Comments on: 5-Comparisons http://sport-tourer.com Comparison of Sport-Touring Motorcycles Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:23:03 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: MCg http://sport-tourer.com/sport-tourer-comparisons-b/comment-page-1#comment-41 MCg Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:31:29 +0000 http://sport-tourer.com/?page_id=25#comment-41 Hi Willie, You pose some good questions. However, I cannot definitively answer how much more rider satisfaction you'll gain uprading from your Connie to any of the newer bikes because that is such a subjective quality. Although one additional thing I can say regarding a comparison between your Concours (ZG1000) and "any" of the newer bikes, is that they are all considerably smoother and more refined - in addition to their technical upgrades. If you're like most riders, you'll be very cognizant of an improved riding experience, completely independent of the performance improvements, once you've ridden any of the newer ones (except for the BMW RT, which is the most similar in performance to your Concours). However, having said all that, one thing I prefer about your Concours is that, because it is less refined, it also has a less civilized riding character than the newer bikes, which, to me, represents a bit of an undefinable nostalgia, which would not be relevant to most sport-touring riders. I actually love each of the bikes in this comparison, but your Connie has a special place of interest in my heart, as I have owned several of them over the years. Best, MCg Hi Willie,
You pose some good questions. However, I cannot definitively answer how much more rider satisfaction you’ll gain uprading from your Connie to any of the newer bikes because that is such a subjective quality. Although one additional thing I can say regarding a comparison between your Concours (ZG1000) and “any” of the newer bikes, is that they are all considerably smoother and more refined – in addition to their technical upgrades. If you’re like most riders, you’ll be very cognizant of an improved riding experience, completely independent of the performance improvements, once you’ve ridden any of the newer ones (except for the BMW RT, which is the most similar in performance to your Concours). However, having said all that, one thing I prefer about your Concours is that, because it is less refined, it also has a less civilized riding character than the newer bikes, which, to me, represents a bit of an undefinable nostalgia, which would not be relevant to most sport-touring riders. I actually love each of the bikes in this comparison, but your Connie has a special place of interest in my heart, as I have owned several of them over the years. Best, MCg

]]> By: Willie http://sport-tourer.com/sport-tourer-comparisons-b/comment-page-1#comment-40 Willie Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:44:02 +0000 http://sport-tourer.com/?page_id=25#comment-40 Greetings, Great article..have read it a couple of times. Got into motorcycling last june, and have enjoyed it tremendously. Started with a bargain used bike, 1992 Kawasaki Concours(Grace)..awesome, runs like a champ. Now after 10,000 miles I am feeling the urge for a newer bike. What benefits would I gain from a newer bike, besides the obvious in ABS, and electric windshields? Would the ride satisfaction improve with a newer sport-tourer like the ones listed above? Like most, I Love the Kawasaki brand of Concours 14, just dissappointed in the small gas tank. I would have compromised for 6.5, but less than 6 is subpar. 42, 6-2, 245...really looking hard because I ride everyday and trips. Find myself pushing the ole Connie quite a bit lately. Great Article. Greetings,
Great article..have read it a couple of times. Got into motorcycling last june, and have enjoyed it tremendously. Started with a bargain used bike, 1992 Kawasaki Concours(Grace)..awesome, runs like a champ. Now after 10,000 miles I am feeling the urge for a newer bike. What benefits would I gain from a newer bike, besides the obvious in ABS, and electric windshields? Would the ride satisfaction improve with a newer sport-tourer like the ones listed above? Like most, I Love the Kawasaki brand of Concours 14, just dissappointed in the small gas tank. I would have compromised for 6.5, but less than 6 is subpar. 42, 6-2, 245…really looking hard because I ride everyday and trips. Find myself pushing the ole Connie quite a bit lately. Great Article.

]]> By: mountain http://sport-tourer.com/sport-tourer-comparisons-b/comment-page-1#comment-34 mountain Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:38:17 +0000 http://sport-tourer.com/?page_id=25#comment-34 Though I really didn't need any accolades for my decision to chose the FJR, it certainly lends further satisfaction that my choice of the FJR was also prudent. Love the bike, though am experiencing the accelerated front tire wear that has been chronicled by others online and in print. Will be replacing tires next spring, but will do some 'hard braking' on the current tires to better aclimate to the FJR's 'linked-ABS'. Good site, glad I came across it! Mountain/USA/WV/Greenbrier Though I really didn’t need any accolades for my decision to chose the FJR, it certainly lends further satisfaction that my choice of the FJR was also prudent. Love the bike, though am experiencing the accelerated front tire wear that has been chronicled by others online and in print. Will be replacing tires next spring, but will do some ‘hard braking’ on the current tires to better aclimate to the FJR’s ‘linked-ABS’. Good site, glad I came across it!
Mountain/USA/WV/Greenbrier

