Good touring bike for beginner

[landor]

Hi everyone, my first message so hello everyone.

I have recently past my direct access and at the grand old age of 50 I'm looking at getting my firdt touring bike. I quite like the look and feel of the Honda NT 700 Deauville but was wondering if people could recommend any decent tourers and why?

Cheers

[Monkeypony]

Honda VFR 750/800

Makes a good noise, fun to ride, not too heavy, comfortable over long distances, inexpensive to buy, great all rounder.

Job done.
____________________
Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[The Shaggy D.A.]

What's your idea of touring? What type of roads? How far? For how long? Pillion? Wild camping, glamping or hotel?
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Oldie]

The Deauville is a sensible choice although the older 650 is every bit as good as the newer 700. If you end up going for one try and make sure that it's got the wide panniers, as the stock ones are a bit cramped. A post 2000? bike will have the newer reg/rec (the old ones were more prone to failure) although you could just carry a second hand spare with you. The 650's also have a more reliable final drive - quite a few reports coming through about lack of Moly on the 700's. Stuff like that can be checked though if you take the back wheel off, and most will be fine.

Cheap to buy, easy to sell on, good all rounder for what you'll probably need it for.

[thx1138]

yeah, you might want to avoid bikes that have the petrol cap in no traditional locations, if you are planning on loading your bike up with tents and bungees etc

it's a real ball ache taking it all off to fill up

[struan80]

Hello, congratulations on your test. Now the joyous search for a bike, enjoy

No useful advise from me regarding bike choice unfortunately I've got heart rule head mentality and somehow have a VFR1200FA as beginner tourer.....

Get a bike that comes with luggage as it's pretty expensive add on.

[c_dug]

The immediate thought that pops into my head when I think of a beginner friendly tourer is the dullsville.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[landor]

[landor]

[bamt]

Another one to look out for is the Yamaha Diversion 900 (XJ900S). Shaft drive, very reliable, comfy 2 up, nice even power delivery and usually come with full hard luggage - which, unlike the deauville, you can easily remove from the bike either to take into the B&B or just to use the bike without big bags on it.

[thx1138]

yeah and if shopping second hand, often worth paying a few quid more to get one with luggage, than paying the full asking price to fit luggage onto one without

[Polarbear]

Deauville or 900 Diversion are both good starter touring bikes.

As said, get a 900 with a full set of decent hard luggage and a Deauville with a top box. The cost to retro fit decent stuff is pretty horrendous.

A VFR has been put forward. Nice enough bike except chain drive which is not my choice for a touring bike.
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[daifuco]

I have no idea but a BMW F800ST might be a good choice

[johnnyarctic]

whats the budget?

vstrom 650? dead upright, comfortable, good mpg, and not a deauville.
____________________
Current Ride: VFR750

[landor]

[Polarbear]

This looks cheap, although I wonder why he hasn't put the milage.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-HONDA-DEAUVILLE-NT-700-VA-NEW-SHAPE-56-PLATE-FULL-LUGGAGE-ABSOLUTE-BARGAIN-/171821127310?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item280156568e
____________________
Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[landor]

[Polarbear]

[Matt B]

[Val]

[Polarbear]

[landor]

Thanks everyone. It's good to see the different ideas and suggestions. I'm a bit too long in the tooth for anything too exciting and I'm looking at doing some serious mile crunching.

Val I think you hit the nail on the head, try a few and make a choice.

I think I'm in polar bears camp with the Deauville, boring to some but we're not all the same and 1 mans boring is another mans adventure.

I'll come back on and let you know how I get on.

thanks again

[Matt B]

[landor]

Well I went to collect a Honda NT650 Deauville today.

It's exactly what I want, decent but requires xome work but I was after a bit of a project. The engine sounds sweet although the bodywork requires some attention. I reckon a strip down, major service and some TLC to the fairing etc (think I'll do a respray).

I've had a quick jaunt and it rides well. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for all the tips and advice

[Pete.]

There used to be a Dullville with gutted out cans that a guy used to ride with gusto about London and you would be very hard-pressed to keep up with him. They can move along when they want to.
Haven't seen him for awhile, I hope he didn't end up as bus fodder.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good