| Author | Message | ||
     Lake_bueller |
what would I buy? I know I'll get a mostly "Buell" answer but I want to keep all my options open. My criteria are as follows: Comfortable yet sporty 2-up riding for varied distances Hard touring bags available Fairly local service available Here's my short list (in no particular order): Ducati Multistrada 1100 Ducati ST3 BMW R1200RT BMW R1200GS Buell Uly Triumph Sprint ST Honda ST1300 Yamaha FJR1300 Surpisingly, I think the Ducati bikes are the best priced (even after adding optional bags to the Multistrada). Let the opinions fly... | ||
| 2kx1 |
I would buy the ST3 , it is an absolute blast to ride and is on the sporty side of sport touring. I have an ST2 and it is pretty niceand has enough power , handles fantastic and gets about 45-50 mpg. | ||
| Ceejay |
Triumph Sprint ST-06 and 07 came with the bags and could be found around 10,500. Beautiful in Red, and the triple sounds excellent with arrows. Everything I have heard from owners has been positive, and the same goes for people that get to legally steal them for the day. It's still over 10 grand though, so I bought an XB and figured I'll wait til the I can afford one. | ||
| Beachbuell |
Sprint ST! I'd love to have one in my garage. | ||
| Bomber |
Add the Triumph Tiger -- very similar to the Sprint with more upright ergos and longer suspension travel | ||
| Hughlysses |
I assume you're leaving the Uly out because it's such a bluntly obvious choice? | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I assume you're leaving the Uly out because it's such a bluntly obvious choice? See #5 on the list. Add the Triumph Tiger I know you like yours but I can't get past the looks. There's just something that I don't like. But the overall concept ROCKS! It sure beats the older versions. I'm willing to make some modifications (taller bars, etc). But I don't want to make a Franken-bike either. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The Uly is on the list. Besides the Uly, I second the Tiger. I haven't had a chance to ride one yet, but the craftsmanship was fantastic. I was really impressed with it. It is REALLY big, though. It was GS proportioned. I was surprised. | ||
| 5liter |
Kawasaki Concours 14 or the older Concours ZG1000. A guy where I worked had a ZG1000 and he just loved it. | ||
| Jaimec |
Suzuki V-Strom with Givi bags. For a lot less money than most of your other choices. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
My vote goes to the Uly. In my book, it covers all the bases you've mentioned. | ||
| Mikej |
A guy I work with is selling this: http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/354832423.html He seems to like it. | ||
| Crusty |
I had an S3-T that I put 60,000 miles on. Then I got am M2 that I put S3-T saddlebags on(and 55,000 miles). Now I've got a Uly. It's got HUGE bags, a very comfortable seat and it handles like a dream. If you buy anything else, you'll be sorry. | ||
| Hughlysses |
See #5 on the list. Sorry about that. Guess I need to go up to 2.5X on the computer reading glasses...  | ||
| Oldog |
I rode with a guy going to Daytona this year , the thing that impressed me about the Duc MS1100 was how quiet it is. The starter and the timing belts make more noise than the exhaust, the bags are also quite large, I was impressed with the level of detail and good fit and finish as well. I am considering a second bike in the future, while the Suzuki bandit is not quite the same caliber as the choices you listed, It handily beat the BMW it was tested against in terms of comfort and general ease of use ( its also 1/2 the price as the zuke lists with ABS for ~ 8900.) My own experiences with Suzuki have been largely good in the past. See Motorcuclist july and cycleworld july for recent tests, YMMV (Message edited by oldog on June 26, 2007) | ||
| Joesbuell |
The Buell should be the most economical to run and maintain, Other than modifications I've done to my Buell all work and services have been carried out by myself. No shims or Desmo valves to adjust! no multi carbies/throttle bodies to balance! just a basic real world machine! Gotta Go the Buell And besides parts prices in the US for Buell are so Bloody cheap it's not funny! I bet Ducati parts are not...  JB | ||
| Barker |
From what you told me you want and my observations, here is my list best to worst. FYI: I have actually ridden the following: ULY ST3 Multi 1100S, 620, 1000DS Vstrom 1000 BMW RT & GS FJR Buell Uly- If you are tall enuf. most comfort. low cost of ownership. Great bags. Comes with free can of pickled okra. Ducati Multistrada 1100- better ergos than the ST3. not as comfortable as Uly. High cost of ownership. New 1100 engine is nice. Not as good as a XB12 motor. Older versions of engines and seats were not as good as the current model. Vstrom 650 or 1000, not the best in most categories but could be the best value out the door. Ducati ST3 - smooth V-twin power, but High cost of ownership Triumph Sprint ST- Nice looking bike never ridden the new Sprint ST or the new british triples. That 1050 engine looks interesting. Kawasaki Concours 14 seems to be very sporty, in a line. Good value. Yamaha FJR1300- Yamaha has the advantage over honda in this category. Honda ST1300 its ok, its a honda BMW R1200RT & BMW R1200GS expensive to buy, every body I know that has one wont buy one again. A lot of complaints about the bags. Both models. Hope that helps. | ||
| Iamike |
