favorite all around bike

[Bikes]

Another thread in the for sale section got into discussing opinions of other bikes.......got me thinking about what might have been my most favorite "all around" bike......wondering what everyone here had for a favorite.......just BSing......I really like my XS11, just sayin..
Mine would be an 82 gpz750 I had back then......could have used FI and maybe better brakes but handled great, light, fast, quick in the corners....really fun and easy to ride.......


what say everyone?

[jetmechmarty]

Uh.....

What site is this?



What else is there?

[kboehringer]

Seca 650

Bikes,

I've only owned an XS11 since 5/16/15 but it is truly my favorite bike. I spent most of the first 60+ days of ownership trying to make it run and drive. Since that time, I've accumulated 1200+ miles on it.... I did another long ride today!

BUT, to answer your question (sort of), the ONLY other bike I would go out of my way to buy again if I could find one cheap...... YAMAHA SECA 650.

Compared to the XS11 at highway speed the SECA would be a slug. It wouldn't be able to drag SWMBO along and I wouldn't be comfortable using it for a the long rides I've been pulling off with the XS1100. It also had an UGLY side as the rear fender looked like pooop. BUT, I had a ton of fun on that thing more than any of the other (30++) bikes I've owned. I'm MUCH too old to get back on a 1980 YZ465 so that had to be removed from my thoughts.
This is a clip I pulled off Craigslist a couple months ago. I missed this one it looks EXACTLY like my old one.



P.S. I also own a Maxim 550. I've driven it less than 2 miles (two trips around the block) since the XS11 became operational.

[IanDMacDonald]

Well . . . I was going to roll with Marty and agree that the XS11 is one of my favorite bikes, but I compared it to my modern bikes, etc., then compared it to my other older bikes and had to wonder. My GSXR-750 is like a perfect bike, my CBR is pretty comfortable, but my favorite just for sentimental reasons is my '78 Carmine Red XS750. Yamaha did it right with that collor scheme.

[Roncoach70]

The most fun was many years ago flat tracking a Suzuki RM250B and an Yamaha TT 500 in a Champion frame. Great times. Then I got married and Responsibilities hit. Ouch.
Ron

[DiverRay]

For all the bikes I've had and ridden, I think my Seca 650 Turbo was the most FUN! No, it didn't handle as well as others, but for a little 650 it really went! I loved it when the turbo spooled up, and the front tire lifted! 1.5 seconds of lag, then gone!
Yeah, I was younger then, but I did build a rack for it, and put a LOT of miles on it before finding a drunk driver while on the freeway......

[Bonz]

My 80 SG is a favorite because of what it is and the condition it is in. But not my choice of bike for an all-rounder. Of the current bikes in the garage, the 2001 ZRX1200 is the hands down winner. More comfortable riding position for my tall frame and 100 lbs less weight as it sits with the mods I've done. A much more flexible liquid cooled engine with 135 hp and 85 ft/lbs to the rear wheel that gets 50-52 mpg with a 5 gallon tank sitting on top of it vs 39-41 mpg of the XS1100 SG.

And it looks very much like the venerable GPZ from the 80's, that started this thread! Can't go wrong!

[IanDMacDonald]

For all the bikes I've had and ridden, I think my Seca 650 Turbo was the most FUN! No, it didn't handle as well as others, but for a little 650 it really went! I loved it when the turbo spooled up, and the front tire lifted! 1.5 seconds of lag, then gone!
Yeah, I was younger then, but I did build a rack for it, and put a LOT of miles on it before finding a drunk driver while on the freeway......

With the exception to the maintenance of that bike being a pain, lol. Many did not know it was a fake muffler on the left, used only as a waste gate for the turbo.

[DiverRay]

With the exception to the maintenance of that bike being a pain, lol. Many did not know it was a fake muffler on the left, used only as a waste gate for the turbo.

Oh, I did. It also had the boost kit, dealer installed IF he knew you, or you wanted to pay for it. He put it on for me at the 3K service, no charge. It put the turbo from 6psi to 12 psi, and was the reason the bike was so much fun. I didn't do much in the way of service, other than oil changes and spark plugs. I think I had about 25K on it when I T-boned the drunk on the freeway. He had spun out in the light rain, and I hit him, and the car behind me pushed us both another 30' or so..... Walked away from it somehow.

[STEPPENWOLF]

I think this is mine..may not be the best but it is mine.

[Bikes]

My 80 SG is a favorite because of what it is and the condition it is in. But not my choice of bike for an all-rounder. Of the current bikes in the garage, the 2001 ZRX1200 is the hands down winner. More comfortable riding position for my tall frame and 100 lbs less weight as it sits with the mods I've done. A much more flexible liquid cooled engine with 135 hp and 85 ft/lbs to the rear wheel that gets 50-52 mpg with a 5 gallon tank sitting on top of it vs 39-41 mpg of the XS1100 SG.

And it looks very much like the venerable GPZ from the 80's, that started this thread! Can't go wrong!

My guess is if I spent much time on one, it would be my new favorite....

[IanDMacDonald]

Oh, I did. It also had the boost kit, dealer installed IF he knew you, or you wanted to pay for it. He put it on for me at the 3K service, no charge. It put the turbo from 6psi to 12 psi, and was the reason the bike was so much fun. I didn't do much in the way of service, other than oil changes and spark plugs. I think I had about 25K on it when I T-boned the drunk on the freeway. He had spun out in the light rain, and I hit him, and the car behind me pushed us both another 30' or so..... Walked away from it somehow.

In hindsight, it was a fun surge of power when that turbo kicked-in. I'll be selling both of mine in the Spring.

[jimbyjimb]

Lately I've been having more fun on my recently acquired Suzuki DR250SE than any other bike I've ever ridden. My last street bike is up for sale with the recent discovery that I'd rather play hard for a few hours than cruise. Plus the crotch rocket is a death machine with a literal number assigned to my lifespan.

Swapping to lightweights and dropping highway touring has sparked new interest and enthusiasm for two wheels. There is so much scenic backcountry to explore and so many sweet jumps to take. I do miss my XS here and there regardless.