Sitting here burning up the iPhone will watching over the grandkid...
What I would want in a motorcycle.
1) ABILITY TO PULL 80 ALL DAY LONG ON THE INTERSTATE.
Essential when crossing the Continent. I have heard this eliminates the Harley Sportsters which do pull 80, but which beat you Death doing so.
2) ROOM FOR A PASSENGER.
Doesn’t have to be a sofa, but shouldn’t be S&M gear either. This eliminates sportbikes which impart a gynecological exam chair posture to the passenger.
3) THREE CYLINDERS OR LESS.
When loping along at a moderate speed, one to three cylinders impart a pleasant, companiable rhythm whereas IME inline fours are just dull as a post when not wound out.
4) SERIOUS CORNERINGING CLEARANCE.
When it comes to roadbike skills, corners are everything. Gotta be able to lean 30+ degrees in corners. This eliminates all Harleys except for the Sportster cafe racer, which barely makes the cut.
5) PICK-UPPABLE BY ONE PERSON AFTER TIP-OVER.
I have this phobia of being found dead in the desert....... next to my tipped-over motorcycle.
Might eleminate the Harley Dresser And GoldWing-class motorcycles
So far Bristoe’s 650 Bergmann scooter is one of the top picks :
6) REBUILDABLE IN A PARKING LOT.
Only ones still that simple anymore I know of are the air cooled 650 thumper dual sports by Suzuki and Honda.
7) A FOREVER MOTORCYCLE.
A classic worth keeping forever, supported by a continuing availability of parts.
Not sure I know of one that meets all of the above.
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