If you were to buy a touring bike.... which one?

[dallara]

Hey, DonaldLL...

Regarding the Yamaha FJR-1300 and availability - The 2006 FJR-1300-A (Cobalt Blue with ABS and normal shifting) will be released in March 2006. The 2006 FJR-1300-AE (Silver with ABS and electric shifting) will be released in May 2006.

If you want ot be the first on your block to own either, then yes, you use Yamaha's PDP (Preferred Delivery Program) and place a $500 deposit with your dealer and you will take delivery as soon as each model is released. In previous years Yamaha usually had three of these order program "windows" a year, but I have been told that will not be the case this next year...

Instead, once the initial 2006 PDP orders are filled on each model then a month or two later after each release date the FJR-1300's will be available to dealers via open ordering, and certainlyu some dealers will be stocking them. Apparently Yamaha is now only going to use the PDP to allow some buyers to be the first to obtain the new models prior to them being available for open odering. My dealer told me that nobody minded the PDP program the first couple of years on the FJR-1300, but that last year Yamaha took a lot of heat from potential customers about it. Back in late July/early August of this year (2005) Yamaha made a limited number of 2005 FJR-1300-ABS models available for open ordering, and the dealers snapped them right up.

Evidently this will the blueprint for their future stocking of FJR's.

Hope this helps!

Dallara

(p.s. I guess I'm weird, but rarely in my motorcycling career of 35 years have I ridden a model of bike before I bought one... Usually I just knew what I wanted and went and bought it, ordered it, etc. I even bought non-USA models from overseas sight unseen...)

[king biscuit]

For what it's worth, I think I'd have to go with the new GoldWing. When you think of full out long distance touring, that's it. I know, the K1200LT looks great, but it does not look nearly as comfortable as the Wing. I recently saw a video of 2 skilled riders taking Wings through Deal's Gap. Man, most sport bikers would have a hard time keeping up with them. They scrapped a bit, but they were flying and the bikes were amazingly nimble for the size. I read an article somewhere that said "if you could close your eyes and forget that the wing is as big as an accord, you'd think you were on a sport bike".

But, the guy spending the money gets the final say.

Dan

[Guest]

I'm assuming this is between the Goldwing and the LT. I've ridden and owned my share of Hondas and BMWs, but I've never ridden either the Goldwing or the K1200LT. I do know people who own each and each owner loves their bikes.

Personally, I'd rather not have the full blown touring bike. That, and I never ride two up. So, if I were to buy a touring machine, I'd be more inclinded to look at the R1200GS. If I wanted a more complete pavement machine with better wind protection, then I'd look to the R1200RT, Honda ST1300, or the Yamaha FJR 1300. At the biggest I'd look at the K1200GT.

[mistercindy]

I'm assuming this is between the Goldwing and the LT. I've ridden and owned my share of Hondas and BMWs, but I've never ridden either the Goldwing or the K1200LT. I do know people who own each and each owner loves their bikes.

Personally, I'd rather not have the full blown touring bike. That, and I never ride two up. So, if I were to buy a touring machine, I'd be more inclinded to look at the R1200GS. If I wanted a more complete pavement machine with better wind protection, then I'd look to the R1200RT, Honda ST1300, or the Yamaha FJR 1300. At the biggest I'd look at the K1200GT.

Hate that double log in!!! That was me. Sorry.

[CycleRob]

DonaldLL,

Long time no see!

By full blown touring bike I assume you mean CD player and electric reverse.

GL-1800 - They say it's way better than the GL-1500 but my test ride told me it's still boring Big Bertha with plan ahead limo handling. It's also too hot when it's hot out and it's fuel appetite is big. BUT. If you want to cross 4 state borders in record time, with bet your life certainty, in sleepy electric smooth comfort, all you'll need is a couple'a CD's and a credit card. I'd consider the ST-1300 instead.

K1200LT - Haven't ridden one - - - even declined the offer to do so cause it's too big/heavy/expensive. Guys that own them love them.

When you decide, consider things like resale, fuel economy and tank range, vibration, handling, servicing costs and most important - - - the fact that you just gotta have it.

My one and only vote: R1200RT

[arkline]

Um, well...If I were doing any more than dreaming about this issue, I'd be looking at used Valkyries too. Not so full boat as the GoldWing nor so overly appointed as the K-LT. But fairly solid, I think. And only recently orphaned...

I had a chance once, and only once, to buy a left over last year's model of a Valkyrie. The dealer saw it in my eyes, I guess. It was so freekin' yellow, I just couldn't do it. Sometimes, I wonder what life would have been like...

The FJR is a tempting morsel. But for me this is but a dream...

[gelbe Kulter]

I'll chime in on the side of the Goldwing. In addition to the stereo, communications, luggage and comfort, it handles very well - not just for a tourer, but for a non-sportbike. I have seen two riders who could leave me on a curvy road while grinding the pegs on their GL1800 Goldwings. One of those bikes had 235k miles on it! It is heavy, but you can work it. You can pick another bike that you prefer, but you can't pick a better touring bike, IMHO. Second choices would be the RT, FJR, ST1300 class of sportTOURING bikes (as opposed to SPORTtouring).

Anything with a big fairing is a sauna in summer, and the GL is a good example of that.

[DonaldLL]

Hey Cycle Rob.... yeah I've been away for a while. I relocated from Houston to Miami and these people expect me to work more and play less!!! Geez...

