Top 5 Retro/Standard Motorcycles
5. Moto Guzzi V7 Classic
Engine: 744cc V-Twin
Power: 48 hp
Torque: 40.3 ft lbs
Weight: 401.2 lbs (dry)
MSRP: $9490
4. Ducati SportClassic GT 1000
Engine: 992cc L-Twin
Power: 92 hp
Torque: 67.3 ft lbs
Weight: 407 lbs (dry)
MSRP: $11,495 (US)
3. Triumph Bonneville T100
Engine: 865cc Parallel Twin
Power: 67 hp
Torque: 50 ft lbs
Weight: 506 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $10,299
2. Ural Red October
Engine: 749cc Flat Twin
Power: 40 hp
Torque: 38 ft lbs
Weight: 730 lbs (dry)
MSRP: $12,999 (US)
1. Moto Guzzi Griso 8V SE
Engine: 1151cc V-Twin
Power: 110 hp
Torque: 79.7 ft lbs
Weight: 489 lbs (dry)
MSRP: $13,590
No, your eyes do not deceive you, there was a sidecar in there. And I know that you might consider that a bit hypocritical seeing as how I was so hard on the Cam-Am Spyder last week. But, come on! The only thing those two bikes have in common is three wheels. Sidecars are cool. Snowmoblie-inspired motorcycle-wannabes are not. The Ural is Russian and badass. The Can-Am wishes it was badass. Instead, it's like a 55 year old guy with obviously dyed hair, an earring in one ear, with a sideways hat on, using terms like 'dawg' and 'da bomb'. Bah, now I'm just getting all riled up about the stupid Can-Am Spyder again...
Anyways, I love retro styled bikes. Old bikes just look cool. I guess they remind you of a time when the guys that rode bikes were actually rebels and outcasts from society. Unlike today, where most guys that ride bikes are just poseur douchebags. The thing is, those old bikes were hard to keep running. Sure, the engines were simpler, and you could wrench on them yourself without having to worry about the fuel injection system or botching the ABS, but they needed so much maintenance, that you pretty much had to know how to wrench on them, because that's how you would be spending your Sundays. The thing I like about these bikes is that they have the cool, old school style, but with modern engineering and reliability.
Which, probably makes me a poseur douchebag as well. That could very well be true. Anyways, onto the next one:
Top 5 Supermotard Motorcycles
5. Suzuki DR-Z400SM
Engine: 398cc 4-Stroke Single
Power: 34.7 hp
Torque: 25.9 ft lbs
Weight: 321 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $7699
4. Aprilia Dorsoduro 1200
Engine: 1197cc V-Twin
Power: 130 hp
Torque: 84.8 ft lbs
Weight: 457 lbs (dry)
MSRP: $12,795
3. KTM 990 SM R
Engine: 999cc V-Twin
Power: 114 hp
Torque: 71.5 ft lbs
Weight: 423 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $13,999 (US)
2. Aprilia SXV 5.5
Engine: 549cc V-Twin
Power: 70 hp
Torque: 34.8 ft lbs (rear wheel)
Weight: 313 lbs (wet)
MSRP: $9499 (US)
1. Ducati Hypermotard 1100 Evo
Engine: 1078cc L-Twin
Power: 95 hp
Torque: 75.9 ft lbs
Weight: 377 lbs (dry)
MSRP: $14,995
Yes, this category of bike has an unfortunate name. In fact, it seems more like a sick joke and a PR mine field than it does an actual class of motorcycle. But once you're done snickering to yourself, and we can move past it, we find some of the most fun bikes on the planet. The ultimate hooligan bikes if you will. Where every corner is met with a sliding rear end, every stop light a crazy endo, and every chance to accelerate, a lofting front wheel. These bikes are just begging for you to lose your license. In fact, they're so fun, that if it wasn't for their incredibly small gas tanks, and seats that laugh at the mere mention of a highway, these might very well be at the top of my list should I ever find myself shopping around for something new.
They're perfect around town, look cool, can hang with most sportbikes, and handle like nothing else. Yet, they're rare enough that you'll probably be the only guy with one when you go out for a ride. All these things appeal very much to me, but their limited range and comfort is just something that rules them out. Maybe if I'm ever stupid enough to own two bikes at the same time again...
