Unique bikes with no competition.

[StephMurphy]

Bikes are all so good now, you could choose anything you like the look of and be happy with how it goes. Generally.
For example, you want a fantastic handling sports bike with crazy performance? GSXR, R1, Fireblade, S1000RR, Panigale, RSV1000, ZX10R, they will all do the same job for you.
But what bikes say over the last 10-15 years would say are truly out on their own as the best in their class?
My first thought is a 2016 onwards KTM 690 Duke. What other single gets remotely close unless it shares the same engine as one or 2 bikes do? 9,000 rpm from a massive single? Are they serious? Over 100 bhp per litre from a 4 stroke thumper? Amazing. A Suzuki GS1000 didn't mange that. Or a Z1. Not even a Kawasaki widow maker 750 triple 2 stroke!
Any other bikes simply the best by far in their class? Triumph 765 Street Triple perhaps?

[V8RX7]

StephMurphy said:

But what bikes say over the last 10-15 years would say are truly out on their own as the best in their class?

My first thought is a 2016 onwards KTM 690 Duke. What other single gets remotely close

Best in their Class is more than "most power from a certain type of engine"

Firstly you'd have to define the class the 2016 Duke is in, it's not a supermoto and if it's simply a middleweight then it's massively outgunned by most of the class.

I chose one because I wanted lightweight and instant torque hence it was the obvious choice but they aren't cheap and there are a lot of cheaper, more powerful bikes around.

[NITO]

Off the top of my head I'd propose;


Aprilia RS250 best in class. Cleaned up in the 2T racebike class.

Aprilia Tuono best in class. Opened up the full power naked sector and never beaten since.

Ducati Diavel Created a whole new class of its own.

MV Agusta F4 most beautiful sportsbike!

[anonymous-user]

Surely the Kawasaki H2 is in a class of its own, theres nothing similar or as seemingly mental that I can think of

[carinaman]

StephMurphy said:

My first thought is a 2016 onwards KTM 690 Duke. What other single gets remotely close unless it shares the same engine as one or 2 bikes do? 9,000 rpm from a massive single? Are they serious? Over 100 bhp per litre from a 4 stroke thumper?

373cc 390 also does over 100bhp per litre.

[wildone63]

NITO said:

Ducati Diavel Created a whole new class of its own.

yes,along with the Honda Rune and DN01 it created the worlds ugliest motorcycles class

[arcticGT]

Triumph Rocket

[bogie]

Bimota Tesi

[Janluke]

Yamaha Niken

[Moulder]

DR-Z400

[UnluckyTimmeh]

NITO said:

Aprilia Tuono best in class. Opened up the full power naked sector and never beaten since.

I think the new V4s streetfighter will smash everything in this sector.

[gareth_r]

wildone63 said:

NITO said:

...Ducati Diavel Created a whole new class of its own...

yes, along with the Honda Rune and DN01 it created the worlds ugliest motorcycles class

1983




1985




2004




2011




Ducati were 28 years too late.

All they did was make a "muscle bike" that actually handled and stopped.

Edited by gareth_r on Saturday 6th June 03:45

[wisbech]

Honda Cub/ Super Cub. Millions of pizza delivery drivers can't be wrong...

[NITO]

gareth_r said:

1983




1985




2004




2011




Ducati were 28 years too late.

All they did was make a "muscle bike" that actually handled and stopped.

Edited by gareth_r on Saturday 6th June 03:45

True, but creating a Hypersport cruiser that handles and stops like a sportsbike hadn’t been done before. No mean feat and it has had no competitors in this segment until the new Rocket III which has just recently been released, which is also significantly heavier but a lovely looking machine nonetheless.

[NITO]

I concur with;
H2
Tesi
Niken

[S2r]

Unique bikes with no competition not already mentioned, I'd go for...

Sinnis Heist
Grom
Royal Enfield Himalayan (I keep posting these, I'm going to have to go an have a proper look at one)
CCM Spitfire

[SteveS Cup]

GSXR750 is in a class of its own imo. Weight of a 600, power of an older 1000.

[mat from preston]

TDR 250 maybe. If you want a 80's/90's 250 2 stroke and are 6 foot+ not much else fits the bill.

Edited to add, Too old to fit the criteria.

Edited by mat from preston on Saturday 6th June 10:28

[bogie]

UnluckyTimmeh said:

NITO said:

Aprilia Tuono best in class. Opened up the full power naked sector and never beaten since.

I think the new V4s streetfighter will smash everything in this sector.

Apart from the new MV Brutale 1000RR


Tuono does not count as a naked in my book anyway, its got more plastic than some sportsbikes, its just a more comfy sportsbike and marketed as a naked so it can win group tests....a bit like the Diavel is not a cruiser yet marketed as one

[Krikkit]

bogie said:

Tuono does not count as a naked in my book anyway, its got more plastic than some sportsbikes, its just a more comfy sportsbike and marketed as a naked so it can win group tests....a bit like the Diavel is not a cruiser yet marketed as one

So the V4 Streetfighter isn't either then, because they've done exactly the same thing...