Looking For the best Sport/Touring bike

Hello All.

I Love my Y2K VFR800, for the local one-up riding, twisties, etc. Really a joy. But.... I would love to pickup something else (maybe still keep the VFR) that is well suited for distance riding, both single and two-up. Yeah I know about the GL-1800, and quite honestly the front suspension scares the h out of me. Too many stories out there about steering wobble and cupped front tires for my liking. The biggest problem with the VFR is on multilane Highways at high speed. Man my bike just gets blown off the road. There just isnt enough mass there to mix it with 3 lanes of cars at 75 mph. Also 2-up is just not practicle for anything more than a trip to the local dairy queen. My wife and I total about 330 in gear, which is just pushs the VFR all over.

I have test ridden an ST1300 and found it to be very smooth and high on my list. Unfortunately this bike is also so vanilla that I'm not sure If I would find it very exciting for everyday use. The color choices are fine as long as you like the one color it comes in for that that year. The stock exhaust is as quiet a Singer sewing machine.

Anybody ridden or own a Ducati ST3? What about a BMW? ($$$$) I want something that has good onboad storage, but still looks good and handles great. The FJR is a maybe, but they sure don't hold their resale value very well.

I'm really holding out for look at the new Concourse. If I could take my VFR and somehow make it beefier and more massive without changing the style and sportiness I would do it.

I'm on a budget of about $10K or less
Comments... Ideas. thanks
:smile:

 

Like you I find the VFR a great bike but unacceptable for two up riding.

Like you, I also find the ST1300 to be "boring". My brother has one that I've ridden several times and the bike seems to do everything pretty well, but I just never get excited when I'm on it... strange.

So, I may be a bit bias, but looking at your price range and available bikes, I'd say you should go after a used 1998-2004 BMW K1200 RS/GT. The bike look superb, handles great on the highway and high speed sweepers (tight twisties will leave you wanting for your VFR) and simply eats the miles.

There's a great community of riders at http://www.i-bmw.com ... check them out.



I LOVE both of mine...

 

If I had to pick between a Honda ST & FJR I would pick the FJR for the fun factor. If I had to chose between the FJR & K1200GT I would still pick the FJR but only because of the lack of BMW dealers in my area. The new Concourse looks awesome & I can't wait to try one out but that will be out of your price range(which is also my ceiling for next spring). I think though can't say for certain that the Triumph sprint & Ducati ST2 are only slightly larger than the VFR so they may not be a great choice if the main goal is two up comfort.

 

(grande) PLUS one!

the new K12s has caused the resale value of the 1998-2004 BMW K1200rs to drop noticably. I have a 2001 & aboslutely love it. did the west cost from mexico to port townsend WA last summer w/ a stop @ monterey for the races. Along the Oregon coast, the extra weight of the bike really helped in the cross winds. The ride is very smooth on the road. the bike weighs over 600# & @ 130 HP is has a sligtly better power to weight ratio than the Viffer....especially once they are loaded.
Bags are great.
I've been up & down Palomar a bunch of times w/ the k-bike & leggit road (n. end of coast 1), hurricane ridge road...... w/ nothin' but smiles.
Highly recommend it.

I'm lookin' for a Y2K viffer!

Trade the '97 VFR in. keep the K12.
Reason? There is ~150# difference between the VFR & the Kbike. In town or for just a quick romp through the local twisties the VFR requires less muscle for a rider of my.....er....caliber
besides, i can kind-of "wring out" the VFR when I'm "on it".....the k12 is a lot to wring........

the i-bmw.com guys are the best - pretty knowlegable data base.
BTW red is the fastest color.
:biggrin:
Good luck!

 

Had the use of duc st last summer great bike but simmilar in size to vfr still not great for 2up over long hauls. my buddie just loves his zx-14 lots of power much longer bike than vfr simmilar seat as well with a few mods would be a perfect sport tour bike. not ready for a st1300 one step away from a moving couch, that new concourse looks intresting still has some sport appeal and that great power plant intresting to see what its going to sell for
good luck:frusty:

 

go look at a "norge" cool bike. but over your $$ limit i think....

 

Thanks LeftCoast.

Your comments on the ST1300 are oddly familiar. I never have given to much thought to the Beemer because my perception is they are very expensive to own, but I might be mistaken. Its worth a look. Thanks

 

Hello Chomper.

I like the styling of the ZX-14. Are ther aftermarket seats, hardbags, etc for this that would lend itself to distance riding?

Thanks

 

Hello Tbones86

The FJR is on my radar list. I see a lot of these on Ebay, and oddly they don't have many miles on the clock. Could it be that people are not touring with them and only sporting? I don't know...

