike garage, and planned on doing some long distance riding, I'd keep that. With a photo of the CB1100 next to my bed.

I'm inclined to think a vfr might be something close based on what I see here. Tiger? Well. If your tall. Maybe. Especially the 800. But around town on and off a tiger. No thank you. When you saddle that horse you want to drain the tank. Then it makes sense. IMO of course.


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I'm 5'8" and with the low comfort seat the Tiger height is not an issue. And I don't like 'tall bikes.' Very comfortable riding position and unlike a VFR you can stand on the pegs and move the bike around at very slow speeds.