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 but I don't know anything about them. What do you know or what have you heard?
Thanks in advance for the info.....
Donald
If you were to buy a touring bike.... which one?
Moderator: Moderators
Hmm -
When I think of a full blown touring bike, I think of two-up, all day ccomfort, reliability, accesorisation. Also lots of storage - not the sissy kind I get on my RT with Givi top box.
That being said I would lean towards a K1200LT or a Gold WIng. I would not want one of those bikes, but if I wanted a mount for pure touring, I think those would be my two choices. I have ridden the current year LT and I think it has great handling characteristics and adequate power.
I am actually thinking of getting rid of the RT and my Ducati, making the R1 track-only, and then getting either a Hayabusa or K1200S with lots of soft luggage for fast and sporty touring. That's just me.
Tell us more about what kind of riding you want to do and what kind of a rider you are and maybe we can speak to some specific choices that might fit for you.
When I think of a full blown touring bike, I think of two-up, all day ccomfort, reliability, accesorisation. Also lots of storage - not the sissy kind I get on my RT with Givi top box.
That being said I would lean towards a K1200LT or a Gold WIng. I would not want one of those bikes, but if I wanted a mount for pure touring, I think those would be my two choices. I have ridden the current year LT and I think it has great handling characteristics and adequate power.
I am actually thinking of getting rid of the RT and my Ducati, making the R1 track-only, and then getting either a Hayabusa or K1200S with lots of soft luggage for fast and sporty touring. That's just me.
Tell us more about what kind of riding you want to do and what kind of a rider you are and maybe we can speak to some specific choices that might fit for you.
Last edited by BobFV1 on Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bob
2006 R1200GS ADV "Five Charlie"
2006 R1200GS ADV "Five Charlie"
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DJ Downunder
- Honorary Lifer
- Posts: 4776
- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:26 pm
- Location: Melbourne
What Touring Bike???
In my very obviously unbiased opinion, if I were you, I'd get a silver R1150RT. Or you could get a different R1150RT, as long as it was silver. If you were desperate, you could get an R1150RT in a colour other than silver.
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boxermania
- Quadruple Lifer
- Posts: 3644
- Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 6:37 pm
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA.....aproaching retirement
My take.......
Highway cruising - K1200LT
Short distance cruising - HD Road King
Neither for short trips, too heavy and bulky
All around
R1150R
Bandit 1200S
Sprint ST
Honda Pacific Coast
To kick around
SV 650
Honda Hawk
KLR 650
My 2 cents................
Highway cruising - K1200LT
Short distance cruising - HD Road King
Neither for short trips, too heavy and bulky
All around
R1150R
Bandit 1200S
Sprint ST
Honda Pacific Coast
To kick around
SV 650
Honda Hawk
KLR 650
My 2 cents................
Member #312
06 Suzuki Burgman 650 "state of flux"
79 CBX
06 Suzuki Burgman 650 "state of flux"
79 CBX
What do you mean by "touring"?
I have done 800 mile round trips on a 70cc bike, 3000 mile trips - twice- on a 100cc, a 400 mile trip on that same 100cc bike- to name a few on smaller bikes. It all depends on what you want to do, how you want to do it and where you plan to go.
A 50R, the right screen and gear, is an excellent tourer too.
Tell us more.
I have done 800 mile round trips on a 70cc bike, 3000 mile trips - twice- on a 100cc, a 400 mile trip on that same 100cc bike- to name a few on smaller bikes. It all depends on what you want to do, how you want to do it and where you plan to go.
A 50R, the right screen and gear, is an excellent tourer too.
Tell us more.
Member #192
"Life is a curve!"
"Life is a curve!"
touring bike
Neither. A R1200GS with Jesse bags.
Just like I wouldn't pick a Cadillac Escalade or other large SUV for a touring car. If money was no object, I'd use a BMW 7 series or Mercedes.
Just like I wouldn't pick a Cadillac Escalade or other large SUV for a touring car. If money was no object, I'd use a BMW 7 series or Mercedes.
'02 in black - the real BMW color! (Now gone to a new home)
Vann - Lifer No. 295
Vann - Lifer No. 295
R1200GS for me.
The tall upright riding position makes sense, it's a mile-eater, versatile and it look's the dog's knob.
The R1200RT is OK and as a motorway tool is unbeatable but the fairing, though it does a superb job, makes it look (to me) like an old man's machine.
Resale values are higher too on the GS.
I suspect that when it's released early next year, the R1200GS Adventure will be the one.
J
The tall upright riding position makes sense, it's a mile-eater, versatile and it look's the dog's knob.
The R1200RT is OK and as a motorway tool is unbeatable but the fairing, though it does a superb job, makes it look (to me) like an old man's machine.
Resale values are higher too on the GS.
I suspect that when it's released early next year, the R1200GS Adventure will be the one.
J
BMW R850R in silver
heated grips
panniers
flyscreen
cylinder head protectors
heated grips
panniers
flyscreen
cylinder head protectors
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Paul Mihalka
- Basic User
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 8:45 pm
- Location: Maryland
Re: If you were to buy a touring bike.... which one?
