I smell a trap. I did look at the wiki entry. Way too fucking controversial for this thread, that's for sure. . . .
Sport tourers have become a new life style vehicle for riders who don't want to be outlaws or rangers or racers. Maybe we could call them cannon ballers
WaveyD, how about: Corellian Test Pilot. I like that almost as much as Cannon Ballers. DogsRoot, nice haiku...missus Sweetwater was
The guzzi in that photo is not unlike a standard Harley 883 Sportster, which according to some folks here can't possibly be a sport tourer. In fact, the Sportster has more power.
Another lovely Sport Tourer of days gone by... Note the luggage rack. Not really much of one by modern standards. Would nonetheless love to have one in my garage...or living room. . . .
Point was, "sport touring" has it's roots in bikes like V7 Sport, 850 LeMans, R90S, 850 Commando, whose riders added some simple luggage and went touring on thier sporty bikes. p.s. I've ridden both, and I'd take the V7 Sport on a curvy road every time.
I got it. I too would take the guzzi for the sheer character factor, but my '06 883R was a close second. I've made the decision to buy a new V7 and a new 883 Iron a hundred times, but I have too many other things I want to do financially right now. Either one would get some suspension mods and soft luggage, and I'd have no problem going anywhere on either one.
Spot-on. The bikes listed above were the bleeding edge RSV4, Panigale & S1000R analogues of the early 1970's. They were the fastest of the fast. The technology leaders. BMW worked sport touring out with the R90S. A Superbike race winner on more than one continent that came with hard bags & a nod to comfort. The fact that Harley markets 883 & 1200 sportsters new in 2013 that would be barely competitive with these bikes from over 40 years ago AND finds legions of customers willing to pay the inflated prices demanded for the things continues to baffle me. A retro-bike dripping with badass brand posturing is simply mutton dressed as lamb, sold to sheep.