Sport tourer for an old fart?

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boooya said:
I've got just over 40,000 kms on my bandit 1250 with nothing bad to say about it at all. I'm looking for an excus and I've been wanting a new bike but just can't find a suitable replacement that does everything my bike does in that price range. If you got the funds I'd be looking at a RT1200 ;)
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I'd definitely browse/window shop the BMW dealership............But, it's easy to spend someone elses money!!!! Love the RT1200!!!
 
A good used 5th gen vfr can be had pretty cheap and are very reliable and comfy with an aftermarket seat. My 2000 vfr has 70 k
 
gcrouse said:
A good used 5th gen vfr can be had pretty cheap and are very reliable and comfy with an aftermarket seat. My 2000 vfr has 70 k
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+1 My 99 has 50k and runs like new. 5th gen's are the best, gear driven cams, no vtec.
 
Ducati Multistrada 1200S!!!!!! If you can manage the 850mm seat hight ;) If you're a decent rider a sport bike rider will be hard pressed to lose you in the twisties with this thing! ... and comfortable ... and FAST wholy sugar honey iced tea! ... and luggage ... heated grips ... centre stand ... I might be biased but hey everyone else here is too! 12k and till loving it!

New Ninja 1000 if you want something that looks sportier. Really looks like a nice machine. I think I'll be taking it out for a whirl sometime sooner rather than later!
 
Hadn't ridden in 25 years, then was intending to buy, one of the BMW uber-mottorats. After extensive research (and shocking fallout from former BMW owners) and demo rides, I lucked out on choosing a 650 V-Strom and wouldn't trade it for anything (even the new restyled 2012 V-Strom).

Comfortable on long trips (add hard guards and heated grips), get 500 km per 22 litre tank, fantastic handling and power.

If you ride 2-up, a 1000 might be a consideration but not absolutely necessary.
 
Canadian GP said:
It's been 30 years since I've ridden a sport bike. I'm toying with the idea of getting on 2 wheels again but prefer a bike with a more upright riding position. So far my short list includes Ninja 650 R, GSX 650 F or maybe a Honda VFR.

Any other bike suggestions or opinions are greatly appreciated.
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You wont go wrong with the GSX650F or VFR800.
The GSXF has good options for Sports Touring. Its really a Bandit with a fairing. Tried and tested. The seat is large and great for strapping a bag to it. I rode one with nylon side bags and carried a ton of gear across the back of it. Bike has good power and looks too. has options for centre stand which is handy and shows the bike was designed with touring in mind

Ninja 650R - more of the sports side of things. Maybe higher insurance premiums (I dunno? because of the "ninja" name") No centre stand.

VFR800 - great sport touring bike. shame they cancelled this model and replaced it with the 1200 :-\

Ninja 1000 for a Sportbike look with performance and upright position.. actually more upright than the GSX650F

Also consider: Yamaha Fazer 800 in your search.

Good luck.
 
RexdaleDave said:
Yamaha FZ6R 2009 or newer
My buddy just picked his up and loves it

Or the Fazer 8 is a bit bigger with a half fairing.
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FZ6R started in 09 so you can't get one any older...
Despite it's name, it is NOTHING like the preceeding FZ6 and it is deffinately an inferior bike. Only thing they share is the engine block. The heads and intake track are not similar at all.
FZ6: FZ6R:
Aluminum frame Steel frame
95ish HP 78 HP

The longer production time for the FZ6 means more aftermarket. It also shares a lot of it's parts with the R6 and there are a lot of easy swaps to upgrade the bike.
I love my FZ6. I can keep up to all my buddies on their 600s on the road without pushing the bike that hard, I get decent fuel mileage, decent comfort on the long rides and it's not so common so a lot of people ask what it is. And that 600 after 7000 really likes to scream!

However, I REALLY like the FZ8 for style.
 
+1 for the Multistrada. I can't believe how good this bike is! It is a very upright riding position, and lots of leg room, only exceeded by the power. It makes my old Trophy feel cramped. Sounds great as well. Next on the list before I got the Ducati were the BMW R1200RT, followed by the ST1300. The Concours 1400 might be a good bet too.

scrammts said:
Ducati Multistrada 1200S!!!!!! If you can manage the 850mm seat hight ;) If you're a decent rider a sport bike rider will be hard pressed to lose you in the twisties with this thing! ... and comfortable ... and FAST wholy sugar honey iced tea! ... and luggage ... heated grips ... centre stand ... I might be biased but hey everyone else here is too! 12k and till loving it!

New Ninja 1000 if you want something that looks sportier. Really looks like a nice machine. I think I'll be taking it out for a whirl sometime sooner rather than later!
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Canadian GP said:
It's been 30 years since I've ridden a sport bike. I'm toying with the idea of getting on 2 wheels again but prefer a bike with a more upright riding position. So far my short list includes Ninja 650 R, GSX 650 F or maybe a Honda VFR. Any other bike suggestions or opinions are greatly appreciated.
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Triumph Sprint GT. (not the ST)You'd have to look pretty hard to find better value for money, tours well, fun in the twisties.... And pretty much anywhere else. Well suited to 2up, long hauls, comes with a nice set of waterproof hard bags. The 1050 triple is one he'll of a nice engine, too.
 
