Looking for a sports tourer $10-12k

[TomJ]

Would love a new Sprint ST but just too pricey! keen on older ST and found the Bandit 1250 too top heavy.

anyone have good ideas about bike that will commute everyday rain or shine and take 2 up for the occasional weekend away. reliability is important as I am no mechanic!

cheers

[Taz]

BMW R1100S. Or even better a GS

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-211963585.htm

[TomJ]

bit wary of the 'armchair' tag that tends to come with the beemers, no offence of course!!

[Taz]

bit wary of the 'armchair' tag that tends to come with the beemers, no offence of course!!

Your choice of course. All I can add is that my GS acts like a sports bike on the road, has the ability to do gravel and adventure and still goes like new after 121000kms and counting.

[geoffm]

Do you need hard bags?
I reckon VFR800 + Givi V35 panniers should fit your bill.

[shafty]

It's a buyers market Mate so have fun!

FJR1300? $12K here

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-184282725.htm and cheaper if private.

I heard of an ST1300 for $10K "on behalf" at Planet Honda Whangarei but its prob gone at that price.

Good luck

Shafty

[KiwiKat]

BMW R1100S. Or even better a GS

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-211963585.htm

I don't have one but wish I did. :gob: That looks like a damned good bike with all the gear. Good for many, many kms. KMs are low so it will be interesting to see what it fetches.

[Taz]

And it's got a centre stand to help with oiling the chain......

[KiwiKat]

And it's got a centre stand to help with oiling the chain......

So do you want to swap or what?:scooter:

[YellowDog]

You'd be surprised what you can get a NEW Tiger 955 for these days.

[sinned]

Would love a new Sprint ST but just too pricey! keen on older ST and found the Bandit 1250 too top heavy.

anyone have good ideas about bike that will commute everyday rain or shine and take 2 up for the occasional weekend away. reliability is important as I am no mechanic!

cheers
You could get an 04 busa for $12k - that should go forever. Not as top heavy as the bandit. I was about to buy a new sprint and then rode a busa - end of story.

[TomJ]

all good suggestions guys, will perhaps have a look at BMW shop at the Mount and see what all the fuss is about!!

[TomJ]

You could get an 04 busa for $12k - that should go forever. Not as top heavy as the bandit. I was about to buy a new sprint and then rode a busa - end of story.

have ridden mates busa and is a brilliant bike, do you get on ok with is around town? I found it had long wheel base and bit tricky to manage in tight spots

[Highlander]

It's a buyers market Mate so have fun!

FJR1300? $12K here

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-184282725.htm and cheaper if private.


Shafty

That is a lot of bike for that money.


all good suggestions guys, will perhaps have a look at BMW shop at the Mount and see what all the fuss is about!!

Mount BMW has a 2005 Blue FJR bit more than the 10 - 12 K you are looking toward though. They also have a ZZR1200 that would be worth a sit on if nothing else.

[DingoZ]

Just got myself a Suzuki.09 GSX650F. Brilliant for long rides. Can spend a good couple of hours in the seat before noticing.. Handles two up easily, and comfortably. Town work, is a doddle. I use mine to get to work and back everyday.....Am loving it....and it's around 12K.......

[shafty]

That is a lot of bike for that money.



Mount BMW has a 2005 Blue FJR bit more than the 10 - 12 K you are looking toward though. They also have a ZZR1200 that would be worth a sit on if nothing else.

Quite right Jim, tho I wouldn't be averse to making a cheeky offer myself, that ZZR has been there a while....

[McJim]

Ducati ST2, ST3, ST4 FTW.

'nuff said. Comfort, reliability, class and handling.

Of course I would never get a touring bike as they place too much weight on the base of your spine. Sportsbike with panniers is the way to go for me. :2thumbsup:

[PaddyFZ1]

Have a look at the first gen FZ1 02-05, Great bike for long distance, two up, riding. Reasonably economical, and plenty of go when needed

[Taz]

So do you want to swap or what?:scooter:

It's not mine. Just one I found on Trademe. I have a GS.

[Stromble]

Buy Tanks DL 1000 . perfect for what you want and bang in your price range

[sinned]

have ridden mates busa and is a brilliant bike, do you get on ok with is around town? I found it had long wheel base and bit tricky to manage in tight spots I don't ride the Busa in town much and it wouldn't be my choice of bike if I had to park it every day in competition for space with the growing number of scooters. A DR650 would be good for parking - wouldn't get as easily scratched by scooters.

