Help/advice needed on buying a tourer

[Mad Mike]

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Agreed. I've seen the next gen 1300's priced as low as $3500. Some have almost 100,000km but it's a Honda and I expect it will go reliably for many more km beyond that.

If you're looking for a cheap couch ride, the GL1500s are among the best deals around. You can find clean 1/2 used-up bikes with under 100K for $2200-$3500. They are easy to handle, pull like a tractor, and pretty cheap to run. They are big and heavy, great for slab touring, can wear you down on blue highways. You get tons of element protection, comfortable seats, reverse, huge luggage capacity, comms, air pump, cruise, ... almost everything except FI and ride modes.

ST1100 is a great bike, but the ST1300 is even better. These aren't the 'comfy couch' type cruisers, they are sport tourers that play best on blue highways off the slab. Can be equipped with backrests and add a tailbag you'll have enough luggage space for touring. I've met LOTS of ST riders with well over 300,000km, a few with 1/2 million KMs on their bikes and still going strong.

 

[ReSTored]

I can echo the Honda ST1100 or ST1300 comments. They are dirt cheap compared to many other bikes and, reasonably maintained, will last 200,000 - 300,000 km. My 1100 had 140,000 km on it when I sold it, ran great, used no oil. Friend's 2007 1300 had 210,000 km, same great shape. Another guy, 2005 1300 sold with 250,000 km. At U.S. events I attend not uncommon to see bikes with 200,000 - 250,000 miles on them. Honda's build quality is excellent on these bikes + there are great forums to support DIY mechanics.

 

[Mad Mike]

Further to the ST1300 suggestion, here's one with tons of extras, 91,000km @ $3500.

Honestly, I know plenty of people prefer the FJR1300 but I've never seen anyone with a frowny face riding one of these.

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I've toured on both, the ST1300 doesn't pack the same punch as an FJR, but it's more comfortable and easier to ride, particularly for 2 up.

Caution on the ST1300 - they generate an incredible amount of heat. Expect the heat to toast batteries every 2 years. The heat they radiate to the rider is unbearable for me in stop-and-go urban traffic.

 

[Mad Mike]

...For what ever reason just about every BMW I sit is the same - forces my knees too wide.

Is this why @bigpoppa likes BMWs for shagging?

 

[Jay Alexander]

Thanks everyone - really did not expect this to trigger such a discussion. The St1100/1300s look nice, but I am now leaning more towards a cruiser-style.

Someone here has a 2005 Vulcan Nomad for sale. What do you guys think of this bike?

 

[Lightcycle]

Paging @PrivatePilot ...

 

[bitzz]

Curious as to why that is?

More power, faster, better suspension out of the box, better wind protection, more conventional layout

 

[bitzz]

If you're looking for a "el cheapo" sport tourer, don't over look the Kawi Concourse. Lots of cheap ones out there, bullet proof ZX10 motor, shaftie

... I HATE them. Riding a concourse I can't forget there's a ZX10 motor in there and so I HAVE TO wind the thing up... so now I'm doing terminal velocity on a land pig.... EVERY time.

 

[JZ67]

I'm a bit biased with the BMW R1200RT. Checks a lot of boxes too. Doesn't come without it's share of issues but most are not show stoppers. You can pick up one for under $6k. Bullitt proof boxer capable of going forever.

 

[nobbie48]

Appreciate all you guys and your help. Both of us are light, so not concerned about weight.

What do you think of this for $2800? Owner says it was safetied last year, and needs nothing to get it safetied. New tires put on last season.

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1987 Honda Goldwing GL 1200. All original seat has been recovered safety last year been driving it daily for work. Lots of things done to it, including timming belts this spring for more information contact me

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Pre covid that would money would get you close to a 1500 with a real charging system. I don't know about current pricing.

I didn't have problems with my 1200 stator but the reg / recs were problematic. They arern't hard to change but when the first one went I replaced it with a used 1100 one until Honda got an OEM one in. When I replaced the used one the OEM one died after a couple of rides. I switched back to the 1100 one and it continued to work fine. Aftermarket ones had inconsistant voltages.

When you lose charging, if you pull the headlight fuse, you've got 40-50 kms of riding until it won't fire the plugs.

I was about to put a Poor boy conversion on the 1200 when I found a more suitable solution.

When I got the 1998 1500 it came with a Chinese alternator which I switched out to a US made one. I also added an ammeter. Paranoia

 

[nobbie48]

If you're looking for a "el cheapo" sport tourer, don't over look the Kawi Concourse. Lots of cheap ones out there, bullet proof ZX10 motor, shaftie

... I HATE them. Riding a concourse I can't forget there's a ZX10 motor in there and so I HAVE TO wind the thing up... so now I'm doing terminal velocity on a land pig.... EVERY time.

I enjoyed mine (1000cc) but would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't so top heavy. Push steering wasn't nimble and it had the Connie buzz. Long days = numb hands,

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