![]() 04/17/2016 at 00:57 • Filed to: Two wheels good | ![]() | ![]() |
Two wheels addictingly good. Went to a Ducati store, a Yamaha store, and a Harley store. Would like to still check out a Moto Guzzi and Triumph store. These are my favorites. Ignoring price, and obvious huge differences like Ducati versus Harley, for the time being, which is your favorite of these and which do you think I should get?
Pictured in the same order as they are listed in the pole (unless I get kinja’d). And if that doesn’t work just answer below. Thanks!
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:06 |
|
I feel as if you probably don’t want to join the Harley club, since you listed interest in non-Harleys.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:10 |
|
Whatever you choose, don’t choose
this bike!
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:11 |
|
YES, buy them.
But If I only had to pick one, Triumph. No reason just like them. The Guzzi is a VERY close second due to the awesome look of the longitudinal V.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:16 |
|
wo wo wo is that a black datsun in the background of that gif ?
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:23 |
|
I voted for the Triumph, but I also really dig the Scrambler and Motto Guzzi.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:30 |
|
Was it just me or did that look like Paul Walker?
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:30 |
|
I vote for the Triumph or the Moto Guzzi, but I know basically nothing about bikes
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:30 |
|
I ride a Monster 1200S, and have ridden the 821 and Scrambler.
There are two main differences between the 1200 and the 821- The 1200 has a more bored-out engine, and a longer wheelbase. This means that while the 821 is a bit more nimble due to the wheelbase, the engine actually weighs MORE than the 1200. The whole bike only comes in slightly lighter due to less cooling system mass. Oh, and price. There’s that.
The Scrambler is a very different beast. Air-cooled, more upright, more of a relaxed bike that isn’t as focused on sportiness. The engine does not rev nearly as high. That said, it’s smaller and lighter than the Monsters, and easier to handle around town.
Guzzi is sometimes called the Italian Harley, and not without reason. Very large, low-power engines in very heavy bikes, with a strong focus on tradition and style. That said, haven’t ridden one.
Can’t speak to the Triumph or Yamaha much. The Triumph old-school line is getting a rolling refresh into something a bit more competitive and engaging here soon.
As for the Harley... I think Sam Stoner said it best; if you’re interested in not-harleys, you’re probably keeping your mind too open for it to make much sense. Overpriced, under-powered, and poor quality isn’t a great combination if you don’t have the draw of being a “Harley Guy” to offset it. That said, I am perhaps a BIT prejudiced against Harleys. And by a bit, I mean extremely. I’m probably not the best person to ask.
If you’ve got your license already and know how to ride, the Euro dealers will usually have demo bikes you can take out. Might give that a shot. If you don’t have your license yet, I’d say to look at the Scrambler or Bolt and check out some of the many posts by Peter Black on getting into motorcycling.
You also haven’t really said what you’re looking for. Do you want something sporty and engaging to ride? Get the Monster. Do you want something that will look cool riding down the street? Get the Scrambler, Triumph, or Guzzi. Do you want something that looks like all the other bikes parked at the bar and that will look good in your garage 360 days out of the year? Get the Harley.
FWIW, here are my more timely impressions on the Ducs.
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/ducati-monster…
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/actual-test-ri…
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:31 |
|
I definitely need to go check them out in person. I’m honestly leaning away from the triumph just because I know another guy with the exact same bike. Petty reasoning I know, but I can’t help but feel that way.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:32 |
|
The Harley is actually top three right now. I grew up with Harleys, but never inherited the bike-ist mentality that a lot of those guys seem to have.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:33 |
|
Yeah. Petty much my feelings. But trade the Harley for the triumph, only because I grew up with Harleys and I know a guy who has the exact triumph I would want.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:41 |
|
I know exactly, one of my buddies just got a Superduke... which means I don’t really want one any more. It’s like how some girls get mad when another girl shows up to the party with the same dress.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:43 |
|
Perfect analogy.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 01:44 |
|
I like all of these, but the Moto Guzzi is the most unique IMO.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 02:02 |
|
While for some dumb rain I don’t have my endorsement yet, I have been riding for years (but have been away for a few) and grew up around bikes, Harleys actually.
Mostly what I’m looking for a great looking 75% commuter, 25% weekender that realistically probably won’t do more than 200-300 miles at a time. I don’t necessarily need fast or sporty as long as it makes me feel good and I have fun on it. Fun on a bike for me doesn’t have to be fast.
