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Greatest Ever Motorcycles - from Discovery Channel Documentory;

Triumph Bonneville at #5 & Harley at #10 Wooohoo!!!

Bob


10. Harley Davidson Knucklehead
9.Moto Guzzi V8 (1955)
8.Vespa
7.Brough Surperior
6. Britten V1000
5. Triumph Bonneville T100
4.Y2K-Superbike
3. Honda CB 750
2. Ducati 916
1. Honda Cub

They forgot the Kawasaki Centurion

They forgot the Triumph Speedmaster!!!

Quote:

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Seriously, they should replace the useless Y2K with the Kawasaki Z1, the Browning .50 of motorcycles.

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Brian,
I totaly agree with you on the Kawasaki Z1... But, that Y2K "thing" is literaly a crotch ROCKET. I had never heard of it before seeing this. Personaly, my butt would be bitting the seat on that thing.

Bob

I remember watching that a while back, Bob, and I recall thinking at the time that they mixed their message, and mis-titled the program. I felt they had both some of the greatest machines on their list(I personally would place the Britten V100 at Numbero Uno as THE most beautiful and innovative motorcycle ever made), and mixed in a few of the "most significant" M/Cs on it, as in...the Honda Cub is number one, because it sold like hot cakes???!!!

In that case, one could make the argument that any Harley Evo-powered motorcycle would have to be somewhere on that list also, as once Willie G. Davidson returned to lead H-D and The Motor Company introduced the much more reliable Evo-powered bikes, they....well, let's just put it this way...I sure would have liked to have bought a "few" shares of their company back when they first offered them. Those machines almost single-handedly reversed the fortune of motorcycling after the early 1980s downturn in the M/C business.

(I "think" I see a few of them out on the road now and then)

Yes to Honda Cub and no to Norton Commando, BSA, Vincent??????
Bah...
G

I would have to agree with Dwight here. I watched that on youtube (no cable) and wasn't sure what their criteria was.

I understood the 2007 Triumph Tiger 1050 broke the top 10 list but was released to late to change the show.
At least, that is my understanding.

I enjoyed watching the entire show. I agree, though, it shouldn't have been the Greatest Ever, or even Best motorcycles ever made. Maybe "the most historically significant" or "most influencial impact" would work better. But even then, it would be hard to see how the jet engine bike fit in those titles.

Most of the 10 did have a major impact and influence how all bikes were built that followed whether they're street bikes or racers.

Not etched in stone because it’s subject to change at just about any time – However, as of today these would be my picks. I do not include any purpose build racers or rocket contraptions – Just REAL motorcycles

Honorable Mention - Honda Super Cub – America – meet the motorcycle

10. Yamaha – 350 R5C – 2 Stroke Nirvana in a pint sized package

9. Sportster – 1957 883

8. BMW R69S – The first tour-capable bike to impress me

7. Crocker –Circa mid 30’s – As mechanically pleasing as a Bough without the gentlemanly snobbishness

6. Vespa – You can’t deny either the fun or beauty factors

5. Suzuki GS series (All styles and sizes) Bargain street performance for the masses

4. Triumph 650s and 750s of the 60’s and ‘70’s – Not only do they sound smooth as butter and sweet as candy - They even have their own smell

3. Ducati – Any one from the ‘90s to today – Who the heck wants a Ferrari when you can have one of these

2. Honda 750 – The king of the Asian revolution

1. Kawasaki Z1 – Whoa Nellie – Kick Arse. Every non-harley bad-boy’s dream of the day. I still want one.

Great list, Barry!

(and also, spot on commentary, to boot)

I still think you would have to have the Honda 50 (Cub) in the list. Admittedly, the Honda 750 changed everything at the time and killed the British bikes, but the Honda 50 has to be called the King of the Asian revolution. Besides being my first bike, it got people off scoots, and put more people on motorcycles than could ever have been imagined. Anyone that was bike riding age at the time (early 60s) should know the impact that bike had. It killed mopeds, Cushmans, Vespas (at the time), and made motorcycling acceptable to all walks of life. It exceeded all previous levels of quality and truly was a revolution.

Great list there Barry.
I think I would replace the Vespa with a KLR 650, how many of those have been around the world. Also how many bikes have severed the military so well. Might not be cool or fast but utterly bullet proof.
I know some Duc guys and they are complaining about the current models. Many are saying the 919 was the top of that brand.

Ok, so the greatest motorcycle ever is a moped? Isn't that like saying the greatest sportscar ever is a honda civic with a big wing and a fart can muffler?