Sport Tourer vs Sport Bike with Bars

[aram]

So what's the other 10%? What's a higher performance version of the Ninja 650?

Should I just put a better shock on the rear, get the fork internals handled, bump up the rear sprocket 2 teeth and call it a day?

versys with a top case would be pretty cool for touring I bet but I'd just use the 650r.

 

[Aluisious]

So what's the other 10%? What's a higher performance version of the Ninja 650?

Should I just put a better shock on the rear, get the fork internals handled, bump up the rear sprocket 2 teeth and call it a day?

Pretty much. You could have something with more power and better handling, but you don't need that much for the street anyway.

 

[terdog55]

I say that you look into the 2nd Gen FZ1. In fact, theres a red on on SF CL right now. 2006 with less than 10k, a bunch of mods (CF slip on, PC3, etc), and I belive that he's asking less than $5k.

I done some basic mods to my 07, and have no problem getting 45 mpg, and doing 500 mile days. I moto camp on it too, with the usual Cortech saddle bags.

Feel free to pm me with any questions.

Good luck.

 

[Burning1]

Ability to carry stuff is a biggy for me when it comes to sport touring. If a sportbike can carry sleeping bag and a regular back-pack on the rear seat its a sports tourer

I once carried an spare engine on the back of my K1300GT, and stuffed the bags full of parts. IMO, if you have to ask whether or not you can get something home, it's not a touring bike. Generally, I just shop. Never question whether or not I can strap what I have to the bike.

 

[moonbeam]

To me the big difference is insurance. Most of us arn't going to use the full performance of the true sports bike but we will pay the price in insurance costs for all the squids who tried.

 

[goodness-707]

I done some basic mods to my 07, and have no problem getting 45 mpg, and doing 500 mile days. I moto camp on it too, with the usual Cortech saddle bags.

The FZ1 is a fun bike. I get nowhere near the mileage you get though. I get about 35, and judging from other owners comments about FZ1 bikes, more of us are getting under 40 than over 40. I think my ST3 is probably a better sport tourer than the FZ1 though. I can get 200 miles per tank on the ST3, or an easy 180 if I'm behaving badly. Plus it's a fair bit more comfortable than the FZ1. Better seat, better wind protection, but of course... less power.

I suppose it isn't really fair to compare them that way because they are very different bikes, but on the question of sport touring... tank range is an inhibitor for the 2nd gen FZ1 bikes. I wouldn't discount the late model Ducati ST bikes. You can snag an S model fairly cheap these, and if you can stomach the more frequent maintenance, they are great bikes.

 

[louemc]

IDK just ask Loumc about his rockin zx10 with bars..

Ah..My favorite subject. I've been doing this to my give or take a little bit, Liter race replica's for 30 years.

The core of the question is..how hard core are you?
If You can be totally happy with factory products made for the masses (highest market base) in a general category...then...walk into a dealership and buy what they sell.

If You want a harder edged touring bike. Start with a Race Replica, and make the cosmetic modifications to suit Your individual desires.

Harder edged will have rewarding moments, out there. One that is priceless is Power...At high Altitude (Colorado Rockies) and..You come up behind a string of cars/small trucks/Motor homes, that are backed up behind a big rig, and everyone is gasping for breath, and can't pass because of that, plus the winding road hasn't got passing lanes or distance of visibility.

Enter the Race Replica...Hasn't been neutered for so called "more torque or low/mid range power" Race replica has all the goods, and it is lighter than the "non-Race developed" Translation...You Pass, and keep going at Your Pace. The alternative is fall in behind that snail pace bunch.

I find the Race Replica, loaded for a long haul tour, is stable like a rock. Every part of it that was made for track Racing stability is doing that same job as a touring bike. That stability is so confidence inspiring, you can be just more relaxed.

When You are on the bike all day long, day after day, week after week, Month after month...It makes a difference.

 

[Lovedoc]

nuttin wrong with touring on a sport bike....

 

[codger]

it kind of depends on what you are looking for. I set up all my gsxrs with corbin seats,helibars and double bubbble windscreens and even for an old timer they arent bad. my busa has heli bars and an oconner seat it is much more comfortable than any of the gsxrs were. My old 99 concours is way more useful especiall in crappy weather that i like to ride in and up in the sierras during the winter. the weather protection is worlds better and its a low maintenance bike all you need to do is ride. any of them will go fast enough to get you arrested how fast do you really need to go and how often do you use it? I run the connie 120 and higher all the time with no complaints and ride the bus when the need for some stimulation when i start feeling my age. I have both set up for my heated gloves but hardly ever need them on the connie.

 

[russ69]

I'm wishing someday the Japanese figure it out and give us the bike we want. We want a full on sport bike with a higher set of handlebars. We don't want another extra 100 pounds, just to get a nice touring bar. For some reason they think if you don't buy a GSXR-1000 that somehow, you want a 575 pound Bandit 1250. What we really want is a Bandit 1250 that weighs 420 pounds........maybe someday. I've got my money ready.

 

[scout]

Slapping bars on a SS doesn't mellow geometry. I've heard people complain that putting bars on those bikes results in shifting the center of gravity away from the front wheel, something manufacturers fix by fiddling with the wheel base and rake at the same time they're unloading their shitty engine and suspension components.

Though it seems to me that you could lean forward any time you really wanted to get your weight forward again, while being able to cruise more comfortable when it barely matters.

