mikev
»»───knee───►
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2003
- Location
- .
- Moto(s)
- .
- Feb 3, 2011
- #1
Current bike: Aprilia Tuono
Like: Upright seating, bars, mad liter twin powah
Dislike: 125 mile range, not very good for pillion
I did a couple day trip that was fun and find that I'd like to do more stuff like that. No huge 2 week long cross country Nemo's Big Adventure stuff, but maybe some more weekend trips and stuff.
Things I'm after:
Luggage - preferably hard bags
decent wind protection
Decent-to-good range on a tank
Pillion comfort is a plus, just in general.
I test rode an Aprilia Futura and it wasn't too bad, but the reach to the bars seemed long. I'm sure helibars or some other risers would rectify that, though.
Bikes I've somewhat narrowed down to after not a lot of research:
Sprint ST
Multistrada
Futura
FZ-1
I'd prefer fuel injection, but I know the first gen FZ-1 was carbed and was a pretty universally loved bike... so it's not a complete requirement, but I also hate playing with carbs.
So, throw out some recommendations, BARFers!
sckego
doesn't like crashing
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2011
- Location
- San Jose
- Moto(s)
- are fun
- Name
- Kegan
- BARF perks
- AMA #3283468
- Feb 3, 2011
- #2
VFR. It's pretty similar to the Sprint ST on your list. It's better then the FZ1 in terms of pillion comfort, wind protection, and tank range, but not as powerful. My wife and I did numerous trips on mine, and it is a great combination of comfort and sport. I replaced it with the FZ1 because I wanted something with a bit more oomph for trackdays, and hopefully she'll be on her own bike for our trips now... if we were still going to be doing two-up touring, I'd have bought another VFR.
spdt509
New member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2002
- Location
- the city
- Moto(s)
- 98 triumph speed triple
- Name
- jake ryan
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 817931
- Feb 3, 2011
- #3
how about the suzuki bandit 1250S?hard to find used,but they do pop up now and then....
Oh My Sack!
Rides at speed of smell
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2008
- Location
- Arroyo Grande, CA
- Moto(s)
- Yamaha FJR1300A-ABS
- Name
- Tim
- Feb 3, 2011
- #4
You seem to have listed some bikes that only marginally meet your criteria.
How about...
Yamaha FJR1300ABS
or the BMW's?
Luggage: Sizeable hard bags with removeable liners included.
Excellent wind protection with many windscreens available and std electrically adjustable windscreen.
Excellent range on a tank. 6.6 gallon capacity, 260 mi/tank, burns 87 octane.
Pillion comfort is excellent, even more so if you upgrade to a Russell or Bill Mayer saddle.
You can have an '05 (last of the first generation) that's well outfitted with farkles for under $7500, or an '06 to present from about the same price up to about $11k, used.
Excellent, sporty fast machines that have NO PROBLEMS that will have you on the side of the road.
mikev
»»───knee───►
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2003
- Location
- .
- Moto(s)
- .
- Feb 3, 2011
- #5
Don't think I can afford an FJR or BMW
garciawork
New member
- Joined
- May 25, 2010
- Location
- Brentwood
- Moto(s)
- Honda CB500X
- Name
- Garcia
- Feb 3, 2011
- #6
Ninja 650. No liter bike "powah", but plenty still to leave me with passing power doing 80 on 80 uphill with a passenger and a STUFFED trunk. Comfy, upright, decent mileage, handles great, lightweight... I could go on...
Or a Versys. My boss is buying one tomorrow, and we are taking a trip to Santa Barbar this weekend, so I should be able to tell you which I like better by then. Basically the same bike, bigger tank, slightly different power curve.
Oh My Sack!
Rides at speed of smell
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2008
- Location
- Arroyo Grande, CA
- Moto(s)
- Yamaha FJR1300A-ABS
- Name
- Tim
- Feb 3, 2011
- #7
You can easily find nice clean FJR's from '03-'05 (1st Gen, all EFI) for less. More like the $5000 range if that gets you into a more affordable price range. They just might have a little higher mileage and less accessories.
flying_hun
Adverse Selection
- Joined
- May 4, 2005
- Location
- Orinda, CA
- Moto(s)
- A funky red & white Italian named Gianni Cervo! Versys - two of 'em! And an Enfield for laughs.
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 281672
- Feb 3, 2011
- #8
mikev said:
Don't think I can afford an FJR or BMW
Used BMW's of the same vintage as a Futura shouldn't be too expensive. Have you considered the "other" Aprilia, a Caponord? They're reputed to be the sh*t for riding with pillions. On that same tack, how about a big Strom?
Of course, you could just see the light and get a Versys.
Tydive
Rides every day
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2010
- Location
- On the road.
