Mid powered sports tourer types

[Twofish]

I'm looking for bike number 2. Or the possibilities... (apologies for the long post and for a slightly different way of phrasing the same old question).

Some time ago I did my DAS and within a week had phoned a garage and ordered a brand new CBR600F 2011-13 as my first bike. Crazy? Probably, but I did my research and I haven't regretted it (although it was labelled 'sports tourer' and it bloody isn't!).

Having lived with it and done everything short of taken it abroad yet (including laps of Silverstone on the Day of Champions ride-in, enough to put a massive grin on my face) I know what I like about it and what I don't - and wondered if there is anything more suitable.

Basically I love its weight (190kg) and its seat height (lowered to 77.5cm), its 100bhp, it's so easy to ride and it has taught me well.

What I don't like is that I can't get out of Wales on a single tank of fuel, I get a maximum of 120 miles. I don't like that the suspension had to be lowered, not the seat, which I think has made it a firmer ride.

I also don't like the seat - it's damn uncomfortable for more than an hour. This could be combined with the riding position, maybe more forward than I'd like (I'm 5'5", so short arms!).

And it has no luggage attachments, although metal tank means I can chuck a tank bag on it with a tablet and a pair of shoes for meetings. Touring involves lots of ROK straps all tied to one point by the pillion foot peg. And soft luggage.

I'm looking for an alternative, probably 600 - 1000 cc and I'm going to pull the usual 'but I'm only 5'5" and weigh less than 9 stone' out of the bag.

Weight *is* important to me, not just a low centre of gravity, because I'm a weak girl and I have to drag it out of the garage, or in/out of a parking space and I can only paddle on a Tuesday, downhill, when the wind is in the right direction.

Seat height/width is also important - yes I can ride taller bikes, I did my DAS on unlowered bikes but I just prefer to be able to get my feet down on my own and not be constantly looking for kerbs or avoiding potholes.

So with all your wealth and experience (and opinions!) can you give me pointers of bikes to look at? Because sometimes it's the unexpected - the most comfortable bike I've sat on recently was a BMW K1300S because it was pretty narrow (out of the question!! Too bloody heavy, and crap MPG, and too expensive etc) . I'm off to Swansea this weekend to have a look around.

Usually the guys in the shop look at me as if I've got three heads, so it's difficult to ask for advice when they're busy at the weekend. One guy told me 'a VFR isn't for you, too heavy, too big, and the engine has a nasty kick' and went off to talk to some blokes. Moron. Also test riding is difficult because they never have a low option in the shop, so riding all the possibilities isn't really an option.

Sums it up:
On the lighter side, low centre of gravity.
Lowerable just via the seat (options, cut out, whatever) rather than suspension.
Tank range nearer 200 miles than 120
Comfy for long distance.
Still capable of nipping round town.
Luggage options/attachments.
Good MPG.
No slouch.
Year or two old max.

Alternatively I could start meddling with the currently still pristine CBR - cut the seat out and add gel, bar risers, fit a luggage rack, but that'll lower its value, destroy its prettiness and still won't get me out of Wales on one tank of fuel! It's a great bike though

[Ste]

GSXR1000 or maybe an R1.

[Twofish]

HA! Can see me riding to Norway on that. My shoulders would seize up by Bristol !

I think I want the bike equivalent of my car if there's such a thing, it's a proper sports tourer - Audi S4 estate. But with better MPG and not so heavy!

[pdg]

I was thinking "there are many suitable options", then I got to:

[Matt B]

I think you are coming at this the wrong way.

A lot of true sports tourers are big and heavy. My Pan weighs about 300kg, but it has a huge 28l tank, full luggage and munches the miles up happily. Too big for you.

Your bike fits you so why not just kit it out properly for touring? Givi do lots of luggage options for it - panniers, top box etc. And worried about spoiling the looks, well whatever you put on can be removed again and put back to standard.

https://www.motorcycleplanet.co.uk/images_products/givi/givi_PLX1102.jpg

As far as tank size goes you just need to stop and fuel up more often. Lots of people tour on sports bikes with small tanks and manage.
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[Irezumi aka Reuben]

The new VFR800 has an adjustable seat height and a large fuel tank so I'd suggest finding a dealer who isnt an idiot and looking in to them a bit more seriously.

If theyre still the same as the older versions (and it says it is on paper) regarding their weight then it is a bit lardy, and you will notice this in the handling coming from your CBR.

Being a relative short-arse for a guy I've always found its just about balance and how you manage it rather than strength anyway so dont let the weight put you off too much, at least for a test ride.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Twofish]

[Seb]

Another vote for 'you're looking at the wrong bikes'

I instantly go towards the VFR, Futura and Sprint ST when I think of a proper sports tourer with decent luggage options. Unfortunately the VFR is plain heavy, the Futura is light and narrow but tall and the Sprint is both weighty and top heavy.

