What was the best bike you ever owned?

Energy One

BadDawg Bill

Well-Known Member
In my 50+ years of riding and building bikes I have realized a few things. Custom built bikes are the top of the class and you can be surprised by other makes. My favorite bike was my 1996 Pro-street I built with a 107 S$S motor and 6 speed Rev-tech trans. It was low and mean and lasted me over 212K miles. I had a big cam and a G-S&S carb with a crane ign. My buddy is still riding it.

I never thought I'd ever ride a Jap bike but then I found a 2005 Yamaha road Star. 102 CI and what a bike. In the 2 years I owned it I only had to change the oil. No problems, always started and was wicked fast. Looked like an old Knucklehead and never let me down. Ya, pulling up at the foxhead or Cabbage patch would bring disdain but I knew it was a great bike.

I sold it a few weeks ago and I'm sad I did. I now have my Harley 2008 Deluxe which is a good bike but not the custom or the RS. The dog a 2004 chopper was fun to ride when it started but then all types of crap happened. I couldn't depend on it to bring me home and that's not right. The constant worry made it not a good day and I sold it for a loss of $8k...

So in 50+ years I'd have to say the 2005 Yamaha was the most fun and dependable bike I've ever owned. The 2004 BD chopper was the most fun to ride and the 1996 custom was in between. I'd love to build an other Pro-street with a pan head S&S motor, 6 speed and a springer front end. If I can find a rolling BD softail bike I may just do that because the BD frames are beautiful.

So what was your favorite bike?
 
Last edited:

bdm7250

Guru
Supporting Member
In my 50+ years of riding and building bikes I have realized a few things. Custom built bikes are the top of the class and you can be surprised by other makes. My favorite bike was my 1996 Pro-street I built with a 107 S$S motor and 6 speed Rev-tech trans. It was low and mean and lasted me over 212K miles. I had a big cam and a G-S&S carb with a crane ign. My buddy is still riding it.

I never thought I'd ever ride a Jap bike but then I found a 2005 Yamaha road Star. 102 CI and what a bike. In the 2 years I owned it I only had to change the oil. No problems, always started and was wicked fast. Looked like an old Knucklehead and never let me down. Ya, pulling up at the foxhead or Cabbage patch would bring disdain but I knew it was a great bike.

I sold it a few weeks ago and I'm sad I did. I now have my Harley 2008 Deluxe which is a good bike but not the custom or the RS. The dog a 2004 chopper was fun to ride when it started but then all types of crap happened. I couldn't depend on it to bring me home and that's not right. The constant worry made it not a good day and I sold it for a loss of $8k...

So in 50+ years I'd have to say the 2005 Yamaha was the most fun and dependable bike I've ever owned. The 2004 BD chopper was the most fun to ride and the 1996 custom was in between. I'd love to build an other Pro-street with a pan head S&S motor, 6 speed and a springer front end. If I can find a rolling BD softail bike I may just do that because the BD frames are beautiful.

So what was your favorite bike?
BD softail frame..
http://www.ridesafely.com/en/salvag...t1p8&mk=big-dog-motorcycle&isct=2&vtdesc=auto
 

bdm7250

Guru
Supporting Member
It's a trick question, had far too many different type of bikes. Favourites for each type would be, my GSXR 600 for sport bikes (I still have it and race it), KTM 450 sxf for motorcross, CR 250R for freestyle, Harley XR 750 for dirt track, Westlake four valve for speedway racing, and my 08 mastiff for cruiser. Brand don't matter too much to me, as long as it's got two wheels..:old2:
 

BWG56

Guru
It's a trick question, had far too many different type of bikes. Favourites for each type would be, my GSXR 600 for sport bikes (I still have it and race it), KTM 450 sxf for motorcross, CR 250R for freestyle, Harley XR 750 for dirt track, Westlake four valve for speedway racing, and my 08 mastiff for cruiser. Brand don't matter too much to me, as long as it's got two wheels..:old2:
WTF is that Goober :oldconfused:
 

chubs

Guru
A whole bunch of years ago, my old man drug home a used Montgomery Ward moped. That's where I got my first real taste of "in the wind". Man, zippin along at the ungodly speed of 30 miles per hour! (without havin ta pedal) then it was a Honda 50 (now we're talkin speed) Eventually moved up to a Yamaha 250 scrambler. Rode that thing year round till I could afford a car. Then it happened, KIDS ! No more bikes for a while. Several years later, I got a 1200 sporty to get back in the swing of riding. then it comes to the B.D. Pitbull! But as for my favorite, as much as I love my pitt, I'll have to say that old "Monkey Ward" moped was my favorite. It hooked me on that whole "In The Wind" thing :old2:
 

FrankBDPS

Well-Known Member
Back in the mid seventies I had a Honda 500. It was a great bike and my first wife and I spent a lot of weekends on it. Then came the kids and life and a divorce. A few years ago I wanted to ride again and I bought a 750 night hawk only because I was familiar with the inline fours. It's a fun bike to ride. Then I wanted a really cool custom bike and found my Prosport. It is hands down my favorite bike.
 

chubs

Guru
My favorite bike was the first bike I ever owned ! It was a cushman eagle with the tank shifter and i was about 7. LOL!!!
Holy crap ! I'd completely forgot about the old Cushman ! My older brother had on of those old round back Cushmans with the 2 speed hand shift, and foot clutch. He told me I could drive it, if I could start it with that foot pedal starter. ( never could) That thing was a TANK ! Thanks for bringing back the memories !! :old2::cheers::patriot:
 

BadDawg Bill

Well-Known Member
Back in the mid seventies I had a Honda 500. It was a great bike and my first wife and I spent a lot of weekends on it. Then came the kids and life and a divorce. A few years ago I wanted to ride again and I bought a 750 night hawk only because I was familiar with the inline fours. It's a fun bike to ride. Then I wanted a really cool custom bike and found my Prosport. It is hands down my favorite bike.
When I had the chopper shop I chopped a Honda 500-4 for my wife. It was a very fast bike and unbreakable...
 

Butch Cassidy

Active Member
.. my '98 Road King :). Rode it to Commerce TX and back to McKinney TX every night while I was getting my Master's ... and then of course every where else I could. Had to sell her when times got bad... :/. IMG_0649.JPG
 
Top