Recommend a good touring bike

[augustiron]

I was asking him where to put the art, duh.

Where for art?

 

[berth]

Or, you could just embrace the suffering.

When my friend and I did our Colorado trip, me on my VFR, him on his Magna 750 (700?). Two completely different riding styles.

And we would trade off.

While, I'm sure the large Gold Wing, Road King, RT, LT have Perfect Ergonomics, most bikes don't.

When we would trade off, whatever pain points we had on the one bike, simply moved to another place on the other.

 

[ctwo]

I was asking him where to put the art, duh.

Where for art?

PIITB, yo!

 

[GilesD]

Don't know if mentioned yet but my recommendation is a 05-12 R1200GS. Fantastic bike at a good price as long as you can find one with low miles. They tend to be ridden a lot.

 

[SFMCjohn]

Or, you could just embrace the suffering.


I've toured on all sorts of platforms, Ninja 250's all the way up to St1300's and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed every trip. Each trip was so vastly different than the previous. This is probably why I go through so many bikes... Each bike provides a somewhat different experience/ level of suffering.

If you ride motorcycles, you like to suffer. If you don't agree with me:
A: You have not yet embraced the fact that you love to suffer.
B: You ride a ultra couch touring bike every day and might as well drive a smart car.

my claim to suffering and fame is being the first person to have used an EX500 on the Iron Butt Association’s list of qualified rides ... that bike cost me $400, CA to NJ in four days and didn’t get rained on once, though I certainly was able to embrace the pain anyway ...

my vote on how the OP should spend his $$$$$ is on BMW’s in-line 6 cylinder ...
now that’s a fancy motorcycle engine for righteous moto peeps.

 

[davidji]

When my friend and I did our Colorado trip, me on my VFR, him on his Magna 750 (700?). Two completely different riding styles.

And we would trade off.

While, I'm sure the large Gold Wing, Road King, RT, LT have Perfect Ergonomics, most bikes don't.

When we would trade off, whatever pain points we had on the one bike, simply moved to another place on the other.

Cruisers and sport bikes (Magna & VFR) both have pain points for a lot of riders.

Standards, like the mostly heavyweight touring bikes you mentioned far less so. Ditto for adventure bikes. No need for a heavyweight tourer to get comfortable ergonomics.

Someone earlier pointed out big touring bikes are the best thing for trips of several weeks. I can't dispute that since all my trips have been shorter.

For around a week on the road I still say find a comfortable bike you want to ride that does what you need.

 

[WWWobble]

If it had a bigger gas tank, I think I might really enjoy something like the big VFR1200F. They didn't sell well, but are incredibly high quality bikes. Shame about the damned tank size though.

Well, you prolly know how much love the VFR Faithful gave the 1200.

And, I think you're right, I suspect low range was a big negative. A neighbor picked up a low mileage one a few months ago as a weekend ride, he likes it a lot... I've not ridden one,

I don't think I could after all the whining I've done to Honda for killing the "original concept" VFR and replacing it with... nothing.

 

[Maddevill]

I borrowed a Rocket 3 for a little jaunt to Yosemite. Monster motor, great brakes and surprisingly light handling....and simply the WORST riding position for travel. Both my and my wife's asses were burning after an hour. Then it went to half an hour. Being forced to sit in one position is torture. That's why I prefer standards or sport touring bikes. You can move around on them.

Mad

 

[Archimedes]

I've owned about 25 motorcycles over the years, mostly sprotbiles, including RZ's, RRs, 848, RSV4, etc., a few standards and tourers, and a cruiser or two. Hands down, the best two bikes I've ever owned were the last two: watercooled RT and GS 1200. Absolutely stunning motorcycles, way better than I ever expected. I'm considering riding again and the only bike I'm considering is the new GS1250. The new bike is epic. If I were going to Canada, I'd probably opt for the GSA1250.

BTW, off the racetrack in the mountains, I was faster on my GS1200 than any sportbike I ever owned. The thing just rails effortlessly. And the new 1250 is a big step up, even though the specs only look moderately better. The fueling is much improved and the bike is now seriously quick.