Completely left of field option, have a look at an XJR1300, whilst it's heavy it carries it's weight lower than the typical sporty sports tourer off today. It depends on the type of mileage you'll be doing though, I'd take the XJR for slower paced roads and rides across the moors whereas a Sprint or the like would be the better choice on the motorway.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Twofish]

[pdg]

[woo]

go gym do weights and bulk up then you can phyisically handle the bike.

you might look like a she he or he she but who cares.............
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[MarJay]

Sounds like you're looking for perfection which doesn't really exist. CBR600F is about the best you're going to do for your criteria.

Another suggestion would be a Street Triple, but it won't be great for touring as it doesn't have much wind protection.

It sounds like what you want is the holy grail of bikes. Something light, comfortable, fast and good handling with good wind protection. The closest there has been to this is the original CBR600F 1999-2005. The one with the dual seat, not the FS with the stepped seat.

By the way, I'm 5ft 5 and I've owned lots of different types of bike including a 200kg dry Triumph Daytona 955i. Weight isn't an issue, technique is.

Oh, and if you want reliability, buy a low mileage Honda with good service history. Particularly a VFR or CBR. They pretty much never go wrong. A two year old bike is probably no more reliable than a late nineties or early 2000s Honda, as Japanese build quality has dropped significantly since then.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Rogerborg]

How light, how unslouchy?

F700GS is a whisker lighter than your CBR. You'll get close to 200 miles at 65mpg - and may be able to fit the larger tank from the F800GS Adventure. The seat height is quoted at 820mm but it sits and feels lower when you're on it. It's very stable. More torque but a fair bit less power than the CBR. Not a "sports tourer", but I've done 400 miles in a day without discomfort. Top box mount points are built in to the bike, although the high level exhaust is a bit of a dick if you want panniers.

If you want sports tourer, the F800GT has most of the same merits plus belt drive, is faster (not quite up to CBR speeds on the Autobahn), but is a bit heavier. 800mm standard seat, 765mm with the low seat option.

BMW, so don't expect soul. You're coming from a Honda, though.
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[Monkeypony]

'Busa.

low centre of gravity - Check.
Tank range nearer 200 miles than 120 - Check
Comfy for long distance - Check
Still capable of nipping round town - Check.
Luggage options/attachments - Check
Good MPG - Check (ish).
No slouch - Very Check



On a more serious note, I'd echo what others have said about fitting kit to your current bike.

It'll carry you, and your stuff, as far as you want to ride it just as well as most other things!

Even if you get something with a bigger tank or longer range, chances are you'll end up riding with some git who has to stop every 100 miles anyway! (trust me on that...)
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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)

[Twofish]

[McJamweasel]

Tiger 800. 790mm seat height with the factory low seat, and easily able to get to 760mm with a lowering kit. Weight is a bit more than you're used to but carried very well. 200+mile tank range. Loads of luggage options. 96bhp and more torque than your Honda.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[Matt B]

[Twofish]

[Rogerborg]

[McJamweasel]

[Polarbear]

[Twofish]

Had an interesting day yesterday...unfortunately had to take the dog so in the car with no gear = no test rides.

Narrowed it down to these the most suitable genuine small sporty tourer types for short and feeble female arses:

BMW F800 GT (wide seat, so extra low option required :-/)
Yammy 2013 Fazer 8 - narrow standard seat and light to handle from the ground
VFR 800 (2014, lowest seat setting) - heavier but low centre of gravity

Anyone know of a garage that have all three in stock so I can play?!

Couldn't find a Tiger 800 ABS with the fabled 81cm seat. Going past a Triumph dealer later this week though.

[ADSrox0r]

VFR is heavy, but only when you're manhandling it around backwards and such. On the road it swings comfortably and if you know her well enough she'll even dance a bit
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[johnakay]

why not a ER6F good little bike and has a range of 140 miles before fill up.
they're low enough and light compared to 4 cylinders bikes.
or a NC700S/750S again this is a twin but much better mpg .
has a 200 or miles range befor fill.
I've got the X model ,I didn't like them at 1st but once I sat and ridden(dct model) I was sold and never looked back .
but this might be a bit tall for you and that is why I mention the 'S' model lower etc.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/honda/nc700s/2012/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motorbikes/9297461/Honda-NC700S-review.html

https://www.motorcycle.com/rider-safety/motorcycle-beginner-year-two-2013-honda-nc700s-review-91419.html
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