Showing posts with label Favorite 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Favorite 5. Show all posts
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Five Favorite Production Motorcycles of all time Numver 5: Moto Guzzi V7 Sport. (ahem... the original one)
This one is more emotional than logical. It's a big, long, heavy, moderately powered bike. But my oh my does it "speak" to me. The sound and the style... Yep that's number five. But I'll have more honorable mentions over the next few days and I'll probably put together an "anything goes" list here in a few days or so (as opposed to production bikes only) so stay tuned.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Favorite Production Motorcycle Honorable Mention. Ducati 750 Super Sport.
If I didn't already have the 916 then I'd have this one. In fact I think I was a bit hasty with the 916. It was a spur of the moment comment about that bike that got this list started before I had given it much thought.
Top Five All Time Favorite Production Bikes Number Four. Vincent Black Lightning and Black Shadow.
The Vincent Black Lightning and Black Shadow. Jesus. Talk about ahead of it's time. I considered the Royal Enfeld Interceptor here but much as I love that bike the Vincents are just all that and more for me. They speak for themselves really. Not much else to say.
And before you start beating me over the head I know they are not the same bikes and I do know the history. But in my eye they're close enough so sue me.
And before you start beating me over the head I know they are not the same bikes and I do know the history. But in my eye they're close enough so sue me.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Favorite Production Motorcycle Honorable Mention: Royal Enfield Interceptor
I'm going to run a few "Honorable Mention bikes as I go along. The first three are posted and I have 2 selections to go. I'm squirming mightily... so sue me! lol....
This is a bike I've drooled over since I was a pup. There's about four or five fantastic British bikes I could put here. Bikes that are much more popular and more renowned. The BSA Goldstar, The Triumph T100C and the Norton Commando 750S are all contenders for a spot. But to be honest I find this bike to be much more striking than just about every other British bike on the planet. That chrome thank with the old school lettering, and the general stance and line of the bike just hits the perfect notes for me. I have a local friend who is the "go-to" british bike mechanic and he raves about this bike in looks AND engineering. He doesn't understand how they were overlooked for so many decades by British bike fans. Neither can I.
This is a bike I've drooled over since I was a pup. There's about four or five fantastic British bikes I could put here. Bikes that are much more popular and more renowned. The BSA Goldstar, The Triumph T100C and the Norton Commando 750S are all contenders for a spot. But to be honest I find this bike to be much more striking than just about every other British bike on the planet. That chrome thank with the old school lettering, and the general stance and line of the bike just hits the perfect notes for me. I have a local friend who is the "go-to" british bike mechanic and he raves about this bike in looks AND engineering. He doesn't understand how they were overlooked for so many decades by British bike fans. Neither can I.
Top Five All Time Favorite Production bikes. Third of Five. 1969/70 Kawasaki H1 2 stroke.
You just know I'd have to get a 2 stroke in here. It's my first passion after all. But this one was really tough for me. Ordinarily it'd be a snap. Just put up a picture of a TZ750 and call it a day. But while the TZ was technically a "production" bike it was hardly common much less street legal. I could go with an RZ500 but it's a non-US bike. RZ350? Maybe.. I do love them but they're hardly "iconic" so no. I'm also a huge fan of the Yamaha RD350 and 400 series bikes but they're not very inspiring when completely stock so in fairness I have to scratch them. Then there's the entire Suzuki T and GT lineup which is quite impressive and brilliantly engineered but no one bike grabs me.
That leaves the Kawasaki triples which could win as a category but in fairness I should pick just one. I personally own and much prefer the late model H1 500's to the H2 750's. And my ideal bike is an H2 engine in an H1 chassis (I'm actually building one). But again that's not "production". So which way to turn? It's very close. While I'm very tempted to go with the gorgeous purple 75 H2 (it is a stunner) I have to go with the first in the series that set the tone. The 1969 / 1970 first generation Kawasaki H1. Just a stunner of a motorcycle for it's day and indeed,ANY day.
That leaves the Kawasaki triples which could win as a category but in fairness I should pick just one. I personally own and much prefer the late model H1 500's to the H2 750's. And my ideal bike is an H2 engine in an H1 chassis (I'm actually building one). But again that's not "production". So which way to turn? It's very close. While I'm very tempted to go with the gorgeous purple 75 H2 (it is a stunner) I have to go with the first in the series that set the tone. The 1969 / 1970 first generation Kawasaki H1. Just a stunner of a motorcycle for it's day and indeed,ANY day.
Top Five All Time Favorite Production bikes. Second of Five. BMW R100GSPD
I'm going to go ahead and get this curve ball out of the way early. I know more than a few of you might be scratching your heads a bit but hey it's my list and I freely admit that I have some inconsistent taste in bikes. I like em all.
Well, "back in the day", a South Florida dealer was clearing out old stock and had a sweet deal on a "Bumble Bee" black and yellow R100GS as the oilheads were on their way and he needed floorspace. I kick myself to this day for passing on it. Yeah I know the Bumble Bee wasn't a Paris / Dakar model but I kick myself just the same. The R100GSPD was the penultimate model in the air cooled GS lineup and in my mind THE class defining Adventure bike. I think I may own one yet.
Well, "back in the day", a South Florida dealer was clearing out old stock and had a sweet deal on a "Bumble Bee" black and yellow R100GS as the oilheads were on their way and he needed floorspace. I kick myself to this day for passing on it. Yeah I know the Bumble Bee wasn't a Paris / Dakar model but I kick myself just the same. The R100GSPD was the penultimate model in the air cooled GS lineup and in my mind THE class defining Adventure bike. I think I may own one yet.
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