Cheapest Sports Tourer

[A100man]

Not really in the market but I'm always bike-curious.. what would be the general consensus for a sport tourer for European jaunts - 600-1000cc and less than 1500 quid*.

My FZ750 is now 30+ years old and is developing niggles - probably through lack of use. It also seems to be creeping up in value slowly so no longer 'cheap'.

Thudercats still look cheap for example and RFx00s but what else?

* Yes I know - too cheap, asking for trouble will cost £££s to recommission etc..
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[Weisse Schlange]

ZXR1200 Busa , Blackbird ZZR100 / 1200
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Hing Oan

[arry]

[ThatDippyTwat]

VFR750/800 with average plastics. Mileage doesn't bother these, as long as oil is done regularly. More sporty, than tourer, though it'll never be harassing fireblades and GSXR's.
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'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[droog]

You should look at either the ZX9R or the the Thunderace 1000 - I had a Thunderace so I can talk about that - you should be able to find one around the 1500 mark.

It looks slabby and kind of bulbous but is a lot lighter and handles a lot better than it looks.

I got mine used with 14k on the clock - I got it up to about 40k - mainly commuting in and out of the smoke - before It got written off - mine was ultra reliable and tough and it never let me down.

It's got a stonking engine with loads of power, decent mid-range and a blistering top end.

It was good at everything - very fast and planted at speed - but also suprisingly good at carving through congested London traffic.

It's got a big comfortable seat - so is good two up - and the riding position while being on the sporty side of things is comfortable - you are not scrunched up on it like later sports bikes.

Exup valve is prone to seizing if it's not lubed with high temp grease.

[A100man]

[Fisty]

What's your budget?
The gen1 busa makes an amazing sports tourer.
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Polarbear]

As above. Wonderful tourers.

But cheapy...

900 Divvy if you can get one in reasonable nick. Shaft drive and not a physically big bike from what I remember.

FJ1200, latest version with luggage.

In fact, anything with hard luggage.

Early adventure bike - 650 Jap, 955i Tiger, that sort of thing.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[chickenstrip]

https://i.postimg.cc/bvtd5fdc/DSCN0225.jpg

Of course
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Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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[weasley]

My Thundercat was an ace tourer - 180+ miles on a tank*, all-day comfortable, reliable as the sunrise, cheap to own and run, big, weather-shrugging fairing... and £1,500 gets one of the newer, better ones out there. It’s not a classic ‘tourer’ but it does the job well, although you’ll have to work out luggage options - Givi and Nonfango did topbox racks for them but they aren’t easy to find - there were no hard pannier options but I managed at first with softies, then with just a topbox and auxiliary strapons when extra was needed.

*except that one time I was racing to get an earlier ferry and kept up a 90-100mph average speed across Germany, Belgium and France - was a bit surprised to see the fuel light at 140 miles. Missed the ferry by about 5 minutes too.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[martin734]

You might just be able to find a scruffy early 90's Pan European for that price.
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Current bike: ST1100 "Big Red"

[jeffyjeff]

+1 on the Pan European. Might have to look around more than you'd like. These bikes are a little on the porky side, but they are stealth bombers, reliable as a hammer, and they run forever.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[MarJay]

VFR800Fi (Pre VTEC).

End of thread.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[jeffyjeff]

[chickenstrip]

[Kentol750]

1500 buys you nothing anymore! Projects and hyper miles maybe.
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Some bikes.

[A100man]

Thanks all good suggestions and everyone likes a what would you buy if thread, right?

I did an ebay trawl and came across this model which I'm not familiar with...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Kawasaki-Z750S/254851471149

Seems to be in the modus of a Fazer but half way house between 600 and 1000.
Not so much sports but obviouslys no adv either...

.. and yes I am the sort of tit that would take a gamble on a non-runner.
____________________
Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[MarJay]

[ThatDippyTwat]

[Irezumi]

Consider an Aprilia Falco. Around £1500 should get you a decent one, more to the sports side but found mine comfortable for long days. Can do a bar conversion for those from a Tuono for more comfort.

[A100man]

Good tips..

No rational reason but Ive never fancied VFRs - Aprilia mind you...
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[wr6133]

I'd look for ZZR600, VFR800, VFR750 maybe even GSXF 750 (in that order).

£1500 will if you look hard enough get an ok-good example of any of those, you'll just have to look hard and not focus on 1 model.

Get a decent example of any of them and they will do silly mileages while hauling loads of stuff and be fairly low cost/effort to keep on the road.

[bacon]

[1198]

How about an early ZZR110?

[Duffy1964]

I picked up a FJ1200 on a 91 plate with one owner from new and a mere 37,000 miles on it for £1000.

I had one 25years ago and they pull like a train and great 2 up with luggage and real mile munchers.

I appreciate they are pretty old now, but they are pretty bullet proof .