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Bike ideas for a 2-up tourer with a $5k budget?

louemc said:
It isn't as "cool" as Your present bike... In any way shape or form.

But... Performance/handling, secure function, isn't for everyone... :laughing
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I think that as far as cruisers go, it's a cooler choice than most budget metric cruisers, with better performance and lower weight... The controls don't seem too far forward - and looks like they can be had pretty cheap. I might just get one of these to have something *completely different* since I already have a sportbike (and have basically only ever owned sportbikes).

Maybe I'm getting a bit long in the tooth.
 
Another vote for the Triumph Sprint ST. I'm betting you could find a 07-09 Sprint ST 1050 ABS for about $5k (big depreciation hit but $4500-$6k seems to be the used market spot). You may pay a tad over $5k but you could probably find a very good example w/ hard luggage and topcase. I'd recommend 08-newer, the tank changed from plastic to metal (good for magnetic tank bags) and the headlights got an improvement. Suspension might need an update to suit you and the passenger's weight, but you'll have a very reliable, fun, comfortable sport tourer for a great price.
I had an 07 Sprint ST ABS for just about 2 years, put on 22XXX miles with zero mechanical issues and routine maintenance. Fun bike and comfy on long distances.
 
NoobCorpse said:
Another vote for the Triumph Sprint ST. I'm betting you could find a 07-09 Sprint ST 1050 ABS for about $5k (big depreciation hit but $4500-$6k seems to be the used market spot). You may pay a tad over $5k but you could probably find a very good example w/ hard luggage and topcase. I'd recommend 08-newer, the tank changed from plastic to metal (good for magnetic tank bags) and the headlights got an improvement. Suspension might need an update to suit you and the passenger's weight, but you'll have a very reliable, fun, comfortable sport tourer for a great price.
I had an 07 Sprint ST ABS for just about 2 years, put on 22XXX miles with zero mechanical issues and routine maintenance. Fun bike and comfy on long distances.
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I've sat on them. Too tall. Don't really want to deal with dropping the ride height by changing linkage/triples/etc. I used to own a Speed triple before which is basically the same platform, minus all the bits. It was a nice handling bike, but it was definitely too tall for my taste. CG also felt kinda high on that bike.
 
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Kinda surprised only one person has mentioned the VStrom. I thought it was pretty good for such things?

My next bike will end up being something better for long 2-up trips, I expect, so I'm really invested in the idea. I loves my FZ6, but it would need a much better suspension to do that well.
 
zixaq said:
Kinda surprised only one person has mentioned the VStrom. I thought it was pretty good for such things?

My next bike will end up being something better for long 2-up trips, I expect, so I'm really invested in the idea. I loves my FZ6, but it would need a much better suspension to do that well.
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Height - as original post says - Adventure bikes are a no-go.
 
Eugene said:
Height - as original post says - Adventure bikes are a no-go.
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I guess my brain hadn't clumped it in with the Adventure bikes. Will adjust categories appropriately, I guess.

I was following a Honda ST thing (1100? 1200?) at the last doc wong ride I went to. That guy hauled ass on it (with a car tire on the back!), and it looked like it could handle a passenger comfortably with no problem.
 
zixaq said:
I was following a Honda ST thing (1100? 1200?) at the last doc wong ride I went to. That guy hauled ass on it (with a car tire on the back!), and it looked like it could handle a passenger comfortably with no problem.
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Pics or it didn't happen.:x
 
El Feo said:
Pics or it didn't happen.:x
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I have seen then, but would not recommend them.

169475.jpg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZKhoFbL7Fo
[youtube]gZKhoFbL7Fo[/youtube]
 
To OP I sent you a PM on a ST1300 on CL.
 
oh boy. cue darkside debate and say goodbye to the thread.

I second the Bandit or an FZ1, depending on how far you're going and how much wind protection you want. If you really want to load them up then yeah the FJR, Concourse, ST are good choices and still hustle around turns at speed.

How vertically challenged is "vertically challenged?" I'm 5'8" on a good day, 30" inseam, and ride a Multi 1100s, with the forks raised in the triples about to the max and the lowering link adjusted to match. Oddly, it still seems to tall for it's own kickstand :)rolleyes Italians...). It's tall, but I've gotten used to it. I found the BMW RTs taller than I was comfy with. Especially fully loaded, I had some scares at a few stops.
 
ohio said:
oh boy. cue darkside debate and say goodbye to the thread.

I second the Bandit or an FZ1, depending on how far you're going and how much wind protection you want. If you really want to load them up then yeah the FJR, Concourse, ST are good choices and still hustle around turns at speed.

How vertically challenged is "vertically challenged?" I'm 5'8" on a good day, 30" inseam, and ride a Multi 1100s, with the forks raised in the triples about to the max and the lowering link adjusted to match. Oddly, it still seems to tall for it's own kickstand :)rolleyes Italians...). It's tall, but I've gotten used to it. I found the BMW RTs taller than I was comfy with. Especially fully loaded, I had some scares at a few stops.
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5'6" with a ~28-29 inseam.
 
how is the Bandit for the passenger? Im also thinking on getting the B1250
I heard Passengers legs are cramped with the raised pegs.
 
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