Touring bike advice.

Dom_ · Points Mean Prizes Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Karma :

VFR800

Black Knight · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Feb 2005 Karma :

I'd certainly consider the VFR's pre Vtec or the of those nice BMW RT's.
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Where does a turn end? 'Where you can do anything with the gas you want to, where you are brave again, where your attention is free from the turn, where you are sure you can do it better next time; that's the end' - Keith Code.

Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

Most bikes you'll see in Europe laden with luggage also sport a BMW badge. Perhaps they have a pipe+slippers or white-helmet image in this country, but they're popular in Europe and appear to be the bikes of choice for European touring.

Whilst shaftdrive is obviously attractive, you should not be adjusting your chain tension too often if you use a chainoiler. I would not let this be the main determining factor.

If you're planning to spend 10weeks at it, I would not have thought motorways would play a huge part in your itinery. Go for something that's enjoyable to ride rather than a straight line missile. Virtually any medium to large bike should be able to cruise at 80mph, which will be fast enough if you are not travelling massive distances inbetween stop-offs(but yes, probably a little frustrating if you're planning to do over 500miles in a day).

Comfort, luggage capacity, and enjoyment should be your main determining factors, in my opinion.
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natv4 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Karma :

I've just done a few thousand on my VFR800. They do the job, I can say that I have done no maintenance to it the whole journey. No chain tightening or oiling. Its been fine. The chain needs a look at now, but other than that the bike is the one thing not to go wrong.

That said, it is a bit forward for my liking. Fine for now, but as I get older, I think I'll need an upright bike. Anything recent, with a reliable motor will do you. Check first that your pillion is comfy, that is the most difficult thing to find on a bike IMHO.

The list you've got seems to have covered all the right bikes. I would add that any bike will do it, but some are more suited (Big Honda and certainly BMW). If you steer clear of smaller bikes (their reliability/quality is always lacking) you will be fine.

My favourite bike for touring, from what I have tried, is probably still a blackbird. The VFR is certainly my favourite all-rounder (commuting and distance).

EDIT: I haven't ridden any BMWs yet, so I presume they would be better?
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

innominate · Brolly Dolly Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Karma :

Well.
Got the new bike already. (Me + cash is a dangerous combination)

Saw an FJR 1300 that I could just not resist.
Yammy panniers, top box & heated grips included.
Meta alarm system.

'01 (none ABS) version, absolutely mint condition, black.
6200 miles on the clock. Picked up for £4500 cash.

I think thats a reasonable price to pay. What do you guys think?
Although I don't care even if I paid over the odds. I am loving the beast on the few small rides I have been out on.

/chuffed
inno
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kev19 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Karma :

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

ZZR Girl · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Jul 2005 Karma :

quacker_boy · Cuddle Bitch Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Karma :

everyone seems to be talking about VFRs and the like.

my old man did a trip from here (dubai, UAE) back to UK covering 14,000 kms total distance all on a 1997 BMW F650 and the only thing that went wrong was the cut off switch that engages when the stand is down (a kind of safety/warning thing) in short these bikes are f*$#@ng bullet proof and don't cost a shag load of money so i'd go with one of these...my dad regrets selling it on to his brother now Laughing

chris