Sport Tourers; Where Art Thou?

[Rider]

Originally Posted by DFH

Fab bike.. yes

Sport tourer... no

Full size touring bike... yes. Thats why BMW call it an "RT" not "ST"

I've ridden one.
It's pretty damn 'sporty'.

[DFH]

Originally Posted by ka5ysy

OK... I won't tell my RT that it is not sporty...


"Full size" touring bike it is not. Several of my buddies have either Wings or Ultras, all of which are at least 300 pounds heavier and cannot keep up with me in twisties. By the way... the RT has a better useful load than the Goldwing and a goodly number of the HD's !

And I suspect the crotch rocket drivers that I stay with or pass with all the luggage on might also suspect it is a "sport" tourer... After they get over the shock

Before we go any further remember my first comment described the R1200RT as a "fab" bike, as in fabulous motorcycle.

Yes I have had seat time on R1200RT. Both seats in fact. For a bike with integrated 3 box luggage with backrest, expansive (& heated !) rider & pillion accommodations, upright ergos, huge fuel capacity, full coverage fairing with sound system & electronically controlled windscreen, not to mention electronically controlled suspension & navigation systems or better load capacity than a Goldwing its a stunning achievement that the R1200RT handles in such a remarkably sporty fashion. Its competitors in the touring bike sector, FJR1300, Connie 1400, ST1300 & I suspect the new Trophy 1200 as well lag behind. As for the LeadWing & the Hardly Drivable Ultra-Lard, they are fully dressers not touring bikes.

But if you have ever ridden a R1200R then you will know how much more vital & sporty the R1200 chassis can be when stripped of all the purely touring accruements listed above that BMW tack on to make the R1200RT. BMW Motorrad began manufacturing "RT" (Reise-Tourer, or "travel tourer") touring motorcycle models in the late 1970s single-handedly creating & defining the touring bike class. It seems so silly to challenge BMW's description of its own product. The R1200RT is the archetypical touring bike, full stop.

[DiabloADV]

Originally Posted by DFH

The R1200RT is the archetypical touring bike, full stop.

Nope. They (and everybody else) learned that bigger is better, the farther you go. Smaller one = sport tourer. Bigger one = tourer.

[DiabloADV]

Originally Posted by DFH

The only only other thing on R series BMW's is to replace the alternator belt when required... not much fun.

Takes 15 minutes. OK...plus the 5 minutes to google for the trick to doing it easy.

I can't imagine an easier modern bike to service than a hexhead.

[Skitch]

My next sport tourer will be a SPORT tourer. The 2006-2009 Honda Interceptors are top of the list right now. Tougher to find than expected. I'd prefer one with ABS, making it even tougher. Plan to use as dual duty as an occasional track bike too. Reason I like it: versatile, good range, Honda quality/reliability, lots of luggage options, and I'm sure it will feel better on the track than my RT.
What other bikes should i consider?

[DFH]

Originally Posted by DiabloADV

Nope. They (and everybody else) learned that bigger is better, the farther you go. Smaller one = sport tourer. Bigger one = tourer.

Yes, of course you are right. How silly of me to not notice BMW stopped making the R1200RT (Reise-Tourer, or "travel tourer") when they produced the K1600LT (Luxury Tourer) & K1600GT ( Grand Tourer), because those bigger & therefore obviously better bikes made the R1200RT redundant. Just like the K1300GT did, or the K1100LT for that matter.

You & ka5ysy

Several of my buddies have either Wings or Ultras, all of which are at least 300 pounds heavier and cannot keep up with me in twisties. By the way... the RT has a better useful load than the Goldwing and a goodly number of the HD's !

need to have a little chat sometime about how bigger is better.

[Jnich77]

Originally Posted by Skitch

What other bikes should i consider?

FJR 1300?
Bandit 1250s?
CB 919 if you really want to look cool ;-)

[Skitch]

Originally Posted by Jnich77

FJR 1300?
Bandit 1250s?
CB 919 if you really want to look cool ;-)

I'm trying to stay below 1000cc's. I think i may add a F800ST to the search as well.

