Looking for the right sport tourer

[AllanB]

Go see the bank and get a few more grand.

look at the listed GSX1400 or tyr a Hornet 900 - throw on some soft bags, pack rack and tank bag and you're in. Strip them off and it's fun time.

Both naked but you can add a small screen if that is your thing and unless you are doing naughty speeds all the time the screen is not needed.

[Aryaeil]

Wise words from Nighthawk, and good to hear from all the more learned riders experience. It may be time to drag the missus out on a few long test rides!

At the moment the budget I'm working on will be $4-5000. Which I realise limits me somewhat. I'm after decent midrange power and torque, as I'm not a major rev-head. So V-twin or V-four?

[george formby]

Your not short of choices & nighthawk nailed it, test rides. I'm very biased towards my style of bike. They do everything competently, touring, commuting, gravel roads & keeping sportsbike's honest. Cheap to run & maintain too. I have a TDM set up for touring round Europe, givi luggage & Sat nav etc in the UK & the bike i have here just gets ridden on every kind of kiwi road. I have done Auckland & back in the rain with my partner on the back (600k all up) & she was grinning like a cheshire cat when we got home. Much to my dismay.
Just thought I would complicate things further...

[yod]

for what it's worth:

RF's are a solid machine, I had the Canadian spec lower power version (which is more common, there is a 135HP version out there), - around 120HP, and around 210kg dry IIRC. Fuel consumption was great, barely changed whether I was gentle or heavy handed, 1-up or 2-up (and I did a LOT of 2-up on it)....well over 350km out of a tank. (21 litres? memory fail)

I was lucky enough to find a reasonably priced 2nd hand corbin seat for it which made it a lot more comfortable for the pillion, new they're fairly expensive (from the states, google is your friend)

I got mine at about 42000 miles so it had a few wear and tear issues to deal with over time, but you'll get that on any bike of this age/mileage, chain, sprockets, rear disc, usual stuff.....

certainly a good option and if you hunt around you can find some good deals, I only paid $3850 for mine

[blackdog]

Bandits are pretty good tourers the 1200 would have ample power for 2up and is a solid reliable package.
I don't know what the pillion ergonomics are like, but I've happily done Whangarei to Wellington nonstop and felt absolutely fine when I parked up in Welly.
They also handle pretty well in the twisties.

you get alot of 1200 bandit for $5k too.

as for the pillion, she prefers it to the triumph trophy we had before

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-295319270.htm

or this (negotiation would get ya close to $5k). i still miss mine...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-305409689.htm

[blackdog]

wise words from nighthawk, and good to hear from all the more learned riders experience. It may be time to drag the missus out on a few long test rides!

So v-twin or v-four?

inline four!

this could be worth considering if it's as tidy as it looks. actually, buy my bandit so i can buy it!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-306016800.htm

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ed-1200-bandit

[Aryaeil]

I looked up Triumph Sprints and promptly stopped looking. Most on Trademe were well out of my price range! Looking for something with Givis already on it, which I'm informed will save me quite a lot of $$ If I could just find the cash there is a beauty GSX for $4500 on Trademe with them. Sadly, boxes don't make the bike. And the wrong end of the country! So does engine configuration usually have a big impact on torque? Or does it come down to Cams , stroke etc.?

[MSTRS:Me]

So does engine configuration usually have a big impact on torque? Or does it come down to Cams , stroke etc.?

Don't get too worked up about that. Big(ger) engines have all the torque in the world for what you describe you want. Generally, the less cylinders the greater the torque. But an RF900 for instance (inline4), would be the shizz. And they are usually well in your price range.

[CRM]

Hi guys,

My current ride is a 1987 Honda NV400SP. I've done 8,000km in the past year on it. I've done 500km days on it and am looking to move up to a more suitable sport tourer. It needs to carry 2-3 hard luggage cases and two up on long trips. But it needs to be able to put that silly grin on ones face when on short rides in the hills :P I'm a racing snake at 5'8"/65kg. I'm usually easy on the revs so after something with decent mid-range power. I am confident enough in my sensibilities to not exceed my abilities howeverLooking for something under $5,000 so am happy with older models. So far I've been investigating VFR750s and GSX750s.

Cheers, (apologies if this has been covered already)

I have a VFR800 and it's perfect for what you describe - decent mid-range but plenty of excitement as well. Also my wife approves of the pillion position (and she's pretty hard to please when it comes to bikes). They're awesome reliable bikes and will do high mileage no worries. I've ridden the 750's as well and they're great bikes (some people say better). Stick with Honda I say

[bent12]

for fuck all money an RF900 will scare you shitless - buy one and look for its limits

[Aryaeil]

I am a Hondaphile, but an open-minded one. And my old 400 has already scared the shit out of me several times! But that is learning. At least I haven't arsed off yet. Yet... I'm not surea bike like that it supposed to have it's pegs buried in the road. Finding the model I can afford for a test ride is the issue!

[Winston001]

There are as many bikes as there are answers. I prefer the Ducati ST4 even if mine did try to kill me. However they are not cheap and probably too sporty for your enjoyment.

I've always liked the Triumph Trophy http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-308584413.htm.

The VFR 800 has a very good reputation and is rated highly by various reviewers. It only falls down against the latest 900-1000 competition and people would still argue its the best.

Personally I'd look for ownership and mechanical history. A low ownership bike of any marque which has been looked after is going to be a pleasure to own.

Ride a few and get a feel.

[Aryaeil]

That certainly seems to be way I'm headed. Just going to find what suits me and then find a tidy example.

[yachtie10]

In the price range you mention I would test ride a hornet 900 or bandit1200 both have loads of torque and very reliable. and great value for money

[blossomsowner]

is the way to go. obviously I currently have one and it really does tick all the right boxes. I could be convinced to part with mine due to wanting more space in the garage for other projects. 17000 miles on it. Pack rack, no panniers. 1998 model. pm if you are interested. wrong end of the country i know but only a plane trip away.