Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Opinions on Sport Tourers (STs)

I have an '03 Speedmaster that I truly love. Now I'm jonesing for a sport tourer to add to the garage. What are your opinions on the best sport touring bikes out there? I lean towards Triumph but am willing to consider any maker for the right reasons.
I've been looking at (NOT exclusively) the following:
Aprillia Futura, Ducati ST4, Sprint ST, Yamaha FJR, Kawi Concourse, etc...

Any opinions?

Well I have put over 1500 miles on the loaner Sprint.
I love it. Comfortable upright postion, low vibrations 50+ mpg, so much power its laughable, decent wind protection, and stable in the rain. This one doesn't have bags so I can't comment on them.
Downside, the lights aren't that great and they bounce around. Which sometimes prompts cars to pull over if you come up on them fast at night.
And it runs hot if you sitting in traffic, and that undertail exhaust looks really cool, but can get a little warm, now that I'm used to it, it's not that hot, but at first it made me wonder. I guess they have fixed that on the 07s.

If my wife wouldn't kill me, a Triumph Trophy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000-TRIU...1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's a Trophy that Ryan listed a few weeks ago that didn't sell on ebay. Maybe its still around, its a little more touring than sport....

I share your desire for a sport touring bike, just can't justify the expense right now. I have ridden the Honda ST1300 - a bit heavy, but a bulletproof engine and a nice taut ride. FJR 1300 - great ride very sporty, 2005 and earlier have excessive heat on your left leg. Triumph ST - simply awesome ride, turns when you start thinking turn, a bit too small for me (I'm 6'-3"). I am also interested in the Guzzi Norge, but have not had a chance to ride it yet. The Kawi Concours looks good too, not sure if they are out yet. A used Connie could probably be had pretty cheap now that the new bike is coming out - total redesign of the old Connie that has been around forever. The old Connie was a bulletproof bike, lots of them out there with over 100K on them. Those guys are probably more passionate about their bikes than we are.

I too would love to test ride the Guzzi Norge. Saw one at this year's CW M/C show in Long Beach CA. Went back to the Guzzi stand 3 times lookin' and sittin' on the bike. Seems to be the perfect size for both interstate droneing AND mountain road fun.

The ONLY problem with owning one that I can see would be the lack of dealerships in the country, and the subsequent hunt for service and parts that this situation could entail.

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The ONLY problem with owning one that I can see would be the lack of dealerships in the country, and the subsequent hunt for service and parts that this situation could entail.

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I have one about 30 miles away. I try to stay away, I only have so much self control when it comes to motorcycles.

I will be looking for the Norge at Biketoberfest!!!

I just got back from my local Triumph shop and they confused me even more. They said I should also consider the '07 Tiger. Not a bad bike, very similar powertrain to the Sprint, just different ergonomics.

Oops! I forgot about the Tiger. I loved it - perfect for me at 6'-3". The fairing is a bit small, only really an issue in bad weather. I took about a 30 minute ride on the '06 model when I had my Speedy in for service. I did a combination of twisty roads and slab-riding and I came back with a huge grin. I understand the all-new '07 is going like hotcakes and dealers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand. Even with ABS, and paying full MSRP this is probably the best value among the group.

Yep! I like the new Tigers too. They are geared more toward the Sport Tourer end of this dual-purpose niche.

I guess it would depend on how long one's legs are, as these "Dualies" tend to be sittin' up pretty high.

But, I still can't seem to think of any other Sport Tourer(in a sense, a "real" sport tourer, as I've always felt that that term implied more of a sportbike-like machine) since I gazed upon that darn Moto Guzzi at that M/C show.

Cycle World has a comparo between a number of the bikes you list, plus a few others. Mostly it's geared toward the sporty end rather than touring (a Hayabusa is included in the comparison).

Informative article. I like seeing bikes of a certain catagory compared against each other. The 'Busa definitely didn't belong in the test, to be sure. THAT bike is no "tourer". I wish Ducati and MotoGuzzi would have participated, the ST4 and Norge would have done well in my opinion. The article panned the Sprint ST, and gave the worst evaluation that I have read to date. The heat problems have since been addressed, but the "nose bleed section" back seat definitely gives me second thoughts. Wish they would have included the Tiger also. Seems it fits the catagory better than either the 'Busa or VFR800.

I didn't notice that the article was from November 2005 - I saw it off their home page and assumed it was "new". I too was surprised by the negative comments of the Sprint, one of the worst reviews I've read of it - but I do think many of those things have been addressed in some way for 2007 - although I'm not sure about the 2nd seating position.

If you're seriously looking for a Sprint, there is a nice looking one on the Denver Craigslist that has a lot of nice extras with it. I'm tempted to take a look at it myself.

The current issue of Motorcyclist Magazine has a comparison of the Tiger and the Ducati Multistrada 1100 set up as tourers. They have a lot of nice things to say about each.

