Is there such a thing as the perfect bike?

[Finn]

I’m relatively new to this site having just got back into road biking after 10 years absence. I’ve had my 1000rr for 3 months now and while I’m not suffering from buyers remorse I’m already looking at other styles of bikes. I might have V twin envy and really like the Duc Monsters.

Is this normal behaviour? Do many of you have more than one bike because you can’t find the perfect all-rounder bike?

Or should I just STFU and stop being a spoilt shit?

[Toast]

I think it's pretty normal...

Different styles of bike have their fortes here and there, and their downfalls.

My bike's a bit of an 'all-rounder' compared to other sportsbikes...but on the track I sometimes find myself wishing for something a bit more focused...

Really though, pretty happy with her, as much as I do look around all the time (God this is sounding familiar, maybe it's just a young boy thing...?)

But yeah, CBR thou' is a pretty flash bike ya brat :p

[Sensei]

I believe that there are some bike's that come close to been prefect for road use but they still need to get their bean counter suspenion changed to Ohlin's to make them the best handling they can be .

[Finn]

I believe that there are some bike's that come close to been prefect for road use but they still need to get their bean counter suspenion changed to Ohlin's to make them the best handling they can be .

I was referring to the style of bike. I really wanted a duc 999s but wasn't going to pay the inflated price here in NZ. That would have solved the suspension problem but I would still have the same dilema.

[cowpoos]

are you enjoying that shock aye sensei.....lol

[cowpoos]

I was referring to the style of bike. I really wanted a duc 999s but wasn't going to pay the inflated price here in NZ. That would have solved the suspension problem but I would still have the same dilema.

well this is true....mat maldin uses showa...not the same as on the 999s though

[Zapf]

Just go out and buy a cruiser or a nakked. In that way you have a choice and gets reminded how different / good they are at their own job...

[Sensei]

I was referring to the style of bike. I really wanted a duc 999s but wasn't going to pay the inflated price here in NZ. That would have solved the suspension problem but I would still have the same dilema.

Unless you get the SP or R you'll just get Showa suspenion dude & ya can buy one on Trademe for $23 K which is fuck all so go do it if that's what ya think a Perfect bike is ?

[Sensei]

are you enjoying that shock aye sensei.....lol

Yea how could one not , Plus got the Ohlin's Steering damper too , Robert Taylor has put together a Fork kit for me that is all Ohlin's gear to replace my crap stuff . When I get a chance to drop them off to him that will finish of the bike > . :2thumbsup

[Sensei]

[QUOTE=Finn]I was referring to the style of bike. I really wanted a duc 999s

Not surprised after seeing what you brought . Hardly a perfect bike LOL

[XTC]

No..........

[NordieBoy]

Well the new Ducati comes very close for me.

[thehollowmen]

there ain't a perfect bike.
When you have to take the CBR up a twisty gravel road you'll wish you'd purchased a enduro-tourer.

but on the track you'll want something faster...

for long distance in the rain you'll wish for a fully fared BMW tourer...

You never get the best of all worlds, but be happy in the knowledge that you're priviledged enough to ride, and if you wanted to you could buy a specialist motorcycle for the needs of the day.

[Sniper]

Its my bike and I love her/him/it

[Oakie]

Hmm. If a motorcycle manufacturer made a perfect bike then those bikers who bought it would never sell it as it couldn't be improved on. Eventually everyone would buy that perfect bike and then no-one would need to get a new bike because they'd already have 'the perfect bike' (remember you can't get 'more perfect'). The motorcycle industry would collapse as only noobs would need to buy bikes.
So "NO", you'll never find the perfect bike as the motorcycle industry can't afford to make 'the perfect bike'.

(Thanks to my grandfather who explained this too me but in terms of a different product about 35 years ago)

[keza]

[simple the person with the most toys wins and i call myself a bike slut as long as it has two wheels i like it with the exception of those f#@!*& mini choppers QUOTE=Finn]I’m relatively new to this site having just got back into road biking after 10 years absence. I’ve had my 1000rr for 3 months now and while I’m not suffering from buyers remorse I’m already looking at other styles of bikes. I might have V twin envy and really like the Duc Monsters.

Is this normal behaviour? Do many of you have more than one bike because you can’t find the perfect all-rounder bike?

Or should I just STFU and stop being a spoilt shit?[/QUOTE]

[The Stranger]

Sure there is a perfect bike.

It's called a Honda Super Blackbird.

[Paul in NZ]

Sure there is a perfect bike.

It's called a Honda Super Blackbird.

Thats true... If you are ghey.... :banana:

Moto Guzzi for real men... Says so on the package. Le Mans... Obvious really! :yes:

[heavenly.talker]

My bike is the perfect bike...(for me). Absolutely adore it and can't imagine wanting something different (at this stage...I've only had her a week).
Saying that hubby is all for a collection of bikes...they're all built to do different things.
Horse for course I guess...lol.

It may be that you have just rediscovered a passion :-)

Oh yeah baby...bring it on.

