Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes most comfortable sportbike for touring???

Hey guys I am looking for a sport bike that would be pretty comfortable for me to go touring with, not super long distance but somthing that i can stand 150 miles without stopping, thats about the max my ****** can take on the tba with a corbin so it shoudl be fine. well let me know what you guys think, thanks

Those that catch my interest are the Honda ST 1300, the Yamaha FJ1300 (w/o that trick shift), and the as yet unseen in person - the new Kaw Concours. Each has relatively standard seating and bar positioning. I think I'd be quite happy with either of the three. If I could get a nice chunck of that Power Ball, I'd have me one. There's also one or two Beemers that seem to fit the bill, but I don't know if I'm ready to become a strereo-typical snooty BMW rider...

I think if you're looking at strictly a sport bike and only doing 150 miles, anything will do. Just get something that suits you.

If you're into knocking down some serious miles in a hurry, carrying a bunch of stuff and would like to be able to do a bit of canyon work when you get to where you're going, any sport tourer will do the job for you, the original Connie doing it the cheapest.

But there was this one IBA ride that I went on with a guy riding an FZ1. Not an all-out sportbike, but pretty quick nonetheless. I thought he was going to be the limiter, but apparently it was a bit more comfortable than it looked (that and he had installed highway pegs in place of his usual frame sliders). At 1000 miles and 15 hours in the saddle he was still doing OK.

So I guess in the end, anything will go a long way if you can stand it. 15-20 minutes on a sportbike and my back is screaming otherwise that's where I'd be. I can sit in on my TBA for 16 hour days (and can keep up with a less than expert Connie pilot in the twisties).

If you really want a quality machine that is made for touring, and still keeps up with the squids, then you need to get a Sprint ST. I've been looking at them for a while and have read every available review and they ALWAYS recive a thumbs-up from the reviewer. The Sprint ST will be the next bike in my garage when I get the cash to make it happen.
On the other hand, test ride each bike that looks good to you and weigh the pros/cons of each and go your own way. You have to be really happy with your ride...

I was lookng at the sprint and I love it but it is chain driven and that is a real big turnoff for me. I am looking at the yamaha fjr as an option its shaft driven an 145 horse with 99pound feet of torque..

Just a note of caution, pre-06 FJRs are suppose to be notorious heat generators below cruising speeds.

My ST with gel seat is fantastically comfortable.
Quick too. Well, plenty fast enough for me.
It'll cruise all day at 120+ if you want.

150 mile rides will be a breeze. I regularly do twice that no problems whatsoever.

Only niggles - no underseat storage (if that's what you need).
There is a small storage bin in the rhs fairing - but it's SMALL!!!
There's a tool kit in there so it's just big enough for a cell phone and your smokes.

If the chain is the only turn-off for you, consider fitting a touring Scottoiler (probably my next purchase for it).
That will do away with some of the maintenance issues for you.
Not all, but some.

Hey jj when you say heat generator do you mean they over heat or they just are uncomfortable?? Yea I really love the sprint Adey but I can't deal with another chain I am a mechanic and working on my own stuff is a task lol..

Heat Generators, as an over generalization all Sport-Touring bikes are industrial heaters.

I have an 04 ST1300A, and it has taken a while to cool it down. Changes to the inner cowling and blocking frame holes. It is very servicable as a long haul commuter even two up. My wife is comfortable through the hills of NW Arkansas for about 2 hours at a time. Very good for her.

The new FJR is much better with regard to heat than the 05 and before as told by guys that have owned both. Just a little heat left on your toes down low.

The Sprint got updated with new heat fixes for 07. I would try a 07 if you ride above 90deg in the summer. I loved the sprint but it roasted my legs when the air temp got above 85.

The sprint and the fjr and I suspect the new Kaw are more sport than touring. The ST1300 and the BMW 1200RT/GT are mor e Touring than sport.

Remember this is unsolicited information, so beware.

Go ride all of them for at least a 1/2hour and if you can waite for warm temps it will make the difference between loving your choice and cussing it.