Took the Fiancee' and daughter to the local Triumph shop Saturday to compare the Sprint and Tiger (Yes, I'll definitely be going Triumph, there's no other way to go IMO). We sat on both for a time(no time for a test ride unfortunately), and the votes are as follows - The Fiancee' likes the Tiger. Says it's more comfortable than the Sprint on the back seat. Daughter likes the Sprint, I think because it's sportier than the Tiger and I've been talking the Sprint up around her for a few years now. I really like both. Heck, they are almost sin-twisters except for the suspension.
I've done a bit of research and see that Tiger owners have raised the front tubes in the triple tree up to 24mm (reduced the length of the front forks) and increased the handling/response of the suspension to sport-bike-like capability. That calls to me. I also really like the styling (full fairing) of the Sprint.
The Triumph dealer keeps tossing Demo keys at me so I can ride both for a few days to see which one is best, but there hasn't been a good time to take either on an extended (2+ days) test drive lately. Man, am I in a quandry.
I know one of these steeds is going to end up in the garage soon, I'm just not sure which one it will be yet. I appreciate everyone's input and assistance with my quest. Please keep the advice/info coming.

I know a couple of people that own both. They end up putting more miles on thier Tigers. they just love the bike much more overall, especially when they are going to put on several hundred miles in a day.

Soren

I want to try a tiger also.
If you have a regular pillion rider you might want to go that route. The seat on the Sprint seems very high.

Those underseat pipes on the Sprint can be a bit warm for the passenger too.

FJR1300 is a nice ride, and it's said they've even fixed the heat issue starting in 2006 when it got a mild re-design. If you don't want a big fairing, check out the new Bandit 1250S. Good value and insurance isn't that bad.

This is one of the better deals I have ever seen since I began my quest for a Sprint. Wrong color for my tastes, but "wow" on the price.

2007 Red Sprint ST w/ ABS

I think these are just fabulous bikes for a ST that is.

The new BMW F800ST would fit the bill, but CycleWorld says the Honda VFR800 (Interceptor) kicks it's butt. Come to think of it, that Interceptor has been kicking butt in that category for quite a few years now, with very little to gripe about from what I have read.

I would be really torn right now between the new Tiger 1050 and the Sprint ST 1050. Wonder if more Sprint models might be offered in years to come?

Do the Triumph Triples have the same soul as the Twins?

I have been nosing around in sportouring land for the past few days as well. The four that I am arranging test rides on are the Ducati ST3, BMW F800ST , Suzuki Bandit 1250 and Tiger 1050. I will have to check out Honda.

Anyone know which model Alton Brown is riding on "Feasting on Asphalt"? Season 2 looks like a BMW ad...

I saw the Norge a few months ago. We have a MG/Triumph/Ducati/Victory dealer 40 minutes away. The dealer who had the bike on display is located in the town where daughter is attending college. (Steubenville OH) Told him I'll be ready for a test ride on parents weekend.

Yeah, the FJR does look like a sweet bike. Too bad the local Yamaha shop doesn't believe in demo rides. Seems they think you should buy a $16,000 bike without actually trying it.

The new Kawasaki Concours(?) won ST of the year from "Motorcyclist". I hate the styling and the enormous exhaust, but I like the tech. numbers. Still, none of them look as good as the Sprint to me. It is a little more spartan than some, but that is what turns me on about it. It is more of a motorcycle and less of a modern convenience.

In the same vein as the Tiger is the new Kawasaki Versys



It's only 650 CC though, and it has a weird looking headlight, but MSRP is $6900.

A bit cleaner than the Tiger with the exhaust can being low....

I was at the Triumph dealer today and around the corner is a Kawasaki shops, so I decided to stop in to see if they had a Versys on the showroom floor. They did, in red, and I have to say it's a fairly attractive bike and it fit me well. Comparing it to the Tiger is appropriate - very similar in form and function.

I asked if they had a demo, but the only one they had was the one on the floor and they had just gotten it, I could ride it only if I was serious about buying it. Hopefully they'll have demo's when they have more in stock.

It's not really a sport tourer, which this thread is about, but if you were looking at a Tiger, it might be worth going to take a look at the Versys.

My pickup will be paid for in two years. I'll be buying a touring bike then (keeping the SM too), likely a sport tourer.
I like what I've seen of the Moto Guzzi Norge so far.

We'll see in two years.

I rode the new 1050 tiger and it is a great bike. Still considering one for an all around bike for myself. Makes a great commuter, tourer and sporty ride. Also going to look at the versys. Looked at the multistrada and I just love riding my buddies ulysses just not sure if I want to own one. If I wanted a full on ST I would look at the norge but I will more likely get one of the cross breeds.

A friend just traded in his sprint for the new tiger but has not taken delivery yet. He does a lot of touring with his wife and she also loved the seating on the tiger.

Yes the tiger and the versys can be compared but not in the driveline.

My neighbor use to tour on a busa. Just set it up right and it makes a good tourer. Of course he had addressed the ergos and seat and had a really nice hard bag setup. Now he rides a wing!

If not the Tiger, then maybe the new Concours?

Soren

I'd be interested in Versys ride reports. I believe it is very nice but my gut feel is comparing a Tiger 1050 to the Versys is analogous to a Honda VTX1800 and Honda shadow...just because they are look similiar doesn't mean they play in the same league.

The Guzzi Norge is really nice and the price is right. Not enough folks look at Moto Guzzi. Been around a long time and are great road bikes. I enjoy my California EV Touring. With the Tonti frame it's basically a sport touring bike with greater bag capacity and the cost is considerably lower than most of the competition.