Middle-Weight Sport-Tourer

mokosai · 02-01-2013, 06:29 PM

Hello,

It's cold as hell (about 5F as I type this), so that makes it the perfect time to start thinking about a spring (or midwinter) bike purchase. If you're as bored as I am, read along, and offer some suggestions/advice/experience.

Need: Bike for 1-up trips ranging from a weekend to a week. Nothing more adventurous than gravel roads. Interstate mostly avoided (but 100% avoidance is nearly impossible). I'm 5'11" with pretty long arms.

Experience: Previous bike for this purpose was an ST1300 w/ bar risers (too heavy, too boat-like, upright seating made uncomfortable). Current bike for this purpose is a Street Triple R (too little wind protection, too twitchy, kinda short range). I can stand (some) more forward lean, but no more leg bend than the Street Triple.

Considering the following (with perceived pros and cons; note I've never ridden any of them):

BMW K1300S
===========
+comfort for the long-armed
+factory storage
+electronic toys
+good suspension
+shaft drive (? I'm not sure if I really care enough to call this a plus)
-way more power than I'll ever need/use (I'll never see the top half of the speedo)
-expensive
-pretty heavy

Honda VFR800
============
+Honda reliable (other than electrics...)
+ <500lbs wet Note: This is False
+V4 motor
+pretty good deal used
-average / poor suspension
-can it power heated liners?

Triumph Sprint ST
==============
+awesome motor
+factory bags available (?)
-cramped riding position

[600cc Sport Bike] with bags (e.g. R6, CBR, GSXR, maybe even SV650 and FZ1)
======================
+lightweight
-too aggressive riding position
-Japanese bikes tend not to fit me without ergonomic modification
-looks awkward with hard luggage

[Touring Land Barge] (e.g. FJR, Concours, R1200RT, etc)
================
+factory luggage
+good wind protection
-heavy and pig-like
-too upright seating position

So, what am I not thinking of? Or, do you have one of the bikes above, and am I wrong about it?

No False Enthusiasm · 02-01-2013, 06:33 PM

BMW 800GT seems to be about the only middle weight sport tourer not yet mentioned...

Haven't ridden one... don't think I'd want to pay for one...

Of course, there's always a Wee...

NFE

dwenglis · 02-01-2013, 06:42 PM

vfr1200 and ktm 990 smt

Grainbelt · 02-01-2013, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mokosai

[600cc Sport Bike] with bags (e.g. FZ6, CBR, GSXR, maybe even SV650)
======================
+lightweight
-too aggressive riding position
-Japanese bikes tend not to fit me without ergonomic modification
-looks awkward with hard luggage

without addressing your entire post, I'll take issue with the riding position and cases on the FZ6. Givi V35s on the Givi mounts.

Riding position is quite neutral, slight forward lean into the breeze.

allonsye · 02-01-2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No False Enthusiasm

BMW 800GT seems to be about the only middle weight sport tourer not yet mentioned...

Haven't ridden one... don't think I'd want to pay for one...

Of course, there's always a Wee...

NFE

Who needs a stinking liter bike? (unless they have size issues -:)

Speaking from what I've ridden and having a similar build (assuming you have a 32" inseam; yes?) me thinks the V or Wee strom would fit the bill nicely for you.

Of all the you mentioned the VFR is probably the nicest (the motor extremely sweeet) but it's a bit cramped for long jaunts unless you lower the pegs, raise the bars and put a touring saddle on. Too, I could never get the wind noise quiet.

The Stroms are plenty roomy. My Wee sips low amounts of fuel and is as comfy as any sport-tourer out there. It rails throught the corners with the uprated rear shock, continuous rate front springs in 15wt oil and a fork brace. Sargent saddle........and assorted other acoutraments to make this a very very competitive tourer. Mine rivals my GS.

0ldhippie · 02-01-2013, 07:04 PM

Ninja 1000 is my pick!

bobobob · 02-01-2013, 07:06 PM

Honda NC700X

Grainbelt · 02-01-2013, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0ldhippie

Ninja 1000 is my pick!

I had the privilege of a demo ride, that is one hell of a bike.

