Manufacturers I love

I once rode a BMW R69s, it belonged to my brother and as I remember I more than earned that ride in elbow grease expended on cleaning that bike. I've always liked BMW's they are simple, direct and a little off kilter. Now I'm a little worried that BMW have forgotten the simple utterly reliable and sometimes exciting machines they used to build yes they still build twins, but the writing is on the wall I think the twins will fade. My current favorite is the R1200S it has the same role as that R69S and for example the R90S. Its not really a full blown sport bike, its more a bike that can be used for a ride to work or one across the country all with a great handling chassis and lots of usable power. (Not overblown like an Yamaha R1 for example). An everymans sportbike that will last 10 or 20 years and still look kewl..

The other manufacturer I really have always loved is Ducati. They build great bikes, not always reliable and needing lots of pampering, not always designed logically or with the user in mind, but usually having that very rare ability of building something of great beauty but also that just darned well works. The old form follows function I guess. They even use a valve actuation method that although extremely efficient, has not been used by any other manufacturer the way Ducati has.
Who can resist a 900 SS or any of the Monsters. Now on the other hand you had better be ready for bad electrics, a little unreliability and your butt not wanting more than an hour or two in the saddle.
Neither manufacturer builds inexpensive bikes, but both build bikes you can have a relationship with. Ones you can both ride and just ogle if you wish.
Another Manufacturer that is on my list is KTM. KTM build some of the best off road bikes bar none, they also build a few street bikes that are to me stunning in execution the Duke and SuperDuke are not for everyone or in fact most people and I think KTM know that. But for the right person they are just wonderfull peices of quality built engineering, which is good since I own a SuperDuke. Quite honestly the KTM's are enthusiasts bikes, you own one, you will love it or you get rid of it in five minutes and I do mean that I have met a couple of people who had SuperDukes and sold them since they scared themselves silly or exepcted a bike that you just got out rode and put away. Nope with both bikes you will have to bring something of yourself to make it work properly. VTwins are no longer the firebreathing top of the heap bikes they once were, but don't tell the Superduke that. The Superduke has all the usuable power and lots more than you could ever use, it has no protect you from the elements pretensions and if misused it will bite you badly it handles like a small dirt bike with an off on switch for a throttle. When ridden properly its an amazing peice of engineering and character. A throwback bike that is way more than the some of its parts. Lol sorry I love my Superduke......
I still want to own a Ducati and BMW one day, but the Superduke is of all the bikes I have ridden or owned my favorite and I cant see myself parting with it.