Help me decide on a sports tourer (or rather close to it)

[nemuro]

I know there are thousands of topics like this, but everyone thinks he has special needs and wants a topic of their own. I am no exception :).

my height: ~1.87 cm ( 6 feet 1⅝ inch ) & my weight: ~100 kg (220 punds).

I use the bike for: 40% Commuting to work, 20% highway, 40% bends/twisties and good fast secondary roads.

My riding experience over my 5 years:
(+strong points in my oppinion, -weak points in my oppinion)

1. Suzuki GS500:
+not that much electronics ( no sensors, no injection, etc )
+easy and cheap maintenance
+ nice to get around in traffic
+ insane fuel economy
+air cooled, no fuss
+ first love

- felt too small, looked like a toy
- windy at highway speeds
- looks

2. Kawasaki ZR-7 - 2001
+fun in the twisties, ran circles around squids on 600 speeders
+not that much electronics ( sensors, injection, etc )
+pulls nice in low revs, nice to get around in traffic
+huge tank and very good fuel economy
+easy and almost cheap maintenance
+huge underseat space for "stuff"
+air and oil cooled, still no fuss
+kawasaki grew on me
+huge tank range
+fuel level indicator
+I could stay in saddle all day

- too rare, hard to find parts and when you do they cost an arm and a leg
- bad on highway speeds (windy)
- front fork a bit soft
- looks


3. Honda VFR800 FI 2000 - gen5

+wind protection and even rain protection sometimes :)
+lovely for doing fast cruising (140km/h-160km/h)
+faster than I what I was used with
+no choke lever
+clock
+looks
+impressive fuel economy

- got (honda) technophobia from this bike. R/R gave up and left me standing, somethimes the bike ignition cut off as I was riding
- runs extremely jerky in first gear when going at idle rpm speed between cars. it's almost scary
- dissapointed from a V to find that the power sits a bit in the high revs
- a bit too linear power delivery, it kinda sneaks up on you
- a bit of a wrestle to tip down in twisties
- runs hot, burns my legs in traffic
- a bit fat for going around traffic
- lacking personality imho


Glad you made it so far, I tried and still try to be as brief as possible.

Now here's what I am looking for in the next bike:

Feature Rating Legend:
+++ - can't live without it / dealbreaker
++ - want it
+ - nice to have / optional

Here we go:

+++ - no older than the year 2000 and no younger than 2004-2005 (because of the $5000 budget)
+++ - tank range of at least 250km in "going slow" mode (no more than 100-120km/h)
+++ - musn't have cooling problems (stop and go in traffic @ 40-45 degrees Celsius)
+++ - good torque at low revs, for getting around town without needing to rev it up
+++ - good for fast cruising (140-160km/h)
+++ - (very) capable in the twisties
+++ - fast. Capable of at least 250km/h
+++ - weighs more than 240kg
+++ - 6th gear


++ - sports position but good for 600km rides w/ getting used to
++ - carburation or low level of electronics
++ - full and protective fairing
++ - (very) good brakes
++ - good for two up


+ - fuel level gauge, clock, analog speedometer/tachometer
+ - decent underseat space for a compact toolbox

Runner-ups
1. Hayabusa (ridden one, love it but a bit large and hard to tip in corners. bet it becomes better as I learn more to ride it)
2. Kawasaki ZX-9 (it's a kaw, it's low tech, it's fast and nimble, hope a find a decent 2002+)

Considering:
1. CBR 1100 XX
2. Yamaha R1 (hate the position but love the looks and speed. considering major mods for ergonomics. handlebars, pegs, etc )
3. Kawasaki Z1000
4. Yamaha FZ1
5. Yamaha TDM 900


What can you recommend based on what I seek? Helpful reviews of the bikes mentioned here is also very welcome.

[PhilB]

Ducati ST4s.

PhilB

[DAKEZ]

Triumph Sprint ST 955/1050

[Qwik]

TDM was limited release/sales in the States. FZ1 is a Great tourer/commuter. Busa is okay but not the best for two up. Maybe take a look at the KTM ADV or SMT as well

[car94]

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by nemuro

5. Yamaha TDM 900

What can you recommend based on what I seek? Helpful reviews of the bikes mentioned here is also very welcome.

Off your list, not knowing what else is available, a TDM gets my vote.

Not sure how well Suzuki is supported there, but a DL(650 or 1000) might also be of interest.

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by Qwik

TDM was limited release/sales in the States. FZ1 is a Great tourer/commuter. Busa is okay but not the best for two up. Maybe take a look at the KTM ADV or SMT as well

He's not in the US- he's in Romania; the TDM is still available as a current model in Europe. If KTM support is OK, then a 950 Adventure might work, but for reliability...

[motorat]

since you said sports tourer why not the fjr.

for me the vstrom 650 is the perfect all around bike.
great fuel econmy, runs on regular gas, 5.8 tank. i upgraded the seat, mirrors and wind screen, added luggage and heated grips. it is an all day rider.

