Factory Perfect?

[Bob_Defly]

Inspired by the R9T thread (I swapped the wheels, seat, suspension, and had it remapped, and it was perfick!) What bike is absolutely perfect from the factory, no mods required?

[airsafari87]

Never owned one.
Never wanted one.

But Shirley a GS has got to be pretty damn close?

[Jag_NE]

Panigale V4S

[dibblecorse]

Jag_NE said:

Panigale V4S

Too many electronic bits, the fast boys are buying the base V4 and adding high end trinkets for performance.

[Bob_Defly]

Jag_NE said:

Panigale V4S

That's sort of what I was thinking. Unless you want something really track dedicated (where a base model plus upgrades would be better / more specific for the task), the V4S has got to be pretty perfect from the factory no?

[the cueball]

One that springs to mind is the ST1100 Pan European.

I think Honda got it pretty much spot on.

No looker certainly…. But not bad compared to some of the modern stuff coming out! Lol

Nice torquey engine.

Good ergonomics, and all day riding comfort.

Has surprisingly good handling too… again not razor sharp, but good enough for a fun blast. I overtook a very angry DooooCrapi rider on the Stelvio Pass on mine.

Decent range on the tank (which is really low down to aid weight distribution).

Relatively easy to maintain and is pretty bullet proof (mine is 31 years old, 100k plus miles and has less rust than some new bikes).

[black-k1]

the cueball said:

One that springs to mind is the ST1100 Pan European.

I think Honda got it pretty much spot on.

No looker certainly…. But not bad compared to some of the modern stuff coming out! Lol

Nice torquey engine.

Good ergonomics, and all day riding comfort.

Has surprisingly good handling too… again not razor sharp, but good enough for a fun blast. I overtook a very angry DooooCrapi rider on the Stelvio Pass on mine.

Decent range on the tank (which is really low down to aid weight distribution).

Relatively easy to maintain and is pretty bullet proof (mine is 31 years old, 100k plus miles and has less rust than some new bikes).

I don't disagree but I think it's more a "generational" thing. Much of the above could be raised against the BMWs of that eara and I suspect a number of other bikes from other manufacturers too.

For me, the reason for the "need" to personilise bikes is two fold:

1. Bikes have become more focused. Sports bikes are built for the track first, sacrificing comfort and practicality.. Tourers have to have every "luxury extra" available, adding weight and complexity. Retros put styling over usability etc.

2. The availability of good quality aftermarket parts at reasonable prices. Many of these specifically designed to either reduce the focus of particular model/style or further increase that focus.

Those who want a single "general purpose" bike, for road use, are finding it increasingly difficult to find one that is still interesting and fun. It is hard to find a bike that can take luggage and a pillion to the Alps in reasonable comfort, have fun blasting around the passes for days, then return across France in comfort in a single day.

That said, the GS is probably as closes as you can get to what is seen as the "do it all" solution, and look at the options there are for after market parts for that!

[KTMsm]

For me

2008 - 2010 Speed Triple
Power / torque everywhere, fast enough to be fun but not too fast so I can use all the power, very little vibration, ergos suit me, the bikini fairing keeps the wind off my body and no turbulence on my helmet but enough wind pressure to feel the speed, it looks like a proper bike

I love it





I do prefer the look of the wheels and seat of the 05-07 and the radiator is too wide and spoils the lines as do the big indicators

[blade7]

Jag_NE said:

Panigale V4S

Say that about any S model on a Ducati forum, and there will be tears and snot from the R fanboys.

[blade7]

dibblecorse said:

Jag_NE said:

Panigale V4S

Too many electronic bits, the fast boys are buying the base V4 and adding high end trinkets for performance.

Difference is only active bump and rebound adjustment isn't it, and you can set that however you like. Add the price of lighter wheels and better suspension to the base model, and it's a false economy?

[Biker9090]

I think one major issue you will have here is the type of person responding.

Most bikes are set up for fairly light, average sized people. Not many of us 100kg+ riders are going to say a stock bike is perfect due to being way too heavy for the stock springs.

You could (almost) say the same thing about height.

Me being 125kg in riding gear means basically any bikes stock suspension will be pretty bad - and FAR from perfect. Once you'd experienced upgraded suspension (Nitron etc) you'll never want to go back.

