Goldwing is way too big and a bit too boring for what I’m after. Even though this will be mainly a touring bike, I still want to have a bit of fun with it!
As for reliability, has Ducati improved at all? I really like the new Multistrada’s but I just don’t think they’d be quite as good as a Japanese bike. Also, is maintenance with them still ridiculous?
Yeah, it was pretty obvious from your criteria that a wing wasn't going to be right for you. I was more replying to TT using a vintage wing to tour.
For the long-shot weirdo entry that may work, Niken? Split the difference between the Tracer and FJR? Talk to @oomis about a turbo if you want more go.
You didn't mention why you're replacing the Versys. If the FJR is on the list it doesn't look like you need a gravel capable bike so if all you need is a good 2-up/touring bike I suggest going for a cruiser with full bags and topbox. You already have something sporty so instead of looking for something in the middle I'd go full on comfort cruiser.
Yeah, it was pretty obvious from your criteria that a wing wasn't going to be right for you. I was more replying to TT using a vintage wing to tour.
For the long-shot weirdo entry that may work, Niken? Split the difference between the Tracer and FJR? Talk to @oomis about a turbo if you want more go.
I was with oomis when he rode his first Niken down at the Dragon and sat on it in the garage. That bike is way too “unique” for me….lol! Comfy AF, but I just don’t think I could bring myself to ever get one.
You didn't mention why you're replacing the Versys. If the FJR is on the list it doesn't look like you need a gravel capable bike so if all you need is a good 2-up/touring bike I suggest going for a cruiser with full bags and topbox. You already have something sporty so instead of looking for something in the middle I'd go full on comfort cruiser.
Main reason for replacing is because I want something newer (shinier), cruise control and heated grips….that’s pretty much it.
I went the cruiser route about 7-8 years ago, and again about 2 years ago, and full-on cruisers are just too boring for me. Plus, they’re really heavy.
I think the FJR is as close to a ‘cruiser’ as I would like to get.
As for the roads I will be riding, I might end up on a gravel road once or twice, but this will pretty much be a strictly pavement bike.
I used to have an ‘07 FJR and it was really good. Just wondering if the updated version still keeps the spirit of the older ones.
The weight was one thing I didn’t like about it and that made it a pig on more technical roads, aside from that I really enjoyed it.
I haven't owned an early model, but seems much the same, some modern features though - factory heated grips/cruise/bags/power screen/6 speed (watch recall)/LED. A GS would be an excellent choice too (especially if you like Starbucks ).
Goldwing is way too big and a bit too boring for what I’m after. Even though this will be mainly a touring bike, I still want to have a bit of fun with it!
As for reliability, has Ducati improved at all? I really like the new Multistrada’s but I just don’t think they’d be quite as good as a Japanese bike. Also, is maintenance with them still ridiculous?
If you’re able to break ties with Japan how about a k1600B? It’s in the same model line as @AllistonGT new toy.
Inline 6 motor, mid control with front footrests. By far the sportiest ‘bagger’ as per many reviews. Lots of room for the wife. As I recall it has heated seats front and rear.
If you’re able to break ties with Japan how about a k1600B? It’s in the same model line as @AllistonGT new toy.
Inline 6 motor, mid control with front footrests. By far the sportiest ‘bagger’ as per many reviews. Lots of room for the wife. As I recall it has heated seats front and rear.
Haven’t looked into BMW’s much so I don’t know very much about them.
Maybe I should have clarified though, the wife doesn’t come touring with me, she just comes along for the odd ride here and there. This will mainly be a solo touring bike or when I don’t feel like riding the sport bike. I still want something that she will be comfortable on, but I think the touring comfort takes precedence over passenger comfort.
Just a note on the Tenere 1200, the OEM panniers and top case are far from great. If you intend to be using them a lot, especially for touring, I would include the price of something like the Givi Trekker Outback cases in your decision.
I bought my specific Tenere because it came with the panniers, used them for one long trip and said never again.
I think BMW's are great bikes, but they are relatively expensive to purchase + service and parts cost would be significantly higher than what you'd experience with an FJR. The engineering, complexity and the performance of the k1600 is astounding, but it doesn't come cheap.
If you going to go BMW get the RT. Great tech, good looks, relatively light, super handling, much easier to work on vs. the k1600.
I think BMW's are great bikes, but they are relatively expensive to purchase + service and parts cost would be significantly higher than what you'd experience with an FJR. The engineering, complexity and the performance of the k1600 is astounding, but it doesn't come cheap.
If you going to go BMW get the RT. Great tech, good looks, relatively light, super handling, much easier to work on vs. the k1600.
you mainly mentioned japanese bikes so thats what I suggested but now that we know what youre after...(and if you're open to euro bikes)...this opens up many more options
I now predict this thread will replace the @shanekingsley thread
Goldwing is way too big and a bit too boring for what I’m after. Even though this will be mainly a touring bike, I still want to have a bit of fun with it!
As for reliability, has Ducati improved at all? I really like the new Multistrada’s but I just don’t think they’d be quite as good as a Japanese bike. Also, is maintenance with them still ridiculous?
I have an FJR and Vstrom 650. Both work fine for my all-day touring as far as comfort goes.
The FJR is tiring to ride in the city, it's heavy when operating slow and it makes heat like the sun. On the open road it's glorious -- great range, and comfortable enough to use it, good element protection, arm ripping acceleration, and not too shabby when it's time to get twisty.
If I didn't have the FJR, I'd have probably stepped up to the DL1000 or a SuperTen. That said, the Wee handles itself just fine unless I'm running fast with sportbikes or big STs.
I love the FJR, but if I could only have one of the bikes it would be the Vstrom. The trade off is arm ripping acceleration for the swiss army utility, easy city riding, and relatively good performance of the Vstrom.
As far as dependability goes, both have over 70,000km, neither has ever seen a dealer, neither have required a single repair - only routine maintenance (which I do myself, following the manufacturer's schedules). So I think if you're looking at dependability, low maintenance, and zero repair costs -- Japanese bikes are dialed in.
Goldwing is way too big and a bit too boring for what I’m after. Even though this will be mainly a touring bike, I still want to have a bit of fun with it!
As for reliability, has Ducati improved at all? I really like the new Multistrada’s but I just don’t think they’d be quite as good as a Japanese bike. Also, is maintenance with them still ridiculous?
Euro bikes will always be more expensive to maintain and repair - you just have to bake that cost into your overall TCO. They use more early tech, design less of the bike systems themselves, and don't prioritize reliability engineering to the same extent as Japanese makers.
Haven’t looked into BMW’s much so I don’t know very much about them.
Maybe I should have clarified though, the wife doesn’t come touring with me, she just comes along for the odd ride here and there. This will mainly be a solo touring bike or when I don’t feel like riding the sport bike. I still want something that she will be comfortable on, but I think the touring comfort takes precedence over passenger comfort.
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