Sport Touring Suggestions

Roasted

Roasted

Well-known member
Site Supporter
Forum Sponsor
So I'm toying around with the idea of switching to a more practical, touring friendly setup since riding around the city is getting boring and I'd like a bike that I can take to the beach for a day or camping comfortably, with some hard luggage on and maybe more comfort for a passenger but I still like hitting the twisties and having some fun. I know many people do this on an SS but that's doing things the hard way IMHO and I'm not really interested in that. I don't want to drop crazy money for a new bike so here is a few options I've been considering.

BMW K1200S - Been drooling over these for a while. Bike looks great and looking at it gives me a boner, has decent power, factory luggage options, a lot of fancy bells and whistles (heated grips, electronic adjustable suspension, etc.), What scares me is maintenance. Are beamers really bad for this? AM I screwed if I dump it?

VF4 800 - Proven design, bike looks good, relatively inexpensive compared to the other options, Lots of luggage options also. Insurance will be CHEAP. Sounds good. Cons: Lack of power. Am I going to find it boring after riding an SS? I rode a BMW F800-ST and found the engine boring but it was an inline 2

ZX14 - I don't think I really need this much power but I like the looks, maintenance should be cheaper since it's a Japanese I4, parts relatively easy to find and spares more common. Cons: Lacks refinement, insurance will probably be $$$, more engine than I feel I need

Any comments or other suggestions are appreciated but keep in mind that I'm more interested in the SPORT side of things and don't really want too upright of a sitting position or anything even bigger than these bikes. I'm also not 100% sure I'm going to go this route but I'm weighing my options.
 
Did you consider the Kawasaki Ninja 1000? Looks like a SS, goes like a SS, but has a fairly neutral riding position, and you can get luggage for it.
 
easy_rider_77 said:
Did you consider the Kawasaki Ninja 1000? Looks like a SS, goes like a SS, but has a fairly neutral riding position, and you can get luggage for it.
Click to expand...

It's a relatively new bike so there really isn't any used ones for sale yet. I'm not really interested in paying 13K+ for a new one and than dumping a couple more K into it for luggage and mods when I can get a fully done up Beamer for ~9K tops.
 
How bout the naked bikes like the Duc Street Fighter or Tuono abit upright but still sporty and plenty of power.

K I just read your post above^^ Duno if you can find a used one under 14k though
 
How about sticking with the Triumph triple engines? The Sprint isn't a bad option and there are a few about for sale. I love my Triumph Tiger with the 1050 engine but that's because I like to sit up a little more and have the option of doing some mild off roading too.
 
Street or Speed triple... FZ8/Fazer are good bang for the buck, or FZ1 if you want more HP...
 
honda-vfr-800.jpg

Throw a set of bags on that and you've got sexy back.
 
I think the new v-strom is cute. I've seen a multi-strada knee drag at deal's gap which was pretty ridiculous.
 
vrus said:
I think the new v-strom is cute. I've seen a multi-strada knee drag at deal's gap which was pretty ridiculous.
Click to expand...

Dunno probably it's just me but I thought I really liked the v-strom. Then I sat on one... The huge tank between the seat and handlebars made it feel like I was seating on the backseat. Same with the tiger. Too bad I really liked both.

Wish there were some africa twins around.
 
Last edited:
Seems like the Roasted dude is becoming domesticated...passenger, comfort, luggage...are you sure this is what you want or the girlfriend wants eh?...lol. Maybe a sporty compact wagon?...lol.
 
The deciding factor will likely be insurance costs. The Kawasaki Concourse as an example is only slightly less powerful than the Ninja, but the insurance costs are light years apart. Personally I'm a huge fan of FJR Yamahas, unless you are riding at the track or Deal's Gap every week chances are you really won't notice a huge difference in handling or performance. A 150 hp. bike is a 150hp. bike. The big sport tourers are a lot heavier, but they are a lot more comfortable for hours of riding, plus the fairings protect you better in bad weather. But Yamaha did make a FZ1 with larger fairing and hard bags etc. that would be a reasonable compromise and probably more cost efficient insurance wise. Good luck.
 
CB1000R

Honda-CB1000R-picture-7.jpg



FZ8

2011-yamaha-fz8-i01.jpg






I know its not one of the bikes on your list but its a compromise between sport bike and old man bike.
You can still have fun on nice roads with the comfort of a more upright position for those longer rides and its easier on that aging body. :)
 
^^^^ (FJR) what he said there's lots of used ones around some with mods

I saw a very clean 2003 for 6500 at the Spring show but I'd try for at least a 2004 as they made improvements in successive years
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom