Kawasaki ZRX1200R: My first "big" bike after I gained a full license. This was my pick of the Japanese big nakeds at the time, easily outperforming its counterparts (CB1300, XJR1300 and GSX1400) in terms of engine performance, cornering, braking and riding comfort. An interesting thing about this model is that it has a bespoke Kawasaki engine that has never been used in any other model. Carburettored, but a marvellously responsive donk. A Neptune can added hugely to the riding enjoyment, particularly the off-throttle burbling. Whoar.
Yamaha FJR1300: The best sports touring bike. In. The. World. Nothing else comes close, however you'd like to measure it. A blissfully sublime rocketship that eats highways and alpine passes (two-up with luggage) with consumate ease and amazing fuel economy (remember never to use Touring mode). Each model gets incrementally better. I'm looking forward to riding the latest model with skyhook suspension.
Aprilia Shiver: Despite in New Zealand having the disservice of the world's worst distributor, the Shiver is just a magic ride. The Shiver was Aprilia's first effort at building their own engines and the 750cc 90-degree v-twin is an absolute peach. 105 brake at the flywheel for a 750cc bike of this wheelbase, chassis and weight is unbelievably good. This was also one of the first bikes ever with a credible ride-by-wire throttle and engine modes. Sport was the only mode worth using, as those 105 BHP are hardly life-threatening. Rider ergonomics and a great stock saddle were key selling points for a rider of my dimensions. The rear suspension was a bit overwhelmed when riding two-up, but it was nevertheless a credible touring motorcycle, with great fuel economy making up for having a 15 litre tank.
KTM 990SMT: While not the world's prettiest bike in terms of its styling, and quite underfinished for its price in that sort of orange-plastic-fuel-can look that KTM used to specialise in, once on board and riding it this was a very easy bike to fall in love with. The engine offered great performance (apart from fuel economy) and was amazingly malleable. Suspension was sublime. Brembo brakes are always memorably good, even their ABS ones. One had to be very nit-picky (other than with the lack of finish for the price) to find much fault with the SMT. Two-up riding was amazingly good -- indeed just as good as an FJR1300. Disappointly KTM don't do anything similar to these any more.
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Originally Posted by Hitcher
been on my lustful wish list since seeing one brand new at Eric Woods in the late 80's
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