Important question: Solo or two-up?DonaldLL wrote: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 but I don't know anything about them. What do you know or what have you heard?
Thanks in advance for the info.....
Donald
You don't stop riding because you get old - you get old because you stop riding!
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dallara
If I had to choose...
If I had to choose between those two...
A BMW K-1200-LT or a Honda Gold Wing...
Well, I'm afraid I would have to go for the Honda. Why?
I have ridden both a Beemer LT of recent vintage, and one of the newer 1800 Honda Wing's... and the Honda just does everything better. It's smoother, has more power (particularly in top gear roll-on's, which is important on big touring rigs), has better thought out ergos for me, better luggage (IMHO), has better suspension, feels a *TON* lighter once underway, and handles a whole bunch better in my opinion...
However, I wouldn't choose either for touring the way I like to...
Nope, for that it has come down to a Yamaha FJR-1300...
But we won't go there.
Cheers!
Dallara
A BMW K-1200-LT or a Honda Gold Wing...
Well, I'm afraid I would have to go for the Honda. Why?
I have ridden both a Beemer LT of recent vintage, and one of the newer 1800 Honda Wing's... and the Honda just does everything better. It's smoother, has more power (particularly in top gear roll-on's, which is important on big touring rigs), has better thought out ergos for me, better luggage (IMHO), has better suspension, feels a *TON* lighter once underway, and handles a whole bunch better in my opinion...
However, I wouldn't choose either for touring the way I like to...
Nope, for that it has come down to a Yamaha FJR-1300...
But we won't go there.
Cheers!
Dallara
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AndyfromPoland
- Basic User
- Posts: 423
- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2005 4:05 pm
- Location: Woking, Surrey
Touring not Sport Touring
Thanks for all the replies. I was looking more for an answer like Dallara's, that is, comparing 2 of the well know touring bikes. I also wanted to hear anything about other bikes in the class of the Goldwing or the LT.
I consider the 1150rt, 1200rt, gs's, etc to be Sport Touring bikes, and while they are nice machines they don't qualify (in my opinion) as a "full blown" touring bike.
Acacia, you did 800 miles on a 70 cc bike? I'll have to look you up in the Guiness book of world records. I did 700 miles on a bicycle but it took me a week... does that count?
I know Harleys are not popular on this site but I thought that they should be considered in any discussion re: Touring bikes
Me I ride mostly one up not two up. Most rides will be day trips 300 miles or less. The roads are flat, no twisties, no mountains. The plan is (and always was) to get out once a year and do a real road trip of 3k miles +/-. Unfortunately I can't get away more often, right now anyway.
As far as our bike, the R1150R being a good touring bike? I don't think so. It is a jack of all trades and a master of none as has been stated before. I like the bike and I have taken it on a couple of 2k and 3k mile trips. It can do the job but in a discussion about touring bikes I'd exclude it.
Thanks
I consider the 1150rt, 1200rt, gs's, etc to be Sport Touring bikes, and while they are nice machines they don't qualify (in my opinion) as a "full blown" touring bike.
Acacia, you did 800 miles on a 70 cc bike? I'll have to look you up in the Guiness book of world records. I did 700 miles on a bicycle but it took me a week... does that count?
I know Harleys are not popular on this site but I thought that they should be considered in any discussion re: Touring bikes
Me I ride mostly one up not two up. Most rides will be day trips 300 miles or less. The roads are flat, no twisties, no mountains. The plan is (and always was) to get out once a year and do a real road trip of 3k miles +/-. Unfortunately I can't get away more often, right now anyway.
As far as our bike, the R1150R being a good touring bike? I don't think so. It is a jack of all trades and a master of none as has been stated before. I like the bike and I have taken it on a couple of 2k and 3k mile trips. It can do the job but in a discussion about touring bikes I'd exclude it.
Thanks
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dallara
BTW, DonaldLL...
BTW, DonaldLL...
As a footnote, I don't think there are any otehr bikes out there that directly compete with the Beemer LT and the Honda Gold Wing...
Some may try to lump (no pun intended... well, maybe just a little bit ) the Harley Electra Glide Ultra with thosem but having ridden some Electra Glides, too, I am of the opinion the H-D's are not even close. They are Harley's, and as such carry around whatever "mystique" that H-D riders claim Harley's have, but in any direct comparison with the Wing or the LT they just don't measure up.
There biggest areas of deficiency is in handling and power. Both the Wing and LT will walk away from the Harley whether it be in pure acceleration from a standstill, or simply in any kind of roll-on at highway speed. This vastly superior roll-on acceleration is what makes the Wing and LT much safer for the rider - and passenger. Handling is another "no contest" arena. The H-D's feel like they have a rubber hinge in the middle compared to the other two, and particularly the Honda... and the H-D's will ground their floorboards ridiculously easy, which can be not only disconcerting at inopportune times, but downright dangerous when you need a bit more lean to make a suddenly decreasing radius corner... By comparison the Honda and BMW have ligthyears more cornering clearance, and feel like sportbikes compared to the H-D's.
