What is the true competition?

Let's say that you are a magazine editor and you are planning to do an article on the latest sport touring mounts, what would you pick if you could choose four competitors?

Then, what kind of tests would you run to provide interesting and useful data for the readers?

 

FJR almost done.....will let you know. For such a hefty looking pig it hides it's porkyness well just pushing it around, was shocked and look foward to riding the thick necked bike named "Gunter". The thick necked Gunter thing is and old dude joke only some will get.

 

Good question(s); but I'm not so sure the FJR is really competition. Triumph ST is, for sure. Mebbe the Yamaha FZ8 as well. I assume you're referring to direct competition for the VFR800, not the 1200. If it's the 1200, then the FJR is probably there along with these.

When I think about it, the VFR750/800 doesn't really have any 'direct' competition.

 

My vision of a sport touring bike does not HAVE to be something with a 1000cc or bigger engine that is a marvel of technology with enough power to make the baby Jesus cry.
I think what makes our VFR special is that it is flexible, powerful "enough", it's not a giant pig of a bike, it has an intermediate riding position and lends itself to luggage and two-up riding in comfort.

Of the current crop of bikes, I would be interested in comparing ...

Ducati Multistrada
Aprilia Shiver 750
BMW F800 ST
KTM 990 Supermoto T

Jose

 

The bike I would compare most favorably to my VFR would be the Aprilia Falco I had years ago. A bit more power, a bit less weight; but the same kind of all-day comfort the VFR has (for me and my size/shape). If that bike had a better charging system I'd probably still own it. (nothing to do with failures, just a very small battery and low-output alternator).



Did I mention the Falco was FREAKIN GORGEOUS?

 

The competition to 6gen, I think would be Sprint St 1050, Aprilla Futura, BMW FS800. In terms of power, BMW is the only closer comparison.
To test them, I would put them on a 200 mile twisty road trip, measuring subjective and objective data such as comfort, seats, sportiness, luggage capacity, tank/mileage, dyno results etc.

 

I don't know enough of the new bikes to suggest models but my test would definitely include a trip through rush hour traffic and if weather allows a ride in the rain.