Every rider has that one bike. The one you’d keep if everything else had to go. I’ve owned dozens of motorcycles. I’ve worked in the industry for 15 years. And I’m going brand by brand to tell you which one I’d pick from each manufacturer — and which single bike wins it all. Let’s go!

What motorcycle would I buy if I had none

Here’s my criteria: a motorcycle with enough power and comfort for touring, light and nimble enough for downtown commuting, reliable, and with enough character I won’t ever get bored of it.

Also, I’m going to completely boycott three brands, two you might be able to guess, one might surprise you. Let’s go from Aprilia to Zero.

What motorcycle would I buy from each brand?

Aprilia – Straight out the gate, if you can only have one motorcycle, a middle-weight ADV bike makes a lot of sense, and that’s why despite being one of Aprilia’s slowest motorcycles, I think Tuareg 660 checks a lot of boxes.

I don’t know about reliability, but all day comfort on a middle weight you could take to work just as comfortably as you could to the other side of the country. That’s good enough to make it my pick from Aprilia, but will I want it as my one and only over all of the other motorcycles? Probably not.

BMW Motorrad – I’ve owned four BMW GS models, from the basic single cylinder, no-ABS BMW G650GS, to 850cc twins with big TFT screens, electronically adjusting suspension, dynamic traction control, and all of the other tech options.

But there is a reason why I keep one BMW G650GS in Italy and another here in Canada. That motorcycle is bulletproof. It’ll take anything I can throw at it. And when I was riding across Italy while the country was having nation-wide flooding in 2023, there was no motorcycle I’d rather be on.

Would I really consider the G650GS for my one and only motorcycle? My brain says yes absolutely. But keep watching because my heart says yes to a motorcycle that’s completely the opposite.

Ducati – In 2025, on my third time riding across Italy, I made a friend named Adele who rides a Ducati Hyperstrada. Trying to keep up with Adele all over the Amalfi Coast, through small Italian towns, into woods with wild horses, and into the mountains of Abruzzo, I saw first hand not just where I was outclassed by a better rider, but where my motorcycle was outclassed by a better bike.

But Adele has toured all over Italy and neighbouring countries on her Hyperstrada, even crossing most of Italy with her friend on the back seat.

The Hyperstrada is a fun machine with premium components that can do anything. It’s exactly what a one and done motorcycle should be.

Harley-Davidson – I think I’ve owned three or four Sportsters over the years. It’s a motorcycle that I always come back to. But, my 2006 Harley-Davidson V-Rod was probably my favorite motorcycle that I’ve ever owned.

When you buy a V-Rod you’re sacrificing a lot. You’re going to have to pay out of your ass to make the suspension feel good. Trying to find an 18” rear tire leaves you with very few options to choose from. This thing chugs gas like crazy, only takes premium, and won’t run right without a fuel processor. I have a video that thoroughly goes through all of the pros and cons of the V-Rod I’ll link to in the comments, but honestly, you won’t be saving much money running this motorcycle versus just taking a small car.

But that’s the V-Rod is an absolute hot rod of a motorcycle.

You can leave it stripped down, get a custom fiberglass body kit for it, or even throw on specially made cases and fairings to dress it up like a bagger. And if I can only have one motorcycle forever, then I can throw all the money at it that it needs to get it done up right.

If the G650GS is what the brain wants, the V-Rod is what the heart wants.

Honda – Want a crazy stat? Honda produces almost 40% of all of the motorcycles in the world! It’s too bad most of them are boring.

I guess the Transalp ticks almost all of the boxes and could do it all for me. I heard for 2026 Honda gave it fully adjustable suspension and the ones in Japan come with standard cruise control. It’s my pick from Honda. But the Transalp’s straight line power curve is known to make for a dull, boring engine, so this one can’t be my one and only forever motorcycle.

It’s kind of crazy to rule out a Honda so soon, but, it’s true. Let me know in the comments whether or not you agree and what motorcycle you’d pick. I reply to every single comment, and I want to know where you’d put your money.

Husqvarna – Let’s cut right to the chase, I borrowed the Husqvarna Svartpilen 801 for a week to make my video review of it, and I absolutely loved it. Plenty of performance for the highway, sleek enough for downtown, has gobs of character, loaded with premium quality components and features that make the motorcycle feel really good to ride. It’s honestly an all-around great motorcycle.

Would I really consider a Huqvarna for my one and only motorcycle? It’s honest all-around motorcycle, but reliability, parts, and Husqvarna being a KTM subsidiary brand does make me nervous… so, maybe.

Indian Motorcycle –  Scout Bobber, 100%, for all the same reasons I loved my V-Rod. I’m used to daily commuting on bikes that size. I could throw on bags, a wind screen, and an aftermarket seat and ride it long distance. There’s a good aftermarket for this motorcycle and unlike my V-Rod, it’s still in production.

Would I really consider this for my one and only motorcycle? Yes. Definitely.

Kawasaki – The Z900RS is a motorcycle that you fall in love with at first sight, and then when you finally do take it out on a date you realize that the looks don’t even begin to scratch the surface of what a great motorcycle it is. I took this bike for a ride, with the girl on the back seat, and the Z900RS rides so well you couldn’t even tell she was back there. It is such a complete motorcycle.

Kawasaki have spent five decades perfecting this motorcycle. People have spent five decades turning them into everything from urban commuters to long distance tourers to weekend track bikes, and I trust this thing to last forever, because I’ve seen the originals still on the road today.

Could this be my one and only? Absolutely.

KTM – KTM is the first brand I would boycott. KTM makes fun premium motorcycles, like the 890 SMT. But has shown us that they don’t stand behind their motorcycles. They also tried charging riders a monthly subscription to use the heated grips already on their motorcycles. And their greedy decisions led to them bankrupting themselves and devaluing their customers’ investments in their motorcycles. Three strikes, you’re out.