[Moronic]

Originally Posted by nemuro

+++ - no older than the year 2000 and no younger than 2004-2005
+++ - tank range of at least 250km in "going slow" mode (no more than 100-120km/h)
+++ - musn't have cooling problems (stop and go in traffic @ 40-45 degrees Celsius)
+++ - good torque at low revs, for getting around town without needing to rev it up
+++ - good for fast cruising (140-160km/h)
+++ - (very) capable in the twisties
+++ - fast. Capable of at least 250km/h
+++ - 6th gear


++ - sports position but good for 600km rides w/ getting used to
++ - carburation or low level of electronics
++ - full and protective fairing
++ - (very) good brakes
++ - good for two up

In combination, these are somewhat restrictive criteria. Do the bikes on your own list fit?

5. Yam TDM 900? No way. At 74hp, it won't be hitting 250kmh (which is on your "deal breaker" list). It doesn't have a full-fairing either.

4. Yamaha FZ1? No full-fairing. Ride position upright, not sports.

3. Kawasaki Z1000? Same. it's a naked, for heaven's sake.

4. Yamaha R1? Disastrous for two-up.

5. CBR1100 XX? Seems to have what you are looking for, except bulky for twisties. (So appears to fail #4 on your "deal breaker" list.)


I'm with PhilB: a Ducati ST4s would be among very few options your criteria leave open.



Or perhaps its Aprilia rival, the Futura, if it's fast enough.

Except neither would be much fun in 40C stop-go traffic, even tho probably they would not overheat (as pre lean-burn models).

BMW R1200ST? It might just hit 250. Opinions will vary on its capability in the twisties.



Its "S" sister would be faster but half-faired and pillion-discouraging. And both may be 2006-plus.

Perhaps re-think your list: is 250km/h really so necessary? Will a half-fairing work? Do you really want a sport-tourer? Is "heavy but okay" in the twisties good enough?

[Aussijussi]

TDM 900, 990 SMT, GS, Multistrada, the list goes on, the new zx 14, if you want to fly. It's a task to decide, so many models to choose from. That 250kmh will limit the choice's, are you planning to cruise the autobahn's

[nemuro]

@PhilB:
I was looking into ST2, ST4s are hard to find in this part of Europe.

@Qwik & @dwoodward
Unfortunately, I don't have the coin for a KTM ADV. The budget is 4000 Euro ($5000).

@car94
I'd love a zzr 1400, but it is over my budget.

@dwoodward
Too bad It's a plushy ride (soft suspensions), but yes it's an interesting choice.

@motorat
It would be nice, but it weighs even more than the busa and I consider that as a barrier for me in terms of weight, for now.

@Moronic
5, 4, 3, 4 yes, that it is on my "Considering" list rather than "Runner-ups"
5. It should be easier to throw around in twisties than the busa, so no deal breaker.

Good call. I am considering Futura as well, it's a very nice package. Thank you

Don't get me wrong, but the BMW doesn't ring any bells for me, nor do I think it goes (fast) that well.

250km/h is for when in a hurry, and sometimes I am.
Half fairing will work.
Heavy but ok works for me in the twisties.

@Aussijussi
Trust me, this topic wouldn't exist if I had the coin for a zx14 or ktm 990. How are the older models of the multistrada?



I added the weight and budget restriction to the initial post. Thank you for the replies guys, they help me consider other options as well.

[Qwik]

I think the FZ1 is the best suited of the machines on your list. Excellent handling, Comfortable seating position, great HP, capable of the speeds you require and its well within your range.Not to mention a huge aftermarket for parts

[Moronic]

Originally Posted by nemuro

How are the older models of the multistrada?

The 05 Multi 1000 is a great bike that seems to fit most of your criteria very well except that:

- ride position is upright;

- half fairing only;

- not 250kmh fast (but better than a TDM and comparable with an ST2).

- prefers cruising around the 130kmh mark, not 160 - although it would certainly cruise at 150 if you needed to. US long-distance rider Gary Eagan set a couple of point-to-point records on one (swapped his ST4 for it).

It is great in the twisties, has good fuel range, good grunt, nice (for a Duc) in traffic, comfy on long days, good with a passenger, relatively low-tech.

But it is an awfully long way from a 'Busa.

[Aussijussi]

I've no experience on the ms, i've had 06 990adv since new, 63000 trouble free kms, despite the talk of how reliable, or not, the LC 8 is. There is also lot of talk of the Ducati having some issues. I've had couple of VFR's, 86 and 92 models. The VFR is a nice machine, if not bit bland. One bike nobody mentioned, is the Suzuki Bandit 1250, Beside's TDM, the most under estimated motorcycle on the planet, for the reason of not being as 'flashy' as some of the other's. They can be picked up fairly cheap as well, try one out, if you haven't already!

[nemuro]

@Qwik
Can you please take some time to talk about or '99 Busa? Or at least point me to where you reviewed it. How do you get along with it?

@Moronic
Odd, it seems to have less power and torque (more important) than a st4s.

@Aussijussi
Actually the large bandit is on my considering list. Waiting to ride one, for sure.