Aprilia RSV-R to...Sports tourer? O_o

Master Skooter

Master Skooter

Master Skooter

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I've been riding sports bikes since I was 17, now 41. Physically and audibly I find my Aprilia RSV-R the most horny thing I've ever owned. However it's dawned on me that perhaps it's a little uncomfortable/impractical. Recently met a girl who loves riding pillion and the RSV offers little comfort for her, although she doesn't complain.

For the first time in my fairly lengthy biking affair, I'm toying with P/X for a sports tourer. Something that offers good protection and can comfortably eat up the miles for both rider and passenger. But I could remove the luggage and still have fun on? It would be used purely for decent trips in the UK and nice long trips around Europe. Thinking shaft drive would be less hassle as find keeping a chain in tiptop condition a chore, but never owned a bike with it before - any negative points?

Any other hints and tips would be gratefully received.

I'd image my RSV is worth £4.5-5 so looking in this region if possible, but could always add a few grand if it made huge differences.

Cheers
Scott

[Edit: As you can see from my sig, I'd have a little NSR for sh*ts and giggles :)
 
Shaft drive is wonderful and I wouldn't go back to a chain now. The only issue is that it tends to be available on larger tourers. The sportiest I can think of is probably the Kwak GTR1400.

I know people always recommend their own bike, but you really should give the GS a go, at least for a weekend test ride (it takes a while to 'get' the boxer engine)

They are much more fun to ride than a full on tourer, but are still incredibly comfy for touring Europe etc. Its why, after many sports and sports tourers, I can't find a better bike to replace it
 
Depends how far doing the sports scale you want to go really - Honda Blackbird, ZZR1400, Busa?

As you already know, chains don't need adjusting that regularly, so don't discount bikes because they don't have shaft drive for touring use.
 
Thanks for the responses. The Kwaka 1400 could be a good shout. I've been looking at the GS, what's pillion comfort like? Edging towards the tourer side of sports tourer, but something that has enough grunt to be fun and not too soft that it ties itself in knots if you fancied a 'spirited' ride ;)
 
That's the problem with Sports tourers....they are either the best of both world or the worst, depending on how you look at it! They can be a bit dull as they feel like a tame sports bike, usually with much longer wheelbase and loads of power in the low/mid range so you can't really open them up.

The GS feels completely different. Mine has the electronic suspension which is actually really useful, as I tend to run it in comfort mode on motorways, which makes it wafty, then put it into sport mode on the twisties which really firms it up a lot and makes it feel like a big supermoto. It's just a fun bike to ride and has a decent turn of 'real world' speed so you can rev it through the gears without getting into license losing speeds, has loads of grunt which is great when fully loaded with touring equipment, and it sounds like a proper motorbike.

Pillion comfort is good according to mine (I've taken both my teenage kids to Europe on it - one at a time obviously!) and again being able to just select the pillion / pillion with luggage option electronically is fantastic when you're taking pillions a lot.

The boxer engine is fantastic but it does take a while to get used to it. When I used to swap bikes with my mate that had a beemer I really didn't like it - it felt too agricultural and I didn't like the whole bike trying to rotate around the engine when I blipped the throttle. After a long weekend on one though I suddenly gelled with it and now I think it's the perfect road bike. I actually swapped with him again the other week as he's bought a GT1600, but that left me completely cold and I couldn't wait to get back on the GS
 
Essentially the latest one you can afford! The GS is a bike and engine that is just tweaked and evolved over time. The big changes were the 2004 model, which is the same type I have), then they got rid of the servo brakes in 2007 I think when it underwent a facelift, then the twin cam engine came in in 2010.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/BMW-motorcycles/history-of-the-bmw-gs-series/

Something like this if you can push the budget a bit:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...g20hx/keywords/gs/page/3/radius/100?logcode=p

You won't lose much money on it either - these bikes hold their value really well
 
Sagalout said:
Shaft drive is wonderful and I wouldn't go back to a chain now.
Click to expand...
I used to say that... Scottoiler changed my mind!
IMO, every bike should come with one factory-fitted!!

Also, don't discount older bikes.
As Sag says, people often recommend their own - I'm gonna do just that and suggest test-riding an FJ1200.

I balked at the idea of riding a Sports Tourer...
Then I had it for a week and wouldn't change it for the world!!
0-60 in 2.8 seconds, top speed of 160 (on the clock and for real), roll-on like nothing else on this planet, yet solid to ride and slow as you want if you're in a relaxed mood. It frequently comes out as one of the top all-round Sports Tourers and unlike almost every other bike, I've never known anyone with something bad to say about them - It's nearing the 30th anniversary of these and people are still as mad about them as on Day 1... Must be for a good reason!!

