Sport touring bikes

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 6:05 pm

I'd like to get some informed opinions here, if possible, so I can keep my eyes open for my next bike.

For a sport-touring bike, able to cover 5 or 6 hours on the highway easily, would you recommend a CB1100F w/ fairing, an early 90's Hurricane, or one of the newer Blackbirds?

I haven't riden any, and am concerned about the riding position. I'm 5-11".

Anyone with relevant experience?

Drozman

CB1100F Joined: Jul 02, 2003 Posts: 3189 Location: Phoenix

Of course you could get opinions, but I don't think that it will help much. I have a friend at one point had a VX800(cruiser style), Suzuki Bandit(sport tourer), and a TL1000S(crotch rocket). He went from Phoenix to Georgia and picked the TL1000S because as far as fitting him and being the most comfortable, the TL was the choice. He told me afterwards that he was comfortable the whole time. He ended up selling the VX because it wasn't comfortable for him. So it all depends on the individuals' preference.

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:23 pm

In my opinion, the term sport touring motorcycle, is the catchall for any motorcycle which can't be pigeonholed. All are S/T in a way,not being a front line full sport bike. I like my F (no surprise) for distance riding as it can be easily changed for touring use. Handlebars can be easily changed with the applicable switchgear and cables. Footpegs with or without the Sport Control kit. Highway pegs on the case guards. Seats are easily swapped also. The 'Cane or Dos Equis have cast handlebars which are more difficult to adapt to you. But those bikes also have a reputation for being a little more humane to the rider. I also like the F, because if I have to coast to the curb, the mechanicals are out in the open.

Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 10:43 pm

Wow this is such a personal choice... I have a friend that "tours" on his RC51 and he's not a small guy... I've spent days on my KLR.. and called it touring.. and was very comfy..but I do agree with the above comments, it's easy to change the bars on an F, and that makes a world of difference and is WAY cheaper than a heli bar kit for a XX or 'Cane... For me, my first choice would be the F with a hondaline fairing (with the lip cut off the windshield), after that, I think the best bang for the buck is a 'Connie (Concours) for putting on the miles and still having fun in the twisties (Hard for a "Honda guy" like me to say).. Smile

... But really my favorite bike is usually the one I'm riding at the time...

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 12:34 am

It is so personal. A friend of mine has done alot of touring on his 650 Burgman. (This is actually a nice ride, no shifting gears lots of power)
I love my F and he hates it.

I recently read an article where a guy toured through the forest fires last year in Kelowna area on a 49cc moped, loaded with gear.

Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2004 3:23 am

I enjoy my 1100 on long rides.

Guest

I did a little touring on a V65 Sabre. Mine was nekkid, but with the hard bags and hondaline fairing installed it'd make a really great tourer. Plus it has tons of torque and horsepower. Altogether a great bike.

Charles.

Twinstar Joined: Mar 01, 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Seattle

I use a 2001 Bandit 1200S (it's the one with the fairing)... I've got a set of Corbin hardshell luggage, Corbin seat with removable backrest and an aftermarket taller windscreen. I can pack all my kit, a 2 man tent and a sleeping bag. This is also my commuter bike. It does both jobs very well... I can do 500 miles a day and I've screwed it up to 147mph... A good balance of comfort and performance.