Cruiser or Tourer

[staningrimsby]

Hi Everyone,

I realise I'm thinking ahead a little but I can't help myself from looking at bikes for when I pass my test, now me and the missus would like to do a little touring round southern Ireland to start with then branching out to France and more of Europe etc.

I suggested looking at bikes like the Honda Pan European, BMW RT1200 etc but we also like cruisers like the Kawasaki VN900 custom and Triumph Rocket etc.

After talking to a friend of mine that works in a bike shop 'Robspeed' in Grimsby he suggested that a 900cc cruiser would not be big enough and I would need to look at something at least around 1300cc.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for Cruisers and Tourers that I may like, I currently have a Honda Varadero 125 that I will be selling when I eventually pass my test.

Regards
Stan
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When you have removed the impossible the improbable however unlikely has to be the truth.
1986 Yamaha DT 80 >> 2009 Honda Varadero XL 125 >> 2003 Suzuki V-Strom 1000

[smegballs]

https://memecrunch.com/meme/3KVC1/il4/image.jpg?w=553&c=1

A big vibratey engine that is going to drink fuel and delivery hardly any power for its labour isn't my idea of a good touring bike. At least 1300cc? Come on, that the engine size of a small car, if a bike needs that size engine just to tour europe its doing something wrong.

Pan-euro sounds good tho.

[Polarbear]

I have had many different tourers.

My criteria is good weather protection. Removable hard panniers/top box. Shaft drive. Large CC.

Sort of rules out cruisers unless you have a big screen on them and my back couldn't hack the lean back feet forward position of a cruiser for any length of time.

To be honest you can tour on anything, it's just some are more practical then others. I have a friend who went all round Europe every year on his 650 deauville until white van man in London killed it. He had no problems with a 650 V twin.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[1cyl]

Don't get a cruiser.
That is all.
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Chase my Witch up, Catch my Snitch up.
The SMC | The Pit | Stable

[Northern Monkey]

1300cc? Is that for situations when a cbr1100xx is short on power?
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Fisty: after polishing the tank with the glistenng beads of sweat from my full hot scrotum, I filled the headrace bearings with 10cc of my manmilk

[smegballs]

[G]

I rode a Honda VTX1300 and it certainly WOULD have been phased by a cooling rice pudding.

But, that's not what being a fag is all about .

I can't see why anyone would like a cruiser, so can't answer that bit.

Do you like your Varadero?

If so, something like a DL650 or Versys offers not much more weight and a good chunk more power in a similar setup. Up a bit, you've got the TDM900.

Me, I took a KTM 690 around europe - over 4x the power of your 125 AND less weight. But I wanted to play off road - not an ideal choice for most.

[EazyDuz]

Most mid weight cruisers will get 50mpg or more. Something to consider if touring.
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[sidewinder]

Vfr

[talkToTheHat]

I've got a small shaft drive cruiser. Really nice urban scoot, but on longer rides I find myself wanting lower bars and my feet further back which in turn means a higher seat... Cruiser pillion seats can be something of a dirty joke

Have a serious think about how you're doing luggage. even with saddlebag supports in place could never get soft bags to sit right, and fitting some hard panniers is going to take some clever welding or a huge wad of cash, so when I want more than a (somewhat cavernous) topbox I resort to a roll bag on the pillion seat. Obviously you have plans for the pillion seat.

How light do you travel? My girlfriend will do a weekend away on the contents of a small handbag, but shoes that aren't bike boots and the possibility of storing kit on the bike will eat luggage space as will taking your accommodation with you.

Perhaps the kind of bike that will satisfy in the looks department and be a capable 2-up tourer is a big retro, XJR1300, CB1300 or if you're looking at older bikes a GSX1300. Sensible riding position classic looks and plenty of grunt for two up

That said I know a couple that tour on an XJ6 divvy and used to on 535 and 650 cruisers. The VN900 you like is a pretty bike, but 53 horses is not going to make for easy overtakes, you'll get the thrill of of riding the bike for all it's worth though. That said, cruiser engines are tuned for a nice broad spread of torque rather than a rush of power at high rpm which makes pretty wife friendly provided the seat and luggage are adequate.

The Rocket is something else entirely and a touring version does exist. It is a bike designed to pull your arms out of your sockets, and I suspect a european tour would be fun until you riding hurt too much, so after the first refuel. If you want to sill be able to reach inside your jacket to pay for petrol, consider the V-Max, or the B-King although I admit they don't look anyway near as cool as a big triumph.

Mostly it's a question of whether you consider bikes are for bimbling or riding fast, and whilst grand plan tours are a requirement, so is living with it, are you the kind of person to kill a spare hour on a sunny day by polishing chrome or going for a quick ride?

tl;dr? Get a VFR

[Polarbear]

Why does everyone say a vfr. They are ok but there's plenty better bikes for touring. I'd much prefer a divvy 900 with full hard luggage than a vfr anyday.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[pyx_e]

I have a mid-tourer (Versys 650) and a VN900 classic. I know I am getting old and all that but for longer journeys (I am off round Wales for few days now) I will take the VN. It's comfortable, its fast enough. I get to admire the scenery and stuff.

The Versys is v fast, nimble and great fun but it demands constant attention and begs to be hammered. I get off the other end exhilarated but a bit wrought, with a numb arse and aching back.

I am getting to like polishing chrome too. Like I said I am getting old.

Pyx_e.
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Shiney!
Kawasaki: ER5, Versys, VN900.

[G]

[Wonko The Sane]

Friend of mine did round norway and germany on a V strom quite happily, similar riding position and bike to the Vara (used to have one myself)

Many people happily tour europe on 650 Deauvilles

I wouldn't want to tour on a rocket III, big and heavy
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[pyx_e]

[temeluchus]

want to buy my XJR1300?
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Dave500]

Id get a tourer if you wanna tour if you wanna pose outside Mcdonalds and try and get the dirty 16 year olds cruisers are the way to go
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Bye bye Z hello Versys

[Enduro Numpty]

FJR1300! I keep looking for a reason to change mine for something different but can't find one. It'll take you, your pillion and as much luggage as you want to carry vast differences if that's what you want. In over 35 years, I've never had a bike that does what the FJR does. There are quicker bikes, there are lighter bikes but there are very few bikes that have the reliability and mile eating capability of the FJR. My wife and me took ours out the other day - 506 miles of great fun on superb roads was the result. When the sportsbike riders are soaking there aches and pains in a hot bath you'll still be looking forward to another 300 miles of fast fun.