What bike (again?) - Sports Tourer style - apologies
Discussion
So ladies and gents, I have decided that I may get away with returning to the fold and buy myself a new bike; well not brand new 
Last bike (shows my age and the time) was a (jelly mould) CBR1000 which I loved; H reg!!!! HAd it years and loved it fro what I used it for,
I am 6'4" and a tad under 18st (ex rugby player - not a 'hairy biker')
Was going to buy a Blackbird a few years back but bottled it - wasn't allowed ....
Thinking of either a GS1200 or stick with the sort of Sports Tourer I am used to but definitely not a gullwing type.
What realistically are my options? Starting to look but though I would tap into an enthusiasts forum that wont laugh at my need for comfort and not wanting the nuttiest balls out Ducati etc.?
So, my short list will be??? Both across GS1200 types and also genuine BIG sports tourer due to my size!
Thanks in advance for any ideas and pointers !
Last bike (shows my age and the time) was a (jelly mould) CBR1000 which I loved; H reg!!!! HAd it years and loved it fro what I used it for,
I am 6'4" and a tad under 18st (ex rugby player - not a 'hairy biker'
)Was going to buy a Blackbird a few years back but bottled it - wasn't allowed ....
Thinking of either a GS1200 or stick with the sort of Sports Tourer I am used to but definitely not a gullwing type.
What realistically are my options? Starting to look but though I would tap into an enthusiasts forum that wont laugh at my need for comfort and not wanting the nuttiest balls out Ducati etc.?
So, my short list will be??? Both across GS1200 types and also genuine BIG sports tourer due to my size!
Thanks in advance for any ideas and pointers !
KTM 1290 Super Adventure. 300 mile range, big enough for big riders, as fast accelerating (if not faster) than the 4 cylinder sports tourers, much more low down torque, loads of extras included as standard such as heated grips, semi-active suspension, cornering ABS, heated rider & pillion seats seperately controlled, TPMS, 30l tank - fanstastic.
Dr Jekyll said:
black-k1 said:
K1300S
Almost sports bike fast. All day/650 mile comfortable. Quick shifter, ESA, ABS, TCS quick detach integral luggage. 50mpg, 200mile tank range, heated grips. What's not to like?
Cramped even for a six foot rider.Almost sports bike fast. All day/650 mile comfortable. Quick shifter, ESA, ABS, TCS quick detach integral luggage. 50mpg, 200mile tank range, heated grips. What's not to like?
I've had both the K1300S and R1200GS (2015) and taken both over long distance around Europe. For long distance touring and seeing places in comfort, I honestly think the R1200GS is the more suitable and better machine.
The GS offers more comfort, more space, more luggage capacity and flexibility, better ride comfort, and has more upright ergos that allows you to actually enjoy the scenery better. In the twisties, it handles better fully loaded than the K1300s. And the LC boxer twin is more frugal with more torque than the K1300 IL4. I enjoyed the K1300s at 150mph down the outside lane of the Autobahn, but those kinds of opportunities are genuinely not the point of 'touring'.
The GS offers more comfort, more space, more luggage capacity and flexibility, better ride comfort, and has more upright ergos that allows you to actually enjoy the scenery better. In the twisties, it handles better fully loaded than the K1300s. And the LC boxer twin is more frugal with more torque than the K1300 IL4. I enjoyed the K1300s at 150mph down the outside lane of the Autobahn, but those kinds of opportunities are genuinely not the point of 'touring'.
I've had a multistrada and a k1300s, for me the multistrada was a better bike in the twistys and touring, but everyone to there own, I sold the k13 last year as my knees are f
ked and long days made them ache badly, I brought a new versys 1000, it's a great bike, totally reliable, comfy, handles well and has decent luggage , But I know want to go back to a naked for a change, I toured a lot on a speed triple a few years ago, and found that comfy with some help from adjustable rear sets on there lowest setting, I've just looked at a superduke 1290 which for me is really comfy, so I might have to bite the bullet and get shafted on depreciation and get one. Think I'll take the versys away to Spain and France in a few weeks to at least out some decent miles on it first!
ked and long days made them ache badly, I brought a new versys 1000, it's a great bike, totally reliable, comfy, handles well and has decent luggage , But I know want to go back to a naked for a change, I toured a lot on a speed triple a few years ago, and found that comfy with some help from adjustable rear sets on there lowest setting, I've just looked at a superduke 1290 which for me is really comfy, so I might have to bite the bullet and get shafted on depreciation and get one. Think I'll take the versys away to Spain and France in a few weeks to at least out some decent miles on it first!Tall_Paul said:
What's the budget? Plenty of sport touring/adventure touring bikes out there but lots may be out of budget!
Budget is clearly open to 'mission creep' and also happy for 'man maths' to win the day!Edit to add that probably at least once per week, I will commute into Central London from Glos. so 101 miles door to door (each way) mainly on M4 or M40 so motorway cruising is an essential but then travel tight into central
London. 2 or 3 dates/week, it will or may be central London 3 miles each way commute!
So, budget is pretty flexible tbh and thanks for suggestions and comments so far .....
Edited by Slaav on Sunday 1st May 23:30
I was very comfortable on my K1200R Sport, I'm 6' 4" as well. Many complain it's too long a stretch to the bars, but I'd have to assume they're short. I sold it on fairly quickly though as it was too fats and competent for me to enjoy on the road. Bought an Aprilia Shiver instead, a bit slower and also regular complaints that it's too tall from the shorties 
jhoneyball said:
K1300S, every time.
"And the LC boxer twin is more frugal with more torque than the K1300 IL4."
Maybe the frugal. But no way the torque.
I stand corrected - certainly not at their peak torque rpm. But the Boxer Twin delivers more, earlier than the K13. And with shorter gearing than the K13, the R12 is never lacking in real world riding - it certainly feels livelier off the bottom end."And the LC boxer twin is more frugal with more torque than the K1300 IL4."
Maybe the frugal. But no way the torque.
This debate on the merits of the R12 vs K13 never ends amongst BMW riders. Fact of the matter is that the K13's days are numbered, and the R12 remains the biggest seller in Europe amongst tourers - and for good reason.
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