Your thoughts on a good all round bike?

Question

In your opinion AND circumstances what is a good all round machine available on the market today?
Please don't go off on to a narrow minded view here and all brand loyalty blind. For example my mian bikes are Ducatis and like sports bikes but know that they are far from being 'all round' machines.
As I say it is for what you each see as all round and what you want from a bike but open your minds and explain your thoughts.
An all round bike for me needs to be able to hustle along twisting roads when required, be able to throw some luggage on and head off for a long trip, easy enough to use in town on the daily commute, handle everything from paved highway to some rough tracks/gravel roads in the country maybe. It would have to be comfortable, reliable and make me happy to be on it every time.
Something like a KTM Adventure would tick the boxes for me or the 950SM maybe even more.
It is a personal choice folks, no one can have a wrong opinion.

Indy and Mike - I am all for a bit of a laugh and this whole Answers thing is not serious, so whilst I really welcome you trying to come up with a smart answer, could you not at least try to make it even a little bit funny? Those two were really predicatable and well let's face it pretty crap.

Hi Twisted Ace - thanks for answering but I must disagree when you say that the BMW is the only bike that ticks all the boxes I listed. I do like them but actually I find the KTM to be better for me personally, having ridden both. The GS is just a bit too top heavy for my personal liking but it is a really close run thing. A LOT of the customers to my business have them and would look no further. Cheers Shug

I was going to close this question but just having read TROLL's post it may be good to leave it open and let more people answer to help him out. Sorry to hear your bad news sir, hope you get it all sorted soon. Was it the Yam or Norton that got tail ended?

Answer 1

Hey Shuggie,

That's a toughie! So many bikes.....so little money (and skill) but, I'm hoping to get a Triumph Bonneville in the next year or so - when I have a full licence.

Being a shortar$e (5'5") it is low enough, it's got plenty of oomph to make you grin and get you down the coast faster than you'd probably want to arrive, and if you put on a seat cowling and panniers you've got enough room for a frock, heels and your sarnies (or shopping - of course!) plus, I bet you can get up on the pegs and run it over the muddy stuff if you need or want to (haven't tried that yet - so dunno really!)

Of course, if you're looking for all round practicality, living where I do (W. London) this could come in handy:

http://www.olive-drab.com/images/id_m72_full.jpg

for taking out those bastard Gatso's and traffic camera's - and my dog wouldn't be giving me evils every time it hears the word "bike"

Answer 2

I am a classic British bike nut and use my Norton Commando a great deal but this is not an all round bike by any standards.

I do have an ageing Yam FJ 1200 that I have had for 10 years and has been so good that I have never thought about replacing it, comfortable, still quick and when I go to visit family 5 times a year very good for the 600 mile round trip over a weekend.
Unbelievably reliable and easy to ride with great handleing if a bit heavy.

However.
At 05.30 G.M.T Iam sitting here having just got home from hospital since being hit in the rear by a car at 17.00hrs last night [typical hit and run]. Haven't seen the bike but I love it so much I will rebuild it whatever it takes.

Now to look for a new bike I suppose and I will be interested in your answers as I will be looking for a all year round all purpose bike like you [but I'm tempted to buy a Busa].

Thanks for your comment.
Yam tail ended, A.A just brought it back 10 minutes ago, mainly plastics and exhaust but I will fix it.

My basic thoughts are :-
If you walk away from the accident it doesn't matter.
But if I get my hands on the bas**rd that left in the middle of the road on a country lane this one will matter to him.

Answer 3

Tough question. Bikes are such a personal choice. What one person will see as a great all rounder, another will see as a lemon.

I suppose a BMW GS would seem the obvious choice as a bike that can do a bit of everything. But scratching round the back roads......not so sure about.

I've thought recently about getting something a bit more sensible. Being the wrong side of 40 now, my R6 is starting to make my old bones ache a bit these days.

I quite like the Triumph ST Sprint. Not ridden one yet, but from what I've read it looks like a good all round bet. I recently did a "Bike Safe" course with the plod, and the PC assigned to me was on one. And it can certainly get a hussle on round the twisties. And he assured me he can ride it 2 up all day with no aches and pains. Plus it can be fitted with some generous panniers.

So that would be my choice. Obviously there would be no off roading............so maybe a GS would be a better choice

Answer 4

I have a BMW 1000GS and it's a great bike for traveling around the world on any kind of road. But it is way too heavy for going fast in nasty terrain.

I have an Honda 800 VFR, it's a kick around town or on windy roads, great sport touring bike and still looks fast with the hard luggage, and it's fun when all the valves kick in and it goes from Dr Jeckle to Mr Hyde. But zero off road ability.

Both great multi tasking bikes but for me I also need the ability to tear it up offroad.

If I could only have one bike and I wanted it to use every day as well as for fun it would be something like a Honda 350-600 XLor XR, the Yamaha, Kawasaki equivalent would do just as well. I think the BMW Dakar and KTM are a bit heavy and pricey for off-road fun.

Answer 5

Gave up the bike a few years ago but my last bikes were BMW K75S, Yamaha Diversion 900 and Yamaha FJR1300a. The FJR1300a was the most expensive (could have bought a small car cheaper!) but it had panniers, was 145 BHP so was quick an it handled well with one or two up. Only problem was it was a bit on the heavy side. best bike I ever had.
(I have ridden a friends CBR600 but couldn't get used to the different riding style)

Answer 6

Based on your requirements, I would probably look at something like the Kawasaki Versys. Even though it is only a 650 (based on the Ninja twin), all of the reviews rave about the handling and off-road capabilities.. A Suzuki V-Strom is another "all-round" possibility. When I get ready for an all-round bike, I will probably go with the Versys.

Answer 7

My personal answer to this (put my money where my mouth is) is the FJR1300. But I realize it is not as nimble as it could be. I don't need any dirt capability. I'm a sport-tourer, taking up to six hours in the saddle on a given day.

I suppose if I was forced to pick one all-arounder with a little more sporting capability it'd be something like the Honda VFR800FI (despite odd VTEC power) or Ducati ST3 (expensive) though I haven't tried the BMW F800's yet.

Answer 8

Generally there is not one specific as we all have different expectations but for me and my own opinion good all rounders. Honda Deauville, CBF, Suzuki Bandit and many more worthy bikes in the same area.

Me I ride a totally impractical bike Harley Ultra Classic Electraglide but then I love it and it suits me to ride this style

So to sum it up as I see it. It don't matter what you ride as long as it suits you to ride it and far be it for anyone else to criticise and in my mind if its motorised and two or even three wheels it's motorcycling

So whatever your ride enjoy it and ride safe

Answer 9

an 883 Sportster is an awsome bike for haiving fun on,I usually ride like a maniac on it on the interstate,through construction zones,tight curves and have even jumped it at 50 mph in an abandoned weight station more than a few times .....

I look forward to getting my hands on one of the new Norton Commandos but people post on here that they never actually went into production ,but the bike looks AWSOME !!!

Answer 10

Triumph Tiger 1050. Haven't seen a bike that I could say was more of an all rounder than that.