Upgrading to a tourer

[Iamfreerider]

Hi all, I am looking to upgrade my current BMW 650 to a Tourer/Sports Tourer. I have a price range which allows me a choice of a number of very "nice machines" (based on reviews and YouTube)

I thought I had made my mind up on a 1998 BMW K1200RS. I have been looking at FJR, BMW K Series and R series, Multistrada's)

But.................... I came across a (from a friend of a friend who has a) 2004 ST4s matching panniers with 8,000 miles on it at a very attractive price.

I almost shit myself when I saw it, seriously sexy machine. I have looked at reviews on the web and YT, but I would love to get someones thoughts and advice who has already been through this kind of a..........challenge lol

thanks Fellas, any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Hitcher]

The FJR1300 is the best sports touring motorcycle. In. The. World.

Range, economy, performance, handling, stopping, brakes, pillion comfort, hard luggage and options, headlights, tyre choice options, weather protection and pricing: nothing else comes close.

If you want an over-priced, ugly-as, quirkily-unreliable ride, buy a BMW.
If you want a galleon with odd-ball tyres and peculiar hard luggage, buy an ST1300.
If you want a lesser distance range and a too-big standard muffler, buy a Concours.
Too much money, like really old-tech air-cooled engines and like cleaning chrome, buy a Chub-Glide, or a Wide King or whatever they're called.
Want something cheap as chips that will go forever and ask no questions, buy a Bandit and dress it up with the kit you need.

[FJRider]

Unless you are intending to tour 12 months of the year ... consider the roads you will be riding when you are NOT touring.

[mossy1200]

ST4 would be a good bike if your one up touring without big loads.
You would want its first trip be to a bike shop for the extended service treatment and very likely new tyres if they have been on the bike a long time.

Add that to the purchase cost and if its $6k total could be well worth buying but remember to keep giving it birthday kisses.

[T.W.R]

Unless you are intending to tour 12 months of the year ... consider the roads you will be riding when you are NOT touring.

says he with late 80s benchmark

Duke STs make spectacular noises & funny moves when they handgrenade their rear wheel bearings @ 100kph +

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-938498737.htm

Buy that and take the crap bits off it and get it legal. Check its not stolen first.

[bogan]

The FJR1300 is the best sports touring motorcycle. In. The. World.

Range, economy, performance, handling, stopping, brakes, pillion comfort, hard luggage and options, headlights, tyre choice options, weather protection and pricing: nothing else comes close.

If you want an over-priced, ugly-as, quirkily-unreliable ride, buy a BMW.
If you want a galleon with odd-ball tyres and peculiar hard luggage, buy an ST1300.
If you want a lesser distance range and a too-big standard muffler, buy a Concours.
Too much money, like really old-tech air-cooled engines and like cleaning chrome, buy a Chub-Glide, or a Wide King or whatever they're called.
Want something cheap as chips that will go forever and ask no questions, buy a Bandit and dress it up with the kit you need.

Those shitters are more _Sports Touring than Sports Touring. So given the op's description, ideal; the ST4 on the other hand is a bit more balanced for the name.

[mossy1200]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=934925191

This could be a good option

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=937445366

Or this

[FJRider]

says he with late 80s benchmark

I did ... and bought the FJ. It suits (most of) the roads I ride ..

Duke STs make spectacular noises & funny moves when they handgrenade their rear wheel bearings @ 100kph +

Experience is a wonderful thing ... eh .. !!!

[nzspokes]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-938498737.htm

Buy that and take the crap bits off it and get it legal. Check its not stolen first.

Cool bike, are they Yoshi headers as well?

WTF has he got round the muffler?

[T.W.R]

I did ... and bought the FJ. It suits (most of) the roads I ride ..

Experience is a wonderful thing ... eh .. !!!

Had a 86 FJ11 when yours was still a brand new toy know exactly what they're like.

You must remember when Mr Sensible's ST blew it's arse end on the way to the Dansey's Pass KB gathering I was following him when it happened......spectacular sight from where I was
It stayed there for a week afterwards while he got the bearings for the damn thing he got plenty of stick wanting FAG bearings

[FJRider]

You must remember when Mr Sensible's ST blew it's arse end on the way to the Dansey's Pass KB gathering I was following him when it happened......spectacular sight from where I was
It stayed there for a week afterwards while he got the bearings for the damn thing he got plenty of stick wanting FAG bearings

I do remember ..


You were no doubt glad you were watching .. and not otherwise involved.

[mossy1200]

Cool bike, are they Yoshi headers as well?

WTF has he got round the muffler?

barb wire

[liljegren]

Had an ST4s, good bike till it wouldnt start. Went to th VFR, had many happy miles two-up, solo, even a track day. Mossy is onto it!

[neels]

Have ridden an st4, very nice bike. I have a st2 which happily takes me and Mrs everywhere we want to go, factory luggage is excellent, servicing costs more than a jap bike. Rides great 2up and good fun taking it for a hoon by myself, can't see me buying anything to replace it any time soon