H2 best bike I’ve owned, what’s yours?
Discussion
Had a ZX9 years ago and had litre bikes before and after but I still long for that bike back. It was the B model which was the heaviest!
Absolute weapon.
Nowadays I can't ride sports bikes for more than 1 hour as it hurts my legs and arms but that bike was so comfortable.
Close second would be my Suzuki Katana 750 (pop up) that was also a beast.
Absolute weapon.
Nowadays I can't ride sports bikes for more than 1 hour as it hurts my legs and arms but that bike was so comfortable.
Close second would be my Suzuki Katana 750 (pop up) that was also a beast.
Love the H2 OP, amazing bike.
For me it was my BMW K1200R. 160ish bhp so quick, it handled well, proved reliable in the time I owned it and was comfortable without losing its sporting feel.
Arguably the 1200S with it's full fairing is a better distance bike, but the screen on the R worked well. Even performed well on track. The very few minor gripes I had were sorted in the update to the 1300.
jjones said:
I have had many faster bikes, many more comfortable bikes, but the one I will always be fond of was a K1 GSXR1000.
It was my first litre bike, in my opinion a decent looker, comfortable for a sports bike and it had a balance point that just seemed to click with me.
I had similar feelings about my K4 1000. Great machine. The 2005 R1 I had was faster but less comfortable and not as well rounded. It was my first litre bike, in my opinion a decent looker, comfortable for a sports bike and it had a balance point that just seemed to click with me.
bongtom said:
Had a ZX9 years ago and had litre bikes before and after but I still long for that bike back. It was the B model which was the heaviest!
Absolute weapon.
Looking to get one of these as a second bike. Reviewers love them, often regarded as more than the sum of its parts. Absolute weapon.
For me it was my BMW K1200R. 160ish bhp so quick, it handled well, proved reliable in the time I owned it and was comfortable without losing its sporting feel.
Arguably the 1200S with it's full fairing is a better distance bike, but the screen on the R worked well. Even performed well on track. The very few minor gripes I had were sorted in the update to the 1300.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Friday 6th January 09:55
You've asked 2 questions, favourite and best, and, for me, the answer to each question is not the same.
The bike that I think would be my "favourite" was my Firestorm:
It was not the fastest, or the best handling, even at the time I bought it. but it was bought as a present to myself at a particularly stressful time of my life and it never failed to put a smile on my face.
As for best, I think I can say that every bike I have bought has been better than the ones I had before it, and have been bought because they are the best available for my needs. I want a bike that can do everything (on-road, I'm not interested in off-road). So it needs to tour, scratch, commute, excite me, make me smile, be comfortable, be easy to live with etc. My H2 SX SE does exactly that. I really don't think there is a better "do it all" bike available anywhere, from any time.
The bike that I think would be my "favourite" was my Firestorm:
It was not the fastest, or the best handling, even at the time I bought it. but it was bought as a present to myself at a particularly stressful time of my life and it never failed to put a smile on my face.
As for best, I think I can say that every bike I have bought has been better than the ones I had before it, and have been bought because they are the best available for my needs. I want a bike that can do everything (on-road, I'm not interested in off-road). So it needs to tour, scratch, commute, excite me, make me smile, be comfortable, be easy to live with etc. My H2 SX SE does exactly that. I really don't think there is a better "do it all" bike available anywhere, from any time.
My very 1st bike when I was 6 year old, way back in 1981.
My family was lucky enough to know the local farmer who used to let me ride around his fields, and there was a working quarry local to me that I was able to ride around in somehow?
Not my image, but mine was exactly the same as this one.
My family was lucky enough to know the local farmer who used to let me ride around his fields, and there was a working quarry local to me that I was able to ride around in somehow?
Not my image, but mine was exactly the same as this one.
My 1260 S Multistrada is probably the best and in real terms quicker than both of these on the road.
However, although it's a tough call between the 2 I'd probably say the R1 is my favourite. It's comfortable enough to ride all day (with a few breaks) but still quick enough to really get the adrenaline pumping. I just love being on it, it makes me smile!
