Fully faired middleweight sport-tourers - the exotic class? Which is best?

Which is best in your eyes?

  • BMW F800GT

    Votes: 2 5.7%

  • Honda VFR800

    Votes: 14 40.0%

  • Kawasaki Ninja 1000

    Votes: 11 31.4%

  • Triumph Sprint GT

    Votes: 8 22.9%
  • Total voters
    35
DemonPig

DemonPig

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It seems to be trendy nowadays to manufacture various kinds of naked and semi-naked, mean styled bikes, which are sure fun to ride but are poor touring alternatives due to their lack of wind and rain protection, unforgiving suspension, inadequate fuel tanks and/or aggressive gearing.
There are also lots of bikes aimed at adventure/touring riding, with some off-road capabilities - those are another topic.

Only 4 machines (correct me if you think I'm wrong or have forgotten something) truly represent the SPORT-touring, faired, middleweight (~ 800-1000cc) class in Canada at this moment.
Are they a dying breed?

Which one works best for you? Why? What are its shortcomings?

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Although not in your engine size class the Suzuki GSX650F is an excellent choice for a smaller size sport-touring option. A little heavy and a little dated however great fun for the money
 
Forgot to mention that my CBR1100XX Blackbird is dated and a little over your engine size range but a sport-touring BEAST!
 
Yes, there are some smaller/bigger and older options of course. Middleweights are my favorites though and they seem to be almost forgotten. VFR is the most popular, Ninja 1000 may take the crown soon, considering the VFR was absent for few years and hasn't done much innovating since coming back. European bikes traditionally don't sell that well here, sometimes due to price or limited dealer network.

I was also focusing on "newer" motorcycles. All these models I mentioned were released (or re-released) within 5 years.

I was actually considering a Blackbird before I got my 5th gen VFR but couldn't find any for a reasonable price. Honda should've kept manufacturing it instead of releasing VFR1200.
At the time I wasn't familiar with Triumph, Kawasaki was too expensive because it just came out and with BMW I feared maintenance cost (whether my fear was reasonable, not sure).

Now as my bike gets older, I want to revisit the topic, hopefully some other people can benefit from such comparison.
 
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I have never ridden any of the bikes you've mentioned, but in my eyes it comes down to Kawi vs Honda. The dealer network is far superior and you have way more options for service and you don't pay the "exotic" bike sur-charge on parts etc that seem to come with Euro bikes. I have ridden previous generation VFR's and was always extremely impressed with them. They always felt very solid, performed excellent and the fit and finish was first rate. Some of the plastic on the Kawi feel a little cheap IMO, especially the windscreen. The Kawi no longer accepts a 3 case luggage set up which is a deal breaker for me. The first Ninja 1000's did, but '14 went to only accepting the side bags. I loves me a top box! Also, the Honda has a 1.5 L bigger fuel tank and being 800cc vs 1000cc means its probably a little less thirsty, which all adds up to more miles between fill ups. Besides, the single sided swing arm is just sick!
 
Ninja 1000 - rode it, owned it, wouldn't be surprised if I got another one. Shortcomings - mostly the seat. It's also very, very quiet... at least mine was, Kawasaki may have eliminated the exhaust servo on later models (forgive me if I'm confusing bikes here). I never at any time felt any of the bodywork felt cheap, I was very happy with the fit and finish of the bike.

Minor nitpicks - noisy clutch (dominant sound of the bike at idle), brake feel was not great (likely easily solved with different pads/braided lines), takes premium, hope you like GREEN because that's what most of the available used examples are, I absolutely hated the feel of the stock tires but never had an actual issue or incident with them
 
With VFR, I do love the mileage I get with it, also ergos are good for me and the single sided swing arm - so easy for tire changing! I am not too worried about dealer network/parts as I do all the maintenance myself and so far, there has been no issues. Nevertheless, I wouldn't mind having a newer bike in a year or so.
As glad as I am with Honda reviving the VFR800 brand here, they haven't done few things people were asking for - namely, get rid of the V-Tec, bring back gear driven cams, shed more weight (shed some but not enough) and have more power.

As for Ninja 1000, all I see is stellar reviews. Seat - I always swap it anyhow, like Sargent. Would like for the bike to have a centre stand, not sure why Kawi didn't put one in, clearance maybe? Would be great for it to have a slightly larger tank as well. I actually like the green/black version. White, red and blue ones - not so much. Then again, if I get a good deal on a used bike, colour is not a priority. I ride to enjoy, don't do posing and meets.

As it stands right now - it's a tie for 1st between those two on paper for me. I have to test drive the Kawasaki when it gets warmer.
 
Is there not a touring version of the Yamaha FZ-09?

Yeah - here FJ-09

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Details: The new FJ-09 is based on the FZ-09’s frame and 847c triple, which has a 120-degree crankshaft Yamaha calls cross-plane and a lively powerband that has endeared itself to many Cycle World staffers. The seating position is more upright than the FZ-09’s, and the seat itself, with 0.6 inch of height adjustability, has more cushioning as well. The passenger seat is also larger. Making the new FJ-09 even more comfortable and accommodating over the long haul are a windscreen that can be raised or lowered 1.2 inches without tools, plus a handlebar that can be adjusted fore/aft 0.4 inches.
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nice features and if the value is anything like the FZ-09...certainly worth a look.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/11/0...torcycle-review-first-look-photos-eicma-2014/

$11k retail before accessories.

Madstad screen, some Givi cases and might be a winner that will still do "sport" big time. 462 lbs wet. 60 lb less than the Honda!!!!
 
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DemonPig said:
Close but not fully faired though. Which I really don't get. Touring bikes should have nice wind protection for the entire body. Big, fat fairings. :)
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I'm not really seeing where that comes from.

Tupperware is a pain to pull off and put back on when you need repairs,
it's also expensive to repair/replace when you go down.

That being said, you might want to look at the Kawasaki Versys,
as it tends to be a bit sportier than tourers like the Weestrom.
 
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edit, fully faired, my bad
 
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There is probably more fairing than you realize.
yes tupperware is a pain except when its 10 degrees and pouring.

DO recall you asked for sport tourer and the two don't always mesh for full fairing.

Touring bikes should have nice wind protection for the entire body. Big, fat fairings.
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That is correct for touring bikes...not necessarily for sport touring.

Being able to strip down for "sport" is a good thing IMNSHO :D
 
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MacDoc, I almost always take your side, but, the thread title does state "fully faired". Just sayin'

Sent from my Nokia Lumia 625 Windows Phone using Tapatalk
 
TwistedKestrel said:
Ninja 1000 - rode it, owned it, wouldn't be surprised if I got another one. Shortcomings - mostly the seat. It's also very, very quiet... at least mine was, Kawasaki may have eliminated the exhaust servo on later models (forgive me if I'm confusing bikes here). I never at any time felt any of the bodywork felt cheap, I was very happy with the fit and finish of the bike.

Minor nitpicks - noisy clutch (dominant sound of the bike at idle), brake feel was not great (likely easily solved with different pads/braided lines), takes premium, hope you like GREEN because that's what most of the available used examples are, I absolutely hated the feel of the stock tires but never had an actual issue or incident with them
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What year did you own? I ask because the '14 model has updates that include better brakes.
 
STARSHIP said:
Not in your list as it is a 1200 but nice to see that BMW still believes in the sport touring segment they defined with the introduction of the R1200rs.
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Meh, cost not a factor? It would be this....
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