]]> By: MCg http://sport-tourer.com/sport-tourer-comparisons-b/comment-page-1#comment-9 MCg Thu, 11 Sep 2008 02:58:31 +0000 http://sport-tourer.com/?page_id=25#comment-9 Excellent question, Scott, You highlight an important point regarding "weight vs. comfort." None of the bikes featured on this website are considered lightweight. On the other hand, most long-distance riders would find these same bikes to be the most "comfortable" for cross-continent touring (other than a full scale luxury tourer, such as a Gold Wing, which, of course, is much heavier). Having said that, a few decades ago what I would have considered "comfortable" for a bike was considerably more flexible than my definition today. What that means is that for most younger riders, their choices for a sport-touring bike is broader. But...since you don't want a bike from the "Big 4" manufacturers, you've narrowed that field down. Anyway, to answer your question directly, if you are looking for a non-Japanese, mid-size, relatively-lightweight sport-tourer, you may want to take a look at the BMW F 800 ST (412 pounds dry weight). I've ridden the bike and it is my favorite chain-driven sport-tourer. (All the "purpose-built" sport-tourers on this site have shaft-drives). MCg Excellent question, Scott,

You highlight an important point regarding “weight vs. comfort.” None of the bikes featured on this website are considered lightweight. On the other hand, most long-distance riders would find these same bikes to be the most “comfortable” for cross-continent touring (other than a full scale luxury tourer, such as a Gold Wing, which, of course, is much heavier). Having said that, a few decades ago what I would have considered “comfortable” for a bike was considerably more flexible than my definition today. What that means is that for most younger riders, their choices for a sport-touring bike is broader. But…since you don’t want a bike from the “Big 4″ manufacturers, you’ve narrowed that field down.

Anyway, to answer your question directly, if you are looking for a non-Japanese, mid-size, relatively-lightweight sport-tourer, you may want to take a look at the BMW F 800 ST (412 pounds dry weight). I’ve ridden the bike and it is my favorite chain-driven sport-tourer. (All the “purpose-built” sport-tourers on this site have shaft-drives).

MCg

]]> By: Scott http://sport-tourer.com/sport-tourer-comparisons-b/comment-page-1#comment-8 Scott Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:01:19 +0000 http://sport-tourer.com/?page_id=25#comment-8 Hi, Very nice write-up. I'm not sure where I fit in the minority/majority categories, but I'm 27 and my girlfriend is 22. We both currently ride (her: 2006 Yamaha FZ6 and me: 2005 Suzuki SV650S). We both started on the smaller ninja 250 and moved up. The last year or two of riding together we find ourselves riding mostly long distances (1 hour commute one-way just for work for both of us) and several hundred miles on the weekends. We've been looking for alternatives for more sport-touring rides. Her FZ6 is much better suited for this kind of riding compared to my SV650S. The problem is, anytime we look for a new sport-touring option we run into problems regarding our own requirements: weight, price, brand. We were hoping to get away from the biggest name brands (honda, yamaha, etc) but everything seems to be too heavy for us. I'm 5'7" and she is 5'6" roughly, both around 140lbs (me) and 130lbs(her). What options do we have? Right now both our bikes are around 400lbs and it seems the next step up is going to be at least 500lbs and way more power than we need. We were hoping to find something around 450lbs max that isn't a 1,000cc or bigger bike. There seems to be a lack of mid range (between 600cc and 1000cc) options out there for sport-touring. We've looked at Triumph, the Sprint ST looks nice, but weighs too much. Nothing in the Aprilia line-up. What are we missing? Hi,

Very nice write-up. I’m not sure where I fit in the minority/majority categories, but I’m 27 and my girlfriend is 22. We both currently ride (her: 2006 Yamaha FZ6 and me: 2005 Suzuki SV650S). We both started on the smaller ninja 250 and moved up. The last year or two of riding together we find ourselves riding mostly long distances (1 hour commute one-way just for work for both of us) and several hundred miles on the weekends.

We’ve been looking for alternatives for more sport-touring rides. Her FZ6 is much better suited for this kind of riding compared to my SV650S. The problem is, anytime we look for a new sport-touring option we run into problems regarding our own requirements: weight, price, brand. We were hoping to get away from the biggest name brands (honda, yamaha, etc) but everything seems to be too heavy for us. I’m 5′7″ and she is 5′6″ roughly, both around 140lbs (me) and 130lbs(her).

What options do we have? Right now both our bikes are around 400lbs and it seems the next step up is going to be at least 500lbs and way more power than we need. We were hoping to find something around 450lbs max that isn’t a 1,000cc or bigger bike. There seems to be a lack of mid range (between 600cc and 1000cc) options out there for sport-touring.

We’ve looked at Triumph, the Sprint ST looks nice, but weighs too much. Nothing in the Aprilia line-up. What are we missing?

