We wish all motorcycles could be do-it-all creations, but these days, even a single source of income isn’t enough to handle every expense in life. So it would be unfair to expect something as niche a product as a motorcycle to be the answer to every question when it comes to riding.That’s what makes them so much fun, too. The fact that they’re specialized means that they are perfect at whatever it is they have been developed for. Yes, sometimes that can be a little demanding on the rider, because if you’re going to ride a fast motorcycle, you’ll need to be fit, so time dedicated to physical fitness is a prerequisite. But we’ll keep circling back to that same wish, that of a motorcycle that could do it all. Wouldn’t that be great? What Type Of Motorcycle Would Fit The Bill Best? Harley-DavidsonThere are many different kinds of motorcycles available today, with niches within niches that appeal to all kinds of prospective customers. There are a few kinds that will do a lot of different things. There are cruisers that can double up as tourers, for example. All they need is wind protection and a way to mount luggage. Sport tourers are another type of motorcycle that are capable of a great many different kinds of things, especially the crossover-type ones. They love corners, are long-legged enough for multiple-day rides, can carry a pillion in comfort, and, when a crossover, can also handle a little bit of off-tarmac work.KTM via Dobler TDual-sport bikes would be a counterpoint to sport tourers, with a preference for dirt and an ability to cover ground on the highway. There is a shortage of large-capacity modern dual-sport bikes today that can handle the highway, although the few that are capable of it are genuinely good products. That leaves us with adventure bikes, and that seems to be the best bet if we’re looking for a motorcycle that can handle just about everything. ADVs can tour, are at ease with dirt, love corners, and in some cases, can deal with the commute as well with equanimity. The BMW R 1300 GS Can Handle Just About Everything BMWBMW’s GS series of motorcycles is highly respected for many reasons, including reliability, fun factor, and sheer ability. The R 1300 GS is the latest flagship, and it upholds the reputation of what is widely acknowledged to be the leader in its segment. BMW hasn’t reinvented the wheel here; the 1300 GS follows the same playbook as the 1250 GS, which does the same with the 1200 GS.There are improvements, of course – it is lighter, more powerful, and has more electronics and capability than ever before. With the different accessories available, it can be customized to whatever conditions you’re going to ride around in the most. That means it is the best candidate for the title of the motorcycle that can handle just about everything. The Base Price Is Unexpectedly Approachable BMWThe R 1300 GS is undoubtedly a premium product, but its base price of $20,395 is unexpectedly competitive. You get a hugely capable product that can adapt to any situation, and with one of the most powerful engines in the segment. Adding accessories can raise the price in a hurry to a very premium one, especially since you have no option but to opt for one of the add-on ‘packages’ that BMW is known for. Still, that doesn't mean that the base R 1300 GS isn’t capable of handling just about everything. An Optional Automatic Gearbox Is The Standout Feature BMW MotorradThe 1,300 cc boxer twin is an evolutionary design. There realistically wasn’t anything to add – the R 1200 GS got liquid cooling, and the R 1250 GS got variable valve timing, so all there was were refinements. The compression ratio of the R 1300 GS engine is 13.3:1, and it generates 145 horsepower at 7,750 RPM and 110 pound-feet at 6,500 RPM. These are quite high figures for the segment, irrespective of the number of cylinders.What is nice about it is that it doesn’t feel intimidating. It is tuned so that the learning curve isn’t steep, and as long as you’ve ridden big ADVs before, it is very easy to handle. The electronics are there, but they work seamlessly in the background, although setting it up might feel a little intimidating for a first timer, with the amount of options there are.BMW MotorradSpecial mention needs to be made of the optional automatic gearbox: this is an automated manual that does all the shifting for you, and you can switch off the feature if you want to change gears yourself. It is an option that needs one of the add-on packs and drives the price up significantly, but if you truly want to do everything with a single motorcycle, this option makes a lot of sense. Unique Frame And Suspension Don’t Feel Like A Compromise The largest GS has always had a unique setup that no other product in its segment uses. It has a frame that is more often seen on road bikes, a diamond frame with the engine as a stressed member. This helps it keep weight down, and makes its on-road manners predictable. There is a double-wishbone front suspension coupled with a linkage-type shock at the rear with a single-sided swingarm. Suspension travel is 7.5 inches at the front and 7.8 inches at the rear. It might feel a little different from a conventional telescopic front setup, but it sure is capable.BMW MotorradThe brakes aren’t radical, with conventional dual 310 mm discs and radial four-piston fixed calipers at the front, and a 285 mm disc with a two-piston floating caliper at the rear. The wheels are a 19/17 inch combination, and the base model has an alloy wheel set with tubeless tires. You can upgrade the brakes to better front units, you can upgrade to electronic suspension, and you can replace the stock alloy wheels with forged enduro rims or cross-spoke laced rims. Good Feature Set That Is Made Great With Options BMWThe R 1300 GS starts off with a 6.5-inch TFT screen, which is one of the largest in the segment. You can have the R 1300 GS Adventure if you plan on doing long-distance touring, because its 7.9-gallon fuel tank gives it one of the highest tank ranges in all of the world. With the standard R 1300 GS, though, you can have a lot of customization with the different ‘packages’ that BMW offers. There are individual items like a center stand, an electrically adjustable windscreen, engine protection, adjustable footpegs, and adjustable foot levers that are available, but they invariably require you to purchase a package first.Elsewhere, the electronics are just as advanced as anything in the segment, especially when you add options like the electronic suspension and radar-based active cruise control. It has a by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU by default, so you get ride modes, adjustable traction control, switchable ABS, wheel lift mitigation, and cornering functionality wherever available. The electronic suspension auto-lowers at walking speeds like other bikes in the segment, but it also self-levels, which is nice. A Few Other Bikes That Can Handle Anything HondaThere are very few options if you truly want a motorcycle that is both indestructible and capable of being truly enjoyable in all conditions. If you’re on a budget, the Honda Africa Twin ($15,199) will do nicely. It might not have a very powerful engine, but it definitely has the pace and reliability, not to mention the ability, to handle it all. With the Adventure Sports, you get a 6.6-gallon fuel tank and electronic suspension, while the automatic gearbox is an option for either variant.Triumph MotorcyclesThen there is the Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer ($23,975), which has a lot of features identical to the BMW: a single-sided swingarm, shaft drive, and Showa semi-active suspension. It runs a unique inline three-cylinder engine with an odd firing order, but its weight is that of a twin-cylinder-powered example in the segment. So you get the best of both worlds.DucatiThe most expensive option is also the one that comes closest to the BMW’s breadth of abilities. $31,995 might be a tall order, but the Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally has everything you’d possibly need or want to cross continents in comfort. The Multistrada’s Achilles Heel, the Desmodromic valvetrain, has gone, replaced by conventional valve springs in the Granturismo engine. It makes a full 170 horsepower reliably, with industry-leading service intervals and valve clearance checks, and has electronic suspension and a big 7.9-gallon fuel tank.Source: BMW USA