Best sport touring bikes for long distance

[Mad Mike]

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Sad. Another victim of Euro 5 regulations.

Like the KLR, Yamaha will come out with something similar soon. They won't leave a niche that large empty for very long.

I think you are right with the FJR. It’s coming up in 20 years old, while still a beast, it is in need of a memory gen upgrade. Honda left the ST market, BMW has a behemoth and Connies are not all that sought after.

I like Yamaha’s, hopefully there is a surprise in the horizon.

 

[Priller]

Warning, derail below. I'm asking here only because it may be pertinent to Shane's wants, as many are suggesting bikes like FJR's...

Just a question because it's long puzzled me based on magazine classifications etc: where is the line between tourer and sport tourer? Is the Goldwing a tourer and everything else a sport tourer?

For me, I've always thought of the VFR800 as the prototypical sport tourer, splitting the difference between a sport bike and a heavy distance machine. It's comfy but not La-Z-Boy, has a chain not a shaft, it's got usable power not a screamer, it's dead reliable and has weather protection. Other bikes in that mold would include the Ninja 1000, the last Sprint ST (less so the GT), the Ducati Supersport, and a few others.

When I read bikes like the FJR, the K1600 series, the Concours, etc described as sport tourers, I'm puzzled, as I've always thought of them as pure touring bikes. Like everything, they lie on a spectrum, some lighter or better handling than others, but the primary goal is big miles in comfort. They're incredible bikes, amazing at what they do, but I don't think of them as having 'sport' as a primary goal.

Am I off base here? Have I imagined a segment that doesn't exist? And if the FJR/Concours/K1600's are sport tourers, what does that make the Ninja 1000 etc? Middleweight sport tourer?

I'm genuinely curious, as it's a line that seems to move to a different spot for everyone...

 

[Priller]

if I recall correctly, the base model with the standard transmission(not DCT) is like 50lbs lighter than the big wig fancy adventure sports + DCT version

I think you're right. The AS options add 30 odd lbs and th DCT adds about 20...

 

[ScorpionT16]

The base model is under $16k last I checked. If you want all the gadgets and active suspension, then the AS is about $21k and the DCT version adds another thousand or so. As for weight, the new one is marginally lighter, but only by a few pounds. Has a lot more juice, though.

The base is the one intended for dirt, though at 500 lbs wet, nothing gnarly, The AS is 30 lbs heavier and more of a touring bike with off-road ability, though how much is a grey area. Apparently more than the other big ADV bikes, but less than the T7 etc.\

edit: @bigpoppa beat me to it...

The model in the pic that was posted, was a fully spec'd out one. Also, as there aren't used options for the new ones, add tax, dealer fees, and such to the price. Even a 2020 last year stock base model, with $1.5k incentives, is close to $18.8-19k OTD. A 2021 AS, DCT, close to $24.2k otd.

I haven't ridden an AT, would love to someday, for mainly street, and light gravel roads, I'd pick it over the T7 for the extra few CCs

 

[killvino]

Warning, derail below. I'm asking here only because it may be pertinent to Shane's wants, as many are suggesting bikes like FJR's...

Just a question because it's long puzzled me based on magazine classifications etc: where is the line between tourer and sport tourer? Is the Goldwing a tourer and everything else a sport tourer?

For me, I've always thought of the VFR800 as the prototypical sport tourer, splitting the difference between a sport bike and a heavy distance machine. It's comfy but not La-Z-Boy, has a chain not a shaft, it's got usable power not a screamer, it's dead reliable and has weather protection. Other bikes in that mold would include the Ninja 1000, the last Sprint ST (less so the GT), the Ducati Supersport, and a few others.

When I read bikes like the FJR, the K1600 series, the Concours, etc described as sport tourers, I'm puzzled, as I've always thought of them as pure touring bikes. Like everything, they lie on a spectrum, some lighter or better handling than others, but the primary goal is big miles in comfort. They're incredible bikes, amazing at what they do, but I don't think of them as having 'sport' as a primary goal.

Am I off base here? Have I imagined a segment that doesn't exist? And if the FJR/Concours/K1600's are sport tourers, what does that make the Ninja 1000 etc? Middleweight sport tourer?