But then i ride the 7R and.....
However, although it's a tough call between the 2 I'd probably say the R1 is my favourite. It's comfortable enough to ride all day (with a few breaks) but still quick enough to really get the adrenaline pumping. I just love being on it, it makes me smile!
But then i ride the 7R and.....
Difficult choice for favourite bike - my ZX6r p7f is a strong contender, 22k miles in 18 months and I really enjoyed it. Then the 2004 Hayabusa - just an incredible bike at the time. But maybe because it's still fresh in my mind and it took me to amazing places and it's not perfect, the Royal Enfield Himalayan I rented in India last year. It had done something like 32k kms and was quite tired. In the UK it would be underpowered but in India it was perfect, the engine plodded on whatever the terrain, it was comfortable enough, took all my luggage and still did incredible mpg, which I didn't measure because like several things, the speedo didn't work. Photo is of the bike looking over the Vale of Kashmir on the way to Kargil and then Leh, Ladakh. When I go back I'll be very happy to rent another Royal Enfield.
Best bike is undoubtedly my current bike, the KTM 1290 GT - incredibly comfortable with heated seat, fantastic luggage ability and great handling and speed, especially mid range torque - still exciting after three years and 24k miles. Only bike I'd replace it with would be another one, or possibly a Superduke R if I could get luggage for it, something to investigate. This picture is from Italy 2019 with Old Gits shortly after I'd bought it.
Best bike is undoubtedly my current bike, the KTM 1290 GT - incredibly comfortable with heated seat, fantastic luggage ability and great handling and speed, especially mid range torque - still exciting after three years and 24k miles. Only bike I'd replace it with would be another one, or possibly a Superduke R if I could get luggage for it, something to investigate. This picture is from Italy 2019 with Old Gits shortly after I'd bought it.
I'd say my VFR1200F is the best bike I've owned. It's caused me absolutely zero problems in the last 18 months, sounds fantastic, feels incredibly well put together and since I've had the suspension sorted It can be ridden pretty well on twisty roads.
My CBF500 comes into favourite as well. Yes, I've had problems with it but that's due to either high mileage (73,000) and parts (carbs worn) wearing or my own meddling/modification gone wrong. May well be boring but it's just so incredibly easy to ride and realistically all the real world power I really need.
I guess this post touches on what aspect do you consider to be best/favourite. Is that performance/looks/sound/comfort or reliability? My first requirement is reliability, everything else takes a backseat.
My CBF500 comes into favourite as well. Yes, I've had problems with it but that's due to either high mileage (73,000) and parts (carbs worn) wearing or my own meddling/modification gone wrong. May well be boring but it's just so incredibly easy to ride and realistically all the real world power I really need.
I guess this post touches on what aspect do you consider to be best/favourite. Is that performance/looks/sound/comfort or reliability? My first requirement is reliability, everything else takes a backseat.
As much as I love my H2, it isnt the most fun or best bike i've owned...Its a bit of a one trick pony really but your in the mood to have to have that fix its an amazing thing....
For me, ive had more laugh's , more fun and made more memories on my 350LC than any other bike, from the age of 17 to more recently when I bought another in 2012, which I still own now aged 54.
So, for me, 350LC everytime.
For me, ive had more laugh's , more fun and made more memories on my 350LC than any other bike, from the age of 17 to more recently when I bought another in 2012, which I still own now aged 54.
So, for me, 350LC everytime.
Mach said:
My 1260 S Multistrada is probably the best and in real terms quicker than both of these on the road.
However, although it's a tough call between the 2 I'd probably say the R1 is my favourite. It's comfortable enough to ride all day (with a few breaks) but still quick enough to really get the adrenaline pumping. I just love being on it, it makes me smile!
But then i ride the 7R and.....
