Five top Colorado motorcycle choices

  Lots of choices in motorcycles

If you had to choose only five motorcycles to own, what would you choose? I mean, sure, most of us have 10 or 12 bikes ;>) but if you could only have five . . .

I know, tough choice, but here's my list.

First, I want something for road trips. I want something that is dependable, smooth, and can run all day at any speed I want. And it has to have plenty of storage space! For this I'll pick the Honda ST 1300.

Sure, I could pick the luxo-barge Gold Wing, but I like something a little sportier and the ST fills the bill. In fact, when I was last shopping, I had my choices narrowed down to the ST or the Kawasaki Concours. I chose the Concours because it was two-thirds the price of the ST, but if money had not been an object I would have gone with the ST.

Next, because we live in Colorado, you really ought to have something to ride in the dirt and on jeep roads. From everything I've heard, from everyone I've spoken with who owns one, you can't go wrong with the BMW F650 GS.

The F650 is a dual-sport bike that isn't the best of all bikes for either the highway or the dirt, but is the best compromise that handles both well. If you're a dedicated off-roader you'll want something else, but if you want to jump on the highway and blast up to the hills, then turn off onto some interesting looking, unpaved road, a compromise is what you need. All dual-sports are trade-offs; this one is supposed to be the best.

Of course, some of your riding is just to head down to the local biker hang-out and socialize. For that you want a bike that is fun to ride and will turn some heads. Customize your Harley-Davidson Sportster to the hilt and you'll do just that. I personally prefer the rounder tank of the Sportster 883 Custom but to each his own.

Maybe you're kind of new to motorcycling and want to start off with baby steps. For that, you can't go wrong with the Honda Rebel 250. This is a greater learner bike and it's reasonably priced. It's also very much in demand these days as people look to save money commuting, although lower gas prices may be lessening demand a bit. It's also a good bike for the height-challenged among us. Still, if you're serious about riding you won't be sticking with this little bike for long. When I bought my first bike I thought something like a 400cc bike would be the thing but fortunately my friend convinced me I'd outgrow it quickly, so I started out on a 750. Twenty years later I still have, love, and ride that bike.

So what's the best all around bike you can have? For me that would have to be my Honda CB750 Custom. Yes, it's an old bike and there aren't many around any more, so most people will have to settle for something else. But you do see a few for sale now and then. I've taken mine on long trips, I ride it around town and to work, I've even done more than a few miles on gravel with it. I take it to biker bars and it is the bike I learned to ride on. That's an unbeatable combination, the way I see it.

And there are a lot of bikes that can meet those criteria. The place to look is in the used bike listings. Heck, I only paid $900 for my Honda and I'm still riding it 20 years later.

So get out there and ride. Right at this moment it's Sunday and 60 degrees out there. What are you waiting for?