Best touring bike

**Harry the Barstard** · 4th February 2008, 19:50

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....

**rustys** · 4th February 2008, 20:35

"YAMAHA FJR 1300 " mate; the bees knees for long distance touring, BRILLIANT.

**Hitcher** · 4th February 2008, 20:38

Originally Posted by rustys

"YAMAHA FJR 1300 " mate; the bees knees for long distance touring, BRILLIANT.

What more can I say? I understand there are Yamahas in Europe.

**EJK** · 4th February 2008, 20:40

The R1200 GS like in the TV Series Long Way Round?

**Taz** · 4th February 2008, 23:07

Originally Posted by EJKDDORAI

The R1200 GS like in the TV Series Long Way Round?

They were R1150GSA's

**howdamnhard** · 4th February 2008, 23:20

Yamaha FJR1300,Honda Pan European ,BMW RT1200RT SE or K1200GT SE.With the BMW RT coming out tops in the British bike Mag.

**Whynot** · 4th February 2008, 23:33

Hey mate,

I'm also thinking of doing something similar, but probably just going to do it on the cbr as i can't afford to buy a bigger bike, let alone insure it.

the route i'm thinking at this stage:

London
France
Germany
Poland
Slovakia
Austria
Italy
France
London

at this stage thinking of going around august ...

check this site for more touring info
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/

Good luck planning everything

**Hitcher** · 5th February 2008, 08:53

Originally Posted by howdamnhard

Yamaha FJR1300,Honda Pan European ,BMW RT1200RT SE or K1200GT SE.With the BMW RT coming out tops in the British bike Mag.

Anybody could have produced a list. Pick one.

And you didn't mention the Kawasaki Concours or what's known in Europe as the Bandit GT. For the sake of completeness the Ducati ST4 and the Moto Guzzi Norge should be included. There is also a range of Harleys that come standard with hard luggage, so too does the Buell Ulysses.

**GaZBur** · 5th February 2008, 09:23

I would have thought a perfectly suitable bike would have been a CB900 like you got. Distances are not big over there so you don't actually NEED a 1300. I would only suggest you buy a bike to suit what you intend to carry in the way of luggage, bigger bikes carry more weight with less hassle.
Personally I would go for a lighter mid sized bike with as little luggage as possible.
Personally I am jealous a hell coz I wish it was me instead of you!!!

At least write up the trip when you go so we can enjoy by proxy.

**gsp0702** · 5th February 2008, 13:56

The best bet would be the pan european, great build quality, plenty to choose from, shaft drive so no dicking about lubing chain, good panniers, and having ridden my dads one good bikes handle well, easy to control at low speed. Plenty available and if you stick with the original (and best) 1100 versions (with/without ABS), dont think you can go wrong (and if you get a white one all the cars will get out of your way because they'll think you are a copper).

MOD and Govy auction sites sell of old police military bikes so might be worth checking out:-

http://www.witham-sv.com/infopage.php?ID=1568&Overide=1

for example

Cheers

Andy

**Harry the Barstard** · 5th February 2008, 16:56

Yeah i will start a thread when im on the road just to let you guys know how much fun im aven.

Thanks for the imput im going to look up some of the above mentioned modles as ive never seen or even heard of some of them.

I would get another CB900 but i will proberbly need hard luggage. I will also look at those double sided packs for pack racks and a tank bag. Also the only thing about the CB is the its pretty ordanary, but i cant fault it performance wise.

**KoroJ** · 5th February 2008, 17:09

Pan European....the name says it all....or at least, what it was built for.

Just under 30Kgs of luggage, 29Ltr tank that will get you 400 - 500+Kms. (the 400Kms lower limit is to allow for travelling at 160+ kph speeds you'll be doing on the motorways). A comfortable ride for you and pillion.

**howdamnhard** · 5th February 2008, 22:05

I did pick one,the BMW R1200RT!

. I didn't mention the Kawasaki Concours/1400GTR as it came last in the shootout due to it having "the smallest tank range , hard seat,worst screen,top heavy andno heated grips".The list was just to provide options .

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Anybody could have produced a list. Pick one.

And you didn't mention the Kawasaki Concours or what's known in Europe as the Bandit GT. For the sake of completeness the Ducati ST4 and the Moto Guzzi Norge should be included. There is also a range of Harleys that come standard with hard luggage, so too does the Buell Ulysses.

**howdamnhard** · 5th February 2008, 22:12

The Jan 2008 edition of Bike magazine has a shootout of Big tourers and MCN website is a good source of bike reviews albeit with a UK bias.Goodluck and have fun.

[QUOTE=Harry the Barstard;1413004]

Thanks for the imput im going to look up some of the above mentioned modles as ive never seen or even heard of some of them.