I beieve the Kwacker 7R was voted the most uncomfortable bike made... But i just love the 7r looks and was looking at getting a purple and red model and was offered a fireblade which i went for.However, although it's a tough call between the 2 I'd probably say the R1 is my favourite. It's comfortable enough to ride all day (with a few breaks) but still quick enough to really get the adrenaline pumping. I just love being on it, it makes me smile!
But then i ride the 7R and.....
Pebbles167 said:
Looking to get one of these as a second bike. Reviewers love them, often regarded as more than the sum of its parts.
For me it was my BMW K1200R. 160ish bhp so quick, it handled well, proved reliable in the time I owned it and was comfortable without losing its sporting feel.
Arguably the 1200S with it's full fairing is a better distance bike, but the screen on the R worked well. Even performed well on track. The very few minor gripes I had were sorted in the update to the 1300.
Decent pic that - not the sort of bike you see often committed on a cornerFor me it was my BMW K1200R. 160ish bhp so quick, it handled well, proved reliable in the time I owned it and was comfortable without losing its sporting feel.
Arguably the 1200S with it's full fairing is a better distance bike, but the screen on the R worked well. Even performed well on track. The very few minor gripes I had were sorted in the update to the 1300.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Friday 6th January 09:55
Really hard to say ‘best bike’ as all the bikes I have owned have meant something different to me each time.
I aspired to owning a 916 Ducati & I achieved that back in 2002. Great bike but it didn’t quite hit the spot compared to the next two bikes.
Back in 1993 I was 21 years old and the bike of my dreams was a Kawasaki ZXR750H2.. but the purchase price and particularly insurance’ was prohibitive.. But I did it anyway & loaded myself down with the necessary finance. Almost 30 years later, I bought another really nice example. The bike still has an effect on me and makes me smile for so many reasons..
But the bike that really did it for me was the Kawasaki KR-1. I purchased a KR-1 back in 1991, I was 19 at the time & that bike was the most fun I have ever had on 2 wheels. I remember summers then seemed to last forever..& riding with mates and racing to every destination like it was a GP.
Just a fantastic bike ridden at an age where cares were few and fun was seemingly every corner…..
I aspired to owning a 916 Ducati & I achieved that back in 2002. Great bike but it didn’t quite hit the spot compared to the next two bikes.
Back in 1993 I was 21 years old and the bike of my dreams was a Kawasaki ZXR750H2.. but the purchase price and particularly insurance’ was prohibitive.. But I did it anyway & loaded myself down with the necessary finance. Almost 30 years later, I bought another really nice example. The bike still has an effect on me and makes me smile for so many reasons..
But the bike that really did it for me was the Kawasaki KR-1. I purchased a KR-1 back in 1991, I was 19 at the time & that bike was the most fun I have ever had on 2 wheels. I remember summers then seemed to last forever..& riding with mates and racing to every destination like it was a GP.
Just a fantastic bike ridden at an age where cares were few and fun was seemingly every corner…..
Birky_41 said:
Pebbles167 said:
For me it was my BMW K1200R. 160ish bhp so quick, it handled well, proved reliable in the time I owned it and was comfortable without losing its sporting feel.
Arguably the 1200S with it's full fairing is a better distance bike, but the screen on the R worked well. Even performed well on track. The very few minor gripes I had were sorted in the update to the 1300.
Decent pic that - not the sort of bike you see often committed on a corner
Combe has a decent photographer, usually get some nice shots. I wasn't going to bother with taking the K on track, but then I saw that they were the bike used in the BMW power cup in Germany. Turns out that they can be pushed fairly hard. Arguably the 1200S with it's full fairing is a better distance bike, but the screen on the R worked well. Even performed well on track. The very few minor gripes I had were sorted in the update to the 1300.
Decent pic that - not the sort of bike you see often committed on a corner
I'm going to list also my second best bike, my Moto Guzzi V7 sport. Lacks the speed (but isn't slow exactly) with only 52bhp, but it's capable and lovely to ride. If you own one of these, as well as something with some more oomph for the speed cravings, i doubt you'd ever sell the V7.
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