Recommendations for Touring Bike

It looks like I'm off into Europe for a few tours this year and I am going to buy a touring bike. Budget is £5000 max. I want something that affords some weather and wind protection and I can do 400 miles on in a day with a tank range of say 180 miles good on Autobahn and in the twisty roads.


Ive no experience of this type of bike and generally loathe anything with a fairing. I know nothing ticks all boxes.

Bikes I was thinking were:-

Triumph 1050 Tiger
Triumph 1050 Sprint
BMW 1150ST
BMW 1150RS
BMW 1150GS
VFR 800

I think the newer BMW1200's might be out of my budget.
I think the taller bikes would be the most fun but the least comfortable in poor weather and wind. The newer (2004+) BMW1150 twin sparked engines seem ok from reviews. Back home I may take the Mrs on short jaunts in the country so need to bear that in mind.

I've also thought of stuff like Pan European, Honda Blackbird,etc They would work but are heavy and I don't think they are bikes for me.

Any suggestions or comments on the above list good and bad would be appreciated.

I have been thinking along the same lines and plan to do some distance riding this year. I rode the new Multistrada, Tiger 1050 and KTM 990 SMT. Really wanted to like the Multistrad but couldnt, Tiger 1050 was ok but not great and the SMT was too like my Superduke in lots of ways but not enough like it in others. If I owned one I could see it would soon have firmer suspension, the slipper clutch, motobox etc from my SDR in fact why stop there it would end up with the SDR's engine too.

I looked at VFR1200 but they are really fugly and have a few niggles, tank range etc that might be a nuisance far from home.

Sprint ST would be my choice if you have to spend the full 5k. I rode the Spring GT too which is a bit bigger and better equipped and may just be in your budget. I would still have the ST though as I dont intend to carry a pillion and want the sports as much as the touring out of a sports tourer. Again the engine is a bit tame and I would probably end up trying to Tune ECU it into a Street Triple with a comfy seat. Also I wasnt keen on the old style clocks, forks and last centuries brakes. If I am having these things I dont want to spend 5k which brings me to my current favourite; FZS1000. Avail for 2k upwards, 3k gets you a nice one. 150bhp engine, goes well, stops well. Quite easy to find a well looked after one. Also, unlike my RC8 it would be different enough from my SDR that it might actually get used.

The only other thing in the running for me is the new Kawasaki Z1000SX I am going out on one next Wed. Little out of your budget as the early ones (2011) are just over 6k. However, They will want my RC8 plus 2k for a used one with ABS and boxes and as I just said that 2k could buy me a FZS1000.

My 'touring' bike is an '04 Fazer FZS1000, different to the bikes you list but might be worth a look? The main mechanicals are pretty much bulletproof although there are a few minor niggles; the Exup needs regular servicing and some of the fixings Yam used appear to have been made from the most ferrous materials known to man. But it's all day comfortable; as fast, if not faster, than most other bikes up to around 110mph and not too far off the pace when the road tightens.
Simon Hargeaves from Bike Magazine raves about them.

Thanks interesting you both mention the FZ!

My friend has a FZ1 (I think) its like a naked bike, it runs and rides well. I'll have a look, I'm sure I can blag a ride on it. He has toured on it but had to add some homemade frame to hang panniers on.
The reason I didn't really look at them is because I thought the lack of protection may be an issue after a couple of hundred miles and I'd feel like I had gome through ten rounds with Mike Tyson when I got off, on the plus they would be a fair sunday ride bike.

How do you find comfort after long days??

I think the new sprint has a longer wheelbase and is a bit less sporty than the older ones, plus I like the older underseat triple exhaust. I'm trying to keep the superduke, I have considered trading but when I took the cover off it yesterday I felt sorry for it and wanted to keep it, I do like it so much.

The new FZ1 was slated as it is a lot less versatile than the bike it replaced. It has worse comfort, wind protection, fuel range / economy, fuel injection instead of carbs. If it were a replacement for the Superduke you might put up with those things for the extra power otherwise you would be better looking at the old model FZS1000 (01-05 ish)

Yes, the old 'gen1, model pre '05.
After '05 it was 'sported-up' and got a beasting in the press. They're not as bad as all that but they're no 'touring' bike.
check out the forum: foc-u.co.uk
S

Thanks, they should fall well within the budget, will have a look.

I'd add V-Strom to the list. Cost little and do allot. wont take a huge hit on resale when your done. A liquid cooled fuel injected litre twin with standard seating position, its not a far cry from an SD.

I had a very similar situation last year when I needed to get a bike for some two up touring.