I totally get your point about the same bike sitting at the bar though, and it makes perfect sense. That’s not me at all. I want something “unique”. But the whole prejudice between different types of riders doesn’t really jive with me. Riders of all types can be great guys, or complete assholes. I’m buying a bike, not a new personality and set of friends.
The mechanical and competitive arguments against Harleys especially do make sense though. Even if to me it is like comparing a base GLA to a loaded CR-V or pilot or whatever (used GLA reference because I’m not the CLA’s biggest fan). And as irrational as it is, this decision isn’t so much about measurable metrics as it is about feel. Perhaps my mid life crisis is starting twenty years early?
I read your reviews when you first posted them I think, and quite enjoyed them.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 02:11 |
|
From my experience, I think the Scrambler, or Yamaha’s take on it, the XSR 900, might work especially well for your purposes. Me, I’d have the XSR 700 but it’s not clear if we’re getting that or not.
On uniqueness, I think the Guzzi is probably the winner there. You’re not going to see many others out there, and they look very distinctive.
I don’t have anything against cruisers in general, besides my own personal preferences. I just don’t know nearly enough about them to say anything. I will say that the Bolt looks really cool in person, though I’d still say if I was going to get a Cruiser I’d get the Indian Scout, because DAMN.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 02:20 |
|
As I have only ridden old 80s standards, my opinion is biased but I want a scrambler over all of those.
But a note on the harley - the 48 sportster has a 2 gallon tank......and gets *maybe* 45mpg. You will NEVER go 100 miles on a tank. It is a city bike that weighs a crapton and has a 5 figure pricetag. Think VEYR CAREFULLY if the 48 is the harley for you. Other sportsters have larger tanks for a bit more range and versatility. I recommend one of those over the 48's pathetically small tank.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 03:40 |
|
out of the bikes here, commuter/fun machine, your best bet is one of the ducatis.
H-D and ‘fun’ dont really mix unless there is the word “buell” in there somewhere
the moto-guzzis...very pretty bikes. but I wouldnt trust the reliability as a commuter. to be frank, I wouldnt trust the HD either, but at least they have a great dealer network for it.
yamaha bolt: H-D rip-off. meh. why not a FZ 07/09? or the XRs.
triumphs old school line is getting a MASSIVE re-fresh this year. I would try and wait for that, and then get a thruxton R. (because olhins and radial mounted brembos...mmmmmm...I’m going to need a minute)
The scrambler is the weird one of the group. Its a very popular bike, and not without reason. Personally? I dont find it THAT revolutionary...kinda comes off as an excuse to keep making their old 803cc aircooled. but I digress. new monster looks good.
if your looking at the monster and scrambler, why not take a peak at the 675 triples from triumph as well? very VERY smooth engines and the sound FANTASTIC.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 03:56 |
|
I did look at the XSR900 also, which I somehow forgot about. Hadn’t even realized it was in dealer showrooms yet until I got there. Definitely a cool bike, but I’m not entirely sure it fit me quite right, not bad, just not perfect.
I keep forgetting about the scout! I read the lanesplitter review of the sixty and it sounds like a great bike. There’s a dealer about half an hour from where I live, and ten minutes from the Guzzi dealer. I might try to check them both out tomorrow.
One thing that’s really appealing about the Guzzi is the price. They’ve got it listed at a killer price on CL. Whereas everything else aside from the bolt is well over $9k.
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcd/552544…
![]() 04/17/2016 at 04:07 |
|
The reliability doesn’t bother me. My commute isn’t long, I have a car that I love, and if magically both are dead at the same time my city has a public transit system that would make Alissa Walker proud.
Fun for me doesn’t necessarily mean fast or sporty. I grew up around Harleys so I get that whole scene. But I got lucky and managed to escape the whole bike prejudice thing.
Your right about the bolt. But it undoubtedly gains reliability, looks cool, and costs half as much. FZ’s look great, but it’s not really my style if that makes sense. I checked out the XSR900 which was certainly cool but didn’t quite fit me right as far as riding position goes. I can’t put my finger on it but it just felt slightly off and I’m a little worried that might not be good for longer rides.
I will have to look into this triumph update. But I’m leaning away from them because a colleague has one.
I loved both Ducatis. The monster was super comfortable.
HOW DID I FORGET ABOUT THE STREET TRIPLE?!?!
