Bob's Picks
Good question, LongRide
The marriage analogy is a good one, made more pertinent in my case by the fact that tomorrow is my 23rd wedding anniversary an event that lends itself to introspection on the nature of long-term relationships.
Before getting down to specifics, I have to elaborate on your 3rd condition. Is this to be taken in the same sense as ones wedding vows, where it is an ideal to strive for, but where the occasional dalliance, so long as there is not emotional involvement, the other party does not find out, and nobody is hurt is, if not condoned, is at least overlooked? If, in a moment of temporary weakness, I succumb to the temptation of that beautiful, young Italian seductress and give her a quick test ride, is my relationship finished, or can I use this as an opportunity to recommit to my relationship, perhaps making it even stronger as a result?
Anyway, I see that there are several dimensions that I would have to consider:
1. Reliability and durability. I like to ride a lot, so I would put a lot of miles on a bike over 20 years. At 10-20,000 mi per year, that equates to 200-400,000 miles over the next 20 years.
2. Parts availability. Since I will certainly need to do some major work over the next several hundred thousand miles, the expected availability of parts not just the major parts, but also the piddley stuff like levers, switches etc will be a major issue down the road.
3. Versatility. Since I am limited to one bike, it needs to be able to do everything I want a bike to do. By definition, it will be a compromise, so I have to decide how to weight the various types of riding I intend to do.
4. Chemistry. No matter how compatible another person seems, if there is no chemistry, no passion, the prospects for a happy, successful relationship are limited. Same with bikes.
5. My changing desires and requirements. I am almost 53 years old, so in 20 years I will be in my 70s. If I were asked a similar question 20 years ago, I would have wanted very much the same things I want now; however, the inevitability of physical aging, slower reflexes, reduced agility etc, are likely to have a much more significant impact on my riding in the next 20 years than in the past 20.
Predicting future reliability and parts availability, and for that matter, my own future limitations, is a guess. I feel the best way to predict them is to look at previous generations. I had a pretty good indication of how my wife would age from observing her parents. Her mother was hot not only physically attractive, but energetic, with a love of life. No guarantees, but that was my best information then available. I have used the same approach here.
I would start by ruling out certain types of bike or certain manufacturers. To start off, I would reluctantly cross off what is possible my current favorite type of bike the pure sport bike. Since I also need to maintain my other long-term relationship (with my wife), I cannot expect her to spend many hours perched on the pillion of any of the current sport bikes. Also, I have to be realistic about my ability to continue folding my aging body into the racers crouch required especially as I approach my 70s.
I also would reluctantly rule out any of the more dirt-oriented dual-purpose bikes, or Supermoto bikes for some of the same reasons.
I have to rule out the pure touring bikes such as Honda Gold Wing due to lack of sporting prowess and striking out on the passion criterion plus my wife refuses to be seen on the back of one. Slightly more sporting (in performance and image) mounts such BMW R-RTs would not be categorically ruled out.
I have never had any real desire for a cruiser, so dont see any reason to start now. The style does not appeal to me, and the feet forward, hands-at-shoulder-level riding position is particularly uncomfortable. (Note that I do not include all Harleys in this group eg the Dyna Sport or Sportster -- especially the Sport -- have "normal" riding positions, and I DO like the style.)
I would probably rule out any of the manufacturers that do not have a relatively long track record and reasonably sound financial position. Dont want to be stuck trying to buy parts for an orphan bike in a few years. That rules out Victory, Indian, MZ, Benelli, etc and leaves a question mark next to Triumph (as long as John Bloor is involved, he will keep it afloat, but not so sure once he is out of the picture) and maybe even Aprilia and Ducati.
I would be tempted by something like a Ducati ST2 or ST4. It meets many of my criteria certainly has the sex appeal, wide focus, etc. My concern is with long-term reliability. Too maintenance intensive, with too complex (and expensive, if outsourced) valve adjustments. Id be looking at something like 400 desmo valve adjustments over the next 20 years. May have to pass.
Some model of Harley could meet several of my criteria. Good track record of parts availability, and service personnel able to troubleshoot and repair the older machines. Simple maintenance is a plus. However, I HAVE NEVER EVEN RIDDEN A HARLEY, other than as a passenger at age 11. The only one that I have ever seriously considered was the Dyna Sport. That could be a contender, but without riding one, I have to reserve judgment.
Probably my leading contender would be one of the BMW oilhead boxers. Like Harley, BMW have a history of keeping old bikes on the road. Good parts availability, strong support from other owners, including active owners groups. Of the various models, I think I would pick the R1150R for its classic, naked simplicity, reasonably light weight, and versatility.
There you have my choices:
1. BMW R1150R
2. Harley Dyna Sport
3. Ducati ST2/4
