Older, cheaper tourers

[Kris]

Hi all

I've been looking at hiring a big tourer this year to explore Scotland and am currently looking at around £5-600 quid for a week's hire.

Now, whilst not being an absolute bargain I do think it may suit some to hire rather than buy an expensive equivalent (I'm talking newish FJR1300 etc) and then have the associated ownership costs which do add up.

But, I have seen a fair few cheapish older tourers like the FJ1200 and XJ900 (complete with panniers and topboxes) for around the £700-1000 mark on Fleabay as well as older plod bikes like pan Euros etc.

Now, has anyone had any experience with buying older tourers like this and are they a worthwhile ownership proposition?

Any tips?

Ta muchly
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Chriss]

Is the idea to buy it, tour, and then sell it on again?
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[McJamweasel]

Also consider the Triumph Trophy. Barndoor fairings, big panniers as standard and all-day comfort. The 900 may be a little underpowered if you're going 2 up but the 12 has more than enough shove. They are a little top heavy but then so are the Pan and FJ. They handle pretty well too, the original one was a sports tourer before they facelifted them in (IIRC '96).

They are pretty reliable, just have a listen to the starter. If you try and start them with a weak battery you can kill the starter clutch, which can be an £800 repair depending on which engine it is (some require the cases to be split to get to it.

The main thing that lets them down as a proper tourer is chain drive, but a scottoiler soon sorts that.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[Itchy]

There is a triumph trophy at Speedy for £800 they will MOT it for you , FSH , nobody wants it though its got 34K on the clocks.
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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.

[stinkwheel]

Possible to find a ZZR1100 speedbarge in that sort of price range too.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kris]

[Kris]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Never ridden an FJ, but known a few people with them. Engines were meant to be very solid and the handling is fine. Seat pretty low and wide, with a flat bit behind the seat that is convenient to sticking luggage on.

FJ was originally sold as a sports bike, until the FZ750 came out a year later when Yamaha started to sell it as a sport tourer, and later increased it to 1200cc.

Only real problems I have heard are typical Yamaha issues from about then. Finish on the frame isn't great, brakes seize up quickly, but generally OK. Loads of low down torque. Massive fuel tank.

The Trophy sounds similar, except the issue of the starter clutch failing (which is normally an engine strip). Rode an early 1200 many years ago and again it had loads of low down torque. Seat quite high. Tank massive. By all accounts pretty solid bikes. Compared to a ZZR1100 I rode at about the same time, from low revs in a high gear the Triumph would slaughter the ZZR.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[McJamweasel]

[b-f-c]

If you go down the route of an FJ12 or FJ11, check the gearbox issue on early models. Prone to 2nd popping out of gear under heavy load.

Yet to see it myself, but still known to occur.

FJ's are real buses. Full of grunt and go on all day. Never had any real issues with mine, just tends to be the age that gets the better of them - bit more maintenance required. Cleaning carbs, freeing off seized brakes, etc.

Pretty much all bits available - just depends on what you want to pay.
eGay seems to be the best source for bikes, as the OC site seems to have them priced high - due to mods and OC servicing. There's a few out there in your price range, although some are still fetching £1500 upwards. Second hand bits always available

[Polarbear]

I've had both FJ1200 and ZZR1100 and they are very similar bikes to ride with similar riding positions. The FJ is not a sit up and beg riding position, but is fine for long distances, as is the ZZR.

I have had 3 FJ12's and no real problems with any of them, just normal wear aqnd tear and bits wearing out as they do on an older bike. Thee ZZR I had was OK, but had a few electrical gremlins. It was a 1990 bike though.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Seb]

You should be able to get your hands on a ~2001 Futura with it's original fitted luggage for 2 grand, far more comfortable over long distances than the ZZR600 it replaced without being a huge old barge either. They really are insanely undervalued, especially at the moment.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Tiff]

What about a Kwak GTR1000, plenty about under a grand, panniers, huge fairing and detuned GPZ1000RX engine, so a fair bit of go too.

https://www.kawasaki-gtr1000.co.uk/
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1996 Kawasaki GPZ1100s,1996 VFR750,1980 BMW R80,1982 Kwak Z250B,1992 ZZR1100C,1996 BMW K1100LT,1994 Kwak ZZR600E,1993 BMW R1100RS,1992 ZZR 600D,1988 BMW K100LT,1998 Aprilia Pegaso 650,1994 Suzuki RF900,1991 Yamaha XJ600, 1988 Honda Dominator,1992 Kwak KMX125,1987 Yamaha RD50MX,1984 Honda MBX50.1984 Honda Superdream 125

[motobiker]

[ram_doom]

Old Ducati ST?
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TL1000s, KDX200

[Sir Black Pig]

My winter bike is a 1995 Divvy 900 (shafter) with 56K on the clock. It has none of the problems that people have attributed to the Yamaha, it does 160-180 to the tank and it pulls like a fuckin' train.

It cost me £700 last autumn it gets used every day and I love it. With a new set of lasertecs I can drive it like a hooligan irrespective of the weather...
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Eurotrip 2009
Sportugal 2010

[Kris]

Righty, ta muchly for all your replies. Very helpful so given.



I've been offered a Yamaha FJ1100 on a 'D'plate with 50k miles, original condition never crashed - 2 owners, been stood for over 2 years and slight camchain rattle (camchain easy to replace on these models apparently) but no luggage. (Bit like bike in pic) £700

Or a MOT'd & taxed slightly younger (E plate methinks) FJ1100 with 55k miles with full luggage and good running order but minor stonechips and small scratches. £1400

Any tips, suggestions etc? The project sounds tempting and I'm guessing luggage could be sourced from fleabay quite reasonably, no?


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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[b-f-c]

[Kickstart]

Hi

The £700 one could be a pain to sort. Depends on details though (eg, tyres), and suspect you could get cheaper ones. The £1400 one sounds a bit pricey compared to the prices of later 1200 when I last looked about a year ago.

Looking on Autotrader now there are 13 of then for sale starting at £495. £1400 looks like it would get a nice 1200 with ~35k from a dealer, but no luggage.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing