03-25-2015, 02:43 PM
I get the reason some guys have bikes to maniac in the canyons with, but it's such a small part of what motorcycling can be (and back in the day, was, before things became so specialized). I guess I'm a bit of a generalist (could explain why I got a degree in physics instead of one of the engineering programs where you have to specialize) and tend to use one bike for a lot of things.
Now I do have the Griso which is good for canyon carving (it prefers fast sweepers though), the CB for town work and the 650L for dirt (but also excells in canyon work) and if I can sort the seat, I'll tour on that XR! With tweaking, any of my three bikes can be pressed into service for city commutes, gravel roads or touring; it's just that some will be a bit better than the others. I dare say the XR would be the better all arounder, but the CB would be a bit more fun (well, a different kinda fun) and I do love the throb of the big twin on the Griso. Between the inline four and the Guzzi twin I tend to prefer the twin in most cases. I must say, a buddies old KZ900 with a Kerker sounds great in anger; those fours have a nice (or I should say, can have a nice sound) when wound out. The Honda does not - but then again, I prefer it that way. The Griso does sound pretty good when pushed, but with after market pipes; it just gets to be bit much. Stock is loud enough for me. The big 650L just sounds too much like a Briggs & Stratton. This is not good.
If I was told to pick one of my bikes tomorrow, and only one. I'd have a really hard time choosing. Real hard. I'd regret my choice too.
The R1 sounds like a great machine, but can't imagine touring on it, or commuting or gravel roads. oiy!
Now I do have the Griso which is good for canyon carving (it prefers fast sweepers though), the CB for town work and the 650L for dirt (but also excells in canyon work) and if I can sort the seat, I'll tour on that XR! With tweaking, any of my three bikes can be pressed into service for city commutes, gravel roads or touring; it's just that some will be a bit better than the others. I dare say the XR would be the better all arounder, but the CB would be a bit more fun (well, a different kinda fun) and I do love the throb of the big twin on the Griso. Between the inline four and the Guzzi twin I tend to prefer the twin in most cases. I must say, a buddies old KZ900 with a Kerker sounds great in anger; those fours have a nice (or I should say, can have a nice sound) when wound out. The Honda does not - but then again, I prefer it that way. The Griso does sound pretty good when pushed, but with after market pipes; it just gets to be bit much. Stock is loud enough for me. The big 650L just sounds too much like a Briggs & Stratton. This is not good.
If I was told to pick one of my bikes tomorrow, and only one. I'd have a really hard time choosing. Real hard. I'd regret my choice too.
The R1 sounds like a great machine, but can't imagine touring on it, or commuting or gravel roads. oiy!