[NITO]

ZXR750

[RazerSauber]

Using all my knowledge of ~15 months of CBT riding I can say with confidence that nether of the 2 motorcycles I have are perfect. The only changes I've made to my CBF125 are adding a charging connector for the trickle charger which also doubles up as a cigarette lighter (charges phones or a tyre inflator if needs be). Not major stuff but still not perfect from the factory. Oh, and the mirrors don't go wide enough for my "well fed" frame so half of each mirror is my own arm!

I think there are too many variables for perfection to be attained by any bike for anyone.

[dibblecorse]

blade7 said:

dibblecorse said:

Jag_NE said:

Panigale V4S

Too many electronic bits, the fast boys are buying the base V4 and adding high end trinkets for performance.

Difference is only active bump and rebound adjustment isn't it, and you can set that however you like. Add the price of lighter wheels and better suspension to the base model, and it's a false economy?

But whats it perfect for ? Not the road, and not the track, it's a 'neither' bike, massivlely competent but I'd rather ride my Hyperstrada on the road and if getting a V4 for track would get a base plus trinkets .... or an R.

[dibblecorse]

blade7 said:

Jag_NE said:

Panigale V4S

Say that about any S model on a Ducati forum, and there will be tears and snot from the R fanboys.

Nah, most of the cognescenti know that the R is rarely the 'perfect' one, its just the 'best' one ..

Although even then they can't decide which R is the best one !!!

[blade7]

dibblecorse said:

Nah, most of the cognescenti know that the R is rarely the 'perfect' one, its just the 'best' one ..

Although even then they can't decide which R is the best one !!!

I'd call the R the neither bike, It's not going to be better on the road. And in an amateurs hands, unlikely to be quicker on a track. It's probably no coincidence that most of them are ornaments.

[dibblecorse]

blade7 said:

dibblecorse said:

Nah, most of the cognescenti know that the R is rarely the 'perfect' one, its just the 'best' one ..

Although even then they can't decide which R is the best one !!!

I'd call the R the neither bike, It's not going to be better on the road. And in an amateurs hands, unlikely to be quicker on a track. It's probably no coincidence that most of them are ornaments.

Tis a shame indeed, my current R was my previous trackbike and the new V4R will be my next track bike when its launched, a last hurrah if you will ....

The R isn't the 'neither' bike as it was built with one thing in mind, the track, its not to blame for people buying the wrong bike for their needs

Surely no amateur would buy one for the track ? That would place them in the 'all the gear no idea' camp .... along with about 90% of the trackday paddock whose bikes are capable of vastly outperforming them ...

[moto_traxport]

dibblecorse said:

blade7 said:

dibblecorse said:

Nah, most of the cognescenti know that the R is rarely the 'perfect' one, its just the 'best' one ..

Although even then they can't decide which R is the best one !!!

I'd call the R the neither bike, It's not going to be better on the road. And in an amateurs hands, unlikely to be quicker on a track. It's probably no coincidence that most of them are ornaments.

Tis a shame indeed, my current R was my previous trackbike and the new V4R will be my next track bike when its launched, a last hurrah if you will ....

The R isn't the 'neither' bike as it was built with one thing in mind, the track, its not to blame for people buying the wrong bike for their needs

Surely no amateur would buy one for the track ? That would place them in the 'all the gear no idea' camp .... along with about 90% of the trackday paddock whose bikes are capable of vastly outperforming them ...

It’s turned into a “which is the best V4 Ducati”!

Which is the SP shirley?

[FSEngineer]

airsafari87 said:

Never owned one.
Never wanted one.

But Shirley a GS has got to be pretty damn close?

You might be surprised... even the latest all singing all dancing models require some (overpriced, naturally) plastic junk in the form of front and rear mudguard extensions to avoid them covering the back of your legs and the expensive ESA shock in muck at the first puddle. And the stock screen is only any good if you're under 6' in my experience.

Of course, it may well be that most vaguely modern bikes are absolutely fine from the factory but nobody's happy to call it perfect until we've had our own grubby mitts on it and changed something to "improve" what the manufacturer has spent hours and £££ designing

[blade7]

dibblecorse said:

Tis a shame indeed, my current R was my previous trackbike and the new V4R will be my next track bike when its launched, a last hurrah if you will ....

The R isn't the 'neither' bike as it was built with one thing in mind, the track, its not to blame for people buying the wrong bike for their needs

Surely no amateur would buy one for the track ? That would place them in the 'all the gear no idea' camp .... along with about 90% of the trackday paddock whose bikes are capable of vastly outperforming them ...

What some may lack in riding talent, is made up for with fighting talk on the Ducati forum...