Sorry, sould have been more clear on that. It's suppose to generate a lot heat for the pilot. AMA, Rider, and Motor Cyclist have each done road tests on the new FJR, but I believe MC did a side-by-side, 06 and an 05 or 04. Each made clear that the 06 made much less heat. The MC article mentioned pre 06 models created enough heat to actually be painful if you're in traffic.
But prices on pre-06s should be pretty good, and they are suppose to be bulletproof.
If you can get a ride on one, you might find the problem is a 'non-problem' for you. Like the Connie 'buzz'. A coworker rides a Connie and doesn't know what people mean when they say the Connie is 'buzzy'.

A sample of what some high mileage riders choose

http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2005/RiderScorecardsLeg3.cfm

Seems to be quite a few Yamaha FJR 1300's, Honda ST 1300's, & BMW R 1150's

the st 1300 is a great bike. the fjr would be a close second. i have been on the concourse? i want to see the 07 sprint with a more upright riding position. i would love to start some distance rides with my wife and or some luggage for longer trips. the bmw 1200rt and the goldwing are the weapons of choice for serious long distance riders.

Wow, there you go!
Iron Butt Long Distance Asphalt Killer Sportbike...

the $2999 Kawasaki Ninja 250!

The only H-D was the last one on the list.

When is Triumph going to expound on their shaft drive? Isn't the Rocket III the only shaft-driven Triumph?

The new BMW R1200R sounds sweet, and I saw one and sat on it Thursday night at British-USA when I picked up my chain set. It's naked, but fast and comfortable, and accepts the same hard cases as the R1200RT or GT. And it has a better ABS and traction control, that apparently works.

Tom,

Without knowing your budget, tastes, and physical limits it would be difficult to recommend a bike. Personally I couldn't stand to be on a sport bike because of my bad knees, so I would be looking for something in a more UJM or standard riding position like one of those new Triumph Tigers or maybe a V-Strom. A bike is also such a personal choice. What one man finds ugly might appeal to another for it's utilitarian purpose.

I've been riding off and on for over 20 years and I think today we're in a golden age for choice of bikes. You can buy just about anything today...from retros to adventure bikes, dual sports to a 180+ mph ZX-14. So enjoy the experience of shopping for a bike. Sit on, and try to get a test ride on everything that appeals to you. Just remember that subtle changes in a bike's riding position can be changed. There's bar risers and customs seats, and other things to help make it more comfortable for you.

I had a BMW K1100RS...great bike...but the friggin heat off the tank was unbearable in hot weather. I received 2nd degree burns on the inside of my thigh doing an Iron Butt ride...that pretty much did for me & the riding position didn't agree with my back at all. I don't have the greatest of backs to begin with mind you. Good luck deciding

You've got to decide if its a sports bike your looking for first I guess.

The 600 class bikes are all ok for 150 mile days if your riding in sports bike country, ie somwhere you can crack on a bit.

I have the new sprint ST like Adey but even then I wouldn't class this as a sports bike, its a sports tourer at the sporty end of the range sure but its nowhere near the quality in ride or handling of an R6, cbrr, zx6r, daytona 675 etc.
These bikes are all comfy for 2 or 3 hundred mile days just not too many slow miles or you will feel it in your neck, shoulders and wrists.

I looked at the fjr and the cbrxx blackbird when I was looking at the sprint, both are barges in comparason but will both do high speed high mileage days better than the sprint will.

I wanted a sports bike but with the commuting I do the sports tourer works better for me.

Best thing I can say to you is get out and try loads of different bikes before parting with your hard earned.

One bike that I would try as they are now very cheep as they are discontinued is the daytona 955.....this might be the bike thats best suited to your needs....its just a tad too much for everyday use for me.

You ought to look into a Sport-tourer like a Sprint ST or Honda VFR. I did a 3 month 24k mile road trip on my VFR had it was awesome. Averaged a bit over 400 miles a day with the longest day being a bit over 700 miles.

later,
Hugh

BMW has a new one for 06. 1200GT. A friend of mine is going to get one. Something like 167hp.