Your perfect two bike garage
Discussion
Hi all.
Over the past 3 weeks I think I've had the opportunity to ride a whole load of bikes, both at the ABR fest and a few dealer rides and it's really got my mind twisted about what makes the perfect two bike garage.
Recently I've ridden (with my ranking):
Long story short....what makes your perfect two bike garage?. What have you got and why? What would you like to get? you get the idea!
Right now, gun to my head scenario, Street triple 765 for me and Tiger 1200 XRt/Alpine for me a the wife.
Try and keep it road based if you can. I'm sure there are a load of brilliant off road capable bikes that would make the best garage but that's for another day!
Oh, and to get the juices flowing...here's a picture of my bike which I'm sure will divide opinion. Ape bars will be coming off shortly.
Over the past 3 weeks I think I've had the opportunity to ride a whole load of bikes, both at the ABR fest and a few dealer rides and it's really got my mind twisted about what makes the perfect two bike garage.
Recently I've ridden (with my ranking):
- Kawasaki Z900SE (7.5/10)
- BMW R1250RS (7.5/10)
- BMW R1250R (6.5/10)
- Kawasaki Ninja ZX10R (8.5/10)
- Indian Chief Scout bobber (6/10)
- Triumph Street Triple 765RS (10/10)
- Triumph Speed Triple 1200RS (8/10)
- Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro (9/10)
- BMW S1000XR (9.5/10)
- Ducati Multistrada V4 Rallye (7.5/10)
- Triumph Bobber Black (My own bike) (biased!/10)
Long story short....what makes your perfect two bike garage?. What have you got and why? What would you like to get? you get the idea!
Right now, gun to my head scenario, Street triple 765 for me and Tiger 1200 XRt/Alpine for me a the wife.
Try and keep it road based if you can. I'm sure there are a load of brilliant off road capable bikes that would make the best garage but that's for another day!
Oh, and to get the juices flowing...here's a picture of my bike which I'm sure will divide opinion. Ape bars will be coming off shortly.
I've just bought a second bike with the aim of having a perfect 2-bike garage.
I've had a Dorsoduro 750 for a few years now and love it. I've modded the crap out of it and am not finished yet. But it's a bit manic, not that easy to ride, and doesn't like steady throttle or long distance. Basically I needed something to calm things down.
So I've just got an Indian Scout Bobber. Yes it needs mods - 40% to make me comfortable on it, 40% to remove the worst of the necessary evils that OEs have to fit so they can sell their bikes, and 20% sorting cosmetics like binning the pillion seat and doing something about those silly mirrors. It desperately needs less bulky indicators too. But otherwise it's fine as is, a completely different riding experience, surprisingly miles easier to ride, and remarkably suited to blobbing along at 50 enjoying the ride rather than at 90 working on improving my crap riding and wondering whether I'll get to the next petrol station.
I've had a Dorsoduro 750 for a few years now and love it. I've modded the crap out of it and am not finished yet. But it's a bit manic, not that easy to ride, and doesn't like steady throttle or long distance. Basically I needed something to calm things down.
So I've just got an Indian Scout Bobber. Yes it needs mods - 40% to make me comfortable on it, 40% to remove the worst of the necessary evils that OEs have to fit so they can sell their bikes, and 20% sorting cosmetics like binning the pillion seat and doing something about those silly mirrors. It desperately needs less bulky indicators too. But otherwise it's fine as is, a completely different riding experience, surprisingly miles easier to ride, and remarkably suited to blobbing along at 50 enjoying the ride rather than at 90 working on improving my crap riding and wondering whether I'll get to the next petrol station.
I'm pretty much there already: My H2 SX SE does everything (on tarmac) well and does many things very well. My requirement for such a bike has always need a bike that can get to the Alps from the UK in a day, 2 up with luggage for 2, can then spend a couple of days chasing sports bikes up and down the passes, to then return back to the UK in a day. The fact it makes me grin from ear to ear every time I fully open the throttle and/or hear "the squirrels" from the charger, returns an average of over 45mpg, and do 200 miles on a tank and has more "toys" than I can count are all added bonuses.
Add to that a "practical classic" in the form of a BMW R100CS, that has all the charms of air cooled, pushrod, twin shock classics yet can still keep up comfortably with modern traffic and is pretty reliable, fun to ride and full of character.
Add to that a "practical classic" in the form of a BMW R100CS, that has all the charms of air cooled, pushrod, twin shock classics yet can still keep up comfortably with modern traffic and is pretty reliable, fun to ride and full of character.
I'm happy with what I've got in a 3 bike garage:
Triumph Trophy 1215SE for touring duty and general year round use
Harley V-Rod custom for cruising about on, bit of a project bike
MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR super naked for sunny summer blats
I've ridden lots of bikes of different styles in the last 15 years or so. I found being a Spyderclub member for a couple of years a great way to experience them and get many "dream" bikes out of my system. Pure sports bikes I find too uncomfortable these days, and I dont ride off road anymore, my body is not up to that either.
Triumph Trophy 1215SE for touring duty and general year round use
Harley V-Rod custom for cruising about on, bit of a project bike
MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR super naked for sunny summer blats
I've ridden lots of bikes of different styles in the last 15 years or so. I found being a Spyderclub member for a couple of years a great way to experience them and get many "dream" bikes out of my system. Pure sports bikes I find too uncomfortable these days, and I dont ride off road anymore, my body is not up to that either.
bogie said:
I'm happy with what I've got in a 3 bike garage:
Triumph Trophy 1215SE for touring duty and general year round use
Harley V-Rod custom for cruising about on, bit of a project bike
MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR super naked for sunny summer blats
I've ridden lots of bikes of different styles in the last 15 years or so. I found being a Spyderclub member for a couple of years a great way to experience them and get many "dream" bikes out of my system. Pure sports bikes I find too uncomfortable these days, and I dont ride off road anymore, my body is not up to that either.
