Bike-less man seeks comfortable faired companion

[TurbosSuck]

I've spent a fair bit of time during lockdown pondering my next bike, and there's something that's confusing me. If you want a sports bike, a naked bike, a tourer or an adventure bike, then I reckon you're pretty well catered for. But there seems to be a hole in the market for a mid range, comfortable, fully faired bike.

Honda's had a go with the CBR650R and the the ninja 650 exists if you can get past the looks and sewing machine engine. But that seems to be about it. Why can't you get a half or fully faired MT or SV? Both manufactures create an adventure model in the V-Strom and Tracer, but nothing more road oriented. Triumph have the speed triple or the Tiger. BMW have sports bikes, adventure bikes and naked bikes, nothing in between. Ducati and Aprilia and KTM are all the same

Surely there's a market for a comfy sports bike? In my mind I'm thinking weather protection, comfy riding position, premium suspension and an interesting engine that produces between 80 – 120bhp.

Maybe it's just me...

[Kawasicki]

Ducati Super Sport?

[Tango13]

Kawasaki 1000 SX? Bit more horsepower at a claimed 140 and not that fugly either.

[Kawasicki]

Honda vfr?

[scorcher]

Suzuki GSX-S1000F?

[TheInternet]

Is that not the 'sports-tourer' category? BMW R1250RS?

[A500leroy]

Goldwing/pan European?

[Jazoli]

VFR800?

[CousinDupree]

Sprint ST
Not for me, but there's the F800 dullard.

[trickywoo]

The fly screen on the new style Sv650 is surprisingly effective.

I’ve done a few m-way journeys as fast as I dare and pretty much not been passed by much else and it’s perfectly comfortable for hours.

Outside of that a gsx s1000f as mentioned before is a pretty good tool.

[TurbosSuck]

TheInternet said:

Is that not the 'sports-tourer' category? BMW R1250RS?

I guess for me this is the problem, the next step up from fun middle weight bike is a 240+ kg 136bhp behemoth, same to an extent with the Z1000sx and the GSX1000f.

I think the point I'm trying to make is that a lot of middleweight bikes get remade as adventure bikes, the SV to the V-Strom, the MT07 and MT09 to the Tracers, but none of them get a road biased remake. There are also very few true middleweight sports bikes with the exception of the outgoing 600s. If that class died / is dying out because they are simply too focused for the road, and the only reason they existed in that form was because of race homologation, then whey not throw out the rule book and create some truly great middle weight sports bikes?

Imagine a road focused mt09 sports bike or a brand new 800cc twin from Honda or Suzuki.

[RichTT]

I had the CBR650 a few years ago. Not very comfy on the wrists and only really fun once you're wringing it's neck with revs. I had the Ninja 650 for a loaner while my Versys was in for a service and really enjoyed it. Unless you're doing hundreds of motorway miles or European touring I would recommend it. 650cc is more than enough to have fun on B-roads and I've been considering it as a second bike to go along with my Bobber.

It's also cheap to buy, run and insure if that matters. Tourer version comes with soft panniers as well. Throw a pinion tailpack on and you've got more than enough space for a few days worth of clothes and supplies.

2019 pre-reg versions are going for about the £6k mark on Autotrader at the moment

[Gertrude]

What about a BMW F800 GT? Surprisingly good bike to ride

[Scobblelotcher]

How about the BMW S1000XR? It seems to tick most of your boxes although has a bit more power (165bhp).

[bogie]

Another vote for VFR800, meets all requirements

[podman]

TurbosSuck said:

TheInternet said:

Is that not the 'sports-tourer' category? BMW R1250RS?

Imagine a road focused mt09 sports bike or a brand new 800cc twin from Honda or Suzuki.

The MT09 is road focused, comfortable and handle very well indeed, I think if you went and test rode one , or any of the super nakeds, you would soon realise that for yourself..

[HairyMaclary]

Tango13 said:

Kawasaki 1000 SX? Bit more horsepower at a claimed 140 and not that fugly either.

This is what I was going to say

[Kawasicki]

So, there’s a massive choice then.

[TurbosSuck]

I never considered a Ducati Super Sport, really nice bike, might be a bit more money than I wanted to pay though.

F800gt looks interesting, I didn't know that bike existed to be honest. XR I've looked at before, prob a bit fast for my needs. Should I be wary or BMW build quality? I've heard bad things...

Not sure about a VFR, looks very competent but dare I say it, a bit bland.

MT09 is perfect power wise, I think I'd just prefer a fairing.

I really like the new SV, I'd be happy with the power just wish they did a faired or half faired version like their old S model. Interesting to hear that the fly screen makes a difference. They can be picked up new for only £5,345.

[Kawasicki]

What’s your budget? New or used? A VFR 750/800 is as cheap as chips, has excellent build quality, an interesting V4 engine, has better handling than 99% of bike riders can use (myself included)...