Which forever motorcycle ?

Hello all,

I have ridden motorcycles for the last 20+ years. I’ve ridden across the world, commuted, worked as a bike courier on London’s mean streets.

These days I’m doing less and less miles, but still love motorbikes. My 2008 Honda Hornet was a replacement for a brand new triumph tiger that was stolen in 2020 – and I used it commuting in London. It was a good fix for the heart break of the Triumph, it got knocked over half a dozen times on bike stands.  It’s battered, but reliable… but also fairly soulless.

I’ve now moved out of London (hurrah!) and have dry storage. I’m aware petrol vehicles are on their way out so want to buy one last motorbike to keep forever – I’m not necessarily looking for a new bike although would consider a new one.

I’m probably looking for a dual sport which can handle off road touring and some light green laning on a summers evening, although I don’t need a fairing…

I like the look of the various new scrambler bikes, but don’t like the over retrofication of them…

The bike should be super mechanically reliable and possible for me to maintain myself. I’m really looking for something with excellent build quality which will look perfect in 20 years time!

I’d like to think at some point in the next 20 years I’ll do a Morocco or Sahara trip…

I’ve been thinking about buying the best R80GS I can find from the 80’s…an older 1150GS in good condition…or a new BMW R Nine T in the Dakar spec? The new Africa Twin is a great bike – but is it too plastic and covered in electric bits which look awful and burned out  in 20 years?

The size and weight of the new triumph Bonneville type bikes put me off them… I wish they’d build one with a 6-800cc engine.

Alternatively maybe a Honda CB1000 from a couple of years ago is a good buy with a couple of mods… The new moto guzzi dual sport bike also looks lovely…Hit me with your suggestions!

an older 1150GS in good condition

I think for a long-term bike this is a good idea. Plenty of evidence that they’re reliable already, not too much electrickery,  and probably a lot around that have had a relatively easy life.

I’ve got a 2008 KTM SM990 which is still going strong and looks great (and as far as I’m aware was previously owned by another STWer). I’ve done some multi-day touring trips and as long as you were to change the standard seat for the ergo-comfy one and stick some hand guards on it’s very good for long days on the bike. Range isn’t going to break any records – I stop around every 130 miles – so you get a rest from that anyway. Would definitely cope with light offroad with the correct tyres and an underbelly bashguard. Fairly easy to self-spanner, I think the biggest job is the valve clearance check every other service and EXPENSIVE if done at a main dealer. Only real maintenance I’ve needed was a new radiator after the original got perforated from something.

Having been in a similar position recently I have just taken delivery of a Yamaha Tenere World Raid. Very rarely for me this is my second one as first got written off on the side of a bus but liked it so much that replaced it with the same but different colour.

Basic electronics, enough power not to feel lacking, mega reliability from CP2 engine,comfortable (for me at 184cm) and well protected from elements.

Massive range of 250-300 miles if you fill both tanks, so well balanced when on the move (although a wee bit of a handful to manoeuvre when off bike with a full tank).

Will easily handle offroad work (do a YouTube search to see what they really can handle), so many accessories/modifications available.

Very well built, feel quite quality ,and stand up to crash testing quite well 😂

Possible downside is seat height, I have 32” inside leg and can flat foot if I place feet behind pegs but tiptoe if out board of pegs. I tend to mount the bike while it’s on side stand as well as much easier.

Oh and the grips are terribly hard.

I test rode a R1250 GSA and preferred the Tenere as an all rounder 🤷🏻‍♂️

There are a few versions of the Tenere available so I would have a look and see if any of the others suit if the long range isn’t a major selling point for you (although you don’t have to fill both tanks all the time)

Also some very good deals on previous years models just now👍

I very nearly bought a new Africa Twin this time last year. Agree they’re a bit aesthetically plastic, but things with a few aftermarket trinkets I could overcome the boring bit. Did 3 test rides as was very undecided on the bike… performance was astonishingly good (almost too competent and it lacked a little quirkiness or character). Ultimately I found the long travel suspension off putting (this would have been my first off-road centric m/c and the diving under breaking etc induced slight motion sickness). If I could have got over that (hence the 3 test rides) I think it would have been a very long term proposition, just considering how cherished old Transalps remain today. Really what’s needed though is an adventure bike from Honda with a VFR750 engine in it that isn’t pig ugly and heavy a la Crossrunner

“ I’ve been thinking about buying the best R80GS I can find from the 80s”

I had one from new in 1981, after owning a few Japanese two-strokes. The Bing carbs constantly went out of tune, the shaft drive became sloppy – too many wheelies, and after a year or so I couldn’t give it away. But that’s the one bike I wish I still had 😢

@sheck spot on – I wonder even if it’s worth buying a lovely VFR800 as well to keep under the covers!

vfr and a dr350 and you’re sorted.

If I was to have one bike forever it’d be a boxer of some sort, as for off roading I’d get something light for that.

Oh look, here’s Kayak23 in to recommend a Himalayan again! 🙄

I’m probably looking for a dual sport which can handle off road touring and some light green laning on a summers evening, although I don’t need a fairing…

Pretty much what I do on mine.
Sounds like you need a Himalayan bruv 👍

If you go for the BMW r1150GS it’s probably better to get a pre-2003 which doesn’t have the dreaded ABS/Servo which was problematic. I had a 2003 with it (and twin spark) and it failed. No big problem and removed it all together… braking was actually a bit better as well.   Apart from that it was a great bike and covered the miles very well. I sold it when I got a bit too old to manage the weight with my not excessively long legs (short).

Btw, just to add…. many 2003+ bikes will have had the ABS/Servo removed already.

