Bike shopping made... easy?

You know what's easy about bike shopping? The really easy part?

Nothing.

I'm going to go on record here as saying, with the exception of some of the severely low-end entry level machines available, it's hard to buy a bad bike these days. Competition is fierce - so intense, in fact, that in some market segments, 2 years is considered "end of life". Sport, race-replica and super-sport machines fall into this category. To a lesser degree, sport-touring bikes as well. These machines are usually chock full of cutting edge engineering, the latest offerings in ABS, traction control, electronic fuel system and engine management systems, top end suspension parts... and these machines deliver levels of performance that border on the ridiculous. The manufactures redesign these bikes every few years with the intention of gaining a couple of horse power or losing a pound or two over the competition.

Other market segments see 5-10 year runs of models whose core design doesn't change, because it doesn't need to change. For the purpose, "they got it right". Bikes in this category are your mainstays. I hesitate to mention certain bikes over others, but one such bike is the venerable Suzuki V-Strom. If you could take a late 70s Chevy Impala, imbue it with more modern bits like fuel injection, give it the ability to handle very well, you've got the 'Strom. It's built tough, it's big and spacious, it does everything pretty darned well and it's become a rather beloved entry in the market place. And the aftermarket support for this bike (and similar others) mean this bike can be an off-road bike, a sport bike, a tourer or a commuter... all or any of the above.

Yet other market segments seem mired in antiquity, yet that's just part of their charm. We're talking, of course, about cruisers. But make no mistake, many of the cruisers on the market at this very moment are just as technologically advanced in their own way as some of the cutting edge performance bikes. Star and Harley lead the way in good fuel injection systems, Victory incorporates frame and suspension designs from performance oriented bikes, etc. Each company is making strides to make their cruisers more modern under the skins while retaining that "vintage" look and feel. The fact that you can look at some of these bikes and see a 50s era bike, yet get to your destination at a good pace, in comfort, on a minimalist machine that doesn't need road-side repairs every 100 miles speaks volumes about how far the industry as a whole has come.

Dual sports, tourers, sport tourers, touring cruisers, large-frame standards... it was a daunting task looking at, and researching, so many models and styles during my most recent bike shopping. Even when you shop and research with some very specific criteria in mind, the number of options is staggering and worse, there's not a "bad" bike in any of the choices. It comes down to things like ergonomics, 1-up and 2-up comfort and features, luggage and options and, of course, the intangibles... how does this bike "feel", what will this bike do incrementally better than others, do I care more about one type of engine configuration than another, does this machine excite that little voice in the back of my mind?

Anyone who simply thinks "I'm buying a Honda" or "I'm only interested in what Germany has to offer" is really limiting themselves. Nearly every marquee now has products in most market segments, at most price points and including or excluding all the basic creature comforts. Most manufacturers can supply you a stripped down single or twin commuter for bopping to work, a full bore sport machine that will scare nuns and puppies for track days, and can offer you a sedate and well-mannered tourer for the off-track days taking a passenger on a 3-day country side tour.

Bike shopping is hard. And I'm happy for that. The industry is thriving - even giving current economic rough spots - and the competitive market place offers more and better bikes than ever before.

Viva La Difference, and all that.