Who tours on a sports bike?

**-df-** · 27th August 2008, 15:09

Hi,

Looking at doing a tour of the north island with my wife (she will be riding her own bike) over xmas and want to do it on a sports bike (e.g. R1, Fireblade, ZX10R, not sports tours) and want to know if people have done this and regreted it due to riding position etc and getting to tired/sore to actually enjoy the ride.

Currently don't have a bike and will be buying one again for this (and for fun after of cause).

Thoughts? Am I crazy?

Cheers.

**CookMySock** · 27th August 2008, 15:39

Originally Posted by -df-

want to know if people have done this and regreted it due to riding position etc and getting to tired/sore to actually enjoy the ride.

It took me months for my wrists to get used to the sportbike riding position, but after that I was all go like a rotary hoe - all over the north island piece of piss.

I found it was much easier on my wrists if I kept some pace on. Dawdling around at 90clicks hurt a lot. Cruising at 140k - no probs! It also helped when I was busy cornering and weight shifting a lot rather than sitting still.

I have had zero back problems from it. In fact, my back is the best it has ever been, and I have a mild back injury from a couple of years ago.

If you think you can jump on an unfamiliar sportbike and tour the country right away, I would like to suggest the answer to that is "no", unless you are young, skinny, fit, and flexible, and even then, I don't think you will have fun.

Steve

**scorry** · 27th August 2008, 15:40

should be fine but keep the stops reasonably regular, like every 100-150km.
did 1500km on my cbr in a weekend, was fine as long as you avoid the looong staright and stop often

**-df-** · 27th August 2008, 15:51

Wife will be on her restricted so wont be hooning around (unfortunatly).

Currently working on the fitness side of things at the moment.

Rode a ZZR250 back from taupo the other week (wifes new bike) and didn't have any problems...but then its a sports tourer.

Will definatly be taking the bike out for a good ride every weekend leading up to it though to help...but don't know if that will be enough.

Stopping for breaks will definatly be high on my list I guess!!

**justsomeguy** · 27th August 2008, 15:55

Hmmm... Sorry if I come across as a bit direct ..

If you have to ask then the answer is NO!

Sportbikes can be toured on - provided you're used to the crouch, holding yourself up with your abs, gripping with your knees and heels...

You also need decent wrist, thigh and lower back/abs (core) body strength.

If you already spent all day in the saddle then you'd know this and wouldn't have to ask....so perhaps for this trip perhaps stick to more upright bikes.......

Anyway if you must - 2003-2004 Gixxer thous are the most comfy bikes, followed by later model gixxer thou's, 04/05 ZX10R's (unless you're over 6"), then R1's and CBR's, later ZX10R's.

Also have a look at a Blackbird and CBR954. The Blackbird is extremely comfortable.

From the naked side - the Hornet 919 is an excellent bike.

**justsomeguy** · 27th August 2008, 15:58

Another thing is - sports bikes make me wanna ride fast - softly sprung nakeds and tourers make me wanna cruise and take in the view.

So unless your idea of a tour is you and the missus racing from A-B....

**ajturbo** · 27th August 2008, 16:00

i have done 3500k to the buell rally in the south island (via taupo)... then anther 2500k to the hog rally

all this on my XB12R....

so get out there and do it!!!

**yod** · 27th August 2008, 16:00

i've done it on an RF and a Blackbird which fall into that sports-tourer category, but i tour with a ZX9R and 3 x Daytona 955s on occasion and it's no issue

**-df-** · 27th August 2008, 16:01

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

Hmmm... Sorry if I come across as a bit direct ..

If you have to ask then the answer is NO!

Sportbikes can be toured on - provided you're used to the crouch, holding yourself up with your abs, gripping with your knees and heels...

You also need decent wrist, thigh and lower back/abs (core) body strength.

If you already spent all day in the saddle then you'd know this and wouldn't have to ask....so perhaps for this trip perhaps stick to more upright bikes.......

Anyway if you must - 2003-2004 Gixxer thous are the most comfy bikes, followed by later model gixxer thou's, 04/05 ZX10R's (unless you're over 6"), then R1's and CBR's, later ZX10R's.

Also have a look at a Blackbird and CBR954. The Blackbird is extremely comfortable.

