Comfy tourer?

[martybabe]

Hey guys, I'm on the look out for a full bore tourer.

The Bride has had terrible back problems for nearly a year now and as I write she is counting down the weeks till she gets her Operation to sort it out, hopefully forever (fingers toes and everything else crossed).

In addition to that, I have recently acquired a great solo,quick blat, fun bike all of my very own, which is cool as

So I will shortly be in the market for a Tourer of worth. Sport tourers don't hack it in this instance, great bikes and I've had a few, but I'm after a bolt upright fully faired ready to tour bike such as the examples below.

I'd value your opinion/experience on anything that fits the criteria below....

Price: Around the $10-13k mark

Pillion comfort is the number one priority

Some kind of backrest facility, even if it means adding a top box

long legged, reliable, and able to be left for weeks at a time, dusted off and toured.

Doesn't have to be huge on power as long as it can cart us and luggage at legal speeds all day long.

Goldwings and st1100s are not under consideration for various reasons.

Thoughts please, I'm thinking positive here, in that the Bride will make a full recovery because she so likes to go touring, if fate decides that it's not to be we'll deal with it but for now we're gonna look forward to next spring on the road and hope for the best.

Whatdya think, whatdya know ? cheers

[TerminalAddict]

reckon my dream garage right now would be:
XR1200 and VFR1200

Martybabe2.4 has a nice ring to it

[MIXONE]

Go with a beema.Always comfy for the ladies.
Good luck to your lady to mate.

[Maha]

Moto Guzzi Norge would do it for me if I ever go that way Marty.

[martybabe]

Martybabe2.4 has a nice ring to it

It does too, nix to 2.4 children, we want 2.4 litres of motorbike eh

Go with a beema.Always comfy for the ladies.
Good luck to your lady to mate.

R100rt, comfiest bike I've ever owned, like riding a lazy boy all day, bit of a lazy engine too come to think of it. Hot contender for sure. Thanks for your kind thoughts for the Bride mate, she's just been shopping and only managed one shop due to the pain......Come to think of it there is an upside to all this, one shop will do me fine

Moto Guzzi Norge would do it for me if I ever go that way Marty.

Lovely bike and if I win the Lotto Saturday, it will be on the short list but I've only got $13k max mate

[Maha]

How nice is this??
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-281438562.htm

[martybabe]

How nice is this??
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-281438562.htm

very nice, any good on the comfort/long distance thing do you know? I like the adjustable screen for sure, I'm too tall for my shortness or something when it comes to screens, my head always seems to be sat in hurricane Katrina. I know dual purpose bikes had a good rep for all day doings but I'm not sure if that's the case any more, I ain't too clued up on the adventure/dual purpose jobbies. He's got one of these down the road at the shop, might see if I can blag a ride, he's not big on demonstrators though.

[The Baron]

My vote is with the BMW R1150RT - and its in your price range. Full adjustable screen - heated grips - ABS.

My wife and I did 730km yesterday on ours. But she likes to have the top box on for when she falls asleep on the back.

[martybabe]

My vote is with the BMW R1150RT - and its in your price range. Full adjustable screen - heated grips - ABS.

My wife and I did 730km yesterday on ours. But she likes to have the top box on for when she falls asleep on the back.

Ooh, your's is very nice innit, any issues with it at all?

[The Baron]

No issues. I got it a 11000km and it now has 73000km. I do about 22000km per year on that bike.
She is heavy so not one that you just nip up to the bank on. Very good luggage or shopping boxes ( if you know what I mean).

[martybabe]

No issues. I got it a 11000km and it now has 73000km. I do about 22000km per year on that bike.
She is heavy so not one that you just nip up to the bank on. Very good luggage or shopping boxes ( if you know what I mean).

Thanx, that's some good feedback and yes I do know what you mean. The bride has even scanned prospective purchases in the past to ensure there was a sufficiently secure place to transport...cough..Ladies special items

[Maha]

very nice, any good on the comfort/long distance thing do you know? I like the adjustable screen for sure, I'm too tall for my shortness or something when it comes to screens, my head always seems to be sat in hurricane Katrina. I know dual purpose bikes had a good rep for all day doings but I'm not sure if that's the case any more, I ain't too clued up on the adventure/dual purpose jobbies. He's got one of these down the road at the shop, might see if I can blag a ride, he's not big on demonstrators though.

I have asked Laava for the lowdown on the V Strom....sent him a pm, so he'll be along soon enough.

[twotyred]

I think you could pick just about any bike you like and get a Rider seat made up with emphasis on the pillion and it would be the bees knees...
happy hunting

[Edbear]

Thanx, that's some good feedback and yes I do know what you mean. The bride has even scanned prospective purchases in the past to ensure there was a sufficiently secure place to transport...cough..Ladies special items

My vote is for the R1150RT as well. Has the advantage of shaft drive. The subframe was improved over the 1100 as there were reports of rear subframe failure along with some of shaft drive failures with them. The boxer twins never wear out and will do huge mileages.

I have asked Laava for the lowdown on the V Strom....sent him a pm, so he'll be along soon enough.

V-strom is the bike for touring anywhere in the country on any roads, sealed or unsealed and they are comfortable. Very tall for some and has the disadvantage of chain drive which needs regular maintenance. Needs an adjustable screen, yes.

[KoroJ]

I'm a bit biased but the ST does it all for me!

Mrs goes to sleep on the back (top box fitted), nearly 30Kg of luggage capacity, 420-550kms range (depending on fang factor) means not much planning required on fuel stops.

I'm happy commuting, club rides, touring and endurance riding. I never have the screen anywhere near fully up (I'm 180cm). I don't have heated grips and have had cold hands but it was -7 at the time. I would wear summer weight Darby gloves for 9months of the year as the mirrors tend to shield your hands.

Mines 2007 and just clicked over 90Km and I expect it's in your price range at about $10-12K. The lower Kms quickly take them to $15-18K.