Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Rank the bikes you rode this season

Thought this would make for some interesting discussion and debate, so I'll get the ball rolling. Here are the bikes I've taken for a spin this year, in order of how much I liked them:

1. Rocket III Touring. Liked it so much at a demo day in May, I bought one. I've had a love/hate relationship with it since (currently love.)

2. Suzuki Bandit 1250. Tested a used one at a local dealer. Came within a hair of buying it as a second bike. Absolutely a fabulous machine.

3. Thunderbird Storm. I loved having this as a service loaner for a day.

4. Bonneville T100. 2-day service loaner. An absolute hoot to ride.

5. Sprint ST. I didn’t think I would like this bike as much as I did.

6. Suzuki Vstrom 650. This is just a great bike that does everything well and reportedly is a breeze to maintain. Bonus points for the fact that it can be taken off road (within limits.)

7. Thunderbird 1600. Nice bike that I found to be very comfortable and responsive.

8. Suzuki GSX1250FA. Technically this is a Bandit with a full fairing. But I just didn’t have the same connection to the bike that I did to the Bandit I test rode.

9. Tiger 1050. I so want to like this bike. But I’ve ridden it a number of times at demo days and just can’t connect with it. I was shocked that I liked the Sprint better.

10. BMW F650GS. Too small for my 6’2 frame.

11. Kawasaki Versys. Like the BMW 650, this just didn’t fit.

12. Scrambler. I think there was something wrong with the one I tested. It was sluggish and balky.

13. Suzuki Vstrom 1000. This bike sucked. I was warned about this by the dealer, who said that the Vstrom 650 engine is excellent but that Suzuki just hasn’t gotten the fueling right on the 1000 cc version.

Wow, that's an impressive list of rides! Well done!

1. Rocket III Touring...awesome power and can take the corners pretty well even though she's big. Very comfortable and addictive bike.

2. Speedmaster...of course.

3. 1050 Tiger...nice bike with nice pull but not for me.

4. Speed Triple 955i...fast! Outstanding and fun with unbelievable flickability...for about 20 minutes and then I'm done.

5. Fatboy...what a piece of crap. Comfortable in a straight line and can't corner at all.

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Thought this would make for some interesting discussion and debate, so I'll get the ball rolling. Here are the bikes I've taken for a spin this year, in order of how much I liked them:

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Now I'm as open minded as the next bloke, but what do you mean, OTHER bikes?

You make it sound like there are different bikes out there, whereas there is only one (two if you count the speedy)

Reboot and the Rocket are tied for first. Bollox is second because I only rode it a few miles this year (like 3). Third is the Harley Heritage Softail Classic I rented in Prescott. Yes, the Harley ranks after my mostly-dead, original America.

I guess the Harley is fourth. I forgot about Freedom's Trike. That ranks third.

2007 America, love it first choice 85% of the time.
1999 1200 Bandit, a thrill 10% of the time.
2001 Honda CG125, just rode it to keep it going, but it does exactly as required.
1957 BSA 250, same as Honda but a bit cooler, however no brakes.
Honda ST 1300, the electric screen made it quite a few bikes in one on the go, could be tempted in a year or two.

1. My '02 Bonneville America
2. Rocket Roadster (very comfortable and mad power)
2. Triumph Tiger 800 XC (smooth, fast, comfortable, nimble)
2. Rocket III Touring
5. Sprint GT (amazing bike and it seems like it would be a good distance rider.
6. Scrambler (fun!!)
7. Thunderbird (there is something to be said for being able to cruise at 100mph all day with no problems)
8. Bonneville SE (love being able to take city street corners without slowing down)
9. Speed Triple 1050 (very fun for less than 100 miles)
10. 2012? America (whatever the new redesigned model year is)
11. Street Triple R (not as fast or comfortable as the Speed Triple)

can't think of any other bikes I test rode lately

My 04 SM always love it

Wendys 04 BA same but it let me sit twice due to the ignition issue

my 64 BMW again always fun.

Dang, Dave, you were busy. I rode 5 new Triumphs in July of last year, both Rockets, both Thunderbirds and the Scrambler. And I wasn't broken up at all to have to ride Bollox home (from Spokane).