The August issue of Rider magazine has a comparison of the Uly, the Multistrada, V-Strom 1000 & the Tiger 1050. Basically is says all four are very close with plusses or minuses. I haven't completely read the article but it did give the V-Strom the top nod. A friend has the V-Strom 650 and says that he much prefers it over the 1000 and does use it for long distance riding. I've ridden it but the seat sucks worse than the one on my ST1300. Other than that, it is a nice riding bike for a 650. For distance riding the ST1300 is hard to beat as a sport tourer. The FJR of course is a little more sport. I really liked the Trimph Sprint but only rode it a short distance (20mi.) and I haven't ridden the rest. | ||
| Wardan123 |
Ever consider the KTM Adventure 990??  | ||
| Toronto_s3 |
http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/touring.html The above link has a bunch of "shootouts" involving various sport touring type bikes it might prove helpful. From your short list I would go with the Ducati ST3 followed by the Triumph but then I tend to like bikes that you can tour with and then strip down and flog at the occasional track day event. If you don't think taking a bike to the track appeals to you in any way then go with the BWM R1200RT. It will let you get about as sporty as you ever need to get in a road going situation, great two up capabilities, 800 mile a day touring comfort, one of the best windscreens in the business, heated grips are a huge bonus, great resale and those "R" engines are good for 100k miles easy. Visually the boxers are not what I would consider to be "sexy" type bikes. The styling leaves something to be desired in my opinion but from a functionality point of view they are peerless in the sport touring role. Another option (and this is one I am seriously considering) is a Kawasaki ZX-12 or Honda Blackbird. Either bike set up with heli bars, higher aftermarket windscreens and Givi bags would make great touring bikes and they are cheap to pick up used. The Blackbird engine is pretty much bullet proof and is easily good for 100k miles are so. I am considering the Blackbird option for myself. With some aftermarket sprockets the gearing is easy to change for very relaxed highway engine speeds. I have a female friend who lives in Halifax and I make the 1600 mile trip to visit her every other weekend or so. After 180 000 kms on the S3 the Buell is in need of a rest and a rebuild so the Blackbird or the ZX-12 will be my next intercontinental missile. | ||
| Bad_karma |
FJR | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I know it is a bit more expensive but how about the BMW k1200gt? I would bring one home in an instant if I could justify a $20k motorcycle. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Get an older slightly used Kawasaki Concours, and you'll still have enough money leftover to keep the Buell. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I'm a big fan of the ST1300 which you've listed. It's barge like, but does many things very well. I saw someone throw the XX out there on the table and I'd say don't ride one unless you're prepared to purchase it, take it home, and love it  | ||
| Xb9er |
Multistrada 1100  | ||
| Josh_ |
I'd get the Sprint. The FJR is entertaining, but heavy and poor ground clearance, the BMWs cost too much, the KTM and Uly have seat heights too high (and corresponding high center of gravity), the Honda you might as well get a Wing. I don't know about the Ducatis, I did always want an ST4s. Have you seen the new Kawasaki Concours? Might be the Sport-Touring bike to beat when they release it. | ||
| Swordsman |
I say go for a Victory Vision! Part 1960 Cadillac, part Starship Enterprise, all funky lookin' bike! http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Victory/Vis ion/Spin/ Maybe it's not a sport tourer, but it's sporty in it's own way, and certainly Buell-like in its unusual look. I'd be all over one if I could afford it (and if I thought I could lift it off the kick stand!). ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on June 27, 2007) | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Looks like the Uly might be the bike. I'm just waiting on a few details (mostly the wife's approval). We are taking it for a 2-up test ride tomorrow. I found a great deal on a left over 2006 at $100 over dealer cost. They are willing to do the bags at 10% over cost also. That would get me the whole deal at under MSRP for just the bike. Now I need to sell the S3T. That might prove to be more difficult than I hoped. The retail Blue Book price is $4800. I'd be happy for something around $4300. But it seems people are almost giving away the tube frame bikes. There is one on ebay with a buy now of $3500!!! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I know "Pretzel Boy" he's tall enough for the Uly... that's if he can unfold himself from riding Marilyn,  That's a good a great S3 you have, what you want to change it for? You can ride it for distance (done that) & ride the tires to the edges through the dragon (done that too) Wish I had the spare cash to buy it, just to have a good bike there when I come over the water. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Lake,I can speak for the Sprint--I have about 20,000 miles on a 1999 and it is a great bike.Tons of power,handles good,minimum maintenance,triple sounds great and has good torque.Good passenger seating and lotsa luggage options. | ||
| Mxer83 |
please tell me you are not going to sell your t-bolt!!!!!! | ||
| Ryker77 |
r1200 ST I had a r1100st before my x1. Good mixture of sport but with bags and OK air protection. The new r1200st is even better. The deal is to find one slightly used with all the options and Ohlins shocks. Ride a BMW with Ohlins shocks and you will KNOW comfort. RT are more tour looking but still should be sporty enough. | ||
| 12x9sl |
Dennis, You won't be sorry. After riding the Gap and the fun roads around there, then down to Atlanta; I rode 880 miles in 14 hours, from Atlanta to Janesville without a sore rearend. No complaints here. Jon | ||
| Crusty |
How did the test ride go? |
