Best sport touring bikes for long distance

[shanekingsley]

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Looking ahead to my next bike with a slight emphasis on sport. Must be great at long distance and am looking for more punch than my V-Strom 650. I'll keep my current bike for taking my wife on rides, unless my new bike is great at that as well. Maybe a touch of gravel, but no long stretches of it. I ride about 30-40k/year so parts and maintenance shouldn't be too cumbersome.

Ideally 300km fuel range and I'll be buying in the late summer/early fall.

800cc and up only, with upright seating position. Let's say around $15k budget, and don't mind a newer used bike w/ low mileage. Would like a bike with more character than my current bike, but not so much character it spends most of time waiting for parts or in the shop. I want some modern goodies like cruise control, traction control, etc. Must have luggage and good wind protection.

In the order I'm currently leaning towards, I've come up with
Ducati Multistrada
KTM Super Adventure
Yamaha Tracer 900 GT
KTM Superduke GT
Kawasaki Versys 1000
Aprilia Caponord
Yamaha FJR 1300

Any other suggestions or things to think about? Open to whatever as long as it meets my wish list.
Thanks!

 

[Baggsy]

1050XT, Connie.

 

[jc100]

I like my KTM super adventure so I’m biased. You can probably get a decent one (T, S or R) with all the electronic toys for that budget. They can eat tires but so can any big HP heavy bike. Nice long service intervals. Carry anything without issues. Strip the bags off for track days if you want. Gobs and gobs of power.

 

[Lightcycle]

BMW R1250RS

 

[Katatonic]

Of the bikes on your list, I’ve owned an FJR1300 and currently own a Versys 1000.
The FJR had a power commander, Corbin seat and Two Brothers pipes. I comfortably did 1,000+ km days for a few days at a time. It was hands down the best touring bike I’ve owned, was fast as f***, loved high speed sweepers and did alright on slow technical roads like the Dragon. If I had a higher budget when I bought the Versys I would have bought another FJR in a second.
As for the Versys, I haven’t done any huge mileage days yet but from what I have done it’s pretty fun. We’ll see how I feel after a 500-800km day.

 

[ScorpionT16]

The redesigned Tracer 900!

 

[shanekingsley]

1050XT, Connie.

Going to stay away from the V-Strom - been riding those for 13 years and time for a change.

The Connie 14 might be a bit bigger than I want, but I'll still look into it.

BMW R1250RS

Thanks - I never even knew this bike existed - looks really nice.

Of the bikes on your list, I’ve owned an FJR1300 and currently own a Versys 1000.
The FJR had a power commander, Corbin seat and Two Brothers pipes. I comfortably did 1,000+ km days for a few days at a time. It was hands down the best touring bike I’ve owned, was fast as f***, loved high speed sweepers and did alright on slow technical roads like the Dragon. If I had a higher budget when I bought the Versys I would have bought another FJR in a second.
As for the Versys, I haven’t done any huge mileage days yet but from what I have done it’s pretty fun. We’ll see how I feel after a 500-800km day.

I would like something that I can play in the slower technical roads very well. So maybe the FJR isn't the best, but my first glance at the newer Versys 1000's make me think they are a good fit.

The redesigned Tracer 900!

Really like this bike too. I dislike some of the aesthetics on the fairings, but that is a small thing.

 

[jc100]

I know you aren’t shy of gravel roads etc. Some of the bikes on your list give you electronic controls for adapting your ride to those. The SA definitely does.

 

[shanekingsley]

I know you aren’t shy of gravel roads etc. Some of the bikes on your list give you electronic controls for adapting your ride to those. The SA definitely does.

Thanks - that makes sense too and didn't rally think about that too much. I actually like the SuperDuke GT better for looks and compactness, but that bike does freak me out a little bit.

 

[bigpoppa]

The old triumph tigers 1050
or even the 800s

maybe an s1000xr?

The ones on your list shane are largely on the sport side of adventure touring, have you looked at the ninja 1000? The new one is around around that budget, and has all the electronic goodies.

 

[STARSHIP]

Triumph Tiger 900. 0r Multistrada 950 S

cannot go wrong with a used R1200 GS. (LC)

 

[ScorpionT16]

Really like this bike too. I dislike some of the aesthetics on the fairings, but that is a small thing.

All your choices are great. Too bad the T7 isn't on your list and maybe underpowered, if you ever want to test ride one, let me know

The Tracer 900 has some nice touches, and having owned a Suzuki, Honda, KTM, and a Yammie. I'm biased towards Yamaha's, great motors with life and torque, decent balance between budget and performance. Though I haven't ridden anything on your list.

I do feel a 1250GS would be perfect, though very expensive

 

[ScorpionT16]

The old triumph tigers 1050
or even the 800s

maybe an s1000xr?

The ones on your list shane are largely on the sport side of adventure touring, have you looked at the ninja 1000? The new one is around around that budget, and has all the electronic goodies.

Forget the 800s, I know a guy who had a few before getting the T7. The motor wasn't friendly in many regards, esp for basic off-road stuff, and the electronics always came in the way. He just sold his second one after given them a chance again and again

 

[jc100]

Thanks - that makes sense too and didn't rally think about that too much. I actually like the SuperDuke GT better for looks and compactness, but that bike does freak me out a little bit.

Same engine in the super adventure, tuned a little differently.

 

[jdmsteR]

I recall talking to you about the Africa Twin, have you had a chance to check/test ride one? I thought that bike ticked off a lot of boxes for you at the time, maybe that's changed. Though I understand that it may not be sporty enough

 

[bigpoppa]

Triumph Tiger 900. 0r Multistrada 950 S

thats likely outside his budget as you're unlikely to find them used (900 because its brand new, and no one buys the 950 multi so there are none on the used market)

Also the good 950's are 2019 and on, when they added all the cool electronics on it(cruise control, quick shifter, electronic suspension etc etc)

 

[bigpoppa]

I recall talking to you about the Africa Twin, have you had a chance to check/test ride one? I thought that bike ticked off a lot of boxes for you at the time, maybe that's changed. Though I understand that it may not be sporty enough

they're cool bikes but they only started adding tech to them in the 2020 and up models, and the adventure sports(which MSRPs at 20k+)

 

[ScorpionT16]

I recall talking to you about the Africa Twin, have you had a chance to check/test ride one? I thought that bike ticked off a lot of boxes for you at the time, maybe that's changed. Though I understand that it may not be sporty enough

Good option too!

 

[Deleted member 50930]

kawasaki concours 1400

 

[Superveloce]

Looking ahead to my next bike with a slight emphasis on sport. Must be great at long distance and am looking for more punch than my V-Strom 650. I'll keep my current bike for taking my wife on rides, unless my new bike is great at that as well. Maybe a touch of gravel, but no long stretches of it. I ride about 30-40k/year so parts and maintenance shouldn't be too cumbersome.

800cc and up only, with upright seating position. Let's say around $15k budget, and don't mind a newer used bike w/ low mileage. Would like a bike with more character than my current bike, but not so much character it spends most of time waiting for parts or in the shop. I want some modern goodies like cruise control, traction control, etc. Must have luggage and good wind protection.

In the order I'm currently leaning towards, I've come up with
Ducati Multistrada
KTM Super Adventure
Yamaha Tracer 900 GT
KTM Superduke GT
Kawasaki Versys 1000
Aprilia Caponord
Yamaha FJR 1300

Any other suggestions or things to think about? Open to whatever as long as it meets my wish list.
Thanks!

MV Agusta Turismo veloce,..if this picture doesn’t get your pee pee fluffy no bike will

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