My America (I've got it where I want it.)

07 Tiger 1050 (I could have traded with a friend... my bike + $2,300. Couldn't pull the trigger.)

06 Kawasaki Concours (Curiosity prompted the test ride. Nice enough bike - but no soul.)

04 Victory Kingpin (Missing all the add-ons that make my bike mine. Again could have traded with a friend and done well.)

Getting back on my bike typically cures my itch. However, the Tiger 800, the Tiger 1200, and others continue to tempt me.

In terms of how much I liked them, I can't say. I LOVED them all... here's the list.

1. '03 TBA (mine)
2. '84 Honda XL 250R (mine)
3. '85 Honda XL 600
4. '36 Frances-Barnett
5. '47 AJS Trials 500
6. Custom 2003 HD Sportster (and I MEAN custom)

I think that's the list for this year. The British vintage bikes stand out as most memorable rides of this year due to their rareness and claim to fame. But my XL 350R really captured my spirit by providing freedom beyond normal travel on tarred roads. I was on her more than the Trumpet and THAT'S saying something!!!

a friend let me ride his springer flxbfd heritage or whatever for me to feel the springer. i had mentioned the fact that i once owned a 47 and was interested to know if the new ones were any different. no difference!!!! still crappy!!!! i think a springer is cool, love the look and its ok for a barhopper but for long distance or some not so good roads??? and the bike itself didnt impress me at all, kinda reminded me of my 47 in the sense that it was like driving a truck after getting off my America. i mean it seemed heavy and combersome with no real gitupandgo and i dont even want to mention what it felt like just going around corners, i cant imagine what it would be like in some real twisties naaaaaa i think i will stick with my America and maybe if the time was to roll around that the stars lined up just right i might like to have a dualsport. i havnt ridden the 800 tiger yet but it seems to tall sitting on it in the showroom which tells me its probably great off road but i probably wouldnt like it so much on the street??? i really dont have much interest in riding anything else

A couple of weeks ago I saw an HD CVO Springer. Real nice looking, but for that price you could have a couple of very good motorcycles.

1/ 1600 Thunderbird with aftermarket pipes. awesome, 1st time I have wanted the lights to turn red, just so i could tear off again.
2/ Honda Varadero. looks horrid but stonkin engine. instant power on tap.
3/Buell Ulysses. shouldn't work but it does. what a hoot!

and the losers
4/ Honda VFR800.pointless VTEC means my licence would not remain so. the power band was adictive but to far up rev range
5/ old model Ducati Multistrada. this is the only bike that after 5 mins I wanted to return to the shop. I didnt, I persevered but wish I hadn't. uncomfy, vibey and just truly awful.

2010 Thunderbird. really impressed with the power and ease of handling
for it's weight. Didn't see 13k better than my speedy.
maybe in time the used ones will get me.

1991 Bmw K75RT had 31k on it. nimble, good protection from the cold
for early spring and late fall riding. So I bought it
for 3500. I can grocery shop on this bike and carry
multiple jackets. Doesn't have the soul of a
triumph speedy but is so functional. I've named her
"The Appliance". Back to two bikes.

1983 Kaw GPZ 550 the last ride when I sold it to a friend. Great little
bike that I rode for 4 years.

2009 Triumph Tiger just not for me.

1997 Honda Valkryie. A bike I've lusted after. But the one I rode turned
like a truck. The lust left instantly.

2004 Honda Shadow.  A friends souped up lowered custom. Another truck
1100

2010 Bmw K1200LT too expensive. too everything. couldn't wait to get
off.

1997 Thunderbird maybe it was this guys bike, but couldn't wait to give
it back to the owner.

2008 TBA (mine) - wonderful, just wonderful

2008 Bonneville (Ruth's) - similar to above but with carbs. Handles incredibly. Peg position was not my favorite but does allow tucking in. Feels smaller than my TBA but I don't think the weight is much different.

2011 KLR (we bought a pair) - fun, fun, fun. Did I mention it was fun? Surprisingly competent on the twisties and you can take it almost anywhere.

