Touring bike recommendations wanted.

[krebsy]

Right, so me and Mrs. K. are looking to spend more time two-up on the bike and touring around the country evry chance we can get. The problem is that the Divvy in't really up to it and I'm after recommendations for a reasonably cheap 2nd hand sports tourer that can take hard and soft luggage, is comfy for the pillion with low rear pegs and is faired. I also want something that will go "Like stink" when there is just me on it but won't be too nutty an upgrade from the 600cc 60BHP I'm currently using.

Any ideas as to what I can pick up for a couple of Grand?

Ta,

K.
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[APNess]

VFR 750 or early 800 springs immediately to mind - been around forever, should be reliable, loads of bits for 'em with regards luggage etc and will get a move on when you want, should be cheap ish to insure to.

Downsides are that most will be big miles and need a service history to make sure all the important stuff done (though I guess most owners will have spent the cash to look after 'em, they are that sort of bike) and DIY is difficult on 'em (which put me off) or so I gather. Plus there are zillions about, popular bike, which is either a good thing (easy to get hold of 2nd hand bits) or a bad thing (lose the bike in a crowd of parked bikes :S )

If you want more power then CBR1000F your budget will easily stretch to one of the best/lower miles provided you can find one, just a bit long in the tooth now. torquey, once the fastest bike in production but now no quicker than a modern 600, should be great for loading up and easy to ride without having to wring it's neck.

ZZR1100 great touring bike, but a bit mad (was fastest bike in world for a while after CBR1000f) thus higher costs insurance, tyres etc.

Thunderace (I have one) was the one I plumped for out of those bikes. Make sure the EXUP valve works and you're laughing - great brakes, great torque, can really shift when needed, cheap to buy and insure.

Or something a little less frantic (the litre bikes only go as fast as you want, but don't need thrashing to get a move on, which is why I got one).

ZZR600, Thundercat, CBR600f, Suzuki GSX F (in various engine sizes) all around 90 ish hp.

Those are off the top of my head without really having to think too hard. Others will come up with suggestions I'm sure.

[AcIdBuRnZ]

GSXR-750 - my other half says it's the comfiest bike she's ever been on!

I had a ZZR600 previous and before that an ER-5..........

Only problem is fitting luggage to it is a bitch
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Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[bazza]

Look for bikes with ST in their name. Biketrader has a few Ducati STs around the £2 - £2.5K mark.

Or a GSX750F.


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[Dave_ZedDragen]

Id say the VFR too

There is also the Triumph sprint st, although the triumph daytona is actually supposed to have done the job better so that is worth considering too.

Along the same sort of lines as your divvy also consider the bandit which can be bought with a fairing, and also the fazer 600 and 1000(the 1000 especially is a very capable and practical bike and fully up for touring and 'going like stink' when not touring or two-up)

For touring i'd personally look at the large trailies such as triumph tiger, BMW GS, Honda africa twin, Aprilia caponord etc etc.....older ones can go quit cheap and are easy enough to find.
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Dave_ZedDragen - (2005)Z1000

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[doggone]

Bandit 1200s are good despite their hooligan image.
Very comfortable even all day.
Shaft drive is desireable however.

[stinkwheel]

You can fit a phenomenal amount of luggage on and in a ZZR1100, I've watched one being unpacked shortly after it came honking past me at 150+mph.

There's enough space under the seat to carry all the ingredients and utensils required to make a proper curry from scratch (including stuff like a chopping board and a frying pan).

Big lardy Triumph Trophy 1200?

[Ratbag]

I have a Bandit 1200s and have been all over Britain and round France with it and it has done a superb job for me.
The engine is very flexible and has more than enough go about it even two up.
There are other advantages they can be picked up well within your price bracket often with very little mileage on them.
They are reasonably cheap to insure and are easy to service yourself if like me you enjoy doing such things and finally there are loads of cheap spares available as well as a welter of mods you can make to the bike.
I have fitted givi luggage which in my opinion is essential for comfortable touring, a hugger which keeps the crud off the shock Renthal bars help no end with the handling. braided hoses improve the braking and a can which helps things breath a little more freely.
The next plan is for a scottoiler.
Hope this helps
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Cheers
Ratbag

[colin1]

these days you can get a blackbird for £1500 on ebay as all the guys with cash want a busa instead

so if it were me id be thinking blackbird, vfr750, or tiger (although i suspect they might not be so good for pillion)

and then there is the big tourers such as trophy, pan european, and even goldwing but i dont think you want those as they arent so nimble for having fun on

id say a scottoiler is worth getting for touring if you arent getting shaft drive
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[Steve H]

Prior to the NEW Sprint ST the VFR was arguably the tourers favourite - if you've got a tight budget then I'd go for the VFR. Plenty about and spares are very easy to come by
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The BCF Top TEN - 2010, 2009, 2008, The Original.

