Opinions? Budget touring/everyday bike dilemma

[skeverd]

Hello everyone,

So i've found myself in a bit of a dilemma; pretty much i'm planning a couple trips next year UK-Italy and UK-Gernany however im having difficulty in bike choice. I ride everyday and have done for the past 5 years (21y/o) and have an NTV Revere for my winter bike atm, as well as a cbrf2 streetfighter for summer riding fun. However i'm looking for something a bit bigger for the upcoming trips.

It needs to be reliable, fun, and somewhat comfortable.

In my mind i've been thinking about a Pan European (st1100) or a zzr1100, perhaps a blackbird or similar. I would consider a vfr but really after the cbr i wanted something a bit different. either in terms of power or comfort but as the trips are about the ride... it need to be fun.

Has anyone had any experience with these bikes as both daily transport (other than the NTV's depths of winter territory) as well as knowledge on running costs and touring them?

I'm open to other bike suggestions however im on a limited budget of around £1000-1500, purely to make the trips themselves more enjoyable.

Thanks for reading

[spnorm]

Don't discount the VFR. It may have a slightly boring image, but they have a much better power delivery than a 600, long distance comfort, great handling and excellent build quality.

The Blackbird is more of the same, albeit with more power but less comfort.

I wouldn't touch a ZZR1100 due to the ropey build quality and a Pan 1100 is a bit too lardy.

[skeverd]

I wasn't aware of this ropey build quality? what is it that tends to go?

I forgot to mention that as a part of day to day duties, my girlfriend is often a pillion.

Now i'm thinking, would a zx9 or thunderace be suitable for this sort of use?

[Casper]

Budget Touring. Use what you have if either is reliable. Germany is not a million miles away and I did Italy on a shitty 80's GSX750ES. If you do feel the need to get a larger bike for touring look at the last of the Divvy 900's You can get low mileage bikes with hard luggage for around the £1500 mark.

[map]

I would start at looking at a VFR and then work out alternatives from there.

If you want touring then the ST1100 is the obvious choice.
If you want sports touring then it has to be VFR.

If you're lucky you may find one with hard panniers. If not throw overs are fine. When reach destination take panniers off and have fun on the local roads. Even with luggage they can be fun.

Plenty of posts on here about the VFR. Just be careful for the electrics, even that can be sorted.
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Itchy]

NTV650 to tour on is fine.

Good MPG, no chain to lube and always seems to return 70mpg.

It's just a tad uninspiring tbh.
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[map]

[Moo.]

[Casper]

[lihp]

You have more than 2 options.

Therefore it is not a dilemma.
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[Monkeypony]

For your budget I'd take the VFR every time.

Cracking little bikes that will certainly meet your "reliable, fun, and somewhat comfortable" prerequisites.
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[Moo.]

[chickenstrip]

[Casper]

[Moo.]

[Polarbear]

Most important difference - Shaft drive.

I'd rather tour on a Divvy 900 than a Fazer 1000 for that reason alone.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[garth]

[Polarbear]

[Bru]

I rode to Rome on my NTV650, in 2007. I took two weeks for the round trip. Great bike, unfussy (no chain, as said), and handled the mass of luggage just fine. My only complaint was against the firm seat, which killed my butt after 100 miles, and the low seat height, which cramped me up a bit.

Just use what you have - better the devil you know, etc.

[spnorm]

[image riot]

You can tour on anything.

https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y183/cruxiform/Germany%202013/061.jpg

I've done 3 euro tours on my 929 Fireblade (roughly 1500-2000 miles each time) without issue. I adjusted and lubed the chain before setting off and it's only needed a couple of squirts of chain lube along the way roughly every 500-ish miles. I use soft panniers and a roll bag for camping equipment if I need to. I do think about getting a more touring-type bike once in a while but my old fireblade does everything that I want it to so why spend more money when I don't need to?

If I was to offer any advice I'd say tour on the NTV. If it's reliable and you're used to riding it then it'll be fine. Calais to the Eifel area of Germany is the same mileage as London to Cornwall. It's not far really.

IMO motorcycle touring isn't about the bike you ride but just that you're out there doing it. Don't be the type to say 'I'd like to do that one day when I get the right bike' and never do it. Pick a date, book a ferry or eurotunnel and just get out there. You won't regret it.
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GSXR750 > GSXR1100 > ZX9R > CBR900RRP >CBR929RR>K1200S

[Itchy]