- Moto(s)
- '13 V-Strom 650
- Name
- Ty
- Feb 3, 2011
- #9
Well, depends on the budget, but I will tell you my secret for searching Craigslist for possible replacement bikes... Select: all motorcycles in your area, with pictures, over $2000, under your budget +2,000, search entire post, search for: heated
Because any ST bike that does not have heated something is not worth your time.
Burning1
I'm scareoused!
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2007
- Location
- Mountain View, CA
- Moto(s)
- GS500E, K1300GT
- Name
- Chris
- Feb 3, 2011
- #10
Ridden a few BMWs.
K1300GT - Insane power, excellent range, good comfort, esp for pilon. You won't notice that there's a passenger on the back. Cons: Reach to the bars may be a little long. Angle isn't perfect. Length is not a real limitation, but felt during cornering. Lighter than any other hyper-tourer on the market, but still not light. As of 2011, not in production. Gearing is shorter than I'd like for freeway use.
R1200RT - Electric power - plenty of grunt down low. Surprisingly nimble little bike, and feels much lighter while moving than the specs would indicate. Very predictable, stable suspension. Speakers work better than you might expect, on models so equipped. Sportier than the GT in the twisties. Cons: Gearing is great for touring, but a little taller than necessary for back-road riding. No top-end hit of power.
mikev
»»───knee───►
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2003
- Location
- .
- Moto(s)
- .
- Feb 3, 2011
- #11
A quick CL perusal came up with a 2007 BMW K1200R "sport" with a full fairing instead of the oO headlight.
I'm in love.
flying_hun
Adverse Selection
- Joined
- May 4, 2005
- Location
- Orinda, CA
- Moto(s)
- A funky red & white Italian named Gianni Cervo! Versys - two of 'em! And an Enfield for laughs.
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 281672
- Feb 4, 2011
- #12
Talk to MotoProponent.
mikev
»»───knee───►
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2003
- Location
- .
- Moto(s)
- .
- Feb 4, 2011
- #13
Oh, sh*t.
Nevermind :|
Marco_82
;-)
- Joined
- May 11, 2009
- Location
- Pleasanton, CA
- Moto(s)
- KTM 355 EXC; HONDA VFR800
- Feb 4, 2011
- #14
+1 on the VFR. You can get the 6th Gen with 100hp for a decent price nowadays. I put the spiegler bars on mine and its so comfortable.
For me its the perfect mix of sport and touring. And it looks sweeet ;-)
I never ride 2 up though.
flying_hun
Adverse Selection
- Joined
- May 4, 2005
- Location
- Orinda, CA
- Moto(s)
- A funky red & white Italian named Gianni Cervo! Versys - two of 'em! And an Enfield for laughs.
- BARF perks
- AMA #: 281672
- Feb 4, 2011
- #15
mikev said:
Oh, sh*t.
Nevermind :|
You should ride one. He hated his, but you might like it. I just thought it was funny.
mikev
»»───knee───►
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2003
- Location
- .
- Moto(s)
- .
- Feb 4, 2011
- #16
Can't afford one anyway
I will add the VFR to my list, though, based on the recommendations so far.
A
antwon412
Armchair Biker
- Joined
- May 21, 2008
- Location
- North of the Bay. And North of north. Yuba City!
- Moto(s)
- 2019 CB500X
- Feb 4, 2011
- #17
Love my VFR. Added heli-bars and a diff seat. Wife loves the back rest on the OEM trunk. Can easily do 4-500 mile days. Good power. reliable and easy to maintain. Can be had for cheap. If you get one, grab the sweet Red White and Blue color scheme and I'll trade you for my red one! only 5800 miles lol.....
Kornholio
:wave
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2008
- Location
- Somewhat Appalachian
- Moto(s)
- Goldilocks & The Smurf
- Name
- Jason
- Feb 4, 2011
- #18
I rode the Inteceptor (VFR800) before buying my Sprint. I'll tell you that apart from it being ugly (yes I know that's a subjective opinion ) they lacked the low-end grunt that I get out of the 1050 engine. Just like anything else Honda makes, cars included, you have to rev it up to get any sort of real power out of it. To me, that's more conducive of a sport bike and not a sport tourer. No thanks. However, they are lighter and the steering and brakes were a bit nicer than my Sprint, but it wasn't enough to sell me on it. Not to mention that my Sprint came stock with hard luggage and the VFR's didn't and the Triumph dealer was selling my Sprint for less than a VFR.
mikev
»»───knee───►
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2003
- Location
- .
- Moto(s)
- .
- Feb 4, 2011
- #19
Do you know anybody who would let me test ride their Sprint?
Kornholio
:wave
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2008
- Location
- Somewhat Appalachian
- Moto(s)
- Goldilocks & The Smurf
- Name
- Jason
- Feb 4, 2011
- #20
Come by tomorrow. You can take it out.
You must log in or register to reply here.