Sport Touring

[Wanderlusty]

Ok, not a great fit for Expedition Motorcycles, as most that fit that thread of thought are dual sport or more rugged...

But just seeing what peoples thoughts are on these kind of bikes, like the Honda ST1300, BMW's R 1200 RT, etc.....

My first and only bike so far was a Suzuki 800 cc Volusia (cruiser) which I customized, then soon after completing that, sold....because I became a daddy and I just thought it was the right thing to do, and it was the right decision for the time.

So now the kid is 1,:wings:
...and I am without bike.

Too many time and financial commitments make it unrealistic to expect to get another bike for a few years yet (4 years is probably realistic) but....

But I am dreaming....and while dual sports do interest me, I guess I plan on having the Taco for the dirt. Sport touring bikes really are what I have been interested in a lot lately.

Are there others out there that wanna swing a leg over an ST bike? I don't care for outright sport bikes...and don't want or need to go all that fast, but I want something that I can comfortably travel long distances on (both 2 lane or superslab) and occasionally get a little sporty in the twisties. The ST bikes seem like the ticket.

So who else out there is a closet sport touring fan?

 

[mountainpete]

Sort of...

I have one of these (but mine is copper in color) - a BMW R1200C:

However, I have to admit that I would trade it for a GS in a heartbeat.

Pete

 

[Wanderlusty]

Just for point of reference, this is the old cruiser I had. Before and after...

 

[HenryJ]

I really like the Honda ST1100. I might own one some day. I have the predecessor-
1984 Honda VF1100S , V65 Sabre

First vehicle I bought new. On the throttle and around town I get 42-45 mpg. On the highway I can do as good as 53 mpg.
At the time it was a pretty good investment. $2800 and traded in my CB 550 twin.
It really is paying off now with the high fuel prices.

It is comfortable enough for a long ride. 1500 miles is the longest trip I have taken.
It is still light enough for riding in town.

 

[Clutch]

I always liked the Honda Superhawk....throw some side bags on there, and you are good to go.

The V-Twin makes an amazing sound, and is quite fun to ride. a lot of bang for the buck, you can pick up a used one quite cheap.

A buddy of mine has one of these triumph Sprints.

The Honda Interceptor and the Yamaha FZ1 are on the list, of the Sport Tourers I would own.

Below is my old Honda 919....not a touring bike I know, But I did do some 2-3 day trips on it. Made me realize fairings are a good thing. That bike was a total blast, but, the wind really wore me out on long days. But, I am the type that will ride for 12 hours with barely a break.

 

[Christophe Noel]

The Yamaha FJR1300 ( I think that's it ) looks like a great time. Personally, my next bike will be a BMW GS bike. Not really 'sporty' but they are such great bikes.

 

[Blair G]

The Yamaha FJR1300 ( I think that's it ) looks like a great time. Personally, my next bike will be a BMW GS bike. Not really 'sporty' but they are such great bikes.

Cool thing about a GS or GSA is that it can do all the things a sport bike can do (except 200mph) and more. I love mine, thats for sure.

Blair

 

[wesel123]

I had an 05 GS1200 and absoluty loved it. You don't have to take it off road. I also had 06 ST1300 witch was totally awsome.

The BMW matinance is expensive!!!!!!!

The Honda is virtually matinance free. And provides A LOT mor wind protection.

 

[DesertBound]

So who else out there is a closet sport touring fan?

:wavey:

I've loved motorcycles since I was a teenager, and was very close to buying an Interceptor a few years back (they were just called VFRs back then). We went so far as to rent one for a couple of weeks, but found that it wasn't really suited for 2-up riding, at least not for a rider of my size. So, we held off on the purchase, and I started ogling Honda ST1100's and FJR1300's...and then our daughter was conceived. We now have two kids, and a bike is not in the cards for the foreseeable future. Helmet and jacket are still hanging in the closet, mocking me...

If I were in the market, though, I think an FJR1300 would fit the bill nicely. :bike_rider: I like the BMW RT a lot, but couldn't justify the extra expense of purchase and maintenance when it isn't clearly better than the Japanese offerings.

 

[Clutch]

You always go with a Duck, too

A Ducati, Multistrada....more upright riding position...probably really comfortable and fun....if you can live with the looks. I can't decide if I love it or hate it. Need to ride one to find out.

 

[Wanderlusty]

:wavey:

We now have two kids, and a bike is not in the cards for the foreseeable future. Helmet and jacket are still hanging in the closet, mocking me...

Yep....still have my helmet and riding jacket too...silently mocking me every time I get into the coat closet for something. Mocking me...and waiting....

I had an 05 GS1200 and absoluty loved it. You don't have to take it off road. I also had 06 ST1300 witch was totally awsome.

The BMW matinance is expensive!!!!!!!

The Honda is virtually matinance free. And provides A LOT mor wind protection.

Yeah....low maintenance cost (and PURCHASE cost) will be big factors when it is time to start shopping.

I do like the Beemers, but betting there is a Honda in my future....

Way in the future.....

Is it wrong to daydream about something for 4-5 years? Or longer?

 

[Wanderlusty]

..my old Honda 919....not a touring bike I know, But I did do some 2-3 day trips on it. Made me realize fairings are a good thing. That bike was a total blast, but, the wind really wore me out on long days. But, I am the type that will ride for 12 hours with barely a break.

Yeah, always liked the look of the Nekkid bikes. From riding my cruiser, I can identify with the wind issue too...part of why my next bike I want to have pretty good wind protection on.

I ride until I hurt enough to stop, which on the stock seat was only about an hour or so before taking a break. I replaced it with the Suzuki jel seat and could go 2-3 hours between stops. But I often did not need that long of a stop. Just enough to stretch the legs and relax the (|) a bit before getting back on.

One thing I never got to do that I really wanted to do was a multi-day ride. I have just a couple of days where I spent 'most' of the day riding, but that is it.

I want an ST bike so I can load up a change of clothes or two and make the rounds.

One dream ride of mine is to ride Scenic Hwy 7 here in AR from just above Harrison, almost to Missouri, down to where it (sort of) ends near the Louisiana border. Would be at most a 2 day ride, but some awesome twisties and beautiful scenery a lot of the way.

 

[Wanderlusty]

You always go with a Duck, too

A Ducati, Multistrada....more upright riding position...probably really comfortable and fun....if you can live with the looks. I can't decide if I love it or hate it. Need to ride one to find out.

I dig the more upright riding position. One thing I don't care about on the outright 'sport bikes' is the 'hump the gas tank' feel I get sitting on them.

Wouldn't mind a bit more fairing for wind protection though.

Save for 'too little' of a fairing, I have seen uglier bikes.

 

[Christophe Noel]

I've owned three Ducatis. I did a bit of "touring" on my 916 when I lived amidst the twisty roads of France, but when I came back to the states, touring on a duck wasn't so great. I also think they're too needy to make a good touring rig. You have to give them constant TLC. They do sound amazing.

 

[Clutch]

Is it wrong to daydream about something for 4-5 years? Or longer?

No way!

The more day dreams you have, the more you have to pick from.

I have a slew of dreams I have conquered over the years...have to keep them coming, so I have something to set goals for.

The Superhawk offers a fair amount of protection, especially if you are doing quick day trips. It may not look like it, but, the riding position is fairly upright. You can always get a higher rise bar too.