What is the perfect bike to you?

[TCBronson_imp]

I know, there is no such thing as a perfect bike! But we all have ideas of what would be the perfect bike if someone would just build it.

For me at the ripe old age of 60 I want light weight and low maintenance. An Air cooled engine, no radiator to mess with and risk leaks, fuel injected for altitude riding in the mountains, shaft drive no chain adjusting and lubing, hydraulic valves no valve adjustment. It has to have at least two cylinders up to four cylinders. Comfortable ergonomics for long distance riding and a windshield for wind protection.

Anybody know of any new or used bikes that fit my description? Maybe a BMW 1200?

The CB1100 comes close.

[tonyzale_imp]

I know, there is no such thing as a perfect bike! But we all have ideas of what would be the perfect bike if someone would just build it.

For me at the ripe old age of 60 I want light weight and low maintenance. An Air cooled engine, no radiator to mess with and risk leaks, fuel injected for altitude riding in the mountains, shaft drive no chain adjusting and lubing, hydraulic valves no valve adjustment. It has to have at least two cylinders up to four cylinders. Comfortable ergonomics for long distance riding and a windshield for wind protection.

Anybody know of any new or used bikes that fit my description? Maybe a BMW 1200?

The CB1100 comes close.

Sounds like you are describing a BMW R nineT. I have had one for 2 years and it is wonderful. 1200 cc, classic look, air cooled tons of torque. Wonderful at all speeds. I recommend getting one.

[TCBronson_imp]

I just looked at the BMW website and noticed a new R nineT Scrambler that looks pretty cool!

[Wisedrum]

As it was mentioned earlier,
no one builds
a perfect motorcycle,
because the description of
what perfect means
differs too much, if you ask
more than one person.

In my opinion it is you, who
makes a bike perfect by the
way you get used
to it after a while. The ride
on it feels perfect, maybe the
look too. The bike is perfect in its
imperfection and this
is often not such a boring thing
as a perfect bike can be.

Wisedrum

[curlyjoe]

I know, there is no such thing as a perfect bike! But we all have ideas of what would be the perfect bike if someone would just build it.

For me at the ripe old age of 60 I want light weight and low maintenance. An Air cooled engine, no radiator to mess with and risk leaks, fuel injected for altitude riding in the mountains, shaft drive no chain adjusting and lubing, hydraulic valves no valve adjustment. It has to have at least two cylinders up to four cylinders. Comfortable ergonomics for long distance riding and a windshield for wind protection.

Anybody know of any new or used bikes that fit my description? Maybe a BMW 1200?

The CB1100 comes close.

The R9T riding ergonomics is too cramped for me for long distance touring and the valves need to be checked/adjusted every 6K miles according to the service manual.

Maybe an older 1200RT (pre-water cooled) comes closer to your criteria but I suspect it will be heavier than the R9T.

I've read that the scrambler is a bit taller and less cramped than the R9T but IMO it is not a good choice for long distance touring.

I'm afraid you'll need 2 bikes!

[ss2wheels_imp]

Right now the two in the garage!

[ClassicVW_imp]

Sounds like the BMW R1150 or 1200 models. You mentioned long distance but you didn't mention saddlebags. The RT is heavier, and the R1200R is the one without bags and weighs a good bit less. A windshield is no problem to add. If you could give up the shaft drive requirement, the BMW F 800 series is lighter still.

Even with the R1150/1200 RTs, don't be too concerned over the weight because they are so well balanced and agile, they feel like a much lighter ride. A test ride will show you what I mean. I own a 2003 R1150 RT-P.

w/r/t the R NineT, have you seen that the U.S. and Canada have issued a recall for the rear turn signals?
I guess they designed the tail light so that if viewed from the rear quarter and not straight on, the tail light assembly partially blocks the turn signal on the far side from the viewer's position.

The remedy is BMW will install rear turn signals on wider stalks.

[redbirds_imp]

The CB1100 fills that niche for me. Comfortable, reliable and super easy to maintain. The valve adjustment interval is a non-issue for me. After personal experience with shim under bucket systems on different bikes, it's simply not a problem as none I've owned have ever been in need of adjustment. A simple add on wind screen and some strap on luggage turns the CB into a fine tour bike.

[Capo]

You won't find a bike with all of your particular criteria met, but plenty come close. A few tweaks to a Guzzi V7 might fit the bill. Open up to liquid cooling ( other than style, any prejudices to WC are outdated and leave many bikes out of consideration) and you have the new Bonnie and any number of Japanese and European machines. The New R1200R is a fantastic all-rounder, but it does now have partial liquid cooling. And it's no bargain. If you aren't going for the retro look, I recently rode a new Kawasaki Versys 650, and was impressed...just a great go- anywhere bike. The mind spins!

[aschem_imp]

A Buell XB12Xt might work for you. No chain, no valve adjustment. Plenty of luggage space, windshield (including aftermarket tall ones) air-cooled and fuel injected.