 

[Tom G]

Don't know if mentioned yet but my recommendation is a 05-12 R1200GS. Fantastic bike at a good price as long as you can find one with low miles. They tend to be ridden a lot.

Unfortunately no rain protection other than the windshield.

 

[redtail]

I'm sticking with my idea that the OP is trolling us.

Where for art thou, Berto???

Seriously, is Berto okay? Does anyone know?

Either that or he's already taken the advise and is on the road.

If not, my recommendation for long haul touring, go big or stay home.

 

[GilesD]

Unfortunately no rain protection other than the windshield.

That's called good quality gear.

 

[Hooli]

I've been jonsing for an FJR, but next year since we just bought a house.

I must be getting old.

 

[MR662]

I've owned about 25 motorcycles over the years, mostly sprotbiles, including RZ's, RRs, 848, RSV4, etc., a few standards and tourers, and a cruiser or two. Hands down, the best two bikes I've ever owned were the last two: watercooled RT and GS 1200. Absolutely stunning motorcycles, way better than I ever expected. I'm considering riding again and the only bike I'm considering is the new GS1250. The new bike is epic. If I were going to Canada, I'd probably opt for the GSA1250.

BTW, off the racetrack in the mountains, I was faster on my GS1200 than any sportbike I ever owned. The thing just rails effortlessly. And the new 1250 is a big step up, even though the specs only look moderately better. The fueling is much improved and the bike is now seriously quick.

Like you, I’ve prob had the same and always were sport bikes. 1k’s, R1’s, several Panigales. Great when I was young and great on the track but at 43 they were no longer comfortable on the street. I ride an RT1200 at work and I fell in love. Sporty and comfortable though after about 2 hours the seat is uncomfortable. I was talking to a CMSP coordinator and retired law enforcement motor and she had a GSA which she loved and did iron butt rally’s on. I asked her why she didn’t go with the RT for long hauls and she said it wasn’t as comfortable. I took her advice and I just bought a GS1250. It’s one of the best bikes I’ve owned. Very comfortable on long rides, feels lightweight, great power, it’s the perfect balance of sport bike and tourer.

If you ever doubt how capable and fun a GS/GSA is, go check out Cory Calls videos on Facebook of him riding it. I also think his Thunderhill lap time on his GSA is faster then 90% of BARF on a sport bike. Lol

I’d highly recommend a GS or GSA 1250.

 

[Kestrel]

Well, you prolly know how much love the VFR Faithful gave the 1200.

And, I think you're right, I suspect low range was a big negative. A neighbor picked up a low mileage one a few months ago as a weekend ride, he likes it a lot... I've not ridden one,

I don't think I could after all the whining I've done to Honda for killing the "original concept" VFR and replacing it with... nothing.

I was expecting a V4 sportbike... and that's not what I got... Or what any of us got But thankfully Ducati and Aprilia have stepped up big in that regard. They're out there if you want them, and sound fantastic.

Or, you could just embrace the suffering.


I've toured on all sorts of platforms, Ninja 250's all the way up to St1300's and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed every trip. Each trip was so vastly different than the previous. This is probably why I go through so many bikes... Each bike provides a somewhat different experience/ level of suffering.

If you ride motorcycles, you like to suffer. If you don't agree with me:
A: You have not yet embraced the fact that you love to suffer.
B: You ride a ultra couch touring bike every day and might as well drive a smart car.

I have a little bit of permanent tinnitus from that trip. It has been a couple of years since that trip, and it's still there. I'm 35. It's not terribly bad, but it's still there... and that's really unfortunate. I don't regret the trip, but I do regret that outcome, and that probably wouldn't have happened on a bike with better wind protection. I always ride with earplugs, and tried my best to decrease turbulence around the helmet area by wearing a muff/scarf etc. Really desperate measures to reduce that.

The Ninja was fine for the vast majority of that trip, which ended up being a lot of 60mph backroads. It was just the getting there and getting back pack which really took its toll.

I don't mind suffering, but hearing loss isn't something I'll do again. Give me the touring bike.

