The best bike you have owned

[Kamanya]

I've only ever owned 4 bikes;

XT500
Bol d Orr CB900
KTM 950
KTM 525

It would have to be by a very long way the 950

[Sheepman]

Much better and in red Dorsland

Stunning 1098 👌 For me, last of the  classic  Duc superbikes 

[BuRP]

Bol d Orr CB900

Nice bike that!
A friend of mine had one, only months old, and was following me on a CB350Four which I just had warmed-up, it was its first testride.
This was on a forest road, big trees everywhere.
Admittedly this was my 'backyard', I knew it inside out, knew every tree for which one had to 'tuck' if at speed.
I saw him going straight in my mirror in one curve, will never forget it - and it was the end of his bike: frame and block broken, bike basically into two parts.
Luckily he missed the tree himself, minor injuries.... so this was an instant insurance matter.
He blamed the handling (of course lol) so bought a silver Ducati 900SS Desmo next! 

[Boerbok]

[2StrokeDan]

I've only ever owned 4 bikes;

XT500
Bol d Orr CB900
KTM 950
KTM 525

It would have to be by a very long way the 950

Is this possibly because you are comparing your 950 directly with the previous bikes?

My current 701 is so far ahead of my 1976 Yamaha DT400, yet I remember well how that old DT took me all over the Tankwa and general Karoo in the late 70's/ early 80's, and that it was by far a better overall

biking experience than my 701 is to me now. Various factors, like youthful enthusiasm, safe veld camping anywhere, and marvelous reliability played a role.

The thread title does ask which was the best bike you ever owned, and then I also have to say 701, simply because it is better in almost all departments than anything before it.

But as far as total experiences go, it is my Yamaha DT400 for D/S, and my RD350 for tar, both when I was in my early 20's.

[Cracker]

Nothing was as liberating as putting the push-bike away and riding off on my 50 ....................... that opened the world.

[Grumpleton]

my DRZ400 mmm
No Possibly my 950
but I love my 690 ,
but most probably be the 950.

[Mother]

Nothing was as liberating as putting the push-bike away and riding off on my 50 ....................... that opened the world.

yes absolutely makes me rethink my earlier post .........agree the best bike was my first bike because you are right it changed my world completely too .........mine was a Suzuki TS 50

having said that i have been fortunate to have owned a few nice ones since then.....

[2StrokeDan]

Nothing was as liberating as putting the push-bike away and riding off on my 50 ....................... that opened the world.

yes absolutely makes me rethink my earlier post .........agree the best bike was my first bike because you are right it changed my world completely too .........mine was a Suzuki TS 50

having said that i have been fortunate to have owned a few nice ones since then.....

What model TS?  Mine was a '73, with forward sloping cylinder and little metal high fender. So sorry I do not still have it, so cute.

[Mother]

Nothing was as liberating as putting the push-bike away and riding off on my 50 ....................... that opened the world.

yes absolutely makes me rethink my earlier post .........agree the best bike was my first bike because you are right it changed my world completely too .........mine was a Suzuki TS 50

having said that i have been fortunate to have owned a few nice ones since then.....

What model TS?  Mine was a '73, with forward sloping cylinder and little metal high fender. So sorry I do not still have it, so cute.

cant remember exactly it was in 78
so could be around same year........remember it blew big end bearing and my mate and i fixed it together in his dads garage

[ChrisL - DUSTRIDERS]

Nothing was as liberating as putting the push-bike away and riding off on my 50 ....................... that opened the world.

yes absolutely makes me rethink my earlier post .........agree the best bike was my first bike because you are right it changed my world completely too .........mine was a Suzuki TS 50

having said that i have been fortunate to have owned a few nice ones since then.....

What model TS?  Mine was a '73, with forward sloping cylinder and little metal high fender. So sorry I do not still have it, so cute.

cant remember exactly it was in 78
so could be around same year........remember it blew big end bearing and my mate and i fixed it together in his dads garage

Seems someone is lucky to be alive seeing plain sigarettes were smoked in the youth!!

[Rocky58]

would love to find one.
650 shaft Katana about 1981/8

[Boerbok]

Best memories was my first bike a Honda XR600R. I miss the kickstarts.

[Kamanya]

I've only ever owned 4 bikes;

XT500
Bol d Orr CB900
KTM 950
KTM 525

It would have to be by a very long way the 950

Is this possibly because you are comparing your 950 directly with the previous bikes?

My current 701 is so far ahead of my 1976 Yamaha DT400, yet I remember well how that old DT took me all over the Tankwa and general Karoo in the late 70's/ early 80's, and that it was by far a better overall

biking experience than my 701 is to me now. Various factors, like youthful enthusiasm, safe veld camping anywhere, and marvelous reliability played a role.

The thread title does ask which was the best bike you ever owned, and then I also have to say 701, simply because it is better in almost all departments than anything before it.

But as far as total experiences go, it is my Yamaha DT400 for D/S, and my RD350 for tar, both when I was in my early 20's.

My XT took me many places but I certainly wouldn't want it back.

Sentimental or performance wise, it's still the 950

[2StrokeDan]

I've only ever owned 4 bikes;

XT500
Bol d Orr CB900
KTM 950
KTM 525

It would have to be by a very long way the 950

Is this possibly because you are comparing your 950 directly with the previous bikes?

My current 701 is so far ahead of my 1976 Yamaha DT400, yet I remember well how that old DT took me all over the Tankwa and general Karoo in the late 70's/ early 80's, and that it was by far a better overall

biking experience than my 701 is to me now. Various factors, like youthful enthusiasm, safe veld camping anywhere, and marvelous reliability played a role.

The thread title does ask which was the best bike you ever owned, and then I also have to say 701, simply because it is better in almost all departments than anything before it.

But as far as total experiences go, it is my Yamaha DT400 for D/S, and my RD350 for tar, both when I was in my early 20's.

My XT took me many places but I certainly wouldn't want it back.

Sentimental or performance wise, it's still the 950

I understand, progress makes going back rather difficult, this is why a certain bike can only be evaluated in it's era of use.

[Kamanya]

They say it's best not to meet your hero's. I'll keep my memories of the XT but I am pretty sure if I ever get to rid one one day, I'll be appalled. 

[dookie]

Yammie TDR 180

No fuss, easy bike.
Must be why I love my current 9fiddy

[jaybiker]

It certainly shows that for many here ones best bike is not necessarily the  fastest, best handling or most expensive status symbol.

The thrill of breaking free on your first bike no matter how humble, or which one brings memories of good times, adventures, friends and of course girls. Or the satisfaction and admiration from your peers when you have built  something special yourself.

But if it's the one that has served you best over the longest time, then for me it's gotta be that ugly yellow old pig that I bought on a rash impulse, not realising how good it would actually turn out to be.