Looking for a sports tourer $10-12k

[shafty]

That is a lot of bike for that money.



Mount BMW has a 2005 Blue FJR bit more than the 10 - 12 K you are looking toward though. They also have a ZZR1200 that would be worth a sit on if nothing else.

Quite right Jim, tho I wouldn't be averse to making a cheeky offer myself, that ZZR has been there a while....

[McJim]

Ducati ST2, ST3, ST4 FTW.

'nuff said. Comfort, reliability, class and handling.

Of course I would never get a touring bike as they place too much weight on the base of your spine. Sportsbike with panniers is the way to go for me. :

[PaddyFZ1]

Have a look at the first gen FZ1 02-05, Great bike for long distance, two up, riding. Reasonably economical, and plenty of go when needed

[Taz]

So do you want to swap or what?

It's not mine. Just one I found on Trademe. I have a GS.

[Stromble]

Buy Tanks DL 1000 . perfect for what you want and bang in your price range

[sinned]

have ridden mates busa and is a brilliant bike, do you get on ok with is around town? I found it had long wheel base and bit tricky to manage in tight spots

I don't ride the Busa in town much and it wouldn't be my choice of bike if I had to park it every day in competition for space with the growing number of scooters. A DR650 would be good for parking - wouldn't get as easily scratched by scooters.

I don't think the wheel base length has much to do with managing in tight spots. I have read and heard lots of comments on the long wheelbase of the Busa; the numbers don't justify the comments. Other factors such as seat height, distance to bars, height of bars affect the maneuverability of a bike more than wheelbase.
Here are some examples of wheelbase:
GSXR1000 - 1405 - a real short sucker
SV1000 - 1430 - had one of these, wheelied easy
Speedtriple - 1429
Sprint ST - 1457
Hayabusa - 1480
Bandit - 1485
ST1300 - 1491
Concours - 1519
FJR1300 - 1544

The Hayabusa looks long as it is low and the fairing accentuates the length. So does wheelbase matter that much for a road bike?

[yod]

jeebus

i can't believe someone hasn't said BLACKBIRD yet!!!

quality, reliability, comfort, power, yada yada yada

[Highlander]

Quite right Jim, tho I wouldn't be averse to making a cheeky offer myself, ...

Tempted myself but it's not blue and I'd have to spend a fortune getting colour coordinated.


Mr Yod, how do you find the Blackbird for fuel range? Could be tempted by the Blackbird too - especially a blue one.

[TomJ]

I don't ride the Busa in town much and it wouldn't be my choice of bike if I had to park it every day in competition for space with the growing number of scooters. A DR650 would be good for parking - wouldn't get as easily scratched by scooters.

I don't think the wheel base length has much to do with managing in tight spots. I have read and heard lots of comments on the long wheelbase of the Busa; the numbers don't justify the comments. Other factors such as seat height, distance to bars, height of bars affect the maneuverability of a bike more than wheelbase.
Here are some examples of wheelbase:
GSXR1000 - 1405 - a real short sucker
SV1000 - 1430 - had one of these, wheelied easy
Speedtriple - 1429
Sprint ST - 1457
Hayabusa - 1480
Bandit - 1485
ST1300 - 1491
Concours - 1519
FJR1300 - 1544

The Hayabusa looks long as it is low and the fairing accentuates the length. So does wheelbase matter that much for a road bike?

guess coming off my GPX250 most tourer types seem pretty big around town!

thanks for the comments tho

[TomJ]

have had a gander at the bikes available at the Mount and I'm pretty impressed by the range. There at least 4 bikes I would like to explore further including the ZZR, CB1300S and the K1200RS.

[yod]

Tempted myself but it's not blue and I'd have to spend a fortune getting colour coordinated.


Mr Yod, how do you find the Blackbird for fuel range? Could be tempted by the Blackbird too - especially a blue one.

Biggish tank - my model is 23 litres, I think pre '02 (?) were 22. Smooth riding should get you to 350km easily enough. Mine has a PCIII and modified exhaust so I doubt it's as economical as it could be, however.

Big and roomy too

Blackbird is a good chap to talk to, he has a shiteload of info/manuals/etc

edit: check my profile pic - it's BLUUUUUUE!!!

[Highlander]

Biggish tank - my model is 23 litres, I think pre '02 (?) were 22. Smooth riding should get you to 350km easily enough. Mine has a PCIII and modified exhaust so I doubt it's as economical as it could be, however.

Big and roomy too

Blackbird is a good chap to talk to, he has a shiteload of info/manuals/etc

edit: check my profile pic - it's BLUUUUUUE!!!

Cheers Yod, that is the kind of answer I was expecting. I had thought a VTR might be good but thirsty and small tank - yuk. I like for it to take as long for the tank to drain as the bladder to fill.
Your bike is a real honey.

Sorry to hijack your thread Tom.

[jafar]

have had a gander at the bikes available at the Mount and I'm pretty impressed by the range. There at least 4 bikes I would like to explore further including the ZZR, CB1300S and the K1200RS.

Try going up into the midrange machines, there is a lot of really good bikes that will do what you need in the 400 to 750 range. An SV 650 or GSF 650 or similar would be a reasonable choice, midrange cruiser perhaps ? Even if it is only used as a 'stepping stone 'to a bigger bike later on.

The idea of going straight from a 250 to a litre + machine is not a good one.

[Grant`]

What about a Kawasaki er6, er6-n or f or even the versys, The F model is the fully faired one its not a full on sports bike but you would get one for the money your looking at spending. My er6 handles 2 up and still breaks the speed limit if it needs to plenty of room on the bike and has quite good fuel efficiency.

Allthough in reality you can turn any bike into what you want it to do just whether its going to suit you is really what it comes down to, If you haven't pop in and see Chris at Bayride ( on cameron road ) they always have plenty of bikes in stock.

[TomJ]

Try going up into the midrange machines, there is a lot of really good bikes that will do what you need in the 400 to 750 range. An SV 650 or GSF 650 or similar would be a reasonable choice, midrange cruiser perhaps ? Even if it is only used as a 'stepping stone 'to a bigger bike later on.

The idea of going straight from a 250 to a litre + machine is not a good one.

thanks for the comments jafar

I am aware of some of the pitfalls of inexperience and lack of control of my right hand.

both my better half and I are around the 85kg mrk and felt a bigger bike would suit us. my quandry is having a bike I can scoot round Tauranga on work days and still carry both of us on a tour. the wife enjoyed the Bandit 1250 but I found it top heavy.....hence lookign a Sprint, CB1300 etc.