It would NICE if Yamaha was kind enough to actually stock a few of them at the local dealership, so that one might possible test ride before plunking down you $13K

 

Got a laugh, chuckle, as there so many different possibility's as there is riding styles Yea I know, some are more or less made for this thing they call sport touring or is it touring sport. really a fine line IMO I know guys that would be ouit all day on a ducati 999r like it was a goldwing, so pick your poison. I say get what strikes your eye and go from there. zx14, Busa, Futura, fj, Cbr xxx, Sprint are fine machines too. only thing that sets the VFR back a wee bit is this two up option, as it takes 1000cc+ to haul the extra load around. But as far as an over all fun factor for the money, be hard to beat the VFR for what she can do.

 

RVFR

A-Men to your last sentence. The 2-up and distance Touring is the real bugaboo with VFR. I guess it can't be all things to all people

 

I have to laugh at the comments..My wife and I racked up over 10,000 miles last year on a stock suspension 99 VFR and stock seat...We never had a problem on the highway at 75mph or around town...

I have owned many hondas and the VFR has to be the best do it all bike..If I want to go do the twisties 1 or 2 up I can or if we want to travel heck lets go..
I am 6ft and weigh 200lbs with all my gear and I never have a problem..I have been riding street bikes since 1981 , so experience helps with learning how to handle the winds at speed on the highway..Just give it some more time and dont hold the bars in a death grip , hold them loosely and lean gently into the wind ..

Its funny to see people look at you weird when you are leaning into the wind about 5-10 degrees to ride a straight line..LOL

 

Nailer, I never said that you COULDN'T tour 2 up on the VFR. I was merely noting that in my opinion that (2 up touring) is a soft spot... which apparently the original poster agrees also.

As stated earlier I now own a VFR and a BMW K12RS. I love them both, but if I'm planning to ride for 400+ mile days the BMW will win 90% of the time. Not because the VFR is incapable, but because the BMW is less tolling on you over those miles with electic cruise control, electronically adjustable windshield, adjustable seat and foot pegs, heated seat (gt), and shaft (no lubing) rear drive.

For example, my wife and I have jumped on the back of my RS for a 3 day weekend, ridden about 730 miles to Niagra Falls Canada, stayed a day up there, then ridden back home on day 3 and back to work on day 4, no problem. :biggrin: Could we have done it on the VFR, maybe. Could we have done it as comfortably, hell no :behindsofa:

I'll also reiterate what I said the first time... when you get to the tight twisties you will long for your VFR again... there's no easy answer, and as somebody else mentioned we all have different styles/needs.

:first: I agree eace:

 

Also Nailer, your Avitar suggests you have an older VFR. I think they were a bit heavier than the newer models, so an older one may handle the wind better than a new one. I have a CBR954 and a '92 VFR750F and I'd say my VFR is a great tourer, but look at what Im comparing it to. There is always a more comfortable bike (take the goldwing if you want complete comfort), but this guy already says he can only have one bike, so he needs the mix between performance, appearance, and comfort. I think the VFR is about the sportiest looking tourer I've seen, and the older onces are really stable on the highway, and 2 up.

 

I think we are all in agreement that the VFR is the best all around/all purpose bike that would make a sports rider or a crusier happy. Generally speaking, a common issue seems to be riding two up and riding solo on multi-lane wide open roads at high speeds with big trucks. I love my VFR and only have issues with riding two up - just not comfortable and limits my ability to carry additional luggage. The BMW 1200RS is SWEEEEET - I have been looking at the ZX-14 and the Hayabusa. I still like the Hayabusa the best so far, but like others I want to wait and see what the Concurs is going to be about. I am very curious about the BMW 1200 and wonder how much is the maintenance of the bike. I suffer from the belief that BMW bikes are just way toooo expensive to own and maintain for a working slug like me. Also, would it be recommended only to have BMW do any work on thier bikes? I am planning to make a change this year and either upgrade my old Goldwing to a 1500 model or go to a true Sport Tourer or Adventure type of bike. I am keeping my VFR which I will be selfish with and keep for myself and my personal enjoyment. I am in the NYC and have plans to be at Americade. I am under the impression that the Americade event will be all about crusiers. I am hoping since all the top manufacturers will be at the event offering test rides, someone will bring a few sport bike models or maybe at least a few sports tourer type of bikes so I can really check them out. I have never ridden a Hayabusa, ZX-14 or any BMW motorcycle.

