“Some bikes are great to ride, and some are just great. These machines are both”… posted two weeks ago the blog died in absolute silence: no comments, no reactions. Just few e-mail messages addressed to me asking for additions. Once again Armagan worked on the list and generously extended the number of models to accommodate different tastes.
(As editors of the blog I did not interfere with Armagan (and readers)
choices but i cannot be persuaded that some repetitive models have sufficient
personality to become a reference for future classics. Examples are the
inclusion of 4 BMW GS (BMW R1100GS BMW R1200G BMW R1250GS) following the now classic GS 80. In casa Ducati the repetition of two models same engine (DucatiStreetFighter V4S Ducati Panigale V4S) at the exclusion of the first and original Multistrada 100DS by Pierre Terblanche. And from Austria two similar models of, again, another “Adventure” bike to go in tandem with three similar Yamaha engines. Finally, for some of us Goldwing, BMW K1600 GT and Ducati Diavel in top specifications are not exactly “accessible”)
But, this is just a personal comment. Here we go with the new, improved piece:
The post “Great machines you have just got to ride!” was based on an article of Richard Fincher republished by OMM Bulletin in 2005. In need of an updated contemporary version, I asked Armagan Ak, OMM rider of the first hour and well known “guru” of motorcycling in Turkey to finalize the list with the following parameters: a) no more than 50 bikes (Armagan limited his final list to 30) b) bikes that can be bought today on the new or second hand market without breaking the bank (no exotics or prototypes or custom made) c) bikes that once ridden “will give memories for a lifetime”.
Armagan is not only qualified by his knowledge of what makes a bike great but also by his experience: I did not investigated further but I know that he rode the majority of the vehicles in the list. The list would like to be an opening: in July this year I will revise the list and I will published for the surviving models specs, links and key data.
If you would like to add your voice, here the criteria fore selection again from Richard Fincher: “Some bikes are great to ride, and some are just great. This is the definitive selection of machines that are both. Take most bikes for a spin and your day will be improved. Maybe even your whole year. The ones presented here will give you memories for a lifetime. And the great thing is, most of these bikes are accessible”
- BMW
- BMW R80 GS
- BMW R1100GS
- BMW R1200GS
- BMW R1250GS
- BMW S1000XR
- BMW S1000RR
- BMW K1600GT
- DUCATI
- Ducati 916
- Ducati Monster
- Ducati Multistrada 1200S
- Ducati StreetFighter V4S
- Ducati Panigale V4S
- Ducati Diavel
- HONDA
- Honda Africa Twin
- Honda VFR 750
- Honda CBR 1100 Blackbird
- Honda CBR954RR Fireblade
- Honda CB600F Hornet
- Honda GoldWing
- KAWASAKI
- Kawasaki KLR 650
- Kawasaki ZZ R1100
- Kawasaki ZX10R
- KTM
- KTM 690 ENDURO
- KTM 640 ADV
- KTM 1190 ADV
- KTM 1290 ADV
- KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE
- KTM 950 SM
- KTM RC8
- MV AGUSTA
- MV Augusta Brutale
- MV Augusta F4 1000
- PIAGGIO
- Vespa PX200
- SUZUKI
- Suzuki DRZ 400
- Suzuki 1100 Katana
- Suzuki Hayabusa
- Suzuki GSX R1000 K5
- TRIUMPH
- Triumph Street Triple
- Triumph Speed triple
- Tiger 800XC
- Tiger 900 Rally Pro
- Bonneville Thruxton 1200R
- YAMAHA
- Yamaha YZF R1
- Yamaha MT07
- Yamaha Tenere 700
- Yamaha TDM 900
- Yamaha Fazer (600/1000)
- Yamaha Tracer (700/1000)
- VARIOUS
- HD Electra Glide
- Ural
- Royal Enfield Bullet