[XP@]

Depends on what your idea of perfection is...
for me it was being able to ride in new zealand.
I had regrets from day 3 of my old GPX750, just about the same time as i found "Gravel". and regretted it a few more times after that (100+hp, small wheels and gravel don't mix too well)
It was also a little quick for my lead wrist, and ended up walking for a month.

Then I bought my F650... perfection, on the road it wasn't too fast but not too slow. I can turn off the road and head off the gravel, then off the gravel and in to the mud. After that it gets a tad on the heavy side. But it has:
taken me over 100,000kms of every type of riding
road,
off road,
3 thousand milers,
one southern cross,
weekend camping,
commuting,
weeks of touring,
some stunts,
minimum maintinence,
0 speeding tickets and
he petrol use aint too bad.

I couldent ask for any more but I am doing... I want a bit lighter, a bit faster whilst being as robust, easy to handle and within budget.

[kerryg]

there ain't a perfect bike.
When you have to take the CBR up a twisty gravel road you'll wish you'd purchased a enduro-tourer.

but on the track you'll want something faster...

for long distance in the rain you'll wish for a fully fared BMW tourer...

You never get the best of all worlds, but be happy in the knowledge that you're priviledged enough to ride, and if you wanted to you could buy a specialist motorcycle for the needs of the day.


Yup. You are correct.

Any bike that can be used for several different roles is never really good at any of 'em. Even the best examples. Can't think of one. Don't believe there is an exception to that (admitted) generalisation. So either you own a sharp tool specific to one purpose and not much good at anything else, or you own a blunter tool that multi-tasks adequately but not particularly well at any one task. There are some that come close (e.g. VFR800 or ST-2/3/4 or Triumph Sprints as sports/tourers) but not even those well-regarded bikes can seriously compete with full-blooded sports bike or tourer. They're compromises. There is no solution short of owning several bikes.

[Jackrat]

I’m relatively new to this site having just got back into road biking after 10 years absence. I’ve had my 1000rr for 3 months now and while I’m not suffering from buyers remorse I’m already looking at other styles of bikes. I might have V twin envy and really like the Duc Monsters.

Is this normal behaviour? Do many of you have more than one bike because you can’t find the perfect all-rounder bike?

Or should I just STFU and stop being a spoilt shit?

I have two,the SX an the Z,most people consider the XS old,out dated,slow an a heap of other not nice sounding things.The Z is a capable,reliable,smooth,fast enough bike.
The XS I love like no other bike I've ever owned,,,,the Z is for sale.
If you ever get an XS in your life you'll be a happy man,,,,,but most bikes are Z'ds.
Sell the RR,buy the Duke.

[sugilite]

I reckon the KTM super duke must come close, shame about the price!
I see Ducati is bringing out a 1000 supermotard thingie that looks pretty dammed good too.

[sugilite]

http://www.mcnews.com.au/NewBikeCatalogue/2006/ducati/gallery_intro/pages/hypermotard_rhr_700p.htm

[Biff]

It's penis envy. Don't worry about it. You're the kind of guy that looks at other guys dicks while taking a leak in a shared urinal aren't you?

But a Ducati Monster? Perrrrlease.:blink:

[Motu]

An adventure bike is a blunt tool that fits my needs just right,although I even need two or three of those! I hate main roads,straight boring roads,so avoid them like the plague,and on the more twisty back roads a dual sport bike is more than enough bike for my modest skills.I can push the limited capabilities of dual purpose tyres and the bikes handling to what I feel is close to it's limit,although it's obviously not,and feel really happy with what I'm doing.The only area where I feel the bikes are not up to it is weather protection,but I put up with that as a small inperfection in otherwise is a perfect bike for my needs.I'd like a big one like the XLV750 I sold last year,to put in some sold miles at a good pace,my XT to put in the gravel road distance,and my DT230 to do the gnarly stuff and go off road for real.I'm set....

[sugilite]

It's penis envy. Don't worry about it. You're the kind of guy that looks at other guys dicks while taking a leak in a shared urinal aren't you?

But a Ducati Monster? Perrrrlease.:blink:

Biff, Biff, Biff, at least with my eyes I'd be able to see another guys penis, take another look and you will see it is NOT a monster

[ducatilover]

mine with upside down forks [cos the standard one are crap] and some more power.....:banana: not that i need the power lol....i might get some real forks for it though:spudbn:

[VasalineWarrior]

Ah fuck just depends how you ride that defines a ''perfect bike''. Go for whatever bike that suits the roads you ride most. I dont see the point of 1000 cc bikes in nz unless you are a trackday freak, but then thats just me

[Big Dave]

I don't think there's a perfect bike for NZ.
I have 3 absolute beauties and could do with 3 more to have everything I'd like covered.

Have:
Trophy 1200 - custom sports tourer.
Thunderbird Custom - day rider, head turner, classic.
Buell XB12X - all roads and general fangin'

Would Like:
KTM 450 Enduro/Adventure - for hard core off road
MVAugusta F4 - track days.
Norton Commando - for homage.