Gryphon12 · 02-01-2013, 07:31 PM

Doesn't anyone read past page one any more before posting?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=804246

Jetpilot5 · 02-01-2013, 07:44 PM

Not sure where you got the sub 500 pound wet weight for the VFR800. Pulling wet weights from Total Motorcycle shows the VFR800 at 551 wet, the K1300S at 560 wet and the Sprint ST at 530 wet.

I've have a K1300S and rode a 99 VFR800 for five years. The VFR was a great bike but the K13S doesn't feel any heavier and has gobs more power and a much better suspension. BMW weird, I know, but it works very well on the road. A chain wouldn't keep me from buying a bike I want but I do not miss chain maintenance. Riding position between the VFR800 and the K1300S are almost identical. I thought it was interesting that I found the VFR1200 to be a little tighter, more like the Sprint ST.

I spent a year with an FJR1300 too. Nice bike, very capable, easy to work on and dead reliable. Too much bike for me though as I never got it out unless I was going out for the full day. Just seemed too big/heavy for a local ride.

You might consider the Ninja 1000 too.

PhilB · 02-01-2013, 08:02 PM

Ducati ST3, ST4, or ST2, or MultiStrada (older 2V or newer 4V).
Aprilia Futura.
Moto Guzzi Norge.

Kawasaki Ninja 1000 or Versys 1000
Suzuki SV1000 or V-Strom 1000
Honda VFR 1200
Yamaha FZ-1

Buell Ulysses

Lots of adventure-type bikes.

MOTUS MST

PhilB

No False Enthusiasm · 02-01-2013, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally quote by Allonsye:

... It rails throught the corners with the uprated rear shock, continuous rate front springs in 15wt oil and a fork brace.

That's exactly how my Wee is set up...

NFE

EastBoundAndDown · 02-01-2013, 08:22 PM

2001-2005 fz1.

EastBoundAndDown · 02-01-2013, 08:28 PM

FZ6 is plenty capable too. Farily roomy ergors, I'm 6'1 32" inseam.

The OP seems to have had a DL650 already from his signature.

mikesova · 02-01-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

without addressing your entire post, I'll take issue with the riding position and cases on the FZ6. Givi V35s on the Givi mounts.

Riding position is quite neutral, slight forward lean into the breeze.

Agreed. FZ6 (and SV650) doesn't belong with those others listed. Maybe you meant R6?

I would recommend the FZ6 for what you're looking for. fuel injected, centerstand, 26,000 mile valve checks. It's got the total package.

02-01-2013, 06:29 PM	#1
mokosai ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: America's Cornbasket Oddometer: 164	Middle-Weight Sport-Tourer Hello, It's cold as hell (about 5F as I type this), so that makes it the perfect time to start thinking about a spring (or midwinter) bike purchase. If you're as bored as I am, read along, and offer some suggestions/advice/experience. Need: Bike for 1-up trips ranging from a weekend to a week. Nothing more adventurous than gravel roads. Interstate mostly avoided (but 100% avoidance is nearly impossible). I'm 5'11" with pretty long arms. Experience: Previous bike for this purpose was an ST1300 w/ bar risers (too heavy, too boat-like, upright seating made uncomfortable). Current bike for this purpose is a Street Triple R (too little wind protection, too twitchy, kinda short range). I can stand (some) more forward lean, but no more leg bend than the Street Triple. Considering the following (with perceived pros and cons; note I've never ridden any of them): BMW K1300S =========== +comfort for the long-armed +factory storage +electronic toys +good suspension +shaft drive (? I'm not sure if I really care enough to call this a plus) -way more power than I'll ever need/use (I'll never see the top half of the speedo) -expensive -pretty heavy Honda VFR800 ============ +Honda reliable (other than electrics...) + <500lbs wet Note: This is False +V4 motor +pretty good deal used -average / poor suspension -can it power heated liners? Triumph Sprint ST ============== +awesome motor +factory bags available (?) -cramped riding position [600cc Sport Bike] with bags (e.g. R6, CBR, GSXR, maybe even SV650 and FZ1) ====================== +lightweight -too aggressive riding position -Japanese bikes tend not to fit me without ergonomic modification -looks awkward with hard luggage [Touring Land Barge] (e.g. FJR, Concours, R1200RT, etc) ================ +factory luggage +good wind protection -heavy and pig-like -too upright seating position So, what am I not thinking of? Or, do you have one of the bikes above, and am I wrong about it? __________________ Free of Content. mokosai screwed with this post 02-01-2013 at 09:30 PM Reason: Corrected Factual Error

