Recommendations Wanted: Best All-Around Street Bike

I know I'm not the first to ask this question — and I surely won't be the last — but I'm searching for the somewhat elusive "best all-around street bike."  I've done my research and arrived at my own notions, but since I actually haven't experienced these bikes, it'd be great to hear from those whose real-world riding has forged their opinions.

Here's my criteria:

- Comfortable ergos for multi-hour rides.  I'm not thinking of going cross-country, but I often like to take day trips that involve up to five hours of riding (2.5 there and 2.5 back).
- A good fit.  I'm 6'1" (approx. 33" inseam) and just shy of 200 lbs.  I don't want my knees in my chest or my chest on the tank with my back cranked over.  My radical sportbike days are behind me.
- Reasonable range on a tank of gas — somewhere around 150-200 miles.
- Fun-to-ride factor.  I'm not in the market for a pure sportbike, but I'm not looked for a two-wheeled easy chair either.  I'd like a bike that handles well and can put a smile on your face on those curvy backroads.
- Not hefty.  Recognizing that some heavier bikes don't feel heavy because of intelligent design, I'd be happier with a bike closer to the 400 lb. mark (dry) than the 600 lb. mark.

Nice-To-Haves:

- "Character" preferred.  It's difficult to define what puts "soul" in a bike, but part of the fun is having a bike that's distinctive.
- Would rather have a twin or triple than a four.  While I've not experienced a twin or triple firsthand, I've been longing for one.  I love the sound, and the idea of all that useable torque, usually down low, is very appealing.
- Wind protection.  I've found that riding at slower speeds can be enjoyable because there's far less wind buffeting going on — I'd love this feeling at higher speeds.

Bikes That Could Do It (in order of most appealing to least):

- Ducati Multistrada (a little homely in the face, and pricey, but otherwise outstanding)
- Ducati GT1000 Touring (Not as attractive as its non-Touring siblings, but nearly perfect)
- BMW F800ST (Certainly well put together, but does it have character?)
- Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (or 650) (Clearly, the best value, but maybe soulless?)
- Moto Guzzi Griso (Hardly perfect, too expensive, but lights my fire like nothing else...and that sound!)
- Aprilia Tuono (Too much sport, too little tour?)
- Triumph Street Triple (Same concerns as Tuono)
- Triumph Bonneville T100 (Pretty and not a bad price, but may need considerable aftermarket help to meet my needs.)
- Suzuki Gladius (The new SV650.  Another great value from Suzuki, but unlikely to meet my criteria without serious aftermarket help.)

Note that while all of the above are available new, I'm perfectly open to used options.

Thanks in advance for your input and advice.

- ELB  

Great list of bikes, throw a dart.

I wouldn't worry about soul.  Bikes don't have soul. Owners project their passion into a motorcycle, giving it soul.

You are the source of the soul.

Joe  

Triumph Tiger 1050, the latest generation, '07 or newer. Awesome, all-day riding position, long travel suspension (but firm enough to go seriously fast), tons of grippy tire options, and one of the best motors on the market. It's a practical Speed Triple, or a Multistrada/V-Strom with a real motor.

If I was forced to do the old one-bike thing, that would be at the top of my list. If I was forced to do the old one-bike thing, and had to do it on a budget, and didn't have to wheelie off of every corner, I'd get a Kawi Versys (or other Kawi 650 twin), which won't seem like it has a soul at first, until you learn how to beat it. If I had to to the one bike thing and money was no object and I could suck up the lack of wind protection, I'd get a Ducati Streetfighter, that has maybe the best motor EVER, a shockingly humane riding position, great, real-world handling, but little two-up or touring ability. If I hated myself I'd buy a slow, heavy Griso (and this is coming from a Guzzi owner).  

Thanks for the replies, Joe and Aaron.  I especially appreciated the specific recommendations, Aaron — obviously, you've managed to get seat time on far more rides than I have (admittedly, my experience is sadly limited).

Actually, both the Triumph Tiger and Kawi Versys were on my short list.  But neither made the final cut.  For the Tiger, this is because it seemed about as expensive as bikes like the Multistrada, and yet never got the top spot in comparos with that bike.  The Duc came off as better sorted, and even though I find the updated styling of the Tiger to be orders of magnitude improved over the old model with the "stripes" (what were they thinking!?!), it still isn't as sexy as the Italian.  The Tiger's engine always did receive high praise.

The Versys was a similar story.  Seemed solid enough, if something of an ugly duckling (in pictures at least).  But bikes like the Suzuki V-Strom 650, with its much-beloved SV650-sourced motor, looked to be the better alternative.  

I'd very much like to hear why you place these bikes over their obvious rivals in greater detail.

Thanks,

ELB  

I know you said you do not want a four, but I'm tossing this out anyway -

Honda 919

New, they can still be found for well under $7000.00 out the door -

Used, pristine examples are out there for under $4000.00

Worth a look.  
Steve

Ride for one - Ride for all

I know what you're saying about soul, a bike that has character, and I agree, some have it in spades, others not so much.

The Versys is ugly in person as well by the way, as is the gadius, though I've seen them stripped of some of the uglier bits and it comes out not too bad.

A bike with a simple removable windshield does the deed and you can go without it when you want, mo better than a dedicated fairing imo.

I've ridden the:

Duc regular GT, it's seat is pitched forward and you still get the tank in the crotch syndrome, excellent engine and chassis though, I can't praise the DS twin enough but...uggh, plastic tank and fenders, on that bike *heartache*.  

Bonneville, I don't think you could go wrong with a Triumph Bonneville, like you said though, you'd need a windshield and luggage of some sort to meet your criteria, but they are available. For even more soul, go for a Thruxton and get higher handlebars, bags and a windshield.

Multistrada, very nice indeed, seat's a bit funky but there's fixes for that, and there's an updated MS in the pipeline soon to be released. Excellent concept and execution in my opinion, the old one's fairing though, eek.

Griso, one of the best and most soul stirring(there's that word) test rides I've taken, don't test one or you'll not get the Griso out of your head. And that ride I took was on the old two-valve Griso. Same issue of needing to buy a windshield and luggage.  Character in spades.

Good luck on your search.  

Thanks for the input, Monkeyshines.

I agree with you about the removable windshield as a best-of-both-worlds solution.  Wind protection is always a tricky matter because it's rider height dependent.  A screen that directs the air over the head of a 5'9" rider may put it right in the face or neck of a 6'+ one.  At least many companies offer an adjustable windscreen (on their touring bikes) or a taller windscreen option.  Of course, aftermarket alternatives are available for some (usually more popular) models.

Amen on the GT1000's plastic fenders.  Whether we're talking bikes or cars, precious few "classic-inspired" versions return to the materials (metal vs. plastic, etc.) quality of the original.

The Bonneville is appealing on many levels, though I'm concerned about power — it's definitely not in the same class as the Ducati GT1000 here.  As I said before, perhaps this can be addressed some with aftermarket performance upgrades.

Reading your views on the Griso was encouraging, especially since Aaron wrote the following (see above): "If I hated myself I'd buy a slow, heavy Griso (and this is coming from a Guzzi owner)."

Those are some seriously contrasting opinions.

- ELB  

The VStroms have alway been on my list as well, they seem to "fit" me well.

Maintenance costs on the Ducati's turn me off.

The other issue I have with the Ducati, Guzzi, BMW and Triumph are the lack of dealerships/qualified service locations nationally, so those are pretty much wiped off my list due to that issue.

Might not be a concern for others, it is for me.

I also prefer proven reliability and "fair" parts pricing/availability.

That's another one of my nickles worth.....  
Steve

Ride for one - Ride for all

I have to admit that I haven't really considered reality factors like maintenance costs and the manufacturer's dealer network.

I guess that's all part of the price paid for owning an "exotic" — sacrifices made in the name of superior style, "character" and a knee-weakening glorious exhaust note that, let's face it, the Japanese never seem able to match.

That said, because it arose in Aaron's reply above, I looked a bit more into Kawasaki's relatively recently released Versys.

And what I've read has been very impressive.  The reviews are generally glowing, confirming that this is a bike that can very nearly do it all, from near-sportbike performance (on the street) to comfortable touring.  They praise the smooth, rev-happy engine, the well-sorted, "flickable" handling and the roomy riding position.  It can also be generously outfitted with luggage and other accessories.  About the only thing that isn't highly rated is the windscreen, which, though three-height adjustable, is said to provide mediocre protection.

Even the looks have grown on me some after seeing it in all black and Kawi signature green.  Even still, I don't think it's on it's way to winning any beauty pagents, though some custom versions I've seen that address the bike's oddball fairing are pretty hot.

At about $7k, the bike surely offers a lot.  Perhaps this is the best of all worlds that I've been looking for.

- ELB  

I just rode around on a 650 Vstrom. Pretty nice bike-kind of heavy. Not too good looking.  On a scale of 1 to10 I rate it blah.

If I had to own only one bike (like the one child policy in China) I'd kill all my motorcycles and get a big bore thumper enduro.

Joe  

Kawi Concours would be my first place to look.
BMW K13S is a very comfortable sport tourer and can get sporty when needed
BMW R1200S or its better sibling F800GS.
Ducati Monster might float your boat.
New Ducati Multistrada 1200 for 2010.
New Honda VFR 1200 for 2010.
BMW low rider concept has me intrigued.  

MrELB:
I have to admit that I haven't really considered reality factors like maintenance costs and the manufacturer's dealer network.

I guess that's all part of the price paid for owning an "exotic" — sacrifices made in the name of superior style, "character" and a knee-weakening glorious exhaust note that, let's face it, the Japanese never seem able to match.

That said, because it arose in Aaron's reply above, I looked a bit more into Kawasaki's relatively recently released Versys.

And what I've read has been very impressive.  The reviews are generally glowing, confirming that this is a bike that can very nearly do it all, from near-sportbike performance (on the street) to comfortable touring.  They praise the smooth, rev-happy engine, the well-sorted, "flickable" handling and the roomy riding position.  It can also be generously outfitted with luggage and other accessories.  About the only thing that isn't highly rated is the windscreen, which, though three-height adjustable, is said to provide mediocre protection.

Even the looks have grown on me some after seeing it in all black and Kawi signature green.  Even still, I don't think it's on it's way to winning any beauty pagents, though some custom versions I've seen that address the bike's oddball fairing are pretty hot.

At about $7k, the bike surely offers a lot.  Perhaps this is the best of all worlds that I've been looking for.

- ELB

Uh, there are a lot of people who actually prefer the superior style, "character" and knee-weakening glorious exhaust note made by so many Japanese motorcycles - when people stereotype anything, well, never mind.


You might be better off with a Harley.....  
Steve

Ride for one - Ride for all