Sport-touring bike opinions?

[DataDan]

I'm thinking about upgrading from my 1998 ST1100 to a modern sport-touring bike and would like some opinions. The motorcycles I'm currently considering are:

• BMW R1200RT
• BMW K1300S (or used 1300 GT)
• Honda ST1300
• Kawasaki Concours 14
• Yamaha FJR1300

The mission profile includes a little bit of everything--including canyon strafing (in a ponderous but stylish manner) and putting around town for groceries. But what I'm mainly looking for is convenience, comfort, and performance for trips up to one week, mostly on non-freeways in California.

If you own or have owned one of these, or if you happen to know something about them, I'd like to hear about your experience. Not just riding, but also buying, servicing, etc. Also, feel free to add a suggestion to the list, but after riding up and down California for 30 years on all kinds of bikes, I'm pretty much focused on the latest full-figured sport-tourers.

 

[Kornholio]

Any of those bikes could be a fine choice, but I think it ultimately depends on what you're looking to get out of the bike. Each one of those choices has its strengths and weaknesses. Yes, I have an R1200RT, and while I love it, it's not perfect. No bike is. It doesn't have the screaming straight-line performance that the Concours does. It's a fine touring machine that thankfully can also keep up with the majority of sport bikes in the curvy sections. It's stupid simple to work on (read: you can easily do your own maintenance), comes nicely loaded with the best features for touring and doesn't weigh nearly as much as the other bikes you listed.

 

[3B43]

A ridding buddy has a ST1300 and was all set to buy a '12 BMW RT....$$$ in hand. And then I 'offered', 'Ya wanna ride my bike?' After ridding my lovely girl from Willits to Percy, he's getting ready to buy............a Ducati MultiStrada! After getting off my bike, he said, and I quote, "Why would I buy a BMW when I can buy this?"

Just a thought.....ride one before you buy something.

 

[budman]

I have a K1300s Dan. Very capable bike and a surprisingly very good canyon carver.

Extremely stable at speed even with bags and the auto speed shifter is a hoot.
It is a sportbike in nature so not as comfortable over the longer hauls as a couple of the others on your list. I get tired after a 3 day 1k weekend. Knees, back wrist...but I am a bit taller than you so likely not as big of a deal.

The smooth boom of the big motor, the solid brakes and overal quality of the ride is very good.

Good luck!

 

[Kornholio]

I also came a butt hair from a Multi when I bought my RT. I think it comes down to what kind of riding you're truly looking to do. IMO (and I totally stress that it's just my opinion), the Multistrada is not in the same league as the RT. It's a great bike, but ride both for a few hours or take a trip on them separately and you'll see what I mean.

 

[budman]

Since I have a multistrada too Dan if you want my opinion on a comparison happy to give it.

 

[ecoyne]

I'm on my second FJR 1300, had a 2005 First Gen, and just picked up the 2013...

I'm a big fan... Extremely reliable bike, smooth and easy through 5k RPMs, and then a beast to 9k. Maintenance schedule is spaced nicely, oil changes are 10 minutes. I ride solo hanging with the sporties, and 2-up with luggage and its the best of both worlds.

Previous commenter is right, you pretty much listed all the ideal sport touring bikes... Time to lift a leg over and see which fits you the best.

 

[Mr Pepsi]

Ummmmmm, I vote...














<------ for one of these.

 

[Burning1]

I enjoy riding my K1300GT, but it hasn't been a terribly reliable bike. In the past 40K miles, I've had a broken clutch plate, broken heated grip, broken heated seat, failing control cluster, blown shock, and assorted computer issues that were sorted with updates.

 

[Kornholio]

Damn Chris! Seriously? What the hell?

 

[day004]

Not to hijack but I have the same question only at a lower pricepoint. I'm looking under 5k$ I've been lusting after the BMW R1100s. I had a friend who had one years back and he could tear it up with his wife onboard.
Also VFR750/800
ST1100
Triumph Trophy
FJR1300
Even saw some great K75s on CL in LA

 

[Burning1]

Damn Chris! Seriously? What the hell?

Not even kidding. Rear shock lost all it's oil shortly before the warranty expired. Would have been a $2500 replacement.

Currently, the front heated seat is broken. Fix is a $300+ replacement, as best I can tell. On the plus side, the final drive has given me no issues, and the valvetrain is holding it's clearances incredibly well.

I've been doing UOA on the engine. Huge spike in aluminum levels when the clutch plate failed, but the wear levels seem to be more reasonable now. Engine compression is awesome. Bike pulls well, and is still a lot of fun to ride.

Final drive hasn't been an issue at all.

Edit: CallBMW has treated me awesomely. Very glad the bike has a 36K mile warranty.

 

[Burning1]

FWIW, I'm really inclined to get one of the smaller adventure bikes next. Vstorm? There are a lot of cool roads in northern California that I'd like to explore on a bike I'm not afraid to drop.

 

[Papi]

I have owned the RT, ridden and tested the C14, K, ST, FJ.
I loved everything about the RT except I have short legs and found the bike difficult for me to master. (More in a PM if you wish, just ask).

However, out of the box and add-on ergos made the RT a dream to pilot under most circumstances. Better than any other ST I had ever ridden. My peeves I have stated before, again, PM if you want.

BUT, out of your list, if I were gonna do a S-T again, I think it would have to be my second choice, which was the Honda ST. The Honda was super predictable.

The BMW K was to much sport, not enough tour. The FJ I just couldn't get right, but my buddy loves his. The C14, well, having two 14's already, it just pissed me off. The reduction in power and shaft just made me angry, but I'm a little spoiled and lucky in that dept. w/ my 14's already. I also hated the C14's ergo's compared to the ST and RT.

Last, I spend more time now riding my Wing for ST like rides I used to do on the RT. Why? More comfy on longer rides, way more storage, super smooth, handle decently and much better than my HD's do and way better tunes, haha.

I would also get a glance at the BMW GT as well. Some love it.

YMMV.

 

[Hoppalong]

FWIW, I'm really inclined to get one of the smaller adventure bikes next. Vstorm? There are a lot of cool roads in northern California that I'd like to explore on a bike I'm not afraid to drop.

I've never seen as many good recommendations for a motorcycle as I have for the Wee-Strom. Especially the new model. I don't own one, but like the rest of you I'm always thinking about the next bike.

 

[DataDan]

Yes, I have an R1200RT...

Beautiful bike. Sucks that it got trashed by some dipstick.

Are you going to replace it with another? Any thoughts about waiting for the watercooled version?

From what I've seen, they all come with the optional $3K+ package of extras. So is $21K pretty much the price point for a new one?

I have a K1300s Dan. Very capable bike and a surprisingly very good canyon carver.

It definitely appeals to me. Are the bags adequate for a typical multi-day trip? Like the RT, the ones I've seen advertised have the full option package, so sticker price seems to be around $16K. Is that what I should expect?

I'm on my second FJR 1300, had a 2005 First Gen, and just picked up the 2013...

The first-gen is the only one I've ever ridden (a few years ago). What's your impression of the new one so far? Any comparison to the intervening generation, 2006-2012? I ask because there's a new 2012 available locally.

Ummmmmm, I vote...for one of these.

I haven't followed C14 new model releases, but ISTR that either 2012 or 2013 is a revised model. Any advice about a 2013 vs. a leftover '12?

...I spend more time now riding my Wing for ST like rides I used to do on the RT. Why? More comfy on longer rides, way more storage, super smooth, handle decently and much better than my HD's do and way better tunes, haha.

It's possible that I could be talked into a 'Wing. I have to admit that I have spent a little too much time reading articles about the F6B.

 

[Tharkûn]

They're all great bikes with just minor pros and cons against each other. The K and the C14 are more sport than tour, the RTs front suspension takes some getting used to, the FJ is missing a gear, the Honda scrapes peg easy and sounds like a car from 'The Jetsons'.

I would narrow it down to the RT and the ST and ride both of those. If you're not sold move on to the others and add the Multistrada to the running. Reading that other review thread it sounds like they fixed the windscreen which was one of the biggest negatives.

 

[WeekEndWarrior]

Ninja 1000

 

[bikeama]

I went from a 93 ST1100 to a 2003 ST1300ABS and now riding a K1600GT. Got tired of waiting for Honda to update the ST.


Here are my opinions on the bikes you are looking at.

BMW R1200RT: I tested before I purchased my current bike. I did not like the shake at low speed, not smooth.

BMW K1300S (or used 1300 GT): Have a friend with the K1300GT nice bike.

Honda ST1300: Still a great bike, it is warm and may need to have the suspension redone. You will need to change the seat.

Kawasaki Concours 14: I have a 29" inseam so way I can flatfoot this bike. Nice if you are tall enough.

Yamaha FJR1300: My opinion this is the best bang for the $$. I have several friends with FJRs, one friend is on his second one. Everyone likes theirs.



Note I am an old retired fart who could afford to pay cash for the K1600GT. I like the whistles and bells it has. Also 160 HP is nice. But I do feel like I am drinking the Kool-aid Hell I am typing on a 15" rMBP so I have taken a double drink

 

[Tharkûn]

Actually the new FJ might be the ticket, I'd look into that first. And the K16 isn't as big as you would think.