02-01-2013, 06:42 PM	#3
dwenglis Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2009 Oddometer: 114	vfr1200 and ktm 990 smt __________________ 2007 Aprilia Tuono

02-01-2013, 07:04 PM	#6
0ldhippie Studly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Sacramento Oddometer: 566	Ninja 1000 is my pick! __________________ I've forgot more than you kids ever knew! Retired and living off the interest on the money I owe.

02-01-2013, 07:06 PM	#7
bobobob badbadbad Joined: Feb 2011 Location: On a hill Oddometer: 4,235	Honda NC700X __________________ . It is just a bunch of inner tubes Roy . . . - Cannonshot Growing old is compulsory - growing up is optional. - Haroon

02-01-2013, 07:31 PM	#9
Gryphon12 Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Carnation, WA USA Oddometer: 697	Doesn't anyone read past page one any more before posting? http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=804246 __________________ 1990 Honda NT-650 Hawk-GT Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead

02-01-2013, 06:33 PM	#2
No False Enthusiasm a quiet adventurer Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Small Town, Texas Oddometer: 3,404	BMW 800GT seems to be about the only middle weight sport tourer not yet mentioned... Haven't ridden one... don't think I'd want to pay for one... Of course, there's always a Wee... NFE

02-01-2013, 07:44 PM	#10
Jetpilot5 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Decatur, IL Oddometer: 150	Not sure where you got the sub 500 pound wet weight for the VFR800. Pulling wet weights from Total Motorcycle shows the VFR800 at 551 wet, the K1300S at 560 wet and the Sprint ST at 530 wet. I've have a K1300S and rode a 99 VFR800 for five years. The VFR was a great bike but the K13S doesn't feel any heavier and has gobs more power and a much better suspension. BMW weird, I know, but it works very well on the road. A chain wouldn't keep me from buying a bike I want but I do not miss chain maintenance. Riding position between the VFR800 and the K1300S are almost identical. I thought it was interesting that I found the VFR1200 to be a little tighter, more like the Sprint ST. I spent a year with an FJR1300 too. Nice bike, very capable, easy to work on and dead reliable. Too much bike for me though as I never got it out unless I was going out for the full day. Just seemed too big/heavy for a local ride. You might consider the Ninja 1000 too.

02-01-2013, 08:02 PM	#11
PhilB Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2012 Location: New Hampshire Oddometer: 1,228	Ducati ST3, ST4, or ST2, or MultiStrada (older 2V or newer 4V). Aprilia Futura. Moto Guzzi Norge. Kawasaki Ninja 1000 or Versys 1000 Suzuki SV1000 or V-Strom 1000 Honda VFR 1200 Yamaha FZ-1 Buell Ulysses Lots of adventure-type bikes. MOTUS MST PhilB __________________ 1993 Ducati M900 Monster "Patina" (207,000 miles, so far) -- 1995 Ducati M900 (wife's bike) -- 1972 Honda CB450 (daughter's bike) -- 1979 Vespa P200 (daughter's scoot) -- 1967 Alfa Romeo GT Jr. (1300cc) -- 1964 Vespa GS160 (160cc 2-stroke) -- 1962 Maicoletta scooter (275cc 2-stroke) -- 1960 Heinkel Tourist 103A1 scooter "Elroy" (175cc 4-stroke)

02-01-2013, 08:22 PM	#13
EastBoundAndDown Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Walden, NY Oddometer: 401	2001-2005 fz1. __________________ "And if my thought-dreams could been seen They'd probably put my head in a guillotine But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only." KTM200, DR350SE, Concours 1000

02-01-2013, 08:28 PM	#14
EastBoundAndDown Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: Walden, NY Oddometer: 401	FZ6 is plenty capable too. Farily roomy ergors, I'm 6'1 32" inseam. The OP seems to have had a DL650 already from his signature. __________________ "And if my thought-dreams could been seen They'd probably put my head in a guillotine But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only." KTM200, DR350SE, Concours 1000

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