I don't think the wheel base length has much to do with managing in tight spots. I have read and heard lots of comments on the long wheelbase of the Busa; the numbers don't justify the comments. Other factors such as seat height, distance to bars, height of bars affect the maneuverability of a bike more than wheelbase.
Here are some examples of wheelbase:
GSXR1000 - 1405 - a real short sucker
SV1000 - 1430 - had one of these, wheelied easy
Speedtriple - 1429
Sprint ST - 1457
Hayabusa - 1480
Bandit - 1485
ST1300 - 1491
Concours - 1519
FJR1300 - 1544

The Hayabusa looks long as it is low and the fairing accentuates the length. So does wheelbase matter that much for a road bike?

[yod]

jeebus

i can't believe someone hasn't said BLACKBIRD yet!!!

quality, reliability, comfort, power, yada yada yada

[Highlander]

Quite right Jim, tho I wouldn't be averse to making a cheeky offer myself, ...

Tempted myself but it's not blue and I'd have to spend a fortune getting colour coordinated.


Mr Yod, how do you find the Blackbird for fuel range? Could be tempted by the Blackbird too - especially a blue one.

[TomJ]

I don't ride the Busa in town much and it wouldn't be my choice of bike if I had to park it every day in competition for space with the growing number of scooters. A DR650 would be good for parking - wouldn't get as easily scratched by scooters.

I don't think the wheel base length has much to do with managing in tight spots. I have read and heard lots of comments on the long wheelbase of the Busa; the numbers don't justify the comments. Other factors such as seat height, distance to bars, height of bars affect the maneuverability of a bike more than wheelbase.
Here are some examples of wheelbase:
GSXR1000 - 1405 - a real short sucker
SV1000 - 1430 - had one of these, wheelied easy
Speedtriple - 1429
Sprint ST - 1457
Hayabusa - 1480
Bandit - 1485
ST1300 - 1491
Concours - 1519
FJR1300 - 1544

The Hayabusa looks long as it is low and the fairing accentuates the length. So does wheelbase matter that much for a road bike?

guess coming off my GPX250 most tourer types seem pretty big around town!

thanks for the comments tho

[TomJ]

have had a gander at the bikes available at the Mount and I'm pretty impressed by the range. There at least 4 bikes I would like to explore further including the ZZR, CB1300S and the K1200RS.

[yod]

Tempted myself but it's not blue and I'd have to spend a fortune getting colour coordinated.


Mr Yod, how do you find the Blackbird for fuel range? Could be tempted by the Blackbird too - especially a blue one.

Biggish tank - my model is 23 litres, I think pre '02 (?) were 22. Smooth riding should get you to 350km easily enough. Mine has a PCIII and modified exhaust so I doubt it's as economical as it could be, however.

Big and roomy too

Blackbird is a good chap to talk to, he has a shiteload of info/manuals/etc

edit: check my profile pic - it's BLUUUUUUE!!!

[Highlander]

Biggish tank - my model is 23 litres, I think pre '02 (?) were 22. Smooth riding should get you to 350km easily enough. Mine has a PCIII and modified exhaust so I doubt it's as economical as it could be, however.

Big and roomy too

Blackbird is a good chap to talk to, he has a shiteload of info/manuals/etc

edit: check my profile pic - it's BLUUUUUUE!!!

Cheers Yod, that is the kind of answer I was expecting. I had thought a VTR might be good but thirsty and small tank - yuk. I like for it to take as long for the tank to drain as the bladder to fill.
Your bike is a real honey.

Sorry to hijack your thread Tom.

[jafar]

have had a gander at the bikes available at the Mount and I'm pretty impressed by the range. There at least 4 bikes I would like to explore further including the ZZR, CB1300S and the K1200RS.

Try going up into the midrange machines, there is a lot of really good bikes that will do what you need in the 400 to 750 range. An SV 650 or GSF 650 or similar would be a reasonable choice, midrange cruiser perhaps ? Even if it is only used as a 'stepping stone 'to a bigger bike later on.

The idea of going straight from a 250 to a litre + machine is not a good one.

[Grant`]

What about a Kawasaki er6, er6-n or f or even the versys, The F model is the fully faired one its not a full on sports bike but you would get one for the money your looking at spending. My er6 handles 2 up and still breaks the speed limit if it needs to plenty of room on the bike and has quite good fuel efficiency.

Allthough in reality you can turn any bike into what you want it to do just whether its going to suit you is really what it comes down to, If you haven't pop in and see Chris at Bayride ( on cameron road ) they always have plenty of bikes in stock.

[TomJ]

Try going up into the midrange machines, there is a lot of really good bikes that will do what you need in the 400 to 750 range. An SV 650 or GSF 650 or similar would be a reasonable choice, midrange cruiser perhaps ? Even if it is only used as a 'stepping stone 'to a bigger bike later on.