Maintenance is possibly THE best and easiest I've ever encountered on a bike. Parts are easy to find and pretty cheap. Most owners I know personally run two or even three FJs, with a couple still actually racing them.

The Mrs says it's the most comfortable bike she's ever pillioned and, being a biker herself, she usually HATES being on the back of anyone.

£2500 should get you a near-mint condition FJ1200, leaving plenty of cash for other spends!
 
Well as Saga says, I'm also going to throw in the BMW K1300S. It's 175hp so flies, though 260Kg might put you off, I've yet to try something like a S1000RR so I'm unsure just how lardy mine is! Shaft drive is smooth as I care for. Single-sided swingarm and shaft probably means it's quite a hefty chunk of that weight, but other than that I've yet to ever think "bloody shaft drive!".

It's got adjustable 'sports' panniers, which actually have seen me OK this last year. BMW say a top box impairs stability 'at speed'. I'd guess that's 175mph at speed, but you can buy 3rd party stuff if you like.

Weather protection is fine, I can be wearing my armoured jeans in the pee and be dry still. I'm 5'8" and find it a good balance of wind support at speed. Though sometimes I think I could do with slightly longer arms. I might try a custom seat too. (Yes too. I'm buying longer arms first.)

Interestingly I've had more pillions (4 I think) on this in 6 months than my previous bike (BMW F800ST, none!). They generally find it very comfortable. Though a bit perturbed when I mention figures. :)

1st gear gets to around 80 ish mph, 2nd over a ton. So it can be difficult to find places to get to 12k rpm, but really I just love having massive shove at every rev range. On our rideout t'other day I pretty much left it in 4th. I'm a lazy rider much of the time.

Having just put new tyres on (Pilot Road 4 now) I am finding new love for un-squared off rubber! :D

Additionally, you might like to try the ZZR1400. Though he's a chain drive, I just love the frontage, much more aggressive than mine.

[Ninja Edit]: Oh yeah, price wise... I guess they're around 6-8k now depending on age and spec.
 
I'll throw my hat in with a suggestion as I know where you are coming from, I moved from an RSVR to a Bandit 1250SA. I regretted the choice of replacement bike but not getting rid of the RSVR. The Bandit was too heavy and not exciting in any way. A happier compromise would have been something like a Honda VFR 800 or a Suzuki SV1000 (a very under-rated bike in my opinion).

I've now traded my Bandit in for a Daytona 675 and regained a love of riding, the Bandit had sucked all the fun out of it for me so be careful you don't buy something TOO boring! :D
 
I've always ridden sports bikes, but in the last 12 months I went a bit bike crazy and bought a few bikes for the garage (work offshore in NZ and wanted to have fun on time off!).

2010 Honda CB1000R Predator
2011 Ducati 848 Evo
2013 Honda CBR1000R Fireblade

Sold the Hondas and kept the Ducati in the end as needed some cash and the road tax here for each bike is a ripoff, but have to say the best fun I had was on the Predator - I just wanted to keep the Duke as always wanted one!

Took a mates Triumph Street Triple out the other day and that was truly a blast. He used to be a sports bike rider but now swears by street bikes. I reckon I will succumb to the Street Bike way of life in a few months and either move back to a CB1000R or the Street Triple 675 as NZ has lots of slow twisties and the 675 engine was great fun. Sports bikes are awesome, but as I've got older and actually used the street bikes, the ease of maintenance (no fairings) and riding style is great fun (and more comfortable!)... Go give the CB1000R a go if you see one - plenty of power and a great bike if you don't fancy a smaller engine.
 
BMW K1300.

Does anything a sportsbike will do on the road easily, tour with 2 up in comfort, pretty cheap astonishing bike really.
 
Dureth said:
Suzuki SV1000 (a very under-rated bike in my opinion).
Click to expand...

SV1000 is an underrated bike, gives you the best of nearly everything with a more comfortable riding position, excellent pillion accommodation(never had any complaints even on long rides) and it's great fun at the weekend :).
 
Thanks for all the suggestions but really got my mind set on an upright riding position, rather than sportier side of sport/tourer. Saw a GS1200 in the metal yesterday, parked near where I live - looks good, will have to test ride one.

My girlfriend said she'll contribute on top of the 4.5k my Aprilia (should) be worth, so hopefully spend up to 8k which should get me something pretty decent.
 
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