The Harley's are comfortable enough, but actually feel quite crapped and ergonomically challenged when compared to the Honda or BMW.
But please note, this is all strictly my personal opinion.
Cheers!
Dallara
As a footnote, I don't think there are any otehr bikes out there that directly compete with the Beemer LT and the Honda Gold Wing...
Some may try to lump (no pun intended... well, maybe just a little bit
) the Harley Electra Glide Ultra with thosem but having ridden some Electra Glides, too, I am of the opinion the H-D's are not even close. They are Harley's, and as such carry around whatever "mystique" that H-D riders claim Harley's have, but in any direct comparison with the Wing or the LT they just don't measure up.There biggest areas of deficiency is in handling and power. Both the Wing and LT will walk away from the Harley whether it be in pure acceleration from a standstill, or simply in any kind of roll-on at highway speed. This vastly superior roll-on acceleration is what makes the Wing and LT much safer for the rider - and passenger. Handling is another "no contest" arena. The H-D's feel like they have a rubber hinge in the middle compared to the other two, and particularly the Honda... and the H-D's will ground their floorboards ridiculously easy, which can be not only disconcerting at inopportune times, but downright dangerous when you need a bit more lean to make a suddenly decreasing radius corner... By comparison the Honda and BMW have ligthyears more cornering clearance, and feel like sportbikes compared to the H-D's.
The Harley's are comfortable enough, but actually feel quite crapped and ergonomically challenged when compared to the Honda or BMW.
But please note, this is all strictly my personal opinion.
Cheers!
Dallara
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garylspolar
- Lifer
- Posts: 890
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 7:43 am
- Location: Cleveland
Yamaha
I've got the FJR1300, and it certainly does fall into the sport-tourer category. Un-frickin' believable how powerful my motorcycle is, and with a set of bar risers, a Sargent seat, and a Cee Baileys windshield, it may be all I will ever want. The new ones have a neat option... shifting with buttons, no clutch. Check out the AE FJR on Yamaha's website.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/produ ... tures.aspx
Don't forget about Yamaha's Royal Star Venture. Less money than either the BMW or Honda touring rigs, and much more style (if you like the cruiser look, and I do, among others). 98 HP from a 1,300cc v4, and lots of cool stuff like CB, Stereo, etc. Very comfortable for passenger, as well as rider.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/produ ... tures.aspx
Don't forget about Yamaha's Royal Star Venture. Less money than either the BMW or Honda touring rigs, and much more style (if you like the cruiser look, and I do, among others). 98 HP from a 1,300cc v4, and lots of cool stuff like CB, Stereo, etc. Very comfortable for passenger, as well as rider.
Absence of evidence is evidence of absence.
Might have to expand my options?
Dallara, thanks again. I kinda sorta thought that the LT and the Goldwing were alone in their class but as I said, I really don't know much about this class of bike so I thought I'd ask those who are in the know.
BTW, Gary, I did consider the Yamaha Royal Star Venture and I have not crossed it off the list.
I will take a closer look at the Sport Touring bikes again but I think the ergos just might not be what I am looking for.
Again, I am far from making a decision, almost just thinking out loud, but maybe what I am looking for just doesn't exist. I want that very upright position the rider has on the Goldwing or the LT but I just don't think I am quite ready to ride somthing that looks like a van.
The Sport Touring models of any brand seem like they might be very similar ergonomically speaking to the 1150R that we have? Yes/no?
I'll go take a look at the BMW K1200GT, and the R1200RT. I love the looks of these 2 bikes but isn't the position going to be similar if not more aggressive than our 1150R?
The Yamaha FJR1300... is it true that there is a 6 month wait to get one of these? I was told by the dealer here that you couldn't find one anywhere. I wanted to see the bike but I am told you have to put down a deposit and order... no such thing as seeing the bike first.
Thanks again for the responses
Donald
BTW, Gary, I did consider the Yamaha Royal Star Venture and I have not crossed it off the list.
I will take a closer look at the Sport Touring bikes again but I think the ergos just might not be what I am looking for.
Again, I am far from making a decision, almost just thinking out loud, but maybe what I am looking for just doesn't exist. I want that very upright position the rider has on the Goldwing or the LT but I just don't think I am quite ready to ride somthing that looks like a van.
The Sport Touring models of any brand seem like they might be very similar ergonomically speaking to the 1150R that we have? Yes/no?
I'll go take a look at the BMW K1200GT, and the R1200RT. I love the looks of these 2 bikes but isn't the position going to be similar if not more aggressive than our 1150R?
The Yamaha FJR1300... is it true that there is a 6 month wait to get one of these? I was told by the dealer here that you couldn't find one anywhere. I wanted to see the bike but I am told you have to put down a deposit and order... no such thing as seeing the bike first.
Thanks again for the responses
Donald