Ninja 1000.
suggestions for 600-1000cc sport tourer?
- Thread starter kiwi
- Start date
silverbullet132
Well-known member
That model bandit is the only bike that has really had me considering getting rid of the VFR, beautiful
Ps: Your kijiji ad is dead, and the gtam thread has no price.
Kijiji add has been fixed.That model bandit is the only bike that has really had me considering getting rid of the VFR, beautiful
Ps: Your kijiji ad is dead, and the gtam thread has no price.
Didnt post price because I have allot of mods on the bike that im willing to return to stock for price negotiations.
I recentlly went from a Bandit 600 to a 2000 VFR.
I paid more than DemonPig, but got a bike with a few extras, and in a color I liked (a co-worker rides a red one).
The Bandit was nice, and more upright and relaxed than the VFR, but the comfort is comparable. I certainly have no problem riding the VFR a fair distance - rode it 400km+ the weekend I got it (helped by a Corbin seat). The VFR is a much higher-quality bike with better suspension, more torque, similar weight but carries it much lower, fewer vibes, better wind protection, way better sound. Mind you, the Bandit 1200 would be a fairer comparison, and the VFR cost a lot more new. Also have heard that the Bandit 1250S rides better and feels a bit more refined.
A friend has a 2003 Sprint RS and loves it. It's a bit faster than my VFR, and also sounds great. If you look at a Sprint, try to find a 2002+ model as the valve adjust interval is longer, and the HP went from 110 to 120. The Sprint 1050 is just madness.
I was tempted to go more down the touring route and BMW R_RT's were a bit compelling. Very light for their size, and capable for handling. Just a bit too rich for my blood. The R1100S would be a neat bike, and a K1200S would be badass.
My advice is that if you want to get a bike for touring, try to find one with the extras thrown in.
I paid more than DemonPig, but got a bike with a few extras, and in a color I liked (a co-worker rides a red one).
The Bandit was nice, and more upright and relaxed than the VFR, but the comfort is comparable. I certainly have no problem riding the VFR a fair distance - rode it 400km+ the weekend I got it (helped by a Corbin seat). The VFR is a much higher-quality bike with better suspension, more torque, similar weight but carries it much lower, fewer vibes, better wind protection, way better sound. Mind you, the Bandit 1200 would be a fairer comparison, and the VFR cost a lot more new. Also have heard that the Bandit 1250S rides better and feels a bit more refined.
A friend has a 2003 Sprint RS and loves it. It's a bit faster than my VFR, and also sounds great. If you look at a Sprint, try to find a 2002+ model as the valve adjust interval is longer, and the HP went from 110 to 120. The Sprint 1050 is just madness.
I was tempted to go more down the touring route and BMW R_RT's were a bit compelling. Very light for their size, and capable for handling. Just a bit too rich for my blood. The R1100S would be a neat bike, and a K1200S would be badass.
My advice is that if you want to get a bike for touring, try to find one with the extras thrown in.
YamaMana
Well-known member
FZ6 is comfy, but a little buzzy right around 110.
VFR 5th gen is just a great bike, add heli's to have the same upright riding position. Hands-down a better engine with little to no vibration. Certainly not the buzz you get with in-lines. VFR 6th gen is more complicated but feels more sophisticated. More sport/TOURER than the 5th which has more attitude when riding.
I recently picked up an FJR. Actually prefer the VFR engine. Of course the FJR has more touring goodies and is better 2-up, but it's in another snack bracket.
VFR 5th gen is just a great bike, add heli's to have the same upright riding position. Hands-down a better engine with little to no vibration. Certainly not the buzz you get with in-lines. VFR 6th gen is more complicated but feels more sophisticated. More sport/TOURER than the 5th which has more attitude when riding.
I recently picked up an FJR. Actually prefer the VFR engine. Of course the FJR has more touring goodies and is better 2-up, but it's in another snack bracket.
fyrebug
Well-known member
Wouldn't suggest the fz6 if the commuting your friend does is downtown in heavy traffic. The bike isn't a huge fan of stop and go. You have to feather the clutch a fair bit as it wants to be higher in the rpm which you get used to but its still annoying compared to bikes that are more twist and go.
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OP - if your friend is a new rider the BMW 650 GT is designed for commuting/light toouring with good storage and terrific protection up front.
If the price truly is $10k it's good value and they certainly handle well.
It's not a sport tourer in the VFR category by any means but will very handle well in the twisties and the GT I rode had no issue keeping up with the BMW 1300 the lead rider on the demo cranked on.
