Why aren’t there any good looking Sports Tourers?
Discussion
I currently own a Yamaha FZ1 Fazer which I bought new in 2010 and it’s been a fantastic bike. Great looking (At least I think so), fast, great handling, economical and completely reliable – and I mean completely reliable – in 10 years it’s only needed routine servicing and a couple of sets of new tyres. Literally nothing has gone wrong with it.
But after 10 years I think it’s time for a change next Spring (Covid permitting) and I’ve been researching my options. I have to say I’ve been somewhat underwhelmed by what’s available.
I don’t do many miles, my Fazer has 15k on it in 10 years, but I do like to make occasional long trips and the Fazer has been perfect for these offering decent wind protection when cruising on motorways and I’d like to keep this facility hence looking for Sports Tourers or road oriented Adventure style bikes. So my criteria is:
1. I’ll probably buy new, and like the Fazer it will be a long term keeper.
2. A litre+ bike with 150+ HP. Although I’m not a super-fast knee down kind of guy, I do like to make progress and like the effortless performance available from a litre bike.
3. Good looking! I appreciate that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I have to be excited about owning it, and the way it looks matters.
4. I don’t like Twins. So it probably needs to be an inline Four or a Triple.
An obvious successor is the Tourer version of the Yamaha MT10, but I can’t live with those looks. There’s the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX and Suzuki GSX-1000F, but I don’t particularly like the look of either and just can’t get excited by the prospect of owing either of them.
Before my Fazer, I owned a Triumph 955 Daytona and loved that, but Triumph don’t really have anything in their range currently that fits the bill. The 1050 Tiger Sport perhaps, but that seems to be the bike Triumph have ignored and I assume with the cheapest version of the Tiger 900 being called ‘Tiger Sport’, it means they will soon drop the 1050 version.
There’s the new Ducati Multistrada V4, but it’s ugly and looks very expensive next to the competition – no matter how good it may be.
In conclusion, the only bike that seems to tick most of my boxes is the BMW S1000XR, which while not a great looker, is better than most and meets all my other criteria. It seems a shame that I can only think of one bike as a possible replacement for my Fazer, so I’m open to suggestions and opinions of what other bikes I should try before deciding.
I’ve toyed with the idea of keeping my trusty Fazer and adding a second very different bike, like the Triumph Speed Twin or Thruxton (yes, I know I said I don’t like Twins!) which I love the look of, but really can’t justify running two bikes as I don’t put the miles on them. I’ve also thought about whether I could live with a super-naked type bike – I test road a Speed Triple a few years ago and loved it but think it would be a pain on longer journeys. Also there’s the issue that Triumph may soon announce a new 1160 Speed Triple, so maybe I should just wait and see what happens? I’m 57 and semi-retired, so I think bikes like the V4 Streetfighter and Tuono may be a bit too hooligan for me now!! I’m also not interested in out-and-out Sports bikes, I find them very uncomfortable – it’s an age thing.
Any advise much appreciated.
But after 10 years I think it’s time for a change next Spring (Covid permitting) and I’ve been researching my options. I have to say I’ve been somewhat underwhelmed by what’s available.
I don’t do many miles, my Fazer has 15k on it in 10 years, but I do like to make occasional long trips and the Fazer has been perfect for these offering decent wind protection when cruising on motorways and I’d like to keep this facility hence looking for Sports Tourers or road oriented Adventure style bikes. So my criteria is:
1. I’ll probably buy new, and like the Fazer it will be a long term keeper.
2. A litre+ bike with 150+ HP. Although I’m not a super-fast knee down kind of guy, I do like to make progress and like the effortless performance available from a litre bike.
3. Good looking! I appreciate that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I have to be excited about owning it, and the way it looks matters.
4. I don’t like Twins. So it probably needs to be an inline Four or a Triple.
An obvious successor is the Tourer version of the Yamaha MT10, but I can’t live with those looks. There’s the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX and Suzuki GSX-1000F, but I don’t particularly like the look of either and just can’t get excited by the prospect of owing either of them.
Before my Fazer, I owned a Triumph 955 Daytona and loved that, but Triumph don’t really have anything in their range currently that fits the bill. The 1050 Tiger Sport perhaps, but that seems to be the bike Triumph have ignored and I assume with the cheapest version of the Tiger 900 being called ‘Tiger Sport’, it means they will soon drop the 1050 version.
There’s the new Ducati Multistrada V4, but it’s ugly and looks very expensive next to the competition – no matter how good it may be.
In conclusion, the only bike that seems to tick most of my boxes is the BMW S1000XR, which while not a great looker, is better than most and meets all my other criteria. It seems a shame that I can only think of one bike as a possible replacement for my Fazer, so I’m open to suggestions and opinions of what other bikes I should try before deciding.
I’ve toyed with the idea of keeping my trusty Fazer and adding a second very different bike, like the Triumph Speed Twin or Thruxton (yes, I know I said I don’t like Twins!) which I love the look of, but really can’t justify running two bikes as I don’t put the miles on them. I’ve also thought about whether I could live with a super-naked type bike – I test road a Speed Triple a few years ago and loved it but think it would be a pain on longer journeys. Also there’s the issue that Triumph may soon announce a new 1160 Speed Triple, