.

- Kawasaki Z100SX (expensive but ticks every other box)

rode this lovely engine, great brakes but for me the seating position was too upright, made my back hurt.

and very short reach to the pars literally no where to go if you want to tuck in a bit when the rain comes.

also its only panniers or top box cant have both.

blackbird? :p
 
You can have both but you need to get one of the new (and expensive) mounts for them.

Thanks for the real-world feedback, I'll keep it in mind if I go for a test ride.

Got a Tiger 800 test ride next week but to be honest I'd prefer a Sports-Tourer for the handling.
 
You can have both but you need to get one of the new (and expensive) mounts for them.

Thanks for the real-world feedback, I'll keep it in mind if I go for a test ride.

Got a Tiger 800 test ride next week but to be honest I'd prefer a Sports-Tourer for the handling.


really? cause according to the kawasaki site when i looked you can put the kawasaki top box rack on which covered the handles so cant put the paniers.

sure you;'re not looking aty the pre 2014 model which had seperate racks for the paniers instead of using the grab handles?
 
They have one in the showroom here with all 3 boxes on. I'm not sure of the year though so you could be correct as it wasn't new.

My French is **** so I could only smile and nod as the chap bleated on about escargots and grenouilles.
 
I'll put a shout out for my current bike, Aprilia Caponord.

Range of around 240 miles is pretty easy, and it isn't a huge beast like the specialist tourers. Auto adaptive suspension is perfect for cruising and then pushing on, and it is so unloved and undersold that second hand models are incredibly good value compared to the Multistrada and similar bikes.

Low speed fuelling is an issue though, and cruise control, if you use it, is clumsy.

You should be able to pick up a two year old for £9,000 or so.
 
They have one in the showroom here with all 3 boxes on. I'm not sure of the year though so you could be correct as it wasn't new.

My French is **** so I could only smile and nod as the chap bleated on about escargots and grenouilles.

if its the current one theres no frame for the side paners they just slide on and off the pillion grab handles, like the 2014 vfr

also there will be the rear shock preload adjuster (big rubber knob) by the right hand rear passenger foot peg.


can you tell i really wanted this bike lol?
 
As I said elsewhere (can't remember where), the 1250FA is a budget bike with pretty rubbish brakes and suspension, also has potential typical bandit corrosion issues. It weighs a lot and is lacking in power, but kinda makes up for in torque though and comfort. Just take your time testing it out and really think about it.

What about a VFR or Sprint ST? Edit: scrap that, they can be expensive.
 
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So much variety to consider! I was hoping I'd be seeing a common theme.

How are the Suzuki DL1000's (VStrom)?
 
img_1192_thumb.jpg
 
The Tiger is great, I wouldn't be looking to go thousands of miles two up touring on it though.

i would get a dedicated sports tourer.
 
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