![]() 04/17/2016 at 05:32 |
|
I’ve owned probably a dozen bikes, of various styles and purposes. I’ve always been a sucker for the look of a nice, low sportster. That said, the Bolt is a slick interpretation of that style. If you’re just looking for a bar hopper, I vote sportster.
Also keep in mind the Triumph line is due for a refresh in the next year or two, I hope to snag my buddy’s ‘12 Bonneville when he upgrades.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 08:49 |
|
Huge ducati fan boy here... But I have to say, I haven’t been that psyched on the scrambler.. But saw (and heard!) my first one in the wild a couple of days ago, and I was really impressed...
![]() 04/17/2016 at 08:56 |
|
Get the Harley! Love those bikes so much. I know that a lot of the guys on here hate them, but, like my precious Cadillac, there's just an allure of American attitude about them. Like it might not be the best bike, but do you really care?
![]() 04/17/2016 at 09:12 |
|
I like the Sportster and the Scrambler. Some of the new Sportys are gorgeous, I really like the FortyEight. Two totally different feelings to ride, though. Also, sportsters without pipes don't sound that great IMO.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 12:17 |
|
Agreed about the look. It drives me nuts that most Harley guys think of the sporty as “a girl’s bike” just because they’re small and less powerful than other Harleys, but they look so cool most of the time and handle considerably better.
Looking for mostly commuter that will do weekend rides as well, probably up to 2-300 miles at a time.
Others have mentioned the triumph refresh as well. I still need to look into it. Could also be a great time to grab an older new one at a great price.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 12:19 |
|
I want to impressed at first either. But I kept on seeing them and they really grew on me. In person they look fantastic. And they sound just like a Ducati is supposed to.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 12:22 |
|
I know exactly what you mean, especially having grown up with them. I felt the same way about my old Cadillac (01 Seville) until it had every problem ever heard of and then some (broken flywheel!? Really!?). But I enjoyed it well enough when it worked, at least until it started making me paranoid it was going to break again.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 12:24 |
|
Completely agree. I don’t think they sound terrible, just overly muffled and to quiet.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 13:01 |
|
Plus, Harley makes big bikes for big Americans. At 6' 4" with a 35" inseam, it's hard for me to find a bike that fits me, But Harley Davidson makes quite a few that do.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 15:45 |
|
Exactly! I didn’t expect them to sound like a “proper” ducati.. Yeah, I heard a nice growly ducati coming down the street... Was expecting a sweet supersport or something, and then a scrambler appears.. I was shocked.. But instantly waaaaay more intrigued with the bike than I had previously been....
![]() 04/17/2016 at 18:08 |
|
You’ve got 5" on me, but the sporty is small compared to their other bikes. It fits me really well. I’m actually finishing up at the dealer right now, pulled the trigger and bought it. I’ll make a post with pics later.
![]() 04/17/2016 at 18:25 |
|
Awesome! It'll be nice to have some Harley love on here for a change
![]() 04/17/2016 at 19:30 |
|
Yeah! I never really got the hate between different riders. A good friend of mine has an R3 and we’ll go riding together. Bikes are pretty much all fun, and when it came down to it the Harley just did it for me.
![]() 04/28/2016 at 11:46 |
|
Harleys are heavy and dumb. Sportsters still get you shit on at “bike night” at the local bar blasting buck cherry on their outdoor speakers. You don’t want to be apart of that group.
Triumphs have the cleanest look, and the street twin = the old 800cc bonnevilles of 2014-2001. The new 1200 look goregous and should solve all those top end power missing complaints. (they say the same for those sportsters, also ~800cc’s
If you want the most giggles per mile, I gotta go with the Scrambler. Light off road duty is always nice and if your dealership has termi exhaust on one, you will buy it on first braaaap. Its selling so well because its what everyone wants.
Shout out to MotoGuzzi though. Only one dealership in Michigan, clear across the state. If it were closer I would take it over the Triumph. That quirky engine makes everyone look twice.
![]() 04/28/2016 at 14:01 |
|
Night the big dumb heavy Harley because I don’t give a shit about the crowd. Basically it was most comfortable and just felt right to me because that’s what I grew up with. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not your typical Harley rider at all, and I still really want a couple of the other bikes Thruxton R 1200, Monster, and Scrambler. But for what I use it for its a good choice, and for a Harley it’s actually pretty nimble. For a Harley.