which is the best sports-tourer? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

zine · 03-04-2006, 07:29 AM

Hi all

Does anyone have advise on a great sports-tourer?

I have been thinking about the following:

- '06 Honda CBR1100xx Blackbird (powerful but a little dated and old technology)

- '06 Honda VFR800 (great looks but lacks power to make it exciting)

- '05 Aprila RSV-R 1000 (looks great but a will harsh to drive around the city)

- '06 Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (Not too keen on the looks and technology not as advanced as new sports bikes)

Or say stuff is and get a '06 Suzuki GSX-R1000! :o)

Can anyone offer HELPFUL suggestions on the above or a good alternative?

Thanks
Ian

**Trapper** · 03-04-2006, 08:02 AM

I like the V-Strom the best.

azoazc · 03-04-2006, 08:09 AM

Hayabusa?

**Clint** · 03-04-2006, 08:38 AM

Both the Blackbird and the VFR are hugely popular sport-tourers. You may need to add handlebar risers to the XX, but it's a fantastic machine.

Don't know a thing about the Ape other than it'll be expensive to buy and maintain.

The Sprint is known to be a good bike. I'm not sure what "technology" you think it's lacking.

Many people tour on sportbikes, but you either need to be of a rubbery persuasion or spend a little time and money modifying the bike for comfort. Low-mounted clipons, hard, small seats and limited luggage options are hurdles to expore before you buy.

Shea · 03-04-2006, 10:37 AM

It's impossible to say which bike is "best" because everyone has different preferances. Ride height, ride position, handleing, hp, torque will play the biggest role. Some of these things can be modified later if they aren't what you want. Weigh the options. For instance, you get a bike that looks great and has the horse power you want, but ride height and handleing is an issue. Well, you could possibly get a lowered seat and mod the suspension and have the perfect bike.

jpwM50 · 03-04-2006, 12:58 PM

Definitely the VFR. Comfort, styling and power.

**inspiron** · 03-05-2006, 11:14 AM

Yamaha FJR1300A ... ?

Rickster · 03-05-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

I like the V-Strom the best.

+1. Much better when the road surface is less than perfect.

St0nkingByte · 03-05-2006, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inspiron

Yamaha FJR1300A ... ?

Assuming money is no object I'd also throw the following bikes into the mix:

BMW R1200ST
BMW R1200RT
Honda ST1300

Given the bikes mentioned above the FJR, ST1300, and R1200RT might be too large, but certainly not too slow

The cases available for the R1200ST are really nice.

**Clint** · 03-05-2006, 01:45 PM

Even the FJR is really a touring bike. You can ride a Goldwing to the pegs, but that doesn't make it a sporty bike. I don't consider anything over 600 pounds to be "sport".

St0nkingByte · 03-05-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Even the FJR is really a touring bike. You can ride a Goldwing to the pegs, but that doesn't make it a sporty bike. I don't consider anything over 600 pounds to be "sport".

The FJR sneaks in under 600 lbs at 582 lbs dry weight. The ST1300ABS is 659 lbs dry! That's one of the things that scared me away from the ST. My R1200RT weighs in around 530lbs dry. A Goldwing lists at 792lbs dry.

Rickster · 03-05-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Even the FJR is really a touring bike. You can ride a Goldwing to the pegs, but that doesn't make it a sporty bike. I don't consider anything over 600 pounds to be "sport".

You have a point, but the flip side of that coin is, I don't consider a bike "TOURING" if it has clip on handlebars, and I can touch my elbows to my knees when seated, no mater how much luggage you hang on it.

Is honda even still making the Blackbird? I don't see it listed on there site.

**Clint** · 03-05-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by St0nkingByte

The FJR sneaks in under 600 lbs at 582 lbs dry weight. The ST1300ABS is 659 lbs dry! That's one of the things that scared me away from the ST. My R1200RT weighs in around 530lbs dry. A Goldwing lists at 792lbs dry.

Dry weight, schy weight. They don't get very far dry.

St0nkingByte · 03-05-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Dry weight, schy weight. They don't get very far dry.

I only quoted dry weights because thats what they list. Fuel is what, about 6.5lbs per gallon? Most of these bikes have 6-7 gallon tanks so add about 42lbs for fuel. So yeah those Hondas are scary heavy.

Interestingly BMW lists their bikes with wet weight (minus side cases) so take that into account when comparing brands. They are the only brand I've seen that lists wet weight instead of dry.

**Clint** · 03-05-2006, 07:28 PM

I usually add 40 lbs as a ballpark figure. It's especially noteworthy because the weight is situated so high in the chassis.

viper94bite · 03-06-2006, 08:44 AM

ZZR1200

MagnumForce · 03-06-2006, 08:49 AM

Burgman 650?

viper94bite · 03-06-2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZridr1

Burgman 650?

LMFAO

MagnumForce · 03-06-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viper94bite

LMFAO

I'm not sure of its chick magnet potential, but it sure is a damn good alternative. Just think of what you can do if you can get your hands on one of these:

GIXXER-Mike · 03-06-2006, 08:20 PM

Nice, very nice...but definitely not me

!

03-04-2006, 07:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
zine Newbie Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 2	which is the best sports-tourer? Hi all Does anyone have advise on a great sports-tourer? I have been thinking about the following: - '06 Honda CBR1100xx Blackbird (powerful but a little dated and old technology) - '06 Honda VFR800 (great looks but lacks power to make it exciting) - '05 Aprila RSV-R 1000 (looks great but a will harsh to drive around the city) - '06 Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (Not too keen on the looks and technology not as advanced as new sports bikes) Or say stuff is and get a '06 Suzuki GSX-R1000! :o) Can anyone offer HELPFUL suggestions on the above or a good alternative? Thanks Ian

03-04-2006, 08:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 8,950	I like the V-Strom the best. __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

03-04-2006, 08:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
azoazc Kickstand Operator Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 259	Hayabusa? __________________ www.banditalley.com www.wnysportriders.org If water feels like concrete at 100MPH, what does concrete feel like? WEAR YOUR GEAR!!!! Edited by ME

03-04-2006, 12:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
jpwM50 Clutch Cadet Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: Blue M50 Location: Waterloo, Canada Posts: 944	Definitely the VFR. Comfort, styling and power. __________________

03-05-2006, 11:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,779	Yamaha FJR1300A ... ? __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

03-04-2006, 10:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Shea Third gear and cruising Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: Buell XB12Ss Lightning Location: York, Pa Posts: 521	It's impossible to say which bike is "best" because everyone has different preferances. Ride height, ride position, handleing, hp, torque will play the biggest role. Some of these things can be modified later if they aren't what you want. Weigh the options. For instance, you get a bike that looks great and has the horse power you want, but ride height and handleing is an issue. Well, you could possibly get a lowered seat and mod the suspension and have the perfect bike.

03-06-2006, 08:44 AM	#16 (permalink)
viper94bite Sit speling cheker Joined: Jan 2005 Bike: 2008 Yamaha FZ6 Location: omaha, ne Posts: 1,792	ZZR1200 __________________ *yippee*

03-06-2006, 08:49 AM	#17 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Joined: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	Burgman 650? __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

03-06-2006, 08:20 PM	#20 (permalink)
GIXXER-Mike U.B's LoveChild Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2004 GSX-R600 (Blue/White) Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,111	Nice, very nice...but definitely not me ! __________________ "I'm here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way."

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