HarleyHare said:
Hadn't ridden in 25 years, then was intending to buy, one of the BMW uber-mottorats. After extensive research (and shocking fallout from former BMW owners) and demo rides, I lucked out on choosing a 650 V-Strom and wouldn't trade it for anything (even the new restyled 2012 V-Strom).Comfortable on long trips (add hard guards and heated grips), get 500 km per 22 litre tank, fantastic handling and power. If you ride 2-up, a 1000 might be a consideration but not absolutely necessary.
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I really like the 650 vstrom. If I were looking at the 1000, though, I'd also consider the triumph tiger.
 
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Also an old fart, my FZ1 has been a great bike and will keep her for a while. When I start having more time to ride, my next bike will be a tough choice between a Triumph Tiger or a BMW R1200r. This bike is so neat in every way. Just order it with hardbags and a screen and you have a Swiss Army Knife bike.

However, I can also see ST1300 in the future so my wife and I can do some touring with me.
 
I've "adapted" 2 bikes to be touring capable - a VFR and an FZ6 - with Givi baggage. Although they toured just fine, I do appreciate the
purpose built sport tourers, whether it be my C14, or the Yamaha/Honda/BMW variants. I just like the integration of the touring
components rather than the bolted-on look. Plus the super-relaxed big bore engine purring along at 3,300 rpm or so at 120 is nice.
 
Canadian GP said:
It's been 30 years since I've ridden a sport bike. I'm toying with the idea of getting on 2 wheels again but prefer a bike with a more upright riding position. So far my short list includes Ninja 650 R, GSX 650 F or maybe a Honda VFR.

Any other bike suggestions or opinions are greatly appreciated.
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Have you been off bikes for 30 years, or just sport bikes?

If the former - you may want to exclude the larger displacement if you want to take the twisties. I mean, they'll *do* it, but if you haven't been on a bike for 30 years, you'll be shocked at the mid-displacement range's performance nowadays.

I honestly wouldn't go with the Ninja 650r. For long trips, it super uncomfortable, and the engine is not spectacular as far as sportiness goes. just saying that once you get back into the swing of things, you might be a bit disappointed in it.

(my personal bias is now showing, but) you should check out the 800 parallel twin BMW line. It's a fabulous motor, lots of torque cruising, but little vibration at higher rpms. Comes in several different models.
 
Thanks for all the opinions and advice, the research continues. The hard part is I don't have a helmet or know someone who has a spare I could borrow for test drives. At this point I'm not even sure I would be comfortable riding again. Maybe I'll just go buy a cheap helmet and keep it as a back up once I do make a purchase.
 
The triumph sprint is one I'd look at.
 
I was in a similar position 7 years ago and came back to riding after a 20 year break. And yes riding a motorcycle is like riding a bike in that you do not forget how to physically ride the bike. You must however treat it like you are a rookie all over again and that is what I diid.

Got a nice old FJ600 and spent most of my budget on a good helmet and gear and took it slowly for the first season. Thanksfully I did not start on the FZ1 or another high HP or expensive bike that year because I managed to tip it over (not crash) 3 times. Simple things like pushing up the driveway or stopping on a soft shoulder. and not extending the side stand enough.
 
Canadian GP said:
It's been 30 years since I've ridden a sport bike. I'm toying with the idea of getting on 2 wheels again but prefer a bike with a more upright riding position. So far my short list includes Ninja 650 R, GSX 650 F or maybe a Honda VFR.

Any other bike suggestions or opinions are greatly appreciated.
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Looking at your list of bikes, I'm not sure why others are recommending full size bikes?

All good choices, however, I think you should add the BMW F800ST to the short list.

-it has belt drive, so no messy chain to bother with.
-its very light
-fantastic gas mileage
-easy on insurance
-best warranty in the business with free roadside assistance.
-very flickable and fun to ride.
-available ABS
-factory touring bags are optional, and plenty of aftermarket options.
-other niceties like heated grips included as standard.

Try one out!


.
 
Look for an older Kawasaki ZZR from the early 2000's. Lots out there and some that are low milage gems.
 
Over the past 10 years, I have owned a Yam FZ1, two FJR 1300's and currently ride a Kaw Concours 14. For long distance touring, the FJRs and the Concours are all excellent bikes - but I had to replace the OEM seat with a Corbin or Sergent seat to get real comfort out of them. Both engines were great, although the C14 has more power, a 6 speed tranny, and hardly requires any downshifting to ride through towns etc. - even with a passenger. Both have excellent shaft drive so you dont have to worry about cleaning/lubing your chain every few days. The Concours 14 wins so far because of slightly better ergonomics (for me, anyway) and slightly less vibration. Yamaha had slightly better fuel economy, but I still got 5.1 l/100 km average with the Concours on my latest 3000 km trip through the mountains in PA, WV, VA.

GP bikes has a used 2010 Concours 14 for sale at a really good price (less than $13K I think - it is on sale) and it only has 13,000 km on it. It is all set up for touring with a GPS mounted and also a Givi 52 Litre top box. Added bonus - still has factory warranty left (at least a year's worth.) http://www.gpbikes.com/new_vehicle_...2011J7I48I08JAMQ6135R0&veh=153808&pov=2211391
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