Tourer - give me your thoughts

[Adam_P]

OK, so, I've done a couple of track days and I'm not keen. Fun though they are, it's not my bag.

I've done a couple of trips to France on the bike though and I like it, lots. So, I'm starting to look at possibly getting a new bike (funds permitting) to do plenty of touring on over the next few years.

I'd like some thoughts on others that have uber-tourers on what you've got, how good it is, good/bad points etc.

I'm not sure what to get, but I know it needs to have plenty of grunt and needs to be comfortable 1 or 2 up touring.

Thanks
Adam
____________________
Colin McRae MBE 1968 - 2007 RIP
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
God is imaginary

[feef]

I can highly recommend the FJR1300.

If you make comparisons...

the Pan Euro is a full on tourer.

The VFR is a sporty bike that is a capable tourer

the FJR sits somewhere in between

It handles surprisingly well for a big bike, and is incredibly rapid. It's also very comfy 2-up.

Some folk find the Pan too cramped if they are tall, due to the shape of the fairing causing it to bang their knees.

The only bad point I can find on the FJR is that it coud do with a 6th gear.. but that being said, 90mph is still between 5 - 6000 RPM so it's hardly stressing it. Above 100 - 120 it starts to get a bit of a weave if you've got the panniers on, due to aerodynamics, but that's not really an issue in practical terms.

a
____________________
Mudskipper wrote: feef, that is such a beautiful post that it gave me a lady tingle
Windchill calculator - London Bike parking
Blog and stuff - PlentyMoreFish dating

[Dave_ZedDragen]

That is a difficult question as it is really a personal choice. Really you can tour on any bike, but when looking for a specific tourer you need to consider what type you would like as there are many different types and some suite certain types of touring better than others.

sport tourer such as a VFR or honda blackbird, capable of covering straight distances very fast.

large trailie for adventuring and doing some small off roading such as a BMW 1100 GS or Honda Varadero, and also having some fun on twisty roads and having a high sit up position

large dedicated tourer such as a pan european or even a goldwing

cruiser such as a "Harley " or a Triumph Rocket 3

Torquey muscle bike such as the FJR1300 or the ZRX1200

All rounder capable of touring such as Fazer 1000 or Bandit 1200

Different bikes have different sitting positions such as the trailies are higher sit-up positions, the sports tourers are more bent forwards. Cruisers offer a feet forward position.

I myself am looking around at getting a BMW1100GS but I have my heart on one day getting to North Africa...also my girlfriend likes the pillion seats on them better than any other bike we have sat on . It is a bike capable of carrying lots of gear and two up easily.

In your picture it looks like a fazer600, that bike is more than capable of what you need, maybe consider keeping it and using it until you really find a bike that you want that suits your needs
____________________
Dave_ZedDragen - (2005)Z1000

https://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt306/zeddragen/zeddragensig-1.jpg

[feef]

[Will87]

I can only reiterate what everyone has said regarding the different choices available to you, it simply depends on what your after and of course the budget you have to play with. I can however offer my oppinion on two of the bikes i have ridden, these being the VFR800 (pre-vtech) and the pan-European ST1300.

VFR800 - My bike and well what can i say, it's an ace workhouse, with the ability to leave alot of unsuspecting people behind yet happy to bimble about on the motorways. You can easily sit on the bike and rackup as many miles as you want, the tank range is around 140-180 depending on how you ride. The handling isn't as lighting fast as most sports bikes, but it's very neutral and even inspiring confidence, also due to an almost linear power deliver, applying the power effectively is extremely easy. Pottering blow 5k can still see 70mph in top, but open the bike up from 5.5k to red line when it's on cam and it just goes!

ST1300 - Now this isn't my bike, it's my fathers but i have managed to take it out for a play or two and what i can say is it is a very capable bike but slightly weird when you first climb on board. Due to the mass centralisation the weight is very low in this bike meaning that you have to adapt to the way it handles, however once you have adapted to the handling it's easy to see why it's a popular bike. The seating position is extremely comfortable especially with the adjustment, the power and it's delivery is super slick just helping to make the ride even smoother!

[Peirre oBollox]

I was faced with a similar choice last year
I narrowed it down to: the FJR 1300 @£10k, BMW 1200, or Triumph Sprint ST 1050 @ £8K
since I like to go for a blast at weekends and weekly bike meets. 90% of the time I won`t need a full on tourer.
so deffo not a gold wing wing
on price and customisability (?) the triumph beats the FJR which is expensive and comes with a limited number of options to adapt to my spec, and the BMW is too lall for me at 5`6" even with its seemingly unlimited number of options

So I bought the Triumph, had the OEM panniers, alarm, gel seat and aero screen fitted for under £9k, I`ve since had a starcom, R&G mushrooms and OEM higher bars fitted. I`ve now got a bike that I can go and thrash, and then load up and go to rallies and also go touring around europe on
____________________
I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

[sceats]

[EuropeanNC30R...]

It suppose it depends on what kind of touring you want to do.

Any light green-lane type ideas, trips into Morocco, something with longer suspension might be the ticket.

If you like to go places fast without compromising comfort too much a VFR?

If you like getting along, reasonably fast cornering, enjoying the experience but not cruising at speed maybe a streetbike such as a hornet, fazer?

[natv4]

If you end up looking at the VFRs, I would suggest you consider the older 750's or 800's. They tend to get better fuel eco (circa 200 miles per tank / 50+mpg).

I picked up my last one for £2800 with luggage, bar risers, and corbin seat (extra comfy, though original is fine). Only 11k miles.

