ProfDecoy ([info]profdecoy) wrote in [info]motorcycles,
2006-03-14 18:29:00
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Sport Touring Vs. Cruiser Touring

I've been putting some thoughts towards what I might want to get as a next bike. Even though I'm a bit of a cruiser fan right now, sport touring bikes have been on my mind for a few months now.

I'm looking for something that won't cost me a whole lot, looking to spend around $10k give or take a little for the bike and a first round of aftermarket parts. However, I'm also looking for something that will be comfortable for long rides (with a possible VA to AZ ride in a year or so when I feel ready for a long multi-day ride).

Anyway, in my preliminary searching, I have been considering two different bikes.

The first being the Honda Shadow Spirit or Sabre and putting hard saddle bags on it for lockable, weather resistant storage. However, I believe that most hard bags tend to run around $400 or more.

As for a Sport Touring bike in the price range I am planning for, I have been looking at the Kawasaki Concours. Looking at the basic information on it from Kawasaki, it comes with locking, removable hard bags.

Right now I'm not planning to buy for at least 4-6 months, but I'm putting feelers out just to figure out which I might want to get and to figure out which will be better for me in the long run. Has anyone had any experiences with either bike (good or bad) that they'd like to share, or have any other recommendations for other bikes to consider?

For general knowledge, I currently ride a Honda Shadow VLX.

Thanks in advance.

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  • 23 comments

[info]elizilla

March 14 2006, 23:58:40 UTC 6 years ago

The Concours hasn't been changed much in many years, and their resale is terrible. So if you're interested in a Concours I suggest saving a whole lotta money by buying a lightly used one that's a few years old.

How tall are you? A lot of the best sport tourers are pretty tall.

You know that for about $600 you can put a set of Givi hard bags on just about any bike you like, right?

[info]profdecoy

March 15 2006, 01:22:44 UTC 6 years ago

I'm 5'11", while I find the Shadow comfortable for me, it doesn't sit well for long rides.

[info]mistrtoad

March 15 2006, 00:49:31 UTC 6 years ago

The Concours is an OK bike, but the Honda ST1100 is a great bike. It handles better than the Concours, has more usable power, and is much, much smoother. They don't break often. Its worst traits are a bit of portliness and a bit of lack of character. It will be a reliable servant.

Other bikes in this category are the Yamaha FJR1300 and, possibly, the VFR800 with hard luggage. And any number of standard bikes can be fit with locking, weathertight and removable hard luggage. Low-mile examples of nearly anything built in the past ten years would fit the bill nicely.

For touring I would shy away from bikes with forward pegs. They put a lot more weight on your lower back and butt than an upright standard or sport touring position. It takes a couple weeks to get used to a new position, but IMO sport-touring bikes have the most natural, sustainable position for long-distance comfort.

[info]profdecoy

March 15 2006, 01:46:04 UTC 6 years ago

Thanks for the input.

I looked up the Honda ST1300 on their site (do they still make the ST1100, or is it not available in the US?) and while it looks nice and would fit the bill, both it and the Yamaha FJR1300 are just outside what I'm looking to spend, unless I can find a good used one. However things will probably change between now and when I actually look at purchasing (getting selected for SSgt or another deployment to Iraq would help).

The modded regular sport bike is certianly an option, but I think I'd be tempted to go faster than I reasonably should on it. Then again, I might run into the same problem on a sport tourer as well.

I'm also needing to think about possible passenger comfort as well, don't know if I'll be carrying a passenger anytime soon, but it's some thing that I do have in the back of my mind as well.

Thanks again.

[info]shadowriderhope

March 15 2006, 02:39:50 UTC 6 years ago

I'd consider (and well, I did, before I bought my new bike, a Kawi Z750S the Honda VFR800 with hard bags. Used ones (get pre-2003, as they changed the engine to VTEC in 2003, and it's been pretty unpopular) are easy to come by, usually in the range of ~ $3000 - $5000 (if I recall correctly). You can get factory hard luggage for the post-2003s, but I'd just get the Givi stuff.

The only reason I didn't get the VFR was the seating position was just a little too leaned forward for me - I have some repetitive strain issues in my wrists/hands, and so the Z750S (with Genmar risers) has been a good match for me. I just finished outfitting it with a touring screen and Givi bags, and can't wait to start touring with it! :)

Best of luck to you.

p.s. I still wistfully sigh when I see VFRs.... that Honda V4 engine is just plain addictive. ;) Much as I love my new baby.

[info]tomatoe333

March 15 2006, 03:08:12 UTC 6 years ago

My next bike WILL be a 1998-2002 VFR...
oh yes. I will have it.

[info]jeffreyp

March 15 2006, 05:34:42 UTC 6 years ago

VFR

Actually the VTEC started with the 2002 model year. I was actually looking at the ZR-7s (before the z750 was announced) when I picked up my 2003 VFR from a friend. I had help him pick out the Givi setup when he bought the bike, I also told him if he wanted to sell it I'd like a chance at buying it. It is nice to have more storage than a goldwing and be able to take it all off when not needed or wanted.

