Best sport touring bikes for long distance | Page 15 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Best sport touring bikes for long distance

If you have time and you are out that way. Check out Two Wheel Motorsport. They had a decent amount of bikes when I was there last year a few times.

Thanks - totally forgot about them. I won't have time on this trip but will check them out.
Are they still open to walk ins? I think you'd have to make an appointment or something
As far as I know - no walk-in's. I have an appt.
 
Thanks - totally forgot about them. I won't have time on this trip but will check them out.

As far as I know - no walk-in's. I have an appt.

I might be wrong but I think Two Wheel had more bike on hand than Apex.
 
I might be wrong but I think Two Wheel had more bike on hand than Apex.
They're mostly jap bikes with the occasional guzzi and aprilia
for KTM or ducati he wont find much there
 
From what you asked for, and what you've leaned towards on here, you should probably just up your budget, get the S1000RR and find out.
 
From what you asked for, and what you've leaned towards on here, you should probably just up your budget, get the S1000RR and find out.
RR?! ?
 
I've pretty much pared it down to Multistrada or S1000xr, but will sit on a bunch of bikes to be sure - my wife likes the Multistrada better and I'm indifferent.
All of the other bikes are great in their own way, but miss the mark for me in one way or another.

Thanks for all the info and suggestions - really appreciate it.
 
I've pretty much pared it down to Multistrada or S1000xr, but will sit on a bunch of bikes to be sure - my wife likes the Multistrada better and I'm indifferent.
All of the other bikes are great in their own way, but miss the mark for me in one way or another.

Thanks for all the info and suggestions - really appreciate it.
If you have any dirt/off road aspirations then go with the multi.

The XR would almost certainly provide a better street or track experience on your non tour days.

In the end you win either way.
 
Just be cautious if you're looking at the first-gen XR, as some folks have problems with buzzy vibrations, mostly through the bars but also through the pegs. My understanding is they improved it massively on the second gen (as I'm sure @Evoex can attest), but Jensen Beeler at Asphalt & Rubber never shuts up about it.

Vibes are a weirdly inconsistent thing, though, both bike to bike and rider to rider. Some find some bikes unbearable, others have no issue. At a minimum, I'd make sure I did a full test ride (including a solid highway stretch) of one to be sure, as it can be tricky to fix if it's an issue.
 
Just be cautious if you're looking at the first-gen XR, as some folks have problems with buzzy vibrations, mostly through the bars but also through the pegs. My understanding is they improved it massively on the second gen (as I'm sure @Evoex can attest), but Jensen Beeler at Asphalt & Rubber never shuts up about it.

Vibes are a weirdly inconsistent thing, though, both bike to bike and rider to rider. Some find some bikes unbearable, others have no issue. At a minimum, I'd make sure I did a full test ride (including a solid highway stretch) of one to be sure, as it can be tricky to fix if it's an issue.
Thanks I've read that here and there too. I would be looking at a 2016 or 2017 model if I went with that, or a 2015-2017 Multistrada. A little buzz never bothered me on any of my past bikes, but maybe I've never experienced the vibes that some people complain about.
 
If you have any dirt/off road aspirations then go with the multi.

The XR would almost certainly provide a better street or track experience on your non tour days.

In the end you win either way.
Don’t mean to contradict you Evoex.
when it’s time for me to switch. This is the plan for the 2022 S1000XR
 
Don’t mean to contradict you Evoex.
when it’s time for me to switch. This is the plan for the 2022 S1000XR
well..if you throw money at anything it's probably usable for most applications. I assumed he (like most of us) wouldnt be.

You`re talking serious money in crash gear and i would lift it.
 
to state the obvious, if your that deep in the offroad game just get a KTM ;)
 
Thanks. Does the same type of warmth occur on the 1290 Adventure, or was it something that just occured with the earlier models?

I have that KTM. It has the bigger tank on it that they don’t make anymore which means massive range. I don’t find it that hot unless you’re stopped for ages. It has upgraded heat shielding compared to the older 1190s. If you go for something like that there’s a few things to look for. Has it had the tank recall, has it had the rear shock recall and check for a “clunk” from the front suspension where there shouldn’t be any. If it has the OEM tires check for any weird head shake as there was a bad batch. I'm just about to get my rotors checked for warping and that can be a problem too.

It will benefit from an upgraded steering dampener. There’s a great option from Holland that won’t break the bank. Check if it has the Cyclops LED front light upgrade which many owners put in as it’s fantastic.

If you’re checking the bike out get the owner to show you the rider adjustment working. This is the rider, rider +luggage, 2 riders, 2 riders + luggage settings. You should see the rear shock working to adjust the shock settings when this is operated. If you don’t or it’s stuck then the owner didn’t RTFM and has jammed the stepper motor which needs a dealer reset. You operate this feature off the bike on the sidestand.
 
Just to add....I’ve taken my KTM on old skidoo trails, deep gravel, disused rail beds with rocks and some forest trails I really shouldn’t have. I have always been the weakest link. The bike is capable of a lot. The different ride modes are great. For a big bike the COG is not too bad unless you decide to stop on a slope with a full tank of gas. It doesn’t feel as tippy as my last bike a Triumph Tiger 1050.

Its very comfy. I have just bought an airhawk for the last couple of hundred clicks of a 700km+ day and that’s really because I’m getting older. The heated seat is very welcome at the start and end of the season. The cruise control is useful on highway drones.

I had a few issues at the start with a new model year/new model bike but they have all been sorted out under warranty or recall as a good used bike will have too. The rotors are the last to get seen to but that also doesn’t affect everyone.

Check the service intervals for the Ducati and other bikes you’re considering. The KTM has quite long ones that leave you more time for riding.

When I bought mine I got it new and added nearly every extra to it. I could have bought quite a few other bikes including the Ducati and even a paired down BMW but in the end the value drew me in and I haven’t regretted the purchase.
 
Just to add....I’ve taken my KTM on old skidoo trails, deep gravel, disused rail beds with rocks and some forest trails I really shouldn’t have. I have always been the weakest link. The bike is capable of a lot. The different ride modes are great. For a big bike the COG is not too bad unless you decide to stop on a slope with a full tank of gas. It doesn’t feel as tippy as my last bike a Triumph Tiger 1050.

Its very comfy. I have just bought an airhawk for the last couple of hundred clicks of a 700km+ day and that’s really because I’m getting older. The heated seat is very welcome at the start and end of the season. The cruise control is useful on highway drones.

I had a few issues at the start with a new model year/new model bike but they have all been sorted out under warranty or recall as a good used bike will have too. The rotors are the last to get seen to but that also doesn’t affect everyone.

Check the service intervals for the Ducati and other bikes you’re considering. The KTM has quite long ones that leave you more time for riding.

When I bought mine I got it new and added nearly every extra to it. I could have bought quite a few other bikes including the Ducati and even a paired down BMW but in the end the value drew me in and I haven’t regretted the purchase.
Thanks for all that good info! It’s a really awesome bike for sure.
 
You're all wrong.
2019-Yamaha-Niken-GT-Review-three-wheel-motorcycle-14.jpg
 

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