I wanted something that would still be entertaining to ride but would be OK for a pillion and work well with luggage on tours.

I tried the GS 1200 which I liked a lot more than I thought I would but for me the engine was just too flat and so I moved on to...

SMT which I thought might replace the SD and be good for solo and two up work. I rode a top spec one with all the gear and was unimpresed. It was ok but lacked the sharpness of the SD whilst still not being a great tourer and it was very expensive too. I wrote a report for this site called "ever wondered what an SMT is like" or something like that and I moved on...

In the end I bought a 2008 ZZR1400 with all the Givi touring kit you can possibly imagine. This came in under the 5K budget you mentioned with some haggling. The Mrs finds it comfortable as do I, it will cruise all day at whatever speed you like, overtakes (even loaded) are never stressful, it goes a fair way on a tank of gass and it even handles really well once you have adusted to the required technique. I kept the SD for solo amusement but I doubt there is a better mile munching hyper bike out there thatn a ZZR 1400 for any price. It eats rear tyres and your licence is obviously in danger unless you have mastered extreem restraint but if you want to go further, faster in more comfort than anybody else on two wheels look no further. I'm certain it would be a lot more relaxing than any unfaired bike but it does suffer from being coprehensivly ugly.

Good luck whatever you choose.

I have looked at the Vstrom and the ZZR1400. The VStrom got fairly weak reviews and I dismissed it, I'll have to hit a few showrooms and have a sit.

My mate has a ZZR I call it the "starship enterprise" because it is so large. It's very fast and he rides it well on corners too.

Ive always had small compact street bikes (that's the new word for nakeds aparrently) and have ridden 4 cylinder bikes but never really gelled with their revvy nature, they are fast but dont feel fast. It's hard to explain, hence my selection being twins and triples. Maybe I need to get over it and expand the horizons..

Throttle on the stop, revs past 8K and it does fell fast. Trust me on that!!

Also although it looks huge it's actually quite light to handle, not nimble like an SD but not ponderous either. I doubt it would be much slower round a track like Silverstone than my old tracked out gixer 1000 and a lot faster than my 990 SD. If you get a chance throw a leg over one, it's a different flavour of giggle and comes with built in bragging rights.

Thought it strange when I heard myself say that my touring bike is my 2004 KTM 950 Adventure. But it true, and it is a very stout bike for luggage and a passenger. I had it out today. Every time I glanced down at the speedo it was over 80 MPH. It has e-nuf wind protection for me, but I know, it's not for everyone.
The ride today was a quick shake down ride. I just made a swap of fork tubes and a rear shock which lowered my bike. The bike I swapped with is a 2010 with 10K. Pushing 40K on mine with a 8K suspension refresh.
Anyway, I really like the way it feels now, even more than before, and that was still a high praise. I have other true dirt bikes and don't need to take this big bike out on the single tracks, where the taller suspension is wanted.

I saw you did not list a KTM Adventure on your list...but I am here to tell you...it should be on it. At least take one for a spin.
My 99 Triumph Tiger was also a nice touring bike, built to haul touring gear. Also a stout beast, with a very smooth engine...smoother the the V-Twin.

Not in any order, but if you really want to err on the side of sport, and not be totally embarrassed (or depressed) when the roads get fun:
800 VFR
FZ1 (bagged)

And you all claim to love twins ... BMW - seriously?
ST4S (the one with the Ohlins in back and nice Showas up front)
SV1000S (bagged - get the suspension sorted, and these make really fine sport tourers)

Bought a S/H Busa to tour France and Holland for 6 weeks a few years ago, the bike was great, fast fun and very comfortable, handled well enough to enjoy a work out in the twistys to, getting through 2 sets of tyres was the only downside

I sure like that ST4S idea the best.
Multi Strada DS or BMW GS or Tiger 1050 I like the sit up and more on top than the nestle in sport tourers.
I still say check out a Strom. I have had three and they all pleased me fine enough in multiple excursions. Some as long as a month with riding everyday. They look like shit, they have more personality than people give them credit for having. Guess you should throw the Caponard in here too.

I've done a lot of touring in the past and found that the more you take and the bigger the bike, the less you are likely to take advantage of a spontaneous situation. 400 miles a day means you won't see much of the culture and plenty of the motorways instead. The slower you go the more you see and experience. I guess it's for you to decide what you want out of it.I'd find the smallest bike you can get away with. Ignore tank range as it's better to stop and fuel up often to stretch those legs.. Many people have gone around the world on small machines, Ted Simon, Vince Austin etc. all advocate a small bike. On my own tour I'm on a SD as it's going to be the most fun

Some of us know how much wind protection can aid to a days ride. Some also like to travel away from home and need to put the miles behind us. That is where wind protection comes in handy. Yea, you can tour on a SD, but it's not the correct tool for the job. Even the little wind screen on my Adventure will make the ride more comfortable than the wide blast you get on a SD.

