What is the most comfortable motorbike to ride - all weathers?

[shrub]

For a big/tall guy

R3 Tourer (Sans Screen)

One of the most tiring things I find on touring motorcycles is a fixed height windsceen. .

I agree, I have ridden several hundred Ks on a Rocket 3 Tourer, and the screen is incredibly irritating. At 110 kmh it feels like your helmet is strapped to a jackhamer, so I always took it off before I left the shed.

[nudemetalz]

Funny you say that. I put a Givi bikini screen on the V11 Sport. Found it buffeted my helmet like a bastard while on the open road. Took it off...nice and smooth again.

[davereid]

The big beemers always seem to end up popular with the regular long distance commuters. My K100 previously belonged to a mate, who used it every day in all weathers to commute from Levin to Welly. I bought it when he went out and got himself a new one.

Compared to my 650, its like riding a whale, but it makes a good job of weather protection, has a seat the width of my fat arse, and is cheap and easy to service.

[avgas]

GN125...............I could do a 1000km a day on that thing no worries.

[R-Soul]

The BMW tourers are ridiculously comfortable as far as their seats go, and a great riding position.. The R1150 RT or the R1100RT in particular - also not too big and heavy (a la goldwing).

I rode one once - it was like riding a cruise missile - 160km/hr effortlessly, feeling like 80km/hr. No engine starin, electronically adjustable windshield, lots of torque for overtaking. Amazing bike.

Its was so comfortable that my mate fell asleep on it (riding a long straight desert road) and died...

[Maha]

The BMW tourers are ridiculously comfortable as far as their seats go, and a great riding position.. The R1150 RT or the R1100RT in particular - also not too big and heavy (a la goldwing).

I rode one once - it was like riding a cruise missile - 160km/hr effortlessly, feeling like 80km/hr. No engine starin, electronically adjustable windshield, lots of torque for overtaking. Amazing bike.

Its was so comfortable that my mate fell asleep on it (riding a long straight desert road) and died...

Nice footnote!
Makes ya really wanna go out and buy one donnit?

[spajohn]

I don't often ride in bad weather, though have from time to time, and my K1200R is good. Fine weather long rides I could just keep going...Auckland - Fielding in an afternoon and I reckon I could have ridden back again if I wanted. Mid-winter in Aus doing this route in two days each direction (Syd-Mel), then two days back...quite cold, at time, but again fine.
http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?f=d&so...94&ie=UTF8&z=7

I'm 194cm's.

[Devil]

My R1200GS Adventure is fantastic on the long trips. Shitloads of weather protection, 600km without stopping for gas is no problem.
Love it.

No way would I want to do distance on a cruiser. Just not the right riding position. Gotta be upright.

[Ixion]

600km in a day isn't really all that much.

For comfortable riding, BMWs are hard to go past.

But I totally second BDs comment re electric screens. IMHO, one of the most useful and sensbile motorcycle things invented in the last 20 years. i wouldn't have a long distance tourer without one.

Naked is fine for lower speed touring, but 130+ gets tiring on a naked after a while. And touring means all weathers. In the rain a fairing really does help. Sure, I can ride in the rain without one. But I'm going to be more tired, more uncomfortable without one.

The other thing I think you need for regular long distance cruising is shaft drive. Chains are fine, but they need constant attention . Which is a pain on a long tour. Oh, and you need tyres that can go a good many 600km days without having to be replaced! No fun being stuck 1000 km from home in a small town with a tyre that was OK when you left home , and now isn't safe.

I've not ridden crusiers far enough to comment on their ergos. But certainly sprotsbikes don't cut it for long disatnce. Yes, yes, I know, it CAN be done, and there are hard men that will proclaim that they can ride their race rep for 1000km and walk away. I can't . An upright position (actually, leaning slightly forward, if on a naked) is essential. And pegs that actually support your weight.

[BuzzardNZ]

SV's are not known for there comfit are they?
Most (if not all) SV owners would agree.
A Sports Tourer is the obvious choice for distance riding.
Some would be quite happy on a Sports Bike all day, some not so.

True, after only an hour I'm sore. The seat on the SV is like sitting on a phucking rock

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Depends what you call comfortable compared to what I call comfortable... evey one is different and have different ideas on comfort...

I have done huge km days on all the bikes I have owned and in all weather...

At present the ST4s I am happy with and could easily do 800, 900, 1000km in a day if I had too...

[Monamie]

I found my Buell Uly comfortable with no aches and pains at 500kms/day for a week when we went on holiday-similarly 86's Tiger left him in good shape

[Big Dave]

I found my Buell Uly comfortable with no aches and pains a

Yea - Agree - mine is good for all week on all roads - 2 up.

[pritch]

Had to read almost the whole thread before I got to DR & RS' posts. the BMWs have always had the reputation for being most conmfortable on the long haul. "The only bike on which you can ride 1000K and still feel like dancing".

There are others now, but if comfort was the priority that's where I'd start.

[R-Soul]

Nice footnote!
Makes ya really wanna go out and buy one donnit?

Well ya gotta admit that it must be damn comfortable for the RIDER to fall asleep (prolly while doing about 160kph at the time)!
I also think that riding long distance in NZ would be a far cry from the long straight stretches through the Great Karoo desert. More twisties here to keep you awake (thankfully)...