I like most of what I have heard about the Goldwing but like I said, I guess I'm just not ready for the size and the bulk. I'd really like to sit on the Yamaha FJR, or the Honda 1300ST, or the BMW sport touring bikes to see or feel the ergos. I am assuming that the sport touring bikes are similar to our 1150 R when it comes to ergonomics, right?

First impressions... I like the FJR but I'm not going to put a deposit on a bike I have not even seen or sat on.

I'm going to have to consider the R1200RT. I like the bike and I keep hearing good things about it.

Maybe I'll take a look at the Honda Accord... I mean the Honda Goldwing a few years down the line.

I guess most people on our site prefer the boxer enging over the K?
R1200RT vs K1200GT. What would be the difference in feel, performance, and functionality of these 2 bikes for touring?

[yjleesvrr]

Donald - A data point for your question - I prefer two cylinder engines for motorcycles. 4 bangers tend to be smooth to the point they lack character. Twins on the other hand are interesting even 8 hours into a trip. Sound, feel, and low-end torque. The BMW boxer has a proper balance of all three of these properties IMO. To me, the boxer is the perfect touring engine.

[rivi7777]

The GT is coming...



For strictly touring purposes, I'd be happy with any of the usual suspects...

[Acacia]

DoanldLL.

"800 miles on a 70 cc" ?

Yup! - still have the pictures to prove it too. Bike was a Maserati frame, and a Mosquito motor (later the motors were made by Garelli) with a 70cc conversion and lots of tweaking. Pretoria to Scotborough via Durban, South Africa and back up. Elevation changes from 4500ft, up to 6000 and down to sea level and back. On the 100cc twin cylinder Yamaha I did several 600 miles plus days in those 3000 mile round trips.

Touring is as much about the rider as it is the bike. We can give our opinions about the rides, but the rider?

[Guest]

Wait for the new version of the K1200GT.

[DonaldLL]

I appreciate all the responses on my question(s). This is what is so great about this board. A good friend is thinking about buying an 1150R. I referred him to this board and he was amazed at the friendly, knowledgeable people here.

Acacia, man I'll bet there are some great stories to go along with those trips you took. I did ask specific questions and I thought I defined touring when I inquired about the large tourers, i.e. The LT and the Goldwing or anything else in that class. Do you have any feedback on those bikes or any preferences in the sport touring class?

Thanks again, guys, I appreciate your help

[dallara]

Nothing to compare even remotely to Acacia's small displacement treks, but...

When I was much younger (back in the early 1970's) I took a couple of 300 and 400 mile round trips on Honda XL-175 and XL-250 singles, and they are some of the best memories of travelling I have. True *minimalist* trekking, with nothing but a bungee-corded duffle and gas money... Lots of smiles per mile with knowing that no road, dirt or pavement, was off-limits... and you couldn't be in much of a hurry simply because the bikes cruising speed put the limits on your mileage per day. Fun stuff.

I did a 600 mile round trip in 1984 on a Honda MVX-250 two-stroke V-3 (a Japanese domestic model not imported to the USA, but I got one anyway...). I was in the company of Kawasaki Concours, Suzuki GS-1100's, Honda inline and V-4's, etc.... about 15 of us, and I had by far the smallest bike... but it kept up every mile of the journey, and I swear I had more fun than anybody else! Every mile seemed like I was having to qualify for a 250 GP, and I was having to draft all the time just to keep up on the faster Hill Country roads, and I carried everything in a weird photographers multi-pocket vest and a backpack...

Funny, but those sorts of trips stand out in my memories much more than the ones where I had the "latest and greatest" long distance mounts...

Okay... apologies for the wool-gathering...

Back to your regularly scheduled programming...

Cheers!

Dallara

[DonaldLL]

That's so true, Dallara. No matter whether hiking, biking, trekking, camping, backpacking, the trips I remember best are those wher I had I had the basics and not the latest and greatest equipment. The memories and the stories that go along with those adventures are the richest of the lot.

[biggums]

I'd run with a new Harley Ultra with the 95 inch kit. That way in 10 years when I'm ready to upgrade I'd at least get most my money back. Plus the ride and look ain't bad either.

[BobFV1]

Time for me to p*ss off the whole board again...

I don't get all you guys answering that the RT is what this guy is looking for - look at his original post:

Would it be the BMW K1200LT?

Would it be the Honda Goldwing?

What else falls into this class?

I am thinking, that is thinking ,about getting a full blown touring bike

I just don't think he was asking about the RT, ST, GT, or FJR. Let's play Jeopardy - the question to which the answer "The R1200RT or the new FJR" belongs is:

"What is: I really like to get out on the open road and want a single bike that will comfortably take me anywhere, but I also have a real hankering in my loins to take the touring gear off and lean that baby over on a nice, spirited ride from time to time. What bike gives me the best of both the sport and touring worlds?"

[DonaldLL]

Bob,

You had me laughing about this but it's true. The RT, GT, FJR, etc are all nice machines but thay ain't got nothin' to do with the question! I guess some people's enthusiasm about their favorite(s) is just overwhelming.

I can say that after reading about some of the sport bikes, though, I might have to reconsider. At least I can say that the various comments have given me cause for thought. I think I'll just step back one more time and consider my options all over again.

This board is still the best

Donald

[mtwillyman]

I lived in Jacksonville Florida 10 years ago. The roads are flat and straight there. A Harley Electra Glide kitted the way you like it suits those type of roads perfectly. I don't own a Harley anymore BTW. Ride everything that interests you and decide. I miss Florida. Good Luck on your decision.