 

[dittoalex]

I have a little bit of permanent tinnitus from that trip. It has been a couple of years since that trip, and it's still there. I'm 35. It's not terribly bad, but it's still there... and that's really unfortunate. I don't regret the trip, but I do regret that outcome, and that probably wouldn't have happened on a bike with better wind protection. I always ride with earplugs, and tried my best to decrease turbulence around the helmet area by wearing a muff/scarf etc. Really desperate measures to reduce that.

The Ninja was fine for the vast majority of that trip, which ended up being a lot of 60mph backroads. It was just the getting there and getting back pack which really took its toll.

I don't mind suffering, but hearing loss isn't something I'll do again. Give me the touring bike.

What exhaust was on the 250? Low-frequency exhaust is damaging. Were you wearing ear plugs properly in a quiet helmet?

Tinnitus sucks, I went electric but the wind noise is so bad due to poor aerodynamics on the small Zero that I'm looking at big-faired tourers.

 

[Kornholio]

I've owned about 25 motorcycles over the years, mostly sprotbiles, including RZ's, RRs, 848, RSV4, etc., a few standards and tourers, and a cruiser or two. Hands down, the best two bikes I've ever owned were the last two: watercooled RT and GS 1200. Absolutely stunning motorcycles, way better than I ever expected. I'm considering riding again and the only bike I'm considering is the new GS1250. The new bike is epic. If I were going to Canada, I'd probably opt for the GSA1250.

BTW, off the racetrack in the mountains, I was faster on my GS1200 than any sportbike I ever owned. The thing just rails effortlessly. And the new 1250 is a big step up, even though the specs only look moderately better. The fueling is much improved and the bike is now seriously quick.

On my most recent purchase, it came down to the GS or RS 1250. In the end, I went with the RS. Main reason for me is that the fueling just didn't feel as solid on the GS as it did on the RS. The off-throttle response wasn't nearly as smooth and the shifter felt crunchy. The windshield is larger on the RS, bag mounts are already there, just like the GS, and it's not nearly as tall. Sure, I can comfortably put my feet down on a GS at 5'11" anyway, but the RS just feels more comfortable to me. At speed, a GS just felt awkward when I test rode it. I really wanted to like it more, but the RS was just a better sport-touring machine....for me, anyway.

 

[planegray]

Whatta buncha tards

Turbo Busa with covid-19 injection..duh !

 

[Kestrel]

What exhaust was on the 250? Low-frequency exhaust is damaging. Were you wearing ear plugs properly in a quiet helmet?

Tinnitus sucks, I went electric but the wind noise is so bad due to poor aerodynamics on the small Zero that I'm looking at big-faired tourers.

Stock! Bought the bike with an obnoxiously loud Cobra F1, and immediately replaced it with a set of stock pipes.

Of course ear plugs (I know how to insert , and *never* ride without them), a fairly quiet Scorpion full face, and like I mentioned before... scarf/muff around the neck.

And yea - still ended up with a little tinnitus. Kind of bummed about that. Not too much of an issue unless it's pretty quiet in a room, but there's certainly a high pitched tone there... (I hear it right now ). I've been holding off on buying a new helmet for a while now, but the next purchase will be something that has fantastic aero properties and really good neck roll / chin skirt design to minimize turbulence and sound. And of course, solid wind protection if I plan to go the distance. Most of my riding right now is dual sport / dirt / supermoto, so the relative speeds and wind noise has been reduced significantly.

 

[dmfdmf]

So reliability and stability mean more to me.

You want stability with the username Wobble, I am confused.

This isn't to say one can't ride to say New York on a 500cc bike, or the world's best [bike, the] Wee Strom, or a Ninja 250, whatever.

FTFY ;-)

I much prefer the larger bikes.

Suzuki's got you covered with the Wee's bigger brother the Vee Strom at 1000cc and 100HP, serviceable for touring I'd think and an engine as reliable as a rock. I don't know the OPs budget but a used Vee plus a few extras for touring (huge aftermarket) would be half the price of the BMW or less.