[info]jeffreyp

March 15 2006, 05:42:15 UTC 6 years ago

The ST1100 was replaced by the ST1300 a few years back. If you are looking for more information that you know what to do with dealing with sport touring then you can take a look at www.sport-touring.net

In many cases *anything* can be a touring bike. Also, most any bike with 600ccs or more can easily handle extralegal speeds with luggage and/or a passenger, some just make it really easy to do so.

[info]profdecoy

March 15 2006, 22:43:11 UTC 6 years ago

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

I've been asking some of the guys I work with that ride as well for some input just to broaden my scope of knowledge. And my boss has suggested the ST1300, but has said that I'd have a hard time finding one used that isn't ultra-high mileage (he has mentioned that he was thinking about getting one at some point in time).

[info]team503

March 15 2006, 17:16:51 UTC 6 years ago

FJRFJRFJR!

Seriously, the FJR is a dream. I had a friend how has one, and I rode it a bit. What a NICE ride!

[info]camper4lyfe

March 15 2006, 01:52:33 UTC 6 years ago

Check out Yamaha's FZ1 for a sport tourer.

[info]shadowriderhope

March 15 2006, 02:41:43 UTC 6 years ago

How do you like your FZ6? I very nearly got one. :) I also like the FZ1, but if I recall correctly, they're still carbureted - not necessarily a bad thing, but something worth noting. Though I think they had been planning on updating it this year with fuel injection, if I'm not mistaken...

[info]camper4lyfe

March 15 2006, 02:56:52 UTC 6 years ago

The 2006 FZ1 is fuel injected.

I love the FZ6. I like the styling of it a lot more tan the FZ1.

[info]shadowriderhope

March 15 2006, 03:06:51 UTC 6 years ago

Yeah, I think the exhaust on the FZ6 just rocks. ;) And just generally the styling rocks. I found it just a little too buzzy for me, though, and since I could get the Z750S for about the same price, and 150 more cc's, well, it seemed a better deal. Still, though, the FZ6 is a damn fine bike. Do you have yours outfitted for touring?

[info]quotidianlight

March 15 2006, 03:33:17 UTC 6 years ago

I have talked to quite a few people who use the FZ6 as a sport tourer. I'll give you my review after next month.

[info]quotidianlight

March 15 2006, 03:34:18 UTC 6 years ago

The buzzy goes away after about 2k miles on the bike and once you get up into the higher RPM's without going to high. There is a really nice comfortable band in there.

[info]camper4lyfe

March 15 2006, 12:26:02 UTC 6 years ago

Mine is 95% stock. I've added frme sliders, a fender eliminator kit, painted the windscreen, and am installing a 12v outlet here soon. I'm contemplating getting a Puig windscreen to help with the buffeting around my neck. Aside from that, what you see is what you get.

I do have tank and saddle bags for it, but that's about as close to outfitted for touring as it gets right now.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v181/camper4lyfe/Fizzer/
http://photobucket.com/albums/v181/camper4lyfe/Welcome_Home/

[info]camper4lyfe

March 15 2006, 12:33:39 UTC 6 years ago

Oh, and the buzziness goes away as the bike breaks in. I've got over 6k now and the buzziness is either on its way out or I just don't notice it anymore.

[info]jon3

March 15 2006, 02:36:55 UTC 6 years ago


Someday I'll own an FJR1300. Someday.

[info]elizilla

March 15 2006, 06:20:12 UTC 6 years ago

If you want a bike to sport tour on, that's comfortable and not too large, you might check out the Suzuki DL650 V-Strom. Sit up and beg riding position, with your feet under you rather than behind or out front of you, for all day comfort, on a bike that's not too heavy and handles well so you can still sport around on it. Well-proven, strong 650 twin that they borrowed from the SV650. Suzuki offers decent factory hard bags for it, or there are a half dozen hard luggage choices available from the aftermarket. 5.8 gallon gas tank and 50+mpg gives it a very long range.

MSRP around $6500 but some dealers are advertising them for under $6K. Add $600 to $1000 for the luggage, depending on what you choose.

The biggest drawbacks are that it's a tall bike, and it has a chain drive. You're tall enough, and some people consider the chain drive an advantage rather than a drawback.

There's also a DL1000 V-Strom if you've got your heart set on a litrebike. The DL1000 has been around since 2002 so there are plenty of good used ones available in the same $5500 to $6000 range. The bike in my userpic is my DL1000, I bought it in 2003 and it's quite comfy on trips.

[info]stnulf

March 15 2006, 12:56:05 UTC 6 years ago

Its a pity some of the other bikes in both classes arent availabel over there. The Varadero has a really good rep for touring, but you have to go to Mexico to get your hands on one.

[info]elizilla

March 16 2006, 04:30:04 UTC 6 years ago

My other bike is a TDM. I'd have been super interested in the Varadero instead of the Strom if they sold them here; I'm a big Honda fan. Maybe when I visit England this summer I can score a test ride on a Varadero.

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