The 2-bike garage game

[ekulluke]

I quite often browse eBay, autotrader (Facebook market place too, god forbid) etc for bikes. With absolutely no intention of buying them. My mrs finds his quite strange behaviour, but I assume we all do it.

I’ve just bought a new house and have been afforded a fairly large brick garage which I’ve proceeded to put a fk off roller door on. Never had quite such a large garage before. I could easily fit a 2nd bike in there along with everything else and still have a fully useable space.

If you could have a 2 bike garage to more or less cover all bases...what would it be?

This is part fun but also part research. I’ve got a 2019 KTM 790, so looking at getting a friend for the garage (touring and winter commuting duties. Think Bandit 650 etc).

To start, I’d imagine something along the lines of a Tracer 900 for every day duties and touring. Then a 2nd bit of exotica for nice days and rides/track days. Panigale of course. Or maybe an R1M if we add brand loyalty for bonus points.

[duudiz]

First choice would be an Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory.

Second bike would be something simple like some form of BMW GS.

[Alex@POD]

I find it very difficult to limit myself to 2 bikes in a game like this, but I feel like I have a very good 2 bike garage at the moment, I find the Africa Twin is good for everything I ask of it (commuting, fast road, touring, green lanes), and I have an old GSXR for track-only fun.

[ekulluke]

duudiz said:

First choice would be an Aprilia RSV4 1100 Factory.

Second bike would be something simple like some form of BMW GS.

I did start thinking RSV but ended ok a Duc. I like the idea of a GS as a second bike. But I always think 2 ‘large’ (one engine and one physically) bikes is a bit of a loss.

Not that I’m saying a GS and a grom is a good balance.

[dibblecorse]

Mine until last week was:

Panigale 1199S - Track
Multistrada 950 - Road - Multi just gone back to Black Horse having served its purpose.

Given free reign I'd probably want:

V4S for track
Hypermotard SP for the road.

[ekulluke]

Alex@POD said:

I find it very difficult to limit myself to 2 bikes in a game like this, but I feel like I have a very good 2 bike garage at the moment, I find the Africa Twin is good for everything I ask of it (commuting, fast road, touring, green lanes), and I have an old GSXR for track-only fun.

Africa twin. Nice shout.

Depends on the age of the gsxr for me. K8 750 would be ideal.

[ekulluke]

dibblecorse said:

Mine until last week was:

Panigale 1199S - Track
Multistrada 950 - Road - Multi just gone back to Black Horse having served its purpose.

Given free reign I'd probably want:

V4S for track
Hypermotard SP for the road.

Wowzers. Dream garage alert.

I used a Multi 950 as a loaner when a monster I used to have was in for a service. What an amazing bike that is. When I bought my Duke at the start of COVID I was very tempted by one. What made you hand it back? Seemed you had the perfect garage in my opinion.

[spoodler]

Not at all strange behaviour - we have five bikes at the moment (having just sold a couple) and I'm always perusing the ad's... My sister is always studying ad's for food mixer/blender thingies... now that is strange behaviour.
I doubt very much that my choices will be in line with anybody else tho'.
I still intend on adding/swapping for another big chop, a Triumph Scrambler, an SRX600, a Norton Commando and... if I ever work out what it was... a five valve, slant four Yamaha 750 like the one my mate had thirty years ago...

[J B L]

ZX6R 2006 track donkey.
Currently debating between Speed Triple R, Tuono V41100 or newer Street Triple RS for road use.

(also toying with the idea of an old Ducati Monster project...)

n+1 rule applies.

[Gixer968CS]

I'm pretty happy with this. I think I'm finished with sports bikes now but the M12R is a really fun bike for a hoon around and very trick indeed (very different for a "normal" 1200 Monster). The GS is my everyday bike, gets used for the commute and for holiday trips away etc. Not sure I'd change my two bike garage for now, but would potentially add a third if I could, probably a classic or modern classic. These two do it all for riding through.

[Pothole]

Limited to 2, I'd keep the Guzzi (V7 Special) because it's hilarious. Then I'm thinking a Tiger 900 or I'll hold out for the Tiger Sport 850 and swap that if the 1160 arrives.

[ekulluke]

spoodler said:

Not at all strange behaviour - we have five bikes at the moment (having just sold a couple) and I'm always perusing the ad's... My sister is always studying ad's for food mixer/blender thingies... now that is strange behaviour.
I doubt very much that my choices will be in line with anybody else tho'.
I still intend on adding/swapping for another big chop, a Triumph Scrambler, an SRX600, a Norton Commando and... if I ever work out what it was... a five valve, slant four Yamaha 750 like the one my mate had thirty years ago...

Very nice collection. I love the scramblers.

[ekulluke]

J B L said:

ZX6R 2006 track donkey.
Currently debating between Speed Triple R, Tuono V41100 or newer Street Triple RS for road use.