I'm genuinely curious, as it's a line that seems to move to a different spot for everyone...

Insurance companies would gladly help define it for you. /s
I agree with your thoughts, I've always thought those big heavy as touring machines, K1600, goldwing, concours, FJR, etc. Just because some of them can haul ***, doesn't make them sporty IMO. You can't get past the weight (i know there's probably a few guys on these bikes that could probably outride me but that's skill vs. the bike). Only alternative would be that touring strictly means goldwings and baggers.
One could even stretch further and say some ADVs are really just taller sport tourers (looking at all the 17inch rims).

 

[shanekingsley]

Warning, derail below. I'm asking here only because it may be pertinent to Shane's wants, as many are suggesting bikes like FJR's...

Just a question because it's long puzzled me based on magazine classifications etc: where is the line between tourer and sport tourer? Is the Goldwing a tourer and everything else a sport tourer?

For me, I've always thought of the VFR800 as the prototypical sport tourer, splitting the difference between a sport bike and a heavy distance machine. It's comfy but not La-Z-Boy, has a chain not a shaft, it's got usable power not a screamer, it's dead reliable and has weather protection. Other bikes in that mold would include the Ninja 1000, the last Sprint ST (less so the GT), the Ducati Supersport, and a few others.

When I read bikes like the FJR, the K1600 series, the Concours, etc described as sport tourers, I'm puzzled, as I've always thought of them as pure touring bikes. Like everything, they lie on a spectrum, some lighter or better handling than others, but the primary goal is big miles in comfort. They're incredible bikes, amazing at what they do, but I don't think of them as having 'sport' as a primary goal.

Am I off base here? Have I imagined a segment that doesn't exist? And if the FJR/Concours/K1600's are sport tourers, what does that make the Ninja 1000 etc? Middleweight sport tourer?

I'm genuinely curious, as it's a line that seems to move to a different spot for everyone...

I like the earlier expression that @Lightcycle said to differentiate them: It's a sport-tourer vs sporty-touring.

 

[ScorpionT16]

The plus side to the ADV bikes is the height, more space to move around (longer seats), wider handlebars, less bent knees etc... That height has a small drawback, on windy says, esp sidewinds, just throw me around like a toy cause of the extra height.

The grey area bikes for these are the GS1200's, AT1100's, KTM 1290's etc... Unless one is Chris Birch, they are made for long distance, cross country use in any condition, or terrain that one can come across, not necessarily go looking for.

 

[boyoboy]

gotta say it, I know I know honda blah blah
but the cbf1000 looks like the touring bike you want- to be agile
500lb ready to ride
sporty enough or too honda accord I suspect? lol
lots of budget left over for gas and beer

 

[shanekingsley]

gotta say it, I know I know honda blah blah
but the cbf1000 looks like the touring bike you want- to be agile
500lb ready to ride
sporty enough or too honda accord I suspect? lol
lots of budget left over for gas and beer

It's kind of like the Bandit - good all round bike and excellent for long distance touring, but doesn't have the things that make me smile.
Honda Accord is a good comparison!

 

[boyoboy]

what did the wife say, the orange bike ?

Id take that and run..

 

[shanekingsley]

what did the wife say, the orange bike ?

Id take that and run..

She likes them all and just wants me to get whatever makes me happy.

 

[bigpoppa]

It's kind of like the Bandit - good all round bike and excellent for long distance touring, but doesn't have the things that make me smile.
Honda Accord is a good comparison!

on the superdukes if you open the throttle a little, you smile, if you open it more you scream
its a nice balance

 

[SVeezy]

She likes them all and just wants me to get whatever makes me happy.

Lucky guy, wanna trade?

Jk, my wife is actually very good in this regard as well. I’m also looking for another bike but the used market is crazy right now!


Sent from my iPhone using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app

 

[Lightcycle]

Warning, derail below. I'm asking here only because it may be pertinent to Shane's wants, as many are suggesting bikes like FJR's...

Just a question because it's long puzzled me based on magazine classifications etc: where is the line between tourer and sport tourer? Is the Goldwing a tourer and everything else a sport tourer?