 

Glad that works for you Nailer45. You are obviously a very experienced rider. But no matter, the wife and I WONT be doing 10K on my 2000 VFR anytime soon. I do have GIVI hardbags for it, so I'll use it for all my one-up stuff.
Maybe I can pickup older GL1500 in good shape that would be good for the limited amount of 2up riding/touring that I do. (less than 10% is 2up)

 

If you've ridden and like the Hayabusa, the BMW K12RS experience may NOT be for you. I rode a buddies Busa for about 40 miles one day. Things that I remember in direct comparison to a K12RS:

1) you feel like a parachute... a LOT more wind protection on an RS/GT.

2) ergonomics are VERY different. Whereas I can ride my RS for a 700 mile day and still feel good, I'm pretty sure that I'd need to see a chiropractor for neck, back and elbow pain after taking the same trip on the Busa.

3) Luggage: if you are going to use the Busa as a sport tourer, what will you use for luggage? Corbin likely makes Beetle Bags, but they are not cheap. Are their other options? Givi possibly?

4) same thing I say when out on my VFR... I would miss the electronic cruise. Most laugh and say cruise shouldn't be on a bike, maybe so, but after having a bike with cruise it's tough to go back. This is especially important as you begin to talk more and more about touring.

Knock on wood, the maintenance costs on mine have been good... outside of tires I bought mine used with 1351 miles in Nov 2003 from a guy that was a "Harley Guy" (god love 'em) that bought the RS (for reasons unknown) and realized that it was "too much bike" for him. The RS is at its best at 75 - 120 mph. LOTS of roll-on torque and handling/braking to back up the speed.

In my 33k miles of ownership, here's what I remember off the top of my head:

- within 3 weeks of buying it, the kickstand cutoff sensor went bad and was replaced under warrenty. Not a good start, but fine since.

- directly after buying the bike I noticed that the cruise would not engage ALL THE TIME. As the bike was under warrenty I had that taken care of for free also. Again it was a micro switch in the clutch that cuts off the cruise that had been sticking. No issues since.

- tires, tires, tires ... god I love this bike.... more tires :biggrin:

That's all I can remember. Now, I do all my own maintenance:
- rear brake pads : about every 14k (front still original)
- oil changes (I do them every 2k... oils cheap... but they're called for at like every 7500)
- tranny fluid / rear fluid I do every 6k - again... oils cheap
- air filter
- I have a fuel filter but haven't installed it yet. (called for at 24k but the bike's running just fine)
- brake bleed... this is a PITA and not for the faint of heart

The biggest "issue" that I see with most RS/GT owners is issues with the "rear main" seal where the engine mates with the tranny. Don't ask me why this seal goes bad so often, but I've read reports of it going anywhere between 10k and others that have 120k on the bike without an issue In general, reading on the i-bmw board it seems to me that most have issues around 40-50k miles. Changing my oil the other day it appears to me that mine is beginning to slowly leak at 34k. Good news... the parts are cheap (it's a seal)... bad news is it reportedly takes about 8-12 hours labor to perform. Stealerships are reportedly charging anywhere between $700 - $1600 to do this... don't ask me why there's such disparity as I can't tell you.

The only other thing that I can think of would be the valves. I pulled my covers at 26k and everything was fine. I'll probably check again around 40k.

All in all, the bike has been good...

What makes you think that Americade will be "all about cruisers"? I've been there the last two years (05/06) and it was alot of fun. It's a great place to test new bikes, and the manufactures bring a large part of their lineup (minus Honda... beats me?).

Kawi had the ZX-6/10/14R's all out there last year.

BMW had a few of everything.

Suzuki I didn't look at last year, but in 05 they had all cruisers.

Honda had GW's, VFR's, 954's, ST13's, and VTX's.

Yammy... didn't look as they setup at a different location.

HD - In 2005 I took my first HD ride... what a piece of shit. I'd put my money into a sports car before I bought one of these over-hyped turds.

 

There seems to be a couple of "us " BMW/VFR owners !

Matt, Leftcoast,myself are bro's on the I-BMW.com site .

Looking for a bike thats rock solid at speed , windy conditions ,shitty weather ...... Name it ...... The BMW K bikes rock HANDS DOWN !
You wont find a more road worthy machine around .

MY take is that the BMW's weight (640lbs) is the a big reason for most of it's good things .

I had 20 or so track days on my K as well .

There's so many bikes out there with so many good/bad things about each but man if you want a bike that can "tour" 2 up and have a Fuckin Blast on everywhere else ,,,, spend more than a few minutes riding a K . TRUST US You'll love it !!!!!