(also toying with the idea of an old Ducati Monster project...)

n+1 rule applies.

Agreed. My constraints are space which is a shame. I do love the new Street Triple RS. Not ridden one, but looks and sound wise.

[ekulluke]

Gixer968CS said:

I'm pretty happy with this. I think I'm finished with sports bikes now but the M12R is a really fun bike for a hoon around and very trick indeed (very different for a "normal" 1200 Monster). The GS is my everyday bike, gets used for the commute and for holiday trips away etc. Not sure I'd change my two bike garage for now, but would potentially add a third if I could, probably a classic or modern classic. These two do it all for riding through.

Well. That’s a cracking pair (of bikes).

I had an 821 last year. Was nice but a bit small for me. Now the 1200 is something I’d love to try. I am so partial to a GS that my girlfriend now spots them too “oo that’s a nice GS”.

[ekulluke]

Pothole said:

Limited to 2, I'd keep the Guzzi (V7 Special) because it's hilarious. Then I'm thinking a Tiger 900 or I'll hold out for the Tiger Sport 850 and swap that if the 1160 arrives.

I’ve got an old 850 T5 mid restoration. I’d love to try a newer guzzi.

I had a tiger 800 I rode to north Spain a couple of years ago. Great bike, but just wasn’t for me. The front wheel felt a bit vague when pressing on - though that’s not the bike’s fault as it wasn’t designed for that.

[Steve Bass]

2 is an impossible number as once you break the 1 bike status quo, it's open season for justifying as many as will fit in the garage.

So, based on the expanding laws of the universe, I currently have:

GS1250
Beta 300RR enduro
Beta 300 Evo trials
Beta Rev 3 trials
Ducati Frankenstein track/race bike
Aprilia RS250 tinker toy

I'm now working on the justification of a superbike, RSV4Factory 1100
And I don't count the CB400 Superfour Bol d'Or I have in boxes awaiting the time to rebuild her with some nice improvements....

As far as slippery slopes go, it's about the slipperiestest of all....

Good luck

Edited by Steve Bass on Tuesday 17th November 11:54

[Alex@POD]

ekulluke said:

Alex@POD said:

I find it very difficult to limit myself to 2 bikes in a game like this, but I feel like I have a very good 2 bike garage at the moment, I find the Africa Twin is good for everything I ask of it (commuting, fast road, touring, green lanes), and I have an old GSXR for track-only fun.

Africa twin. Nice shout.

Depends on the age of the gsxr for me. K8 750 would be ideal.

It's a 97 600 SRAD, just a bit different!

[ekulluke]

Steve Bass said:

2 is an impossible number as once you break the 1 bike status quo, it's open season for justifying as many as will fit in the garage.

So, based on the expanding laws of the universe, I currently have:

GS1250
Beta 300RR enduro
Beta 300 Evo trials
Beta Rev 3 trials
Ducati Frankenstein track/race bike
Aprilia RS250 tinker toy

I'm now working on the justification of a superbike, RSV4Factory 1100

As far as slippery slopes go, it's about the slipperiestest of all....

Good luck

I agree. 2 bikes is between the constrained single bike garage and the thoroughly enjoyable multiple bike garage. But that’s what makes a 2 bike garage prospect a half decent game.

I agree. GS1250 with shiftcam alongside an RSV4. My first bike was an RS50, so I appreciate the Ape.


Pictures of the RS250 and the Duc? I always feel tempted by chopping an ST2. Pod seat, no fairings, fancy dry clutch cover and a typical round headlight.

[Gixer968CS]

I've been riding for 37 years and my obsession got my brother in law interested so he passed his test probably 20 years ago now and got totally hooked. He's a big fan of the 1990s WSBK twins. His garage (all are absolutely mint):

Ducati 998 R (rare bike)
Ducati 1199 Ticolore
2 x Aprillia Mille Haga Reps
Honda SP2
GSXR750 L5 road bike
GSXR750 L5 track bike
KTM990 Adventure

Jealous (especially of the SP2 and 998R)!

[Steve Bass]

ekulluke said:

I agree. 2 bikes is between the constrained single bike garage and the thoroughly enjoyable multiple bike garage. But that’s what makes a 2 bike garage prospect a half decent game.

I agree. GS1250 with shiftcam alongside an RSV4. My first bike was an RS50, so I appreciate the Ape.


Pictures of the RS250 and the Duc? I always feel tempted by chopping an ST2. Pod seat, no fairings, fancy dry clutch cover and a typical round headlight.

Do a search here for "Frankenduc"
Basically a 748R frame with an 1198 R/RS motor and tons of carbon and magnesium.
Currently in the process of a rebuild and upgrade with target figures of 190bhp and sub 160kg fuelled and ready.
RS is another lifelong project, built up from a couple of basket cases and with almost everything done to it.
Last time I rode it in anger she treated me to a titanium wrist and ankle.
Such are bikes, capricious things