Best sport tourer for 3000 ponds?

[BillyJ]

I'm currently looking at a VFR800 with vtec, FI and givi boxes.

Any thoughts?

In order of importance:
Comfort including pillion
Performance
Luggage
Coolness
Range


In case you didn't read the title, I'm willing to spend 3k on said motorcycle, but that would have to be an almost perfect one, or hold its value really well.
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Had: '06 CBR125R + '01 GSF600 + '07 SPRINT ST 1050 + '80 CB250 RSA + '93 Ducati 900SS
Have: '13 GSXR-1000 + '01 CB500S
"The aryan confuser"

[RigsVille]

The VFR800 is a great bike and you won't go wrong getting one of them. (I've had 1)

How about Triumph Sprint ST (I've had 2 and preferred them over the VFR)
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-- Rig
www.RigsVille.com

[BillyJ]

[c_dug]

I have the vfr, it seems perfect for sports touring purposes. I'd also consider the sprint and the f800s (or St).

My issue with the VFR is the ridiculously expensive servicing costs. Also £3k won't get you a mint low miler by any means.

If it's exclusively for touring on nice roads, id be tempted to look at something like a blackbird or zzr12: https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-03-Kawasaki-ZZR1200-C2H-1200cc-Supersport-Blue-Luggage-Very-Low-Mileage-/252326074403?nav=SEARCH
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[bladeblaster]

Superblackbird - will hold its value almost indefinately, cool in black, fast as anyone could possibly ever need and handles.
VFR - will also hold is value forever, bit of an old mans bike though, not cool.
ZZR1400 - Super cool and absolute rocket ship, can just about get one for 3k at a push, will devalue faster than VW shares.

[diesel dog]

[inline4]

I've got a Blackbird and can confirm that it's a sublime tourer and stupid fast.

Having said that if you can find an early ZZR1400 for 3 to 3.5k then that would be a better choice.

An 06/07 blackbird will be the last ones in the production run and might be more expensive than an equal mileage zzr of the same year. A quick check on Autotrader should confirm this.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Aprilia Futura and Ducati ST models are worth a mention. I'd also consider an early Multistrada if you like the looks, although the sporting credentials are limited.

Good bikes (apart from the Ducati's infuriating steering lock), but getting a bit old now so will need to find a well looked after model.

After market parts to modify it to your preference will be hard to get hold of so would have to track down one already with luggage.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[arry]

My Sprint could be for sale at that price

[ADSrox0r]

Don't get an '01 to '06 VTEC.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[Silver_Fox]

[flat spot]

Spend £1500 get a nice tidy FJ1200 and use the other £1500 for the holiday.

[diesel dog]

I liked my Sprint. Good all rounder and good on fuel. Major downside is if you use main dealer for servicing - the 12k miles service can be eye watering.
Stories of sprag clutches and eating reg/rectifiers are no unheard of. Get a decent after market can on it and they sound well. I'd get another one of the spec and price was right.
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MT10

[Enduro Numpty]

£3000 should get you a fairly tidy FJR1300. Fast, comfortable, seriously reliable and the best all round bike I've owned in over 35 years of riding. 500 miles in a day just isn't enough

ps..Don't be put off by high mileage, they are good for it if properly maintained.

[Nope.]

I'd go for a blackbird.

Great all rounder, Honda reliability, very comfy to ride and to pillion on, easy to fit luggage too, feckin' quick when you want them to be but also very easy to ride around town.

Can easily pick up a very tidy example for well within budget
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Former: Derbi GP1 50, Sachs XTC 125, Suzuki GSXR 400 GK73A, Kawasaki ZX7R, Suzuki DR250, Yamaha RD350
Current: 2011 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré, 2003 Yamaha YZR-R1 5PW (In Build), 2009 Kawasaki ZZR1400

[Jmh600]

Vfr 800 is a definite yes in my book. Love them. Such great engines!

Just bought my other half a vfr400 for me to do up for the total some of £100 (and it's not hot!).....

Love the v4s
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Jmhmotorcycles

[Silver_Fox]

How did you find a 400 for £100
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CBR600 F3 FV
CG125

[Jmh600]

[c-m]

I'd choose a Triumph Sprint 1050 if you can find one.

The VFR is poor on fuel, and as mentioned the servicing costs aren't great. Likewise the Aprila Futura is abysmal on fuel and has other problems like a weak charging system.

[BillyJ]

I am currently leaning towards the Sprint....

How does it compare to the typical contenders?
____________________
Had: '06 CBR125R + '01 GSF600 + '07 SPRINT ST 1050 + '80 CB250 RSA + '93 Ducati 900SS
Have: '13 GSXR-1000 + '01 CB500S
"The aryan confuser"

[Silver_Fox]

I have friends with both a VFR and a Sprint ST (955i), although I've only ridden the VFR so far. More forward a riding position than I'd expect for a touring machine, even with the sports tourer tag
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CBR600 F3 FV
CG125

[Dave V4]

loved my zzr1200 for touring or Sunday rides, very quick solo or 2up and so easy to ride either on the motorway or in the twisty bits. Never had the following of the bird or the ST but still a great touring bike. I fitted an Ivan's jet kit along with a new rear shock and the handling and power(150bhp or so at the wheel) were more than enough for anything thrown at it.
They can be had with low mileage well within your budget and leave enough for a few upgrades should you so wish, so simple to work on and very reliable.

[talkToTheHat]

I borrowed a friend's VFR800, an old pre-vtech one. Engine and gearbkg were great, very smooth and controlled feeling, easily fired down the road in hoolingan mode without fighting the bike or getting beaten up by it. I found the riding position gave me a bit of wrist pain, which is odd as more agressive bikes havent, but adjusting to a different bike always hurts me somewhere so i suspect it would have been temporary. Nothing else hurt which was a good sign.

I think something was up with the linked brakes as the rear pedal felt wooden and ineffectual, the front brakes were strong but the feeling was vague. It felt a bit nervous and odd over bumps. I didnt feel much sag at the rear so i suspect the preload was cranked right up. Either way the bike did not feel as settled to ride or as confidence inspiring as i think a sport tourer should. I think this was a bad example of the bike, but ride these things before you buy. I was offered said vfr for sensible money when my XV535 broke and i turned it down. I might have been able to get it to feel right but i wasnt going to put cash down on a bike i might be able to get feeling right.

A sport tourer should be fast and sharp handling enough to be engaging and justify the sport part and comfortable and planted enough to ride all day without unnecessary pain or worrying whether the bike is going to stop or come out of the corner.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Val]

How about Honda CBF1000 and Yamaha FZ1S.
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Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[winz]

For the money, you can't go far wrong with a Blackbird.

Very comfy 2 up and luggage options. Can be super quick when you want it to be or just idle around in second around town. I picked mine up for under £2000, could get a newer one for your budget.
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