The idea of going straight from a 250 to a litre + machine is not a good one.

thanks for the comments jafar

I am aware of some of the pitfalls of inexperience and lack of control of my right hand.

both my better half and I are around the 85kg mrk and felt a bigger bike would suit us. my quandry is having a bike I can scoot round Tauranga on work days and still carry both of us on a tour. the wife enjoyed the Bandit 1250 but I found it top heavy.....hence lookign a Sprint, CB1300 etc.

[TomJ]

Sorry to hijack your thread Tom.[/QUOTE]

no worries - I looked at VFR myself - they look great but fueling seemed v jerky to me - I know people love them though!

[Rob Taylor]

Go try a Triumph 955 Sprint ST.Bloody good value for money.There is a low k silver one on trademe for $9995 ono,Go offer him $8000 and you will get it i reckon,,,,cant go wrong...

[BMWST?]

For something a little different Aprilia Futura.Some can be had with bags.They dont make em any more so i dont know what that may mean.the BMW R1100 or 1150 rs may fit the bill too,but they will feel very different to you

[jafar]

thanks for the comments jafar

I am aware of some of the pitfalls of inexperience and lack of control of my right hand.

both my better half and I are around the 85kg mrk and felt a bigger bike would suit us. my quandry is having a bike I can scoot round Tauranga on work days and still carry both of us on a tour. the wife enjoyed the Bandit 1250 but I found it top heavy.....hence lookign a Sprint, CB1300 etc.

Keep trying them all until you find the one that suits you best. The sprint & cb 1300 are both good bikes but one may suit you better than the other.

Take into account the attitude of the local dealership, parts supply & insurance costs too. Ask owners & previous owners of the brands/models you are interested in what their experiences were/are.

[TomJ]

have taken out the ZZR twice with the mrs on the back and both very comfortable and happy.

picking up the bike first thing in the morning!

thanks for all the comments and advice - they are much appreceated

[TomJ]

[QUOTE=jafar;2026162]Keep trying them all until you find the one that suits you best. The sprint & cb 1300 are both good bikes but one may suit you better than the other.

thanks for your comments Jafar - I will be taking things real steady on the ZZR. the bike is in excellent condition with very low ks so I am v happy

[shafty]

Well done Tom, - thats one nice bike.

[trump-lady]

I have a sprint, commute into town everyday and I lane split with the best, going to a rally next weekend 5 hours away and done a 2 week tour of north island with tent and clothes (Im a girl so HEAPS of clothes hehehehe) love my bike, always laugh when other sports bikers complain they are sore ;)

Great for long hauls as I only go down when reaching high speed......hhhmmm that sounded bad!

Love it but my last and only other bike was a katana 750 so I could be biased

Mines a 1999 and cost me 8500 2 years ago....

[AllanB]

PAh - save your $ and get a 2002-2004 low km Suzuki GS1200ss - throw some higher bars on it from Rapidart, a Neptune or Yoshi can (if not already fitted) and you have a excellent mile eater for sub $8k.

[nallac]

PAh - save your $ and get a 2002-2004 low km Suzuki GS1200ss - throw some higher bars on it from Rapidart, a Neptune or Yoshi can (if not already fitted) and you have a HELL UGLY mile eater for sub $8k.


there that sounds better...

[AllanB]

there that sounds better...

:lol::lol::lol:

Aw shucks - they are a beaut beast - big, black and you can see the motor :2thumbsup

Just like a bike should be :yes:

[Highlander]

have taken out the ZZR twice with the mrs on the back and both very comfortable and happy.

picking up the bike first thing in the morning!

thanks for all the comments and advice - they are much appreceated

No point in me heading over there to harass them about test riding it then. Enjoy it.

[jafar]

[QUOTE=jafar;2026162]Keep trying them all until you find the one that suits you best. The sprint & cb 1300 are both good bikes but one may suit you better than the other.

thanks for your comments Jafar - I will be taking things real steady on the ZZR. the bike is in excellent condition with very low ks so I am v happy

All good TomJ, I hope to see you on the road :2thumbsup

[TomJ]

No point in me heading over there to harass them about test riding it then. Enjoy it.

thanks I intend to!

[Highlander]

BMW R1100S.

That is what I did - except mine is a blue one.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=100307

[fireliv]

Good luck in finding a bike that suits you!!

I'm on a SV650, my first bike since a 250. Its been great, can pillion fine and weighs 165 dry. Cornering doest feel to much different to my old bandit just so comfortable.

Again good luck with whatever you choose!