In the best ST tradition of recommending what you have – Triumph Speed Twin 1200 (or maybe Scrambler 1200).  Not too heavy, quite small, looks fantastic and goes like a stabbed rat.  What’s not to like?  Except maybe the suspension, you need to spend a few quid on that if you are a lightweight, like me.

I think the answer is… “BMW R9T in whichever variant you prefer”.

I’m a serial bike changer and tend to own a few at once. I’ve owned many, many bikes over the years. In 2018 I had a few grand burning a hole in my pocket after quitting racing and selling my KTMs and spares. I wanted to buy an heirloom bike. After test-riding loads (all European) I bought a brand new Urban G/S on a whim. I love it and will never sell it. Mine is now a bit tricked up, and I don’t ride it that often at the moment, but I just love the thing. I’ve instructed that after my demise the bike must not ever be sold but can be given away. I think my wife will ride it before handing it over to my nephew.

I’d do the same again 🙂

Looking for something similar myself- was originally going to get a Beta Alp for a specific event, but now am thinking I’d rather have something a bit more versatile, am now looking at DRZ400’s- good power and suspension, but no FI  and old, still fairly expensive, or CRF250/300L’s – slower, poorer suspension, but injected and newer.

I’m in my 60’s with a dicy leg, and have followed kayak’s thread and his adventures so wouldn’t go near a porky Himalayan, need something a lot lighter.

Great responses guys

1150 GS Adv would be the one. Assuming you can handle the size & weight.

They can still be had for reasonable money if you look hard enough. They’re only gonna appreciate in value from here. Okay(ish) off-road with a knobbly on the front.

80 or 100GS are worth it too. Harder to find but if you look on German eBay or FB plenty come up.

Quite a few in Poland too. Usually quite cheap.

It would be a good holiday. Fly to Germany or Poland, pick up your new bike & ride home. If it’s over 30yrs old there’s no duty, just 5% VAT. You can fill in the forms & pay online so it’s a breeze at UK customs.

That’s my old KTM 990 SM, toured Scotland on it and a few big days in the lakes, loads of fun!

I had an Africa Twin 1100 DCT for a couple of years, another good bike, so much tech it was over complicated to use/ navigate the menus/ switchgear. BUT, traction control was ace when riding a -6 from Golspie to Fort William.

Had a go on a R1250 GS on the road and it was amazing, handling, power, suspension – felt like a 450 supermoto on steroids. Wouldn’t want to be taking on down anything more than a fire road, it would be a pig to pick up if you drop it. The bloke who had it now has a Tenere 700 for more offroad focused riding and loves it, i got the Africa Twin off him after he’d done some of the TET around portugal, it was a bit rough and weighed a ton with sumpguard and crashbars on it, totally different bike with all that taken off and some conti trail attack 3s on it.

I have a soft spot for  the R Nine Ts, a scrambler type could cope with some light off road, they’re meant to be quite reliable too, newer ones come with heated grips and cruise control depending on what pack they have. I like the 17/19 wheel combo too, handles well on the road, plenty of tubeless tyre options. Tempting….

Hmmm, I’d be looking at two bikes as all the dual sports seem to be big heavy units. For off road/green lanes something like a wr250/450 four stroke and fit on road a 23/24 street triple or the 1200 speed triple if you fancy the bigger engine, not ridden the 1200 yet but I borrowed a friends 765 at Portimao earlier this month and it’s a fantastic piece of kit. So good infact I’m selling a couple of bikes to purchase one myself.

I’ve got an 1150GS and it’s a heavy, agricultural beast, which does mean that it’s pretty easy to work on. It’s a nice bike, but I’m thinking of trading it for an RNineT Urban GS, which would be a bit more manageable for me as a 5’7″ pensioner.

I should add that I already have a forever bike, a 1980 Le Mans. Forever meaning until I can no longer cope with the clip-ons.

I’d probably go something reasonably modern – lets face it a forever motorbike isn’t a thing.

For fun and frolics without being silly

Speed Twin 1200

CB1100

R9T

Z900RS

XSR900 if you can deal with the looks, it doesn’t float my boat but the engine is a hoot.

I like modern classics, they already look old so shouldn’t age if you do keep it for ages, and should have 5-10 years before any real issues pop up.

If you really fancy an old GS as a forever bike….have a chat to Mike at Overland and Classic. He brings back to life some old stuff and does an amazing job. Yes, it’ll be £10k plus but will be stunning (I’d love one but can’t afford or fit it in the garage) I can’t find a website and don’t use instagram but this pops up with a search.

https://www.instagram.com/overland.and.classic/

For me, I’d be looking at a Z900RS

[still no quote buttons]For me, I’d be looking at a Z900RS[still no quote buttons]

For riding green lanes? 🤔

vfr and a dr350 and you’re sorted.

Did used to have a VFR750 and went touring (on and off road) round Turkey on a DR400 back in the day…

“For riding green lanes? 🤔 ”

Ooops…I missed that bit and seemed to focus on the Bonneville/CB1000 aspect.
Back to a nicely done R80/100 GS that’s been ‘sorted’

After trying the Transalp (see above) I bought a XSR700 XTribute. It looks the business in a vaguely retro way, has enough oomph for me and with an SC Projects Pipe and upgraded rear shock is quite a fun toy.

However I do still have an ongoing and irrational desire for a Guzzi V85TT, which could be worth adding to the mix? If/when I replace it’ll be for something a bit more versatile and will be on a shortlist along with an Urban GS and possibly the V1000 Mandello (assuming no VFR-derived adventure bike in the meanwhile)

Gen 1 tiger 800 would perhaps do the reliable dual sport role. Then have a second bike to complement it.