From the naked side - the Hornet 919 is an excellent bike.

Yeah, I know its prob going to be bad...used to ride my ZX7R everywhere without problems...but then I'd be riding for a bit and its been a year since I have been (ignoring trail riding) and didn't really tour on it at the begining which is basically where I'm at again.

Not a fan of the GSXR's looks so that kinda rules that one out for me unfortunatly.

**-df-** · 27th August 2008, 16:03

Should also note this is a trial for a europe trip with the misses...and definatly want a thou for that (germany...mmmm, auto bhan and the ring)

Hense why I want to try NZ first

**idb** · 27th August 2008, 16:03

I tour on my 888 all the time, often two-up.
It isn't really a problem as long as I stop every hour to an hour and a half or so.

The longest I ever did was when I bought it and rode it home.
I rode from Hamilton to Wellington on one day and then from Picton to home the next.
I didn't stop except for fuel and by the time I got to Omarama I could hardly put my legs down and quite simply had to stop as I couldn't feel my throttle arm or operate any of the hand controls.

Mind you I also have a sports tourer that I much prefer to tour on and if your intention is to do a lot of touring I would suggest you look in that direction as most sports tourers are very capable scratchers these days as well.

**justsomeguy** · 27th August 2008, 16:11

Originally Posted by -df-

Yeah, I know its prob going to be bad...used to ride my ZX7R everywhere without problems...but then I'd be riding for a bit and its been a year since I have been (ignoring trail riding) and didn't really tour on it at the begining which is basically where I'm at again.

Not a fan of the GSXR's looks so that kinda rules that one out for me unfortunatly.

Good stuff mate.

Another thing is riding a sports bike will be more tiring than a tourer. So that's gonna limit the level of energy you have for the time when you are not riding.

Also remember whatever you can do to reduce fatigue will give you more energy to concentrate on the road and make the riding less of a chore.

Once went for a longish ride on my sport bike and a mates tourer, swapped bikes and the diff was so obvious. My bike was set up for the track, so bounced around, the suspension would barely move at legal speeds, the brakes were so harsh.... however get the speeds up and it all came together. Riding my friends tourer I could just ride at 80-90kmph and it seemed perfectly normal.

Could you please Try and test ride a Blackbird before making a decision.

**Cajun** · 27th August 2008, 16:17

earlyer this year we toured the SI on three bikes, 08 busa, 06 rsvr, 04 gsxr600.

busa/rsvr had packracks & tank bags
gsxr tank bag, saddle bags.

Manged to carry 2+ weeks worth of clothing with us, sleeping bags etc.

I had some issue with sore arms on the the 600(end end of trip), but it is rather small bike for touring on day in day out, a bigger 1000cc be fine, since they are more roomy for my 6'2 frame.

But like anything pack light, and make sure you stop at places that can you do washing,

my bags consited of sleeping bag, jeans, shoes, 3 shirts, 4 underwear, 4 socks, togs, towel. I was always wearing a shirt/jumper, shorts, 1 underwear 1 socks, under the leathers.

**-df-** · 27th August 2008, 16:17

Originally Posted by justsomeguy

Good stuff mate.

Another thing is riding a sports bike will be more tiring than a tourer. So that's gonna limit the level of energy you have for the time when you are not riding.

Wife wont like that...

But good point, never really thought about it that way.

**ajturbo** · 27th August 2008, 16:19

Originally Posted by Cajun

earlyer this year we toured the SI on three bikes, 08 busa, 06 rsvr, 04 gsxr600.

busa/rsvr had packracks & tank bags
gsxr tank bag, saddle bags.

Manged to carry 2+ weeks worth of clothing with us, sleeping bags etc.

I had some issue with sore arms on the the 600(end end of trip), but it is rather small bike for touring on day in day out, a bigger 1000cc be fine, since they are more roomy for my 6'2 frame.

But like anything pack light, and make sure you stop at places that can you do washing,

my bags consited of sleeping bag, jeans, shoes, 3 shirts, 4 underwear, 4 socks, togs, towel. I was always wearing a shirt/jumper, shorts, 1 underwear 1 socks, under the leathers.

2 weeks... 2 months, i would still take the same amout of gear, just need to wash more times.....