[625SXC]

Originally Posted by Skitch

My next sport tourer will be a SPORT tourer. The 2006-2009 Honda Interceptors are top of the list right now. Tougher to find than expected. I'd prefer one with ABS, making it even tougher. Plan to use as dual duty as an occasional track bike too. Reason I like it: versatile, good range, Honda quality/reliability, lots of luggage options, and I'm sure it will feel better on the track than my RT.
What other bikes should i consider?

Aprilia Futura! Puts the SPORT in sport touring! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKPwX1Xee5E

And of course a proper S/T bike needs to carry a passenger too http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdPcE...feature=relmfu

[Jim K.]

Originally Posted by Skitch

I'm trying to stay below 1000cc's. I think i may add a F800ST to the search as well.

If cost is a big consideration, the GSX 650 F would suit well, I think. They haven't been sold in the US for some time, but are very big in Europe & Australia. Leftovers are still around on the web for very attractive prices, or new ones from Canada with ABS. (much less attractive prices)

[Maggot12]

I too am considering a "small sport tourer". The FZ6 and the GSX650F are high on my list. There is one of each fo sale by the same owner. Both setup with luggage and 08's in the for sale section.

Anyone ride both and can tell which is smoother at highway speeds? I briefly rode the FZ and really liked it and I'd assume the GSX would be similar around town which most of my riding would be. That and the odd day trip or weekend thrown in.

I'd love to own a larger ST such as the FJR or C14 but that's way overkill for my 10 minute commute and 55km speed limit.

[sagedrifter]

When I'm touring on my DS bikes the one thing I do miss is shaft drive. Riding rain or shine day after day, ease of service is important. I like the easy oil changes on the FJR, nice shaft drive too.

But, for something different I might try a Guzzi one of these days, maybe the standard V7 version with some Givi bags. They list for $10K new and are shaft driven.

Or maybe the fancy one if I ever get a real job again:



The more I ride the more I like bikes without all the plastic. I've done the Honda ST11 and ST13, the FJR was more fun. I'm a tall guy so I don't fit on Sprint's or the VFR's etc. It sucks being big some days.. The FJR fits me perfect but, its a heavy bike and it shows when the roads get tight.

It will probably be a Guzzi or a BMW R1200RT if I get another bike. I've always had a sweet spot for air cooled twins. The RT has great weather protection. My FJR1300 always left me soaked in even light rain. That space just above the dash funnels rain right to your chest. Makes it a cooler bike on hot days though....

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by sagedrifter

But, for something different I might try a Guzzi one of these days, maybe the standard V7 version with some Givi bags. They list for $10K new and are shaft driven.

I have one. It's a great all-rounder...

[Yossarian™]

Originally Posted by Skitch

My next sport tourer will be a SPORT tourer. The 2006-2009 Honda Interceptors are top of the list right now. Tougher to find than expected. I'd prefer one with ABS, making it even tougher. Plan to use as dual duty as an occasional track bike too. Reason I like it: versatile, good range, Honda quality/reliability, lots of luggage options, and I'm sure it will feel better on the track than my RT.
What other bikes should i consider?

2002-2005 Kawasaki ZZ-R1200

Very SPORTY sport-tourer.

[BanjoBoy]

Originally Posted by Maggot12

I too am considering a "small sport tourer". The FZ6 and the GSX650F are high on my list. There is one of each fo sale by the same owner. Both setup with luggage and 08's in the for sale section.

Anyone ride both and can tell which is smoother at highway speeds? I briefly rode the FZ and really liked it and I'd assume the GSX would be similar around town which most of my riding would be. That and the odd day trip or weekend thrown in.

I'd love to own a larger ST such as the FJR or C14 but that's way overkill for my 10 minute commute and 55km speed limit.

I gotz both an FJR and an FZ6.
I usually pick the FJR cuz the weight don'y bother me nun, 'n I like the heated grips, adjustable wind screen, integrated side cases, and shaft drive.
Butt, the little FZ6 iz also a good platform for a ST/ADV bike. It's comfortable, has a 200 plus mile range, and 26K mi. valve checks. I've added a Cee Bailey wind screen, 'n Airhawk butt pad, heated vest plug, SPOT and GPS mounts.
You could install Oxford heated gripz, and now yer good ta go tour'in.