Best touring bike

[banditrider]

Probably because top-boxes look retarded. And the frames that are usually required are ugly too.Maybe they improved the efficiency and it does about the same distance? Fuel injection, water cooling a new engine could have made up the difference.

The top-box frame on my Bandit looked way better than the pannier ones...Panniers tend to only look good if purpose designed for the bike, otherwise they're just tacked on.

Yes, would be really interested to know what the economy is like. Increased torque & sixth cog should make a difference too.

[avrflr]

I flew the bike into the UK, for timing reasons, but shipped it back to NZ.

Crikey! What's that cost then?

[pritch]

And you didn't mention the Kawasaki Concours

That finished last in the BIKE comparison test.

From memory the final preference was BMW K, BMW R, Honda ST, Yamaha FJR, Kawasaki. Then again that's just four people's opinions.

Other people might not want to be comfortable..

[ital916]

Are tourers still easy enough to commute on? Also, say if someone was going from their restricted to full license, would a sports tourer as mentioned in the lists posted previously bite badly, as in very very big jump as in probably not the best idea. Are there any middle weight sports tourers...just a hypothetical question.

[Ixion]

They're OK for commuting, but lane splitting may be limited because of wide panniers etc. And they're usually HEAVY.

In terms of experience, a tourer is less likely to bite than a big sprotsbike. The main thing, again, is they are heavy. So the switch from , say, an Rg150 might be interesting. But from, say, a ZZR250, should be few problems. Oh, and they'r eusually expensive , too.

[idb]

Darmah.
Rode around Western Europe on mine last year.

[avrflr]

Are tourers still easy enough to commute on? Also, say if someone was going from their restricted to full license, would a sports tourer as mentioned in the lists posted previously bite badly, as in very very big jump as in probably not the best idea. Are there any middle weight sports tourers...just a hypothetical question.

I commute from one end of Auckland to the other on a big fat tourer. I think it's fantastic. And I lane split almost as much as I used to on my GN250. As for going to a bigger bike, the handlebars are in the same place, throttle on the right etc. It's much the same procedure - either you can ride a bike or you can't.

[rasty]

Crikey! What's that cost then?

It was NZ$1800 going over and GBP510 coming back. The flight over was special i think, original quotes were about 2200 but I got a special. Flying wouldn't have been an option except for the timing, and renting there wasn't an option because of the cost for the 10 weeks. Buying something involved just too much hassle with registration insurance and selling it again. But it was worth every cent, even if my credit cards are still looking a bit unhealthy.

[dcrook]

Have you considered a BMW F800 S or ST ?
It's 100 kg lighter than any of the big touring bikes, you get well fitting panniers that are expandable to suit your luggage requirements and at a steady 120kmh your slurping only 4.2 litres per 100 km travelled.

The performance is on par with a Japanese 600 sportsbike so you won't be dissapointed. But if your touring why do you need something that will blur the scenery ?

Afterwards you can take off the panniers, top box, tank bag and let rip along any alpine pass if you feel the need.

[HTFU]

Quick history,

Ive been a sports bike rider for 10 yrs, last 12 months purchased a naked bike due to licience retaining issues. I'm lovin it and have heaps of fun at more legal (give or take) speeds.

In 8 months or so im off for a big ride... The plan is from the UK to Rome, athens, Prague then to Germany. I have never been to any of those places and have no experance on tourers.

Any one ridden over there?, any advise on a suitable bike?

One last condition, If possible i would like to be more sports tourer than a bloody great goldwing etc....

Sounds like a cool thing to do. Have you looked at maybe a Versys or a V-strom 650 twin. Good rear shocks to handle the load and a powerful enough engine to carry it all. I think the V-strom has a easy preload adjuster not sure about the Versys.

[SPman]

I found my K4 GSXR1000, just the ticket. Comfy as, and 1600km weekends, no problems!
No trouble with traffic!

[cold comfort]

Quick history,

Ive been a sports bike rider for 10 yrs, last 12 months purchased a naked bike due to licience retaining issues. I'm lovin it and have heaps of fun at more legal (give or take) speeds.

In 8 months or so im off for a big ride... The plan is from the UK to Rome, athens, Prague then to Germany. I have never been to any of those places and have no experance on tourers.

Any one ridden over there?, any advise on a suitable bike?

One last condition, If possible i would like to be more sports tourer than a bloody great goldwing etc....

Rode a Multistrada 1100s recently-blody amazing handling and designed for the roads ur considering. I would not go past one.

[jim.cox]

My choice would either be...

an old BMW R series

or

a new KTM super motard

(with hard panniers in either case)

[Harry the Barstard]

When I lived in Italy I had a 99 VFR800 and was fortunate enough to be able to spend about 3 months a year touring on the continent. For some reason the only country I never made it to was Portugal, don't know why.

In 3 years based there I never had any problems and did 4 of my trips with a pillion. Everything was always camping, so plenty of luggage, and the bike never once complained. I was pulled over in Germany because the gestapo thought I was riding with my light on high beam during the day, but it was the heavy pillion I was carrying at the time.

The best thing about the VFR was its ability to eat huge mileage without me getting stiff, but also being able to have some real fun on the alpine passes.

I would have got a Ducati ST2, but in 1998 the Ducati salesman said the reliability of the VFR would be a lot better for what I was looking for. It was still the days when Dukes were a little iffy with their electricals.

I also found that the fuel economy of the VFR was really good compared to some of my mates bike over there.

Having typed all of this, I have my doubts about a VTEC-VFR.

Just some random ramblings from someone who has done many thousands of km's on those roads you are heading to.

Good to hear from someone whio has done it. I was thinking of the vfr as i saw quick chics one and had a yarn to her RE luggage options and it could be a reliable old girl. Pillion may happen on some of the legs so its definitly one of the modles im seriously lookin at.

Cheers for yr input

[Harry the Barstard]

Hi Harry, My vote is with the new GSF1250SAT. You get all the extra touring stuff for free. I'd love to be able to afford the Honda or the BMW and if you are in that price league; then go for it. If you still have Sports riding in your veins, then the Kwaka is the one - IMO.

Have ridden over Europe, which is a lot of fun. Be careful with the Left Hand Driving. It's easy in town, but once you get onto the country lanes it is easy to make mistakes. The UK is very easy and there lots of great riding.

Good luck.

Yeah a kwaka would be great if i could find a good one that will carry my shet. When i get back my next purchase with out a doubt will be the 2008 z1000. gives me a chubby just thinkin about it.