Ted used a bike because it was cheap on gas and cheap to own, not because he was a biker. He was not a biker when he started his trip.

Out of all those bmws, my favorite did not get mentioned.. the R1100S. I toured for two weeks on one and loved it. ABS, super comfy, 100 hp, and they are usually way cheaper than the GS. Perfect touring bike in my opinion, I miss it daily. Kind of awkward to wheelie with the shaft drive and the tele lever suspension, and as always, weird looking.
Ebbett's Pass:
Here it is next to my future Super Duke:

On tour:

Thanks for the suggestions; some different models and makes there, e.g the Aprilia's which can be had at great prices, e.g Futura with luggage etc £3500 with 8K miles at a dealer in Manchester.

The 400 miles per day was based upon getting to an area, eg Northern Spain and Italy. It's good to break the back of a journey via areas deemed less interesting. Once there a more sedate mileage cultural experience can be had: this is the dilemma, suffer on an inappropriate bike to munch the miles and then enjoy more when you get there or have a comfortable journey arriving refreshed and have a bike not so suitable for the smaller twisty mountain roads. That's the problem with bikes there is no one solution.
I used to have a KTM950SM and did Europe on that, great in parts, no so in others. It's always a compromise and I'm looking for the best one.

The BMW 1150 models thought was based upon the most modern I could afford at my budget and the fact that the R100RS cafe racer I have is surprisingly nice to ride and it's 30 years old, so the newer oilheads must be even better right?

Thanks SDnerd: I misspelt it's Frugality

This is interesting too, dont know how accurate it is though, seems about right from today's play.

So, a Motus MSTR it is then! http://motusmotorcycles.com/

I think the 1050 sprint is a great bike but if you are looking for a sports tourer for £5000 I'd take a serious look at the Kawasaki GTR1400.
I put 60,000 miles on one and it was faultless. Comfortable and proper fast (164mph on the GPS two up) it was fast enough and handles well enough to lead groups of sports bikes across France and Spain.
Alternatively the Hayabusa, ZZ-R and for the budget minded Blackbird are, IMO, fine choices.

The FJR1300 Yamaha might be a consideration…been the bike of choice for the Iron Butt Rally winners (1000+ miles a day) for several years.

I had an 08 GS for about 8weeks last year
Couldn't really fault the bike except for its total slowness , I know that's not what they are about , however I couldn't get past it
It was so soft it gave me backache as well

Pal of mine had a night mare with his sprint swing arm and his middle piston seized in France last year
Looked in great nick as well ,

I appreciate all the suggestions.
Thanks, sat on one yesterday, so large I wonder if it will fit in my garage!!
Be perfect on the Autobahn but once I'm in the mountains I think I might be sad I didn't buy something else a little more lithe.

I like the BMW K1200R sport, it's very comfortable and fast. I still haven't written the Yamaha fazer1000 (think it was called something else in the US) out it's a good riding position, reckon it could do the job, but I think it's a bit open to the elements. When the weather dries a bit I'll take some test rides, that shoud clinch it. On paper the Triumph is still number one.

Lawman, get yourself an Adventure 990, cheap as chips now and superb on the twisties.

I'm not really a blogging type but 'cos I was on my own, I thought it was a good way to keep in touch etc. Take from it what you will.


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=557041

Motoronin, just read that thread, excellent adventure! Makes great reading..
The 990's are a bit out of my price range and my proposed journey's look like a sunday morning blast compared to your epic. Looking at some of the roads you travelled the 990 was the bike for the job..

The 950 Adventures are starting to get into your price range. Did more than 200 miles on my 2004 today and yesterday combined. Heavy frost and saw some ponds with ice on them. Heated jacket and gloves with the 'Stich and good as gold. 2nd warning from me, you need to ride one. They kick ass...and you get to ride the back roads the other bikes can't, at 90 mph +.

Yo Motoronin, Great ADV RR. Lot there. Got to go back to that RR. Baden Baden...hum......my folks came from there 1860's.. no wonder I like the woods and mountains.

I had a Busa and found it massively uncomfortable. Maybe I'm an odd shape....
My choice for a tourer would be a CB1300S from the big H. Great do it all motorcycle - and comes with a free, manly chest wig!