We talked after and he said when he rode the GT he noticed the good acceleration. which is characteristic of well designed CVTs. Makes good use of the lighter HP rating and gets excellent mileage which may be a factor for a commuter. The weather protection and secure storage is great for any commuter and for touring.
This whole category is growing due to exactly the kind of demand the OP is stating.and that's why BMW and Honda have new machines in the mid -range to appeal to this.
Intermediate commute, light touring and sport handling.
Downside is it's first year of a new model but there almost nothing like that power windshield on any bike and with a top case added the machine is fine for light touring and having loads of fun in the twists.
I'd not touch the S version - it's a lame duck in my view. If he's new and looking to save on insurance the GT might be an option and it's got the BMW cachet .
Heated grips, power screen, ABS - lot of value for the commuter. Really depends on his experience and needs.
If the price truly is $10k it's good value and they certainly handle well.
It's not a sport tourer in the VFR category by any means but will very handle well in the twisties and the GT I rode had no issue keeping up with the BMW 1300 the lead rider on the demo cranked on.
We talked after and he said when he rode the GT he noticed the good acceleration. which is characteristic of well designed CVTs. Makes good use of the lighter HP rating and gets excellent mileage which may be a factor for a commuter. The weather protection and secure storage is great for any commuter and for touring.
This whole category is growing due to exactly the kind of demand the OP is stating.and that's why BMW and Honda have new machines in the mid -range to appeal to this.
Intermediate commute, light touring and sport handling.
Downside is it's first year of a new model but there almost nothing like that power windshield on any bike and with a top case added the machine is fine for light touring and having loads of fun in the twists.
I'd not touch the S version - it's a lame duck in my view. If he's new and looking to save on insurance the GT might be an option and it's got the BMW cachet .
Heated grips, power screen, ABS - lot of value for the commuter. Really depends on his experience and needs.
F800s instead. Comfy enough for 1000k marathons and sporty enough to flick through the switchbacks; belt-drive for zero weekly maintenance; enough engine to haul butt with the leter tourers and carry a passenger on long rides.
Just so happens there's one available!
One other consideration (that I neglected in my earlier post) is mikeage per tank.... Yes you can 'tour' on a SS but having to frantically search for a gas station every 200k is extremely annoying. It is even more annoying to the rest of the group that has another +150km to go on their tanks and isn't even thinking about filling up for another hour......
https://www.google.ca/search?q=z100...g&biw=1204&bih=648&sei=STl9UNeSHOuA0AHQ1oDYCg
great great bikes....way too much fun. forks blow on the 03-06 but thats an easy fix. I think they look best.
07 08 have upgraded parts, same engine, 2010+ complete redesign but a fair bit heavier...gobs more power though.
cheap to insure!
great great bikes....way too much fun. forks blow on the 03-06 but thats an easy fix. I think they look best.
07 08 have upgraded parts, same engine, 2010+ complete redesign but a fair bit heavier...gobs more power though.
cheap to insure!
OP - the great news is that in the segment you're looking at, you have tons of options, and it's actually really difficult to go wrong.
Pick a budget.
Decide new or used.
Decide if you want SPORT-touring or sport-TOURING
Decide if you want a motor closer to 600 ccs or closer to 1000 ccs
Buy what you like! You have tons of choice, and when you really break it down, none of the bikes that have been suggested here (all good choices) suck. Personally, I'm partial to the FZ1 in the space you're looking at - it was my choice, and I loved it.
Pick a budget.
Decide new or used.
Decide if you want SPORT-touring or sport-TOURING
Decide if you want a motor closer to 600 ccs or closer to 1000 ccs
Buy what you like! You have tons of choice, and when you really break it down, none of the bikes that have been suggested here (all good choices) suck. Personally, I'm partial to the FZ1 in the space you're looking at - it was my choice, and I loved it.
buy my z1000
its got super low km (18k) and all the fun bits, full exhaust power commando, etc. showroom condition (or can put stock quad exhaust back on and remove power commander)
I've always wondered how insurance on these is. Is the power like a 1000cc SS or more legal-friendly?
I keep considering the F800 series myself but all the reviews I've read seem to say their barely any better than the 650R, especially for the price difference. And the engine is less fun from what I've read due to the F800 revving so low.
I've also grown quite fond of the underslung exhaust on the 650R. Wish more bikes had this style instead of the cannons on the side or the *** heater undertails.
And the VFR800 seems heavy from the specs.
Sorry, I've been looking for a replacement for awhile, too.
Without looking up the actual weights of each and comparing them a quick Google search gave me something saying the VFR is approximately 100 lbs heavier. Might not be correct, though.
kiwi
Well-known member
Thanks for all the information folks. Some good stuff here. :cheers:
