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What is the sportiest sport-touring motorcycle?

rudolfs001

rudolfs001

Booty Hunter
Joined
Sep 6, 2016
Location
Union City
Moto(s)
KTM 450exc,
VStrom 650,
Buell 1125cr,
VFR800,
TLR,
SV650
Name
Rudy
As the title asks..

I'm thinking something like the VFR750/800, H2 SX.

Not necessarily something with the most power, but a bike that corners really well, is relatively light-weight, is reliable for many miles, and comfortable for back-to-back long days. Should also have:
widely available luggage
heated grips
at least decent wind protection
center stand a plus

Trying to figure out what to take when I go rate all of the roads on my list :ride
 
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rudolfs001 said:
As the title asks..

I'm thinking something like the VFR750/800, H2 SX.

Not necessarily something with the most power, but a bike that corners really well, is reliable for many miles, and comfortable for back-to-back long days. Should also have:
widely available luggage
heated grips
at least decent wind protection
center stand a plus

Trying to figure out what to take when I go rate all of the roads on my list :ride
Click to expand...
How about the Triumph Trophy SE? Has all that you asked for, but perhaps too much to the touring side.At least try one out. They sell cheap, but are great bikes, IMO.

-Don- Payson, AZ (RV)
 
S1000xr would be my choice if I didn’t already convert my s1000rr with bars and bags
 
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discoganya said:
Superduke GT
Multistrada
Concours
Hayabusa
Click to expand...

Not trying to pay the Euro tax on the Supderduke or Multistrada. My one KTM has been costly enough to steer me away from them, at least until I get a huge raise.

The Concours is too heavy for me

The Busa is one I'm definitely considering
 
VFR800 is a far sportier position than S1000XR.

S1000XR is very ADV/upright in terms of seating position.

VFR800 actually comes with clipons.
 
ontherearwheel said:
Tracer 900 GT.............
Click to expand...

This or the old FJ-09. But the Tracer 900 GT addressed all the shortcoming of the FJ. I wish they had brought the MT-07 Tracer over here =/

The Hayabusa would be great also. Very comfy!

20161105_082617-XL.jpg
 
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ontherearwheel said:
Tracer 900 GT.............
Click to expand...

I think this is pretty accurate, right after the S1000XR. Totally different power delivery, obviously, but the 900GT is a pretty competent total package. I bought an S1000R, and while I love it, i sort of wish I had gone with the 900GT for longer trips.

A big reason I didn't get the GT is because the dealer I was looking at (Nortbay Powersport in Santa Rosa) was being an absolute dick about test rides. Instead of letting me put a few miles on a year old but new floor model, he put me on a clapped out 40,000 mile FJ09. His rationale was "We're just making a used bike." This is despite the fact that I had been there 3-4 times seriously shopping. So, if you're reading this "John," total dick move, and I hope that bike is still sitting on the floor. I'm sorry, but I'm not buying a bike I've never ridden.

Addressing the s1000 buzz... It's really not as bad as people make it out to be. I put heavier Evotech bar ends on my R, and it is tolerable for all day rides. I notice it if pay attention, but otherwise it doesn't ever remind me. The XR has rubber pegs, so it kills even more buzz than the R does through it's aluminum rear sets. I have never even noticed buzz in my feet. As bikes get so much more refined over the years, gripes become even more nit picky as time goes on.
 
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rudolfs001 said:
The only thing steering me away from this is the relatively upright seating position.

So far I'm liking the VFR750/800, H2 SX, and Busa the most.
Click to expand...


I'd straight skip the VFR unless you're looking for an ultra reliable bike with an entirely unexciting powerband. Sounds like you've already made up your mind... Don't discount the FJR either, I've heard good things.
 
hammeredsole said:
This is despite the fact that I had been there 3-4 times seriously shopping. So, if you're reading this "John," total dick move, and I hope that bike is still sitting on the floor. I'm sorry, but I'm not buying a bike I've never ridden.
Click to expand...

Then you're probably not buying a new Japanese bike, unless you attend one of the elusive demo days. The sales model is different from that of Harley and the Euro brands, and dealer demo bikes are rare.

Best you're likely to do locally is some dealers of Japanese bikes will let you do the purchase paperwork, and ride off, with maybe 1/2 hour to change your mind and return the bike. Similar to a demo ride, but takes a more committed buyer, and less chance the dealer will end up stuck with an already-ridden bike they need to sell at a heavy discount.

Also "3-4 times seriously shopping" means no purchasing yet, right? I've never worked in bike sales, but not sure if that makes you seem like a good prospect for the dealer.
 
hammeredsole said:
I'd straight skip the VFR unless you're looking for an ultra reliable bike with an entirely unexciting powerband. Sounds like you've already made up your mind... Don't discount the FJR either, I've heard good things.
Click to expand...

I had a pretty good idea when making the post, just wanted to make sure I hadn't overlooked any particularly sporty sport-tourers.
 
rudolfs001 said:
As the title asks..

I'm thinking something like the VFR750/800, H2 SX.

Not necessarily something with the most power, but a bike that corners really well, is relatively light-weight, is reliable for many miles, and comfortable for back-to-back long days. Should also have:
widely available luggage
heated grips
at least decent wind protection
center stand a plus

Trying to figure out what to take when I go rate all of the roads on my list :ride
Click to expand...

Should also have shaft drive which eliminates a lot of bikes. If I'm touring, I want a drive line I don't have to maintain. So, though I've never taken one for a ride, I'd have to say the FJR1300.
 
davidji said:
Then you're probably not buying a new Japanese bike, unless you attend one of the elusive demo days. The sales model is different from that of Harley and the Euro brands, and dealer demo bikes are rare.

Best you're likely to do locally is some dealers of Japanese bikes will let you do the purchase paperwork, and ride off, with maybe 1/2 hour to change your mind and return the bike. Similar to a demo ride, but takes a more committed buyer, and less chance the dealer will end up stuck with an already-ridden bike they need to sell at a heavy discount.

Also "3-4 times seriously shopping" means no purchasing yet, right? I've never worked in bike sales, but not sure if that makes you seem like a good prospect for the dealer.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, I guess I'm not buying Japanese bike anymore then. I guess my point of view of multiple visits was that I was not just some guy looking to kill some time on a certain day and just trying to take the bike for a spin. Rather, sitting down crunching numbers, comparing models, sitting for egos, bringing wife in to sit on back, etc. As a new buyer, I can't for the life of me see why a new bike with even 20-50 miles on it is a deal breaker AT ALL. I bought my S1000R with 79 miles on it and had zero issues with that, it was still obviously new with no damage, and I am extremely OCD about mechanical care, cleanliness, service intervals, etc.

With the reliability reputation of Japanese bikes, I can't imagine many people think they're damaged from simple test rides. I have bought jap bikes before and been disappointed in overall package because of lack of test rides. I suppose that's part of their sales model: "Don't let them ride it and find out they don't like before they pay."
 
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