Cruiser/tourer recommendations?

[LogFish]

Hi everyone -

I bought a GN250 in 2004 and I've been commuting on it for years and have recently got back to Wellington from my second 5 day stint down the West Coast South Island. After it broke down again 40km west of Hanmer Springs and struggled so violently in what I perceived to be light winds on the East Coast I've decided enough is enough; it's time to upgrade rather than keep pushing it beyond its element and get cranky with my little bike!

I'm thinking a tourer or a cruiser as taking time off, having room for a small tent and a pillion, just cruising around down south as the mood takes really appeals to me. Will probably be used for a little commuting too.

Anyway I'm trying to be blank on the subject to get some more knowledgeable input on what bikes would be good for this before I sully it with any more drooling in showrooms or trademe. I'm not made of money, probably 8k would be my highest limit, 2nd hand is obviously fine - I want to have the ability to carry a lot comfortably without the bike being too enormous as I am a fairly light guy - not looking to break land speed records but I like a good blatt too and want more power for longer distance trips.

So really this thread is this question - what do you recommend as good tourers or cruisers to fit the bill?

Thanks heaps guys and girls!

[Madness]

Rumor has it (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-196662179.htm) that this is a bargain and an exceptional example of the marque. A bit diffrent from the mighty GN mind you.

[Jerry74]

Try a Ducati Sport Tourer or Triumph Sprint.

[Jantar]

First you need to decide whether you want a cruiser, a sports tourer, an adventure tourer, or a straight out tourer. The type of riding you describe and the price range would IMO rule out a cruiser, but then there are still some such as the Virago or Boulevard that may suit.

A sports tourer or an adventure tourer would probably be more likely whereas a pure tourer (eg Goldwing) may be out of your price range.

Go to a number of bike shops and try a few different styles out for seating position, comfort etc, then narrow it down to 3 or 4 diffrent bikes and ask us again.

If you wanted a single all purpose bike then I would seriously suggest the Suzuki DL650 (weestrom) as one of the best all purpose bikes available.

[Elysium]

The Honda VFR 800s and 1100 Blackbirds are quite popular sports/touring bikes.

[GrayWolf]

Though I would not argue the virtues of the FJR1300
mI'd also reccomend a serious look at the original, the FJ1100/1200's.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=174906961

For the money being asked, and the K's travelled? I know where my money would go......... but then I could be accused of bias. I will agree the FJ's always should have been shaft drive, which the FJR has got.

[JATZ]

Though I would not argue the virtues of the FJR1300
mI'd also reccomend a serious look at the original, the FJ1100/1200's.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=174906961

For the money being asked, and the K's travelled? I know where my money would go......... but then I could be accused of bias. I will agree the FJ's always should have been shaft drive, which the FJR has got.

I thought long and hard about that one m'self.

Bit of a jump from a GN to that though.

You could also look at some of the more Dual purpose bike, BMW, Transalp, DR650, Triumph Tiger

[xgnr]

How about an oldish BMW tourer for your budget?

Bullet proof, economical and all the luggage.

The K75 is a "better" bike (but I am biased).

K100 on trademe, this guy wants $5000-$6500 which is probably ok, low kms.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-197957032.htm

Good luck!

[Hitcher]

I agree with Madness.

[LogFish]

Thank you all for your responses! That gives me a lot to think about - I'll hit the bike shops this weekend with a few more ideas! Hadn't really thought about tourers specifically, must've been a mind blank haha - but that seems like a really solid idea and I love the bikes. Will try to test-ride some tourers and scope some out then hit you all up for some more info on the specific bikes if that's cool :)

[Rob Taylor]

The Triumph Sprint ST is a bloody nice sports tourer..Go look at KTL Bikes web site www.ktlbikes.co.nz ask for Kerry Jeffs.Real nice guy,no pressure and easy to deal with.& they will send bikes down to you...Good luck:banana:

[The Lone Rider]

10,000+ k touring on my cruiser in about a year and a half. Cruisers are the the foundation of our society and I refuse to admit otherwise.

Buy a cruiser, get a rack and sissy bar. Possibly saddle bags and a tank bag if you seem to want lots to carry. For me I can get away for a few days with just saddlebags and couple things bungee corded to the rack on the back of the bike.

[gixxer-king]

The Honda VFR 800s and 1100 Blackbirds are quite popular sports/touring bikes.

Sorry what??? a blackbird for touring? I've seen a kick in the nuts less painful

[Kevnz]

DR650, good for commuting as you have great visibility due to the riding position, not to much of a jump up as its still a single and just put the right tyres on for commuting/touring or the odd gravel road

[MaxB]

For 8k maybe you want to think about an older, bigger bike. There are some real nice examples out there.

Mid 90s Blackbird, ZX11, FJ1200, K-series BMW, Bandits, Triumphs. That sort of thing.

Because? Bigger bike engines tend to be thrashed less, are lower revving and older riders can afford to look after and run them. There are exceptions to every rule so take someone along who knows the bikes you want to look at.

Happy Hunting.