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

[Teamwalker_imp]

If I could have only one bike, I would be very happy with my 2004 Yamaha FJR1300.

[Capo]

A zombie thread, resurrected, but a good one. Now with the perspective of owning a 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260S, I can play along. The MS is magnificent. Everything it does, it does well, and is comfortable, tractable, fast, and beautifully put together. I'd get on it tomorrow and go cross country, and in 'urban' mode, it's a 100BHP pussycat for around town and mild green lining. Love it.

That being said, if I had to go into my dotage with only one bike, it would still likely be the TRIUMPH TIGER 800. Lighter than the CB, balanced, tractable, wonderful engine, bulletproof, and grading on the ADV curve, attractive. OK, I'd have to have a modern classic/ retro as well, so maybe another CB or a Thrux, or an Enfield or a...darn it, I can't play this game, I quit...

[jitaylor_imp]

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.

What year is your VFR. It takes all my willpower to not just go buy one.

[LongRanger_imp]

VLJ, your former VFRs are a great pick. You'd hate the engine, but the F800GT checks most of your boxes too: 450 lbs.- ish, 90 hp, 17" wheels, keyed factory bags, heated grips, maintenance-free belt (not shaft), decent screen, real-world ergos, good looks (subjective), 3-year warranty. That said, I'm not suggesting you rush out and buy one, because once you finished cursing the engine, you'd curse the suspension (though I'm fine with it).

[Wisedrum]

A zombie thread, resurrected, but a good one. Now with the perspective of owning a 2018 Ducati Multistrada 1260S, I can play along. The MS is magnificent. Everything it does, it does well, and is comfortable, tractable, fast, and beautifully put together. I'd get on it tomorrow and go cross country, and in 'urban' mode, it's a 100BHP pussycat for around town and mild green lining. Love it.

That being said, if I had to go into my dotage with only one bike, it would still likely be the TRIUMPH TIGER 800. Lighter than the CB, balanced, tractable, wonderful engine, bulletproof, and grading on the ADV curve, attractive. OK, I'd have to have a modern classic/ retro as well, so maybe another CB or a Thrux, or an Enfield or a...darn it, I can't play this game, I quit...

The Enfield is a nice and good motorbike that fit well together with the CB. If I only have to keep one motorbike, I'll likely keep the W800? Or the Enfield? The CB? No I can't make decision, I keep all three. I'm out of this mind game.

Wisedrum

[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.

What year is your VFR. It takes all my willpower to not just go buy one.

What year is your VFR. It takes all my willpower to not just go buy one.
Wow. Old thread. The VFR, a 2004 6th gen, is long gone. Great bike but for a 55 year-old not so much. If your body can handle it, there are new non-currents available for $7k. No joke.

[Lord Popgun]

I might would go with a Multistrada if I didn’t already have an ST1300.

[VLJ_imp]

LongRanger, I was never into the older F800 models, but this new batch they just brought out has piqued my interest. I'm still not a fan of the basic aesthetic, but, from all accounts, BMW has eliminated or at least greatly minimized the main complaint most people had about the old bike: excessive vibration from the motor.

Assuming this to be true, yes, the F800 should be a bike that falls within the sweet spot of a lot of people here. It's not too heavy, it's functional, comfortable, and at least powerful enough, if not exactly thrilling. Belt drive is close enough to shaft drive, I suppose, and the new version doesn't look quite so Nerdy Effeminate, like some black turtleneck-wearing, cloves-smoking, Antifa-protesting, shower-avoiding, employment-loathing, spotty Teutonic yoot.

[Jim21680_imp]

The F800ST would have been a fantastic bike....quite possibly as close to the "do everything" bike as I could get. There is no such thing, however....it's just not possible.
I did just notice that BMW has apparently ended its relationship with Rotax, and discontinued the F800 program. Poor sales I wonder?

I enjoyed the bike when it worked, but I bought the bike well-before BMW worked out the kinks. Too many problems for a new bike.
Lastly, I'll admit I was never a fan of the 360-degree parallel twin. I think it's generally a bad engine design to begin with.

[Bheezy27403_imp]

Funny, 360 parallel twin is my favorite.