What Sports Tourer next?

Griffo

Griffo

Griffo

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Joined
9 Oct 2005
Posts
2,362
Location
Berkshire
I've had my F800ST for over a year now and after trying the K1300S before Christmas had/have my heart set on it for this year.

Then I did a few insurance quotes recently and it's around £1,500 for me (28, 1NCB, good post code). This - being over three times my current - has had me thinking of what else I should take a look at.

I took a VFR1200 out the other day but it just didn't amuse me as much as the K1300. My usage profile is commuting mostly and the obvious 5 hour trips to Wales etc. What I like/want:

- belt/shaft drive - lazy plus ride all year
- preferably factory heated grips - BMW ones are lovely
- torque - the f800 has this, 1300 obviously does. I like easy power
- gadgets - K1300 suspension kept me entertained hehe
- distance comfort - although being 5ft 8 and slim I feel comfortable with/without clip-ons anyway
- £10k or less

Thoughts very much welcome please chaps!
 
Obvious answer, R1200GS / S / R (take your pick).

I'm in a similar insurance situation, and had my eye on an absolute mint 2006 R1200S that would be the perfect upgrade to my F800S. Only £6k as well, and not a massive insurance hike. Just don't have £6k right now.... :(
 
Although it doesn't fit a few of your requirements I've found my Bandit 1250SA to be a very good bike. Although the heated grips are after market and gadgets are thin on the ground it does a very good job in the areas that matter.

The engine is lovely and will pull 6th gear from tick-over, plenty of torque and silky smooth. The seat is super comfy and the screen is brilliant at deflecting any wind even at speed. I've had hard panniers fitted, a GPS mount and battery 12v plug all of which make up for the lack of factory equipment. A Scott Oiler has proven the solution to my chain maintenance. Fuel economy in real life with an enthusiastic right wrist is about 40mpg which while not great is hardly a crime against my wallet.

My only criticism is that it is a bit on the heavy side but once moving I don't notice it at all. A very stable ride and once coerced into a bend at high speed will stay on line (much like my Ducati). I was quite surprised at how well it's coped with it's first two winters with being stored under a cover outside (knowing Suzuki's reputation for being a bit cheap on the build quality). There are 1 or 2 fasteners with some slight surface corrosion but apart from that it's still looking great.

A great plus is that insurance is only £250 fully comp for me (26, 8 years NCB, ok-ish post code). A 1 year old bike with under 5K miles on and plenty of extras can be had for £5K as well leaving you plenty of extra for new kit, upgrades and gadgets. Not to mention a bit set aside for some nice tours abroad etc.
 
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2012 FJR1300A ?

ABS, Adjustable ergonomics & heated grips as standard.

Yamaha has made an indelible mark in the sport-touring motorcycle world with its well-crafted FJR1300. This is a “purpose-built” sport tourer, meaning it comes factory-equipped with shaft drive, saddlebags, a large gas tank and a fairing. Here in the USA it comes in two flavors: the FJR1300A and FJR1300AE
Click to expand...
from > http://sport-tourer.com/motorcycle-sport-touring/yamaha-fjr1300/174
You could go Anywhere on that. :cool:
As for gadgets it has a trick auto clutch mechanism. ;)
 
Obligatory Guzzi reccommendation from me: Norge. You'll be lucky to get a 4V for under £10k but there's a fair few older ones around in you budget (but sadly not in mine :(). I think the GT and GTL both had factory-fited heated grips, the GTL also has an electronically adjustable screen.
 
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Thanks for the suggestions chaps!

I'd completely forgotten about the r1200s but now i se it again i can't help but think "oh man that looks awesome". However they also appear somewhat hard to come by. I think I'll definitely be keeping an eye out, might be worth a trip to the local dealer to see if they can bring one over if there's one in the family already, so to speak.

The fjr1300 also sems pretty nice but - correct me if i'm making incorrect assumptions - seems a step more towards touring than the r1200s. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but damn it i sem to like these BMWs!

Thaks for the suzuki suggestion, i considered that before the f800 purchase but the weight put me off. Also - again maybe inaccurate/biased - i do like the apparently superior to my old sv650 build quality of the f800.
 
If you are looking at a R1200S,then make sure you get one with the "Sport Pack".It will have the Ohlins front and rear;)
And they do go really well,most powerfull (non HP) boxer engine.
 
Indeed! Am I right in believing they were only made between 2006 and 2008? I see 5 in the bmw network and maybe the same or less on autotrader/ebay. :(
 
Griffo said:
Thaks for the suzuki suggestion, i considered that before the f800 purchase but the weight put me off. Also - again maybe inaccurate/biased - i do like the apparently superior to my old sv650 build quality of the f800.
Click to expand...

You're welcome to give my bike a look over at the meet next weekend and see how the weight feels. :)
 
Griffo said:
Thanks for the suggestions chaps!

I'd completely forgotten about the r1200s but now i se it again i can't help but think "oh man that looks awesome". However they also appear somewhat hard to come by. I think I'll definitely be keeping an eye out, might be worth a trip to the local dealer to see if they can bring one over if there's one in the family already, so to speak.

The fjr1300 also sems pretty nice but - correct me if i'm making incorrect assumptions - seems a step more towards touring than the r1200s. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but damn it i sem to like these BMWs!

Thaks for the suzuki suggestion, i considered that before the f800 purchase but the weight put me off. Also - again maybe inaccurate/biased - i do like the apparently superior to my old sv650 build quality of the f800.
Click to expand...

This one is a 2 minute walk away from me, and is amazing. Apparently owned by a guy who buys BMWs 3 at a time, brand new, adds loads of extras then trades them after a few years. Buy it.

http://www.bmwapprovedusedbikes.co...._,00.html?currentCh=_V0IxMDM2NjAzN1pQNDgwODM=
 
hillbilly2 said:
It's the nice colour to.
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It's completely immaculate, with the right colour scheme, the right options, at a decent price.

I would have bought it yesterday if I had £7k down the back of the sofa. I don't need a new bike, but these really don't come up that often, especially not in that good a condition :)

(hint: buy it.) :p
 
Nearly £10k for a scooter!! :eek:

Ok you probably could go on a tour with it but it just seems absurd. It is well equipped mind you.
 
growse said:
This one is a 2 minute walk away from me, and is amazing. Apparently owned by a guy who buys BMWs 3 at a time, brand new, adds loads of extras then trades them after a few years. Buy it.

http://www.bmwapprovedusedbikes.co...._,00.html?currentCh=_V0IxMDM2NjAzN1pQNDgwODM=
Click to expand...

growse said:
It's completely immaculate, with the right colour scheme, the right options, at a decent price.

I would have bought it yesterday if I had £7k down the back of the sofa. I don't need a new bike, but these really don't come up that often, especially not in that good a condition :)

(hint: buy it.) :p
Click to expand...

You trying to tell me something? :-) Hertford, eh? I was looking at that bike and contemplating taking a look. Looks a beaut'. Now let's redirect the rideout to there hehe. It'll be 3 weeks till I can get there I think :(

FunkyCowie said:
you could always go down this route lol

http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/motorcycles/urban-mobility/bmw-c-650-gt/
Click to expand...

Go to your room! :P

Dureth: thanks pet, I may take you up on that!
 
growse said:
It's completely immaculate, with the right colour scheme, the right options, at a decent price.

I would have bought it yesterday if I had £7k down the back of the sofa. I don't need a new bike, but these really don't come up that often, especially not in that good a condition :)

(hint: buy it.) :p
Click to expand...

There yesterday... gone today :'(
Rather a bugger, was going to call to arrange test ride this afternoon. Arg!
 
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