KTM has been bad for the motorcycle community and my ethics won’t let me endorse a company like that. KTM, fuck you.

Moto Guzzi – The new V7 Sport has inverted front forks and some other nice upgrades. It answers all of things that I found missing from my old 2013 Moto Guzzi V7. Better ergonomics, 100cc more for much more power, a sixth gear, a bit more tech, and better suspension.

But, I do way too much too up riding and find this frame too small for that, so it’s not my happily ever after motorcycle.

MV Agusta – MV Agusta is the second brand I would boycott. I know, I know. I’m Italian. I love Italian motorcycles. I go back to Italy to ride across the country every year. And MV Agusta has done absolutely nothing wrong. They make beautiful, amazing motorcycles. They just aren’t what I want if I can only have one motorcycle. There’s nothing there for me.

Piaggio / Vespa – I love my 2006 Vespa GTS 250i. It probably gets the second most miles of usage out of all of my bikes because of how practical and fun zipping around on it is… But I’m not going touring on that thing. I’d want more power. So yes, a newer Vespa GTS would be awesome, but not as my one and only bike.

Royal Enfield – I’ve owned a couple Royal Enfields. Very endearing motorcycles at first, but they also have three strikes going against them:

First, the finish and durability was always sub-par leading to premature pitting, rust, and corrosion.

Second, Enfield’s use of cheap parts leads to a lot of electrical gremlins, minor leaks, premature wear on consumables. If you look at Royal Enfield forums you’ll always see owners telling new owners not to replace the broken parts with OEM replacements, and to go aftermarket instead, because the OEM parts will just continue to fail. They also suffer from bigger failures like the 3rd gears completely failing, destroying your transmission.

Lastly, and most importantly, the 650ccs have a recurring rear brake failure that Royal Enfield acknowledges but refuses to do anything about. That’s going to end up killing someone one day, if it hasn’t already. I don’t want that blood on my hands, and if Royal-Enfield doesn’t care about our safety, we shouldn’t care about them. Fuck Royal Enfield.

Suzuki – Suzuki’s motorcycle division seems like it’s hanging on by a string. Their cruiser line up hasn’t changed in 19 years. They pulled out of MotoGP. Their top sellers like the SV650 suffer from terrible resale value because there’s little incentive to get a current year bike versus a ten year old one. The DR650 is in it’s 30^th year of production and still using it’s carburetor and 5 speed gearbox from before some of you were alive.

The V-Strom 800 Touring looks like the right answer on paper, but I haven’t ridden one. And I’m not picking my one and only motorcycle on spec sheets alone. Suzuki, you need to lend me one.

Triumph – I bet with all of the adventure motorcycles I’ve already chosen you’re probably thinking I’d go with the Tiger 660, 800, 850, or 900 right?

And you’d be absolutely wrong. I’m really enjoying my Triumph Bonneville T120… It’s a simple motorcycle that’s easy to work on, gets through town just fine, has power for the highways, can be customized to match my wants, and unlike my 865cc Bonneville this one is actually fun! It’s a bike I still look at and think “Damn she’s pretty!” My T120 could totally be my happily ever after bike.

Yamaha – If you like fun motorcycles, Yamaha is the place to be right now. Their CP2 based motorcycles like the R7, MT-07, XSR700, and Tenere 700 are all extremely popular and fun, but the CP3 based motor in the R9, MT-09, XSR900, and Tracer 9 is my favorite motor in all of motorcycling.

To me, while the XSR900 was one of the most fun motorcycles I’ve ever had, the Tracer 9 combines that awesome three cylinder CP3 motor with all day riding comfort in a package that is nimble enough to take anywhere from the downtown core or from one ocean to the other. And the GT model gives you fancy suspension too.

I could definitely see this being my one and only motorcycle.

Zero Motorcycles – From Zero I’d probably be most interested in the DS. It’s not their top of the line model, it doesn’t make the most power or have the longest range, but it’s where the price-point makes the most sens. It’ll still do 104 miles per hour, making 97 ft lbs of torque, and having an average range of 144 miles before you’ll need to wait an hour and twenty minutes plugged into a fast charger to charge it back up again. MSRP is $16K USD and goes up the more range and power you want.

Would I really consider this for my one and only motorcycle? Nope. But it’s cool.

Conclusions

So in the end after looking at 17 brands, I only have 7 motorcycles I’d be happy to start over on. From those 7 I’ll cut out the Indian Scout Bobber, the Moto Guzzi V7 Sport ,the Ducati Hyperstrada, the Husqvarna Svartpilen 801, because they’re all great motorcycles, but they aren’t on my “God tier” list.

So that leaves my top four, my Mount Rushmore of motorcycles:

My BMW G650GS, my favorite motorcycle to travel on.

My V-Rod Night Rod, my favorite motorcycle I’ve ever owned.

The Kawasaki Z900RS, my favorite looking motorcycle.

My Triumph Bonneville T120, my favorite retro motorcycle.

And the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT, with my favorite engine in all of motorcycling.

Of those 5, my choice is… the Tracer 9 GT. It’s the FZ-6 of our time, but on steroids. It has the BMW’s practicality, the V-Rod’s thrill-factor, the Z900RS’ well-roundedness, and it’s just a better motorcycle than my T120. It’s a motorcycle you can ride anywhere, all day long, with a smile on your face.

What do you guys think? I know I’ve left out some brands just to focus on the makes and models that I have experience with. Please let me know what you agree and disagree with. I’d love to hear what other riders have to say.

Thanks so much for making it all the way to the end! Ride safe, but have fun!