Another thing to consider is some SS bikes are easier to mod, where others require chopping more components to get bars to work. For example on an F4, I think the only thing you need to do is chop a cheap windshield. Beats cutting up R1 fairings to get bar clearance.

edit if you already have a 650R, I wouldn't go through the hassle of getting another bike for light touring on the street. You're 90% of the way there.

Exactly. The weakness of fighters is the light front end, but the strength of fighters is the all around usability, from medium speed twisties to city to slab. The added weakness of sport tourers, like the FJR, is more weight, longer wheel base, slower handling for twists, but strength is that a rider can ride for 6 hours. However, NOTHING beats a bike like a wing for distance, as in day after day of mega miles, with all kinds of weight.

 

[scout]

I'm wishing someday the Japanese figure it out and give us the bike we want. We want a full on sport bike with a higher set of handlebars. We don't want another extra 100 pounds, just to get a nice touring bar. For some reason they think if you don't buy a GSXR-1000 that somehow, you want a 575 pound Bandit 1250. What we really want is a Bandit 1250 that weighs 420 pounds........maybe someday. I've got my money ready.

They did, FZ1 and the b king are two. Also Honda has that new cbr liter naked. However, FZ does need mods to get it up to where it should be.

 

[sckego]

FZ1 = 475 lbs with a full tank (a whole 20 lb more then an R1), 148 hp, very competent suspension.

Z1000 = 480 lbs with a full tank, 138 hp.

There are intermediaries between a supersport and a Bandit 1250. And on the street, the performance difference between the bikes listed above and supersports are about nil.

 

[Triple Threat]

I'm wishing someday the Japanese figure it out and give us the bike we want. We want a full on sport bike with a higher set of handlebars. We don't want another extra 100 pounds, just to get a nice touring bar. For some reason they think if you don't buy a GSXR-1000 that somehow, you want a 575 pound Bandit 1250. What we really want is a Bandit 1250 that weighs 420 pounds........maybe someday. I've got my money ready.

Have you seen the 2011 Ninja 1000? looks pretty promising.

Michael

 

[Burning1]

I'm wishing someday the Japanese figure it out and give us the bike we want. We want a full on sport bike with a higher set of handlebars. We don't want another extra 100 pounds, just to get a nice touring bar. For some reason they think if you don't buy a GSXR-1000 that somehow, you want a 575 pound Bandit 1250. What we really want is a Bandit 1250 that weighs 420 pounds........maybe someday. I've got my money ready.

How much do you want to spend on that Bandit? To be honest, I suspect the vast majority of the sport bike riders out there don't really understand weight. You wouldn't imagine how many people I've spoken to who read the GVWR on the sticker on their bike, and insist that their GSXR-600 weighs 800lbs.

They are going to buy sport bikes no matter what, and a sport/bandit would never make the numbers required to keep the costs down.

FWIW, there are some interesting bikes coming to the market... Ninja 1000 anyone?

 

[scout]

FZ1 = 475 lbs with a full tank (a whole 20 lb more then an R1), 148 hp, very competent suspension.

Z1000 = 480 lbs with a full tank, 138 hp.

There are intermediaries between a supersport and a Bandit 1250. And on the street, the performance difference between the bikes listed above and supersports are about nil.

Right on, bro. With mods on the FZ, very, very close to R1 in slow and med speed twists, but R1 really leaves FZ behind in fast stuff or on track, assuming equality of riders.

However, I think the hp on the unmodded FZ is lower, around 130, but with mods, goes up to the 145/150 range.

 

[Dr. Evil]

How about a standard like a Speed Triple or 599 with fairing/flyscreen? You can get a good flyscreen for between 75 to 200 bucks, and it does everything you'd need it to.

Euro style standards are VERY close to what you're looking for. Upright, comfortable, but still able to carve like the best. When the japanese make a standard for the US, it's usually just blah. The aforementioned 599 and the 919 are the only exceptions I'm aware of. The 599 was built for and in the European market (Italy, I think).

 

[MysterYvil]

My Ninja 650 works great; even better now that I have a Corbin seat with backrest.

Good power, good range, pleasant to ride under all kinds of conditions (freeway, twisties, dirt roads...)

 

[MellowYellow]

Best all around bike I owned was a zzr1200. For street application for long distance sport riding 2 up with luggage that bike would do it. We could do several hundred twisty spirited riding in comfort. I miss that bike.

I thing with the variaints of st machine you have to decide what you want. I think the best package out there is now the zx14 with the new ninja a possible runner also. The reason is th 14 can easily be moded to what your needs are. I don't know much about the busa so I can't speak on that.

After owning a sportbike for the street I miss my st machine.

 

[ST Guy]

I am again looking to see what else is out there motorcycle-wise and wanted to see what ye olde BARF had to say about the real world differences between a sport tourer (FZ1, Triumph Tiger, etc) vs a sport bike with raised bars (CBR, GSXR, etc).

Pros and cons? Same difference? Stupid question?

For me, the FZ1, the Tiger, and other's like them are not sport tourers by a long shot. They're standards. And as for the difference between them and sport bikes with raised bars, there's not a whole lot of difference.

For me, a sport tourer has shaft drive so you can go thousands and thousands of miles without maintaining a chain. It has hard bags. Good wind protection. A good riding position where your feet are comfortable under you but not up under your butt. And one where the lean forward isn't too radical and is comfortable for all day rides. Plus it has a charging system sufficient to power heated gear for those colder rides. And also power some nice HID driving lights. Anything less and it's less than it could be.