For me, I've always thought of the VFR800 as the prototypical sport tourer, splitting the difference between a sport bike and a heavy distance machine. It's comfy but not La-Z-Boy, has a chain not a shaft, it's got usable power not a screamer, it's dead reliable and has weather protection. Other bikes in that mold would include the Ninja 1000, the last Sprint ST (less so the GT), the Ducati Supersport, and a few others.

When I read bikes like the FJR, the K1600 series, the Concours, etc described as sport tourers, I'm puzzled, as I've always thought of them as pure touring bikes. Like everything, they lie on a spectrum, some lighter or better handling than others, but the primary goal is big miles in comfort. They're incredible bikes, amazing at what they do, but I don't think of them as having 'sport' as a primary goal.

Am I off base here? Have I imagined a segment that doesn't exist? And if the FJR/Concours/K1600's are sport tourers, what does that make the Ninja 1000 etc? Middleweight sport tourer?

I'm genuinely curious, as it's a line that seems to move to a different spot for everyone...

Like any hyphenated categories, I think sport-touring is more of a spectrum than a segment.

It's bounded on one side by homologated race bikes like the GSX-R1000, super-light, capable of extreme acceleration and high-speed braking, cornering and handling, but no concession for comfort, protection from the elements or luggage.

And on the other side of the category are the baggers like the Harley Davidson Ultra, the complete opposite, heavy, comfortable, capable of carrying supplies for a 3-week road trip. Also the polar opposite in seating position: upright instead of canted forward, feet forward instead of behind you.

Anything that approaches the middle-ground between these two gets lumped into "sport-touring", even though there's a vast difference between a VFR800 and a R1250RT.

I know it's personal opinion, as some people lump the standard-touring (Royal Enfield Himalayan) and adventuring-touring (BMW S1000XR) bikes into "sport-touring", but for me, the silhouette at least has to mimic a sport-bike. So to me, sport-touring is more along the lines of bikes like: Triumph Sprint ST, Kawi Concours, Yami FJR, Beemer R1250RS & K1300S, Ducati ST2/ST4, VFR800/1200, etc.

 

[bigpoppa]

So to me, sport-touring is more along the lines of bikes like: Triumph Sprint ST, Kawi Concours, Yami FJR, Beemer R1250RS & K1300S, Ducati ST2/ST4, VFR800/1200, etc.

curious if you would put the ninja 1k in that mix?

 

[Lightcycle]

curious if you would put the ninja 1k in that mix?

Looks like a duck, quacks like a duck:

I'll allow it.

 

[Paulo M.]

Biased but... This thing got me from the GTA to BC and back twice so far...
Damn plague thwarted trip #3 last year so... 'Planning on going this summer..
1000km days.... No problem.

Have you ridden a current gen goldwing? If so how do they compare?

Sent from my SM-A705W using Tapatalk

 

[Lightcycle]

The grey area bikes for these are the GS1200's, AT1100's, KTM 1290's etc... Unless one is Chris Birch, they are made for long distance, cross country use in any condition, or terrain that one can come across, not necessarily go looking for.

I really like that definition.

I'm going to steal it and not pay you royalties.

#sorrynotsorry

 

[slowbird]

Insurance companies would gladly help define it for you.

Too bad the insurance companies define the VFR as a Sportbike.

Speaking of VFRs....my vote is for a VFR! (shocking I know) Get a low mileage 5th gen and pocket the rest! Even after buying racks, luggage, helibars etc etc (whatever you want to help build your touring machine) you'll have lots left over compared to some of the newer models suggested on this thread. Plus, Gear Driven Cams.
Solid bulletproof engine. Many have gone past 100,000kms on their VFR's and had no need for valve adjustments. V4 Gear driven cams.
Single Sided Swingarm. Did I mention Gear Driven Cams. ???

Or do the same with a newer VFR if you want something from this decade. ?‍

 

[Hack]

Have you ridden a current gen goldwing? If so how do they compare?

I have not ridden a gold wing so I can't say how they compare...
My guess is compared to anything, a gw is a land yacht.
I like the fjr because I can ride it 1000km a day comfortably even when laden with luggage or... I can strip the side cases off and zip around the long way to dairy queen on a Saturday afternoon.
It has ample power and handles well.
As for it's weight... I dont have an issue with it. Go to the gym if your bike is too heavy for you.

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