07-05-2018, 02:09 PM
(07-05-2018, 01:58 PM)VLJ_imp Wrote: I can think of a few bikes that would suffice as a do-everything all-arounder for me, encompassing sport riding, city riding, and solo touring...
Either of my old VFRs: Sport riding? Absolutely. City riding? Not as good as the CB, but good enough, as long as it has a set of Heli-Bars. Touring? With some good heated grips and luggage, which the VFR can easily accommodate, no problem.
Triumph Tiger 800: A bit sketchy as a sportbike, but certainly more suited than the CB for such duties. Decent in the city, decent as a tourer.
Yamaha Tracer GT: The new one that's coming out might have the three basic food groups covered. Hopefully Yamaha fixed the noisy windshield and glitchy fueling. If so, there won't be much left to complain about. The thing even has a standard center stand.
Ducati Multistrada: Perfectly good as a sportbike and, when properly equipped, passable as a tourer, but not the greatest city bike. Mighty tall and ungainly. Mighty expensive, also.
KTM Super Duke GT: Ditto.
BMW R1200R: With shaft drive, relatively light weight, and the most upright seating position of the bunch, simply give this bike the optional hardbags and there is nothing the basic BMW Roadster can't do very well, in terms of on-road riding. Great in the city, great in the canyons, and a perfectly fine tourer. Only issues are its rather polarizing styling, the astronomical price of entry, and the expensive running costs. Otherwise, as a single do-everything bike, this is probably the pinnacle.
I liked the air cooled 2012, but I am still not warming up to a radiator on the newer models...even with the HP and fuel capacity.
The shaft drive on my Moto Guzzi was very smooth, but changing the fluid was more of a mess than lubing a chain.
Did I mention that I love my CB1100?!...even if I were to have paid full MSRP?