]]> By: MCg http://sport-tourer.com/sport-tourer-comparisons-b/comment-page-1#comment-6 MCg Wed, 03 Sep 2008 03:11:18 +0000 http://sport-tourer.com/?page_id=25#comment-6 Hi George, Well done on your handy modifications. I believe the stock seat height on your V Star is around 27 inches. Any of the purpose-built, sport-touring bikes on this website have seat heights that are roughly around 31-32 inches (some even have adjustable seats). So, straight from the factory your legs will be a little less cramped on any of these bikes. At your size, you may still benefit from risers for the handlebars (which will allow you to sit a little more upright). You might also consider a lowering kit for the footpegs to give your legs and knees even more flex space, should you need it. I would start your bike selection process by reviewing the info on this site and then sitting on each of these bikes on a showroom floor to get a feel for how each bike fits you. MCg Hi George,

Well done on your handy modifications. I believe the stock seat height on your V Star is around 27 inches. Any of the purpose-built, sport-touring bikes on this website have seat heights that are roughly around 31-32 inches (some even have adjustable seats). So, straight from the factory your legs will be a little less cramped on any of these bikes. At your size, you may still benefit from risers for the handlebars (which will allow you to sit a little more upright). You might also consider a lowering kit for the footpegs to give your legs and knees even more flex space, should you need it.

I would start your bike selection process by reviewing the info on this site and then sitting on each of these bikes on a showroom floor to get a feel for how each bike fits you.

MCg

]]> By: George http://sport-tourer.com/sport-tourer-comparisons-b/comment-page-1#comment-5 George Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:57:04 +0000 http://sport-tourer.com/?page_id=25#comment-5 More of a question than a comment-I am in the minority category like Bif above. I am over 50, 6'-4" and 215 pounds. I bought a V Star 650 mostly for the price. I had to make modifications, pushed the boards out 4.5", made a bracket to raise the front of the seat 2" and purchased risers. It's better but before I spend more for a seat I am looking for the best Sport Sport Touring bike for my size. One I can sit up as straight as posible. Any ideas? More of a question than a comment-I am in the minority category like Bif above. I am over 50, 6′-4″ and 215 pounds. I bought a V Star 650 mostly for the price. I had to make modifications, pushed the boards out 4.5″, made a bracket to raise the front of the seat 2″ and purchased risers. It’s better but before I spend more for a seat I am looking for the best Sport Sport Touring bike for my size. One I can sit up as straight as posible. Any ideas?

]]> By: Bif http://sport-tourer.com/sport-tourer-comparisons-b/comment-page-1#comment-3 Bif Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:40:43 +0000 http://sport-tourer.com/?page_id=25#comment-3 Fully agree with all your comments and logic. Three years ago my wife expressed the desire to learn to ride a motorcycle. We both started off with mid sized cruisers, not knowing how often we would ride, how far or even if we would really ever get to like it at all. Within about 6 months we were doing weekend trips of around 2,000 Kms and absolutely loving it. On the return leg of about our third trip I started questioning the suitability of our bikes for the type of riding we were doing eg: short fuel range, luggage tied on 'hell, west & crooked', no weather protection, lack of instrumentation (fuel guage at the very least), and really not that comfortable for my 6' 4" frame. I had no real knowledge of what sort of bikes were out there in the market place, but I had a good idea of what I wanted in a bike. After not a great deal of research on the net, I discovered the sports touring range of bikes - seemingly tailor made for me...As a 52 yo my primary focus was on a bike's touring capability rather than sportiness. Wanting to buy locally, and living in a small inland commumity, I only had a choice between a Yamaha/Harley dealer and a Honda dealer. Honda offered me an excellent trade-in (VT750 Shadow for new ST1300 ABS PanEuropean with top box). After 18 months and 73,000 trouble free Kms, I am very pleased with my choice of bike. Fully agree with all your comments and logic. Three years ago my wife expressed the desire to learn to ride a motorcycle. We both started off with mid sized cruisers, not knowing how often we would ride, how far or even if we would really ever get to like it at all. Within about 6 months we were doing weekend trips of around 2,000 Kms and absolutely loving it. On the return leg of about our third trip I started questioning the suitability of our bikes for the type of riding we were doing eg: short fuel range, luggage tied on ‘hell, west & crooked’, no weather protection, lack of instrumentation (fuel guage at the very least), and really not that comfortable for my 6′ 4″ frame.
I had no real knowledge of what sort of bikes were out there in the market place, but I had a good idea of what I wanted in a bike. After not a great deal of research on the net, I discovered the sports touring range of bikes – seemingly tailor made for me…As a 52 yo my primary focus was on a bike’s touring capability rather than sportiness.
Wanting to buy locally, and living in a small inland commumity, I only had a choice between a Yamaha/Harley dealer and a Honda dealer. Honda offered me an excellent trade-in (VT750 Shadow for new ST1300 ABS PanEuropean with top box).
After 18 months and 73,000 trouble free Kms, I am very pleased with my choice of bike.

]]>