Such a biker response! The ideal 2 bike garage has 3 bikes in it!! Triumph Trophy 1215SE for touring duty and general year round use
Harley V-Rod custom for cruising about on, bit of a project bike
MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR super naked for sunny summer blats
I've ridden lots of bikes of different styles in the last 15 years or so. I found being a Spyderclub member for a couple of years a great way to experience them and get many "dream" bikes out of my system. Pure sports bikes I find too uncomfortable these days, and I dont ride off road anymore, my body is not up to that either.
black-k1 said:
bogie said:
I'm happy with what I've got in a 3 bike garage:
Triumph Trophy 1215SE for touring duty and general year round use
Harley V-Rod custom for cruising about on, bit of a project bike
MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR super naked for sunny summer blats
I've ridden lots of bikes of different styles in the last 15 years or so. I found being a Spyderclub member for a couple of years a great way to experience them and get many "dream" bikes out of my system. Pure sports bikes I find too uncomfortable these days, and I dont ride off road anymore, my body is not up to that either.
Such a biker response! The ideal 2 bike garage has 3 bikes in it!! Triumph Trophy 1215SE for touring duty and general year round use
Harley V-Rod custom for cruising about on, bit of a project bike
MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR super naked for sunny summer blats
I've ridden lots of bikes of different styles in the last 15 years or so. I found being a Spyderclub member for a couple of years a great way to experience them and get many "dream" bikes out of my system. Pure sports bikes I find too uncomfortable these days, and I dont ride off road anymore, my body is not up to that either.
If I was limited to 2 bikes and buying new now, would probably be something like a Kawasaki H2SX and a Ducati Streetfighter V4S
Edited by bogie on Monday 10th July 11:33
Kind of struggle with two to be honest......
I feel that I'd need something that I could have near total reliance on (Honda) and something old and relatively rare.
My VFR1200F could be very close to being one of them but I'm considering a 2017 onwards Fireblade next as I want more electronic aids (IMU, T/C etc) but also reliability. Neither are the most comfortable tourer but you can get reasonable comfort with the right seat/bar risers etc.
Even though my CZ175 is causing me all sorts of issues at the moment (seems to be the ignition) I have enormous fun riding it and it's JUST about capable at keeping up with modern non-motorway traffic.
At the moment I've got the VFR for faster, longer distance touring. The CBF500 for general riding and the CZ for the bit of rose tinted nostalgia.
I feel that I'd need something that I could have near total reliance on (Honda) and something old and relatively rare.
My VFR1200F could be very close to being one of them but I'm considering a 2017 onwards Fireblade next as I want more electronic aids (IMU, T/C etc) but also reliability. Neither are the most comfortable tourer but you can get reasonable comfort with the right seat/bar risers etc.
Even though my CZ175 is causing me all sorts of issues at the moment (seems to be the ignition) I have enormous fun riding it and it's JUST about capable at keeping up with modern non-motorway traffic.
At the moment I've got the VFR for faster, longer distance touring. The CBF500 for general riding and the CZ for the bit of rose tinted nostalgia.
If I could only have two:
KTM 450 EXC - for green laning and the odd enduro practice day
KTM 990SM for road use as it will do it all
But I'd be loathe to give up:
KTM 525 supermoto - you just can't have more fun on two wheels
KTM 1190 for touring the ease it carries luggage and the cornering ABS
You may notice a common manufacturer
KTM 450 EXC - for green laning and the odd enduro practice day
KTM 990SM for road use as it will do it all
But I'd be loathe to give up:
KTM 525 supermoto - you just can't have more fun on two wheels
KTM 1190 for touring the ease it carries luggage and the cornering ABS
You may notice a common manufacturer
My current garage is almost my perfect two bike garage.
A Triumph street twin - for leisurely rides and touring
A Triumph Street Triple 765R - for more spirited fun
I'm not sure it is 100% perfect as I think swapping the Street Twin out for a Speed Twin might just be the perfect combo with the triple - but that will cost me a lot of money
A Triumph street twin - for leisurely rides and touring
A Triumph Street Triple 765R - for more spirited fun
I'm not sure it is 100% perfect as I think swapping the Street Twin out for a Speed Twin might just be the perfect combo with the triple - but that will cost me a lot of money
Touring or long day trips: BMW R1250RS, plenty of power, good handling, and luggage capacity without going full GS.
Gentle hoonage and bimbling coffee runs, sunny days etc Thruxton 1200R. Enough power for fun, not too much to be stupid, handles well.
Not interested in sports bikes, Hyper nakeds, track days or off road (At the moment
)
Oh what a surprise, I recommend the bikes I own I must have immaculate taste and discernment, or maybe not…
Gentle hoonage and bimbling coffee runs, sunny days etc Thruxton 1200R. Enough power for fun, not too much to be stupid, handles well.
Not interested in sports bikes, Hyper nakeds, track days or off road (At the moment
)Oh what a surprise, I recommend the bikes I own I must have immaculate taste and discernment, or maybe not…
I’m pretty happy with my pair of Triumph’s, the Tiger 900 Rally Pro and Speed Twin. I’m not sure they’re my perfect pair but the Speed Twin is definitely a keeper. I find the larger adventure bikes too large, so the 900 is as big as I’d want a bike to be and is as fast as I need a bike to be, so it just ticks all the boxes.
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