I am currently looking for a backup bike and certainly have no problem looking at VFRs with 50k+ miles as they are still reliable and will live a long time.

They are well balanced, but I would mention that the position is still part way between tourer and sports bike (slightly forward, slightly on the wrists). I can see that as I get older I will want something more upright, but for now its a nice compromise which allows me to get there and then have fun as well.

Tyres last around 8000 miles (020's) and give good feel. The bike tends to look after you. Servicing is not as expensive as you would think. Change the oil regularly and check the valves only if your engine is noisy (you will know because normally the are like kylie, silky smooth).

Givi make luggage for it, which makes things easy. I've heard of people taking them to all sorts of places. I certainly can't think of anywhere I wouldn't take my own.

Another bike to consider would be BMW GS (650 or 1100/1150/1200). A very comfy long distance tourer (though not particularly good off-roader).
____________________
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

[Dave_ZedDragen]

Yes feef, I see you spotted the...ahem..... deliberate mistake
____________________
Dave_ZedDragen - (2005)Z1000

https://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt306/zeddragen/zeddragensig-1.jpg

[phk6]

id like a gs or a ktm adventure for touring
____________________
Current .. 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure ..
Before .. 2003 Yamaha Fazer 1000 .. 2004 Kawazaki Z1000 .. 2003 Suzuki Sv1000s .. 1999 zx6r Track Bike .. 1999 CB 500 Cup ..
/Phil

[Adam_P]

Thanks for the replies already. I've already got a Fazer complete with hard givi luggage which I've done some UK and France trips on.

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f204/Adam_P/APPAN01.jpg

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f204/Adam_P/APPAN02.jpg



It's just that two up, it's going to end up being a bit gutless when I do more stuff across europe. I'm planning on going over to Italy in August with the better half on the back and I'll see just how well it gets on then. It'll be the first time we've had all the luggage on with us both on the bike. It's fine with me by myself. I may have to get her pushed into doing her test so she can transport herself there!
____________________
Colin McRae MBE 1968 - 2007 RIP
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
God is imaginary

[Dave_ZedDragen]

[Finglonga]

R1150GS, all day comfort for rider and pillion.

Shaft drive, proper luggage, proper tank range(even longer if you get the ADV), simple to fix on the side of the road if it ever breaks down, easy to service.

Comes with its own tool kit and puncture repair kit. Can be taken off road and through fords, the dirtier it is the better it looks.

Bigger than most cars, its amazing how they get out the way when they see you coming.

Only down side is the clunky gearbox, but after the first two hours you ever ride one you get the hand of changing gears.
____________________
Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Keef]

lots of good bikes mentioned above

you already have the panniers and rack . just get your self a new fitting kit £30 and one of these .
will do everything you want and more
https://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb310/keithv_photo/CNV00022.jpg

[Kenny Dave]

I've just got back from a 4k 2 week trip to the south of Italy on a 1998 FZS600 and thought it was excellent. Pretty good through the fun roads, and pretty good for getting through the distances. The 2 problems I'd say is that top isn't long enough for high speeds down the payage, and the seat isn't brilliant.

[winwick]

stuff i've tried. (but neccersarily owned)
VFR750,
nice bike capable,gave me aches and severe pains in my hips and knees due to riding position being to sporty.

BM1150gs,
only a short ride but comfort wasnt to good for me,more of a posuers bike than a tourer.

Pan euro.
very very good,comfy,smooth,found it easy to ride.the perfect tourer

Kawaski ZR7 (naked with givi screen)
suprisingly good, more usable power than 600's, comfy for rider and pillion for 200+ mile days.

Triumph trophy 1200.
Almost as good as the pan, very comfyfor all day riding at any speed, great weather protection,loads of luggage capacity,
needs a shaft drive but scott oiler adds to chain life.best thing is they were never as popular as pans or BMW's so you can pick up really good ones for around 1500 quid.

my advice. keep the fazer for the day to day stuff and get a used trophy1200

[Dave ett]

Also consider the FJ1200. Even the newest will be rather old now, but still excellent at the job of hauling two all day long.

I've had my FJ1100 for 17 years, and have run up nearly 100,000 miles on it.

Now have a Blackbird too, and it's insanely fast, though the standard riding position would kill my wrists were I to ride it all day long. It's also less 'intimate' for the pillion, since you sit more hunched over the bars, and there's a bigger gap between you.

How much you have to spend is the decider really...
____________________
Dave E.

[gvb]

Hi Adam,
Only just joined the forum hence reply now. I heartily agree with Feef. If you want a bike to cover the miles in relative comfort (and fast) you are going to struggle to get better than the FJR1300.

I have an old one(2001) and it is superb. The only thing I am not over the moon with is fuel consumption, still I suppose you can't have everything.

Cheers,
____________________
GVBYAM

[Itchy]

I'd actually say pre 05 CBR600F, its nippy it had good peformance and handles v well , it you ever manage to find a spot to stay in you can take the luggage off and you have quite a good sports bike, while with say an FJR and or a VFR though they are excellent tourers you can't just like take off 50kilos off the weight and ride em like a sports bike, + sports bikes teach you to bring less.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Brock]

Another vote for the ST1100 pan European, have owned mine for 2 years and have put serious milage on it. Comfy fast and good on fuel 40mpg no matter how it is ridden. Parts are expensive though

[sagalout]

[niff5855]

I toured on a ZX6R for 10 days and found it plently comfy.............................Except for the last 600 mile stint back home.

This wasnt a sarcastic post by the way.
____________________
Live fast - die....erm...well...old !!!

[feef]

[niff5855]

____________________
Live fast - die....erm...well...old !!!