[BorderHooner]

I'm thinking of buying a deauville as a second bike, for carrying the missus about on and generally farting about on.

I know theyre pants bikes, but shaft drive, comfy and storage come very cheaply in a canny little package.

If I were you I'd sell the divvy and buy yersel a sports / sports tourer and a deauville. makes so much sense.
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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[APNess]

[colin1]

ive seen a few for £1500 though they wdnt be to everyones taste, as one was imported from spain, and the other had cosmetic damage

looks like this one isnt gonna meet its reserve, but it give you an idea of what people are willing to pay

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/R-REG-HONDA-CBR1100-BLACKBIRD_W0QQitemZ220014893120QQihZ012QQcategoryZ9806QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

17hours to go and i doubt it will reach £2000

i wouldnt call 48000miles high on that sort of bike

loads on ebay all the time

£1500 isnt unrealistic
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[_Will_]

Why is the divvy not up to it? All ive ever heard is that you wont get much more of a better mile muncher, Have you thought about the 900?
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[krebsy]

Thanks for the recommendations, I was looking at the ZZR at the bike show last year and have seen a few VFR's about here or there.

The Divvy is a 600 and is underpowered quite frankly for me now, especially with two of us on it. I have seen a 900 advertised locally with 45K on it and complete with full hard luggage. I might check it out as well.

K.
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[feef]

what's your budget?

if you can stretch to it, I can HIGHLY recommend the FJR1300.

Comfy 2-up : check
plenty of luggage: check
goes like stink: check!!!!!

early models are going for around the £4k mark.

supremely comopetent bike, and I love embarassing sprot bike riders on mine

a
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[krebsy]

A 1000cc plus bike is a little out of my league at the moment, what with costs and threats of impending death at the hands of Mrs. K if I go nuts and buy a monster of a bike.

Seriously though, just looking for a 600-850 sized bike that will sit both of us more comfortably than the Divvy (especially for her), will either have or take a rear rack and box and some sports panniers if possible. The budgets whatever I can get for the Divvy (35k, new motad 4-1, rear hugger, new tyres, Givi Monorack etc.) and possably up to another Grand.

K.
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What's my New Year's resolution?

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[feef]

[colin1]

yeah but he still wants something a bit exciting to ride by himself and with a bit of pull like a vfr750

i wouldnt be surprised if the dullsville had less power than the divvy he has at the moment
fine for not scaring the missus but not so good for a quick blast
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[krebsy]

Did look at the Deauville and it looked a bit too "Middle-aged" for my liking.. .

Trying now to source a ZZR 600 or bigger for under 2 grand with a givi rack...

K.
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[Johnny GSX-R]

I would 100% go for the Blackbird.

Me and the Mrs racked up 24,000 on ours which included Europe at very very high speeds, twisties and pottering about.
The Bird is very comfy and you can buy lowered foot pegs for the pillion too if she finds them too high.
I sold my Bird on its original chain & sprockets (still servicable).

I now have the BUSA, i would not reccomend this as a touring option though.
As for the bike being too low to sit on WTF....
I'm 6'2" and i have no problems at all on my BUSA, its as comfy as the BIRD, the BUSA just eats tyres and fuel like you wouldn't believe.

Also consider the ST1100 Pan Euro as an option.

[doggone]

Blimey what a stupid place to stop in the road.
You're forcing traffic to cross the solid white line to pass you and there's an almost blind bend up ahead.
You could easily have pulled onto the gravelly bit.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/p1010087_190.jpg

[map]

[Johnny GSX-R]

[doggone]

In most European countries you aren't supposed to stop on the carriageway except in an emergency - you must pull off the road entirely.
Imagine your typical maniac spanish driver coming up behind you there just as a truck's coming the other way - I wouldn't want to look!
That verge is not soft, it's hard and gravelly you could easily have put the bike on there.

Also putting the helmet behind the wheel is a well known signal you need assistance . (?)