Some sort of Harley Texas Highway Patrol something or other - loud (I'm sure he changed the pipes from the THP). Cumbersome. Heavy. Nice paint. Weird handlebars.

Interesting that 3 of the 4 BA'ers who tried the Tiger 1050 said basically the same thing: "not for me." and the 4th said he couldn't pull the trigger in a trade.

Rocket Roadster,smooth bike tons of power.

Speed Triple,nothing like a triple ,but dont like the riding postion.

Tiger 1050,one of Triumphs best rides.Might be my next bike,still holding out for the Trophy.

Tigers and Rockets, Rockets and Tigers... a GREAT topic but hey... getting back to the gist of this thread and the ranking of bikes we rid, rode, mounted or stole this season, I rode that '36 Francis-Barnett and them's some bragging rights! One of only 2 known to exist on the planet of that year and model. Okay, I didn't rank it in my previous post but THAT'S my #1 ride for 2011 and maybe even my lifetime!

Another look at that rare and beautiful bike (sorry 'bout my mug being in the shot)...

My '04 America, always my "go-to" bike and still a delight.

1964 Trophy SR, two years in the rebuild and an absolute hoot to ride. Looks like I caught some trash in the left jug so a rebore is next. Good vibrations...at least the 300 miles I got in before the engine failed.

2006 Scrambler. Maybe the best riding position I've had on a bike coupled with the smooth power of the 270° engine. Snappy response, it's hard not to want one of my very own. Hated the stock exhaust set-up with all of that weight concentrated on the right side but there's an easy after-market cure for that called Arrow.

2009 America - top - o - the - list. Number 1 in the stable.

2003 HD Ultra. Wife loves it. Nuff said. I'll trade as soon as she quits riding.

1983 HD RG. Custom built by Larry Hero (that's his name). Met him at our VFW rally. Totally custom build. Including tranny, engine and bodywork. He says its capable of 400+ HP. 3 time national Loudest pipe awards at some HD events somewhere at sometime, scoots in the low 9's. I well believe the loud pipe spiel. My ears were ringing for 5 mins after he wrapped the throttle for a sec or 2 . Let me take it for a spin. Can believe the low 9 too. When I goosed her, I really got a surprise (and I'm fairly used to fast) . Hard keeping her going at idle, but give it some juice and it is gone. 2 nitrous cans set for a 6 sec boost kind of tell a bit of the tale. No, I did not hit the gas (literally). Took it for a spin in a local neighborhood, so I expect there were a few raised eyebrows. Not a looker, but it wasn't his game. Needless to say I dreaded every turn. But it was a hard, old school machine. Oh, custom suspension as well. Would lower as started rolling.

He does do custom pin striping and body paint. Made a few bucks off the members. His wife does LED lighting. So my wife had me get her to light the Ultra. Gotta admit, it does look cool in the dark . They are full time vendors that show up at a lot of the big rallies. You may run into them sometime. Great people.

Would love to ride a Storm . Haven't had but one come through and our POS dealers don't give rides.

The only bike I rode... Elvira ('06 BA)! Rode a few different bikes before I bought her in '06... nothing else since. Damn it sounds like I'm married.

'97 Sprint....#1
'02 Bonnie/America .....#1

'66 Honda S90 ....

'77 KZ1000...
'79 Suzuki GS750
'73 GT185....

1) Blue/white T-bird 1600- just right
2) Storm 1700 too much buzz in the engine and the shocks are too stiff.
3) Sprint Gt. Almost dropped her in the gravel parking lot.

My cranberry red 2005 TBA will always be number one but I took my wife riding on a R1200RT a couple of years ago and she loved it. Bought one in thunder gray (dark gray) on 11/11/11. BMW has some rebates and the dealer made me a great deal but it was still outrageous. Anyway, I'm now a two bike owner. On the open road or in the mountains, this is a fantastic touring machine and has to be number one. However, around town, the America is my first choice. Now I can quit trying to make a touring bike out of it. It still gets more comments about its looks than anything else I've ridden and is just fun to ride.

Bill