[crev-dog]

Ya I forgot the Sprint ST and the Black bird.. those are definetly great machines, but harder to find used! In the end it will likely be the best deal available at the time. I really like the Sprints riding position and man are they sexy!!! I do want to do more touring but I don't want to lose the sport, so I'm thinking the VFR might be lacking in the power I want.

I spent 10 days and 3500km touring New Zealand this year on a Vstrom 1000, and though I loved the torque out of the corners, it was a top heavy machine and very unstable at higher speeds...

I would love a Blackbird in Blue or Black.. drool

 

[vstromgreg]

The above mentioned bikes are excellent. However the OP stated he still like to "thrash" the bike. I'm not sure you can really thrash the ST1300/ST1100, FJ. True, if you are an excellent rider you can thrash almost any bike, I've seen it. Bottom line, many excellent sport touring bikes some more sport, some more touring. Good Luck

A have a close friend with an ST1300, who could ride with any bike on here, you pull the bags off that baby and you basically have a Busa or B-king....

 

[schmii]

You could thrash a ST... problem is the power is linear and electric so 3,000rpm and redline feel the same, tipping into a corner to the pegs isn't too exciting as it's stable and comfortable.

 

[Pee Wee]

Two up changes everything. First off, the dimesions of said passenger, height and weight, pics will do, won't say no to nudes if you got em!!

Everything I've ever taken from the shop, the wife's been on the back of, and she's no lightweight, and not a miget.

She's hated everything, expect the MT-01, the Norge, ST1300, and the HD Ultra Classic. Rear seat's that slope suck for a passenger, no back rest sucks, high pegs suck. I never took her on the Concours 14, but I did take a friend and she loved it.

Conny 14, ST1300 would get my vote, FJR1300 as well. Those are proper SPORT/Touring bikes. Good power and torque, low center of gavity (not like a Strom), Electircally adjustable windscreens, heated grips, bags that come off (hard bags).

See if you can get some seat time on them, maybe someone on here is willing to lend you one. I beat on a ST1300, like wheelies and dragging it around corners, I know why the popo like em, they go. Regardless what other people think of them. It's about the riders. I ride a Harley more aggressive than most do their race reps.

 

[Mighty Kentor]

I would love a Blackbird in Blue or Black.. drool

There's an FJR1300 and 1100XX at BBY Kawasaki right now. Good prices, go do some demo riding!

http://www.burnabykawasaki.com/motorcycle/used-inventory/index.htm

 

[crev-dog]

The ST1300 just seams too touring.. with little sex appeal.. remember I'm in my early 30s.. but I still like wheelies!
I found the SV1000 a ton of fun, stand ups in 3rd were do-able, but touring longer distances would put my hand to sleep from vibes and not the best wind protection or rear suspension.. it was easily upset when varying power inputs in corners and the fuel injection was twitchy.. but hey it had a great sound and the GF liked the big passenger seat! My SV also had the annoying clutch rod seal that leaked oil everywhere you parked.. very common on those bikes dating all the way back to the 97 TLS.

I find myself thinking of the Big bloated Busa and the ZX9R most.. as they are more common

 

[jeckyll]

I loved my 9R ... except my knees did not. I'm 6'1".

Plenty of 'sport' in the sport touring. Never added hard luggage to it, even on 5 day trips. You can pick one of for $3000 or less.
Having only owned a KLR for the last couple of years, I'm actually thinking of a Versys as a 2nd bike with bags etc. Not enough motor for sporty 2 up riding, but for solo riding I think it might be a very handy touring rig with the ability to get sport when needed...

 

[Mighty Kentor]

You'll have to ride around an abrupt, on / off fueling going from closed to opened throttle on the 9R. FYI.

 

[CHIA]

I'm actually thinking of a Versys as a 2nd bike with bags etc. Not enough motor for sporty 2 up riding, but for solo riding I think it might be a very handy touring rig with the ability to get sport when needed...

It's a ton-o-fun, have thought of getting one more than once myself, great lil bikes.

 

[bandito]

Same with the Bandit 1250 (I owned a 2007), which lacked passenger room also and would push the front dramatically while railing the corners in N. Cali, mostly due to it's massive weight. (No offence Jay )

No offence taken! Where is she at now?

 

[Mighty Kentor]

She's living in Abbotsford now. A real nice guy bought her, an engineer type. Looked like she'd get a pampered life. I saw her on the road just yesterday, just as smooth looking as ever.

 

[scooter]

The ST1300 just seams too touring.. with little sex appeal.. remember I'm in my early 30s.. but I still like wheelies!
I found the SV1000 a ton of fun, stand ups in 3rd were do-able, but touring longer distances would put my hand to sleep from vibes and not the best wind protection or rear suspension.. it was easily upset when varying power inputs in corners and the fuel injection was twitchy.. but hey it had a great sound and the GF liked the big passenger seat! My SV also had the annoying clutch rod seal that leaked oil everywhere you parked.. very common on those bikes dating all the way back to the 97 TLS.


I find myself thinking of the Big bloated Busa and the ZX9R most.. as they are more common

If your still wanting a thrill with the capabalities of hauling the GF on the back the bigger bore bikes make sense. Busa, Blackbird, ZX12R.

The Busa for how big it's, is a fairly lightbike with its aluminum frame. Handles well like the others in its class for their size.

I still tour with the SV1000S. I added Heli Bars,touring Windshield, heavier spring to the shock to stop the wallowing and the Suzuki gelled seat. Big difference in comfort. Just keep the revs away from 5500 then she's less vibey. The bike likes the top end revs and makes the power there. The TLR is bad ass with its 40mm valves conmpared to the 36mm in the SV. The only leak I have and minimual,is on the TDC cap. She eats a little oil on long K trips.

When you buy a used bike that has been toured. Make sure maintenance like: the fork oil has been changed, calipers have been cleaned, valves checked, wheel bearings inspected, swing arm pivots lubed and so on. If not premature wear will occur.

Good luck with your search. Fall/Winter is the best time to buy a bike.

 

[CanadianBird]

When you buy a used bike that has been toured. Make sure maintenance like: the fork oil has been changed, calipers have been cleaned, valves checked, wheel bearings inspected, swing arm pivots lubed and so on. Good pads, clean hydraulic fluids, plugs as well. If the bike doesn't have a service record create a fresh page, make the seller dealer do it or discount for the costs, imo If not premature wear will occur. All add ons come with the bike and don't necessarily boost the price that much.

My 2 cents.

Good luck with your search. Fall/Winter is the best time to buy a bike.[/QUOTE]

 

[SuaveDave]

I've got an '02 Ducati ST4s for sale at the moment. She has hard bags and is definitely on the sport side of the sport-touring genre. PM me if you're interested.

 

[CanadianBird]

I've got an '02 Ducati ST4s for sale at the moment. She has hard bags and is definitely on the sport side of the sport-touring genre. PM me if you're interested.

I looked closely at that bike in '02 but changed my mind. I'd still like to have one as a second bike.

 

[BMR]

Don't pass up the chance to try the aforementioned FJR or the BMW RT, K 1200 etc (price sensitive I know) because after riding one of those two up, you will have a hard time going back to "humping the tank" on a crotch rocket psuedo sport touring bike. Your passenger will also love you for trying one. You'll be surprised how well they handle and scoot along, let alone the comforts that are built into the overall design.

 

[bandito]

She's living in Abbotsford now. A real nice guy bought her, an engineer type. Looked like she'd get a pampered life. I saw her on the road just yesterday, just as smooth looking as ever.

Nice!

That bike is gonna run a long, long time. It was broken in very well, and maintained top notch. That will be a 300,000km bike for sure... ++++

 

[masonjarz]

OK, I'm biased but +1 for Triumph Sprints--either 995 or 1050.

Older Triumphs tend to go for a song.

http://www.triumphrat.net/sprint-forum/

 

[v-king]

fz1 all the way

 

[Flatire]

Bloody simple!

Either a Triumph Sprint (have owned 2 of them) or an FJR1300 ( a big bodied friend blew away a 996 Ducati on the way down Mt St Helens on his FJR) That's after the arrogant Duc owner started verbally challenging him while we were at the top looking at the view. The FJR owner with a friend on a BMW did the from lower mainland to San Diego to Key West, up the east coast and across Canada on their bikes with no problems.

The FJR pulls like a locomotive. My friend had to get his footpegs replaced because he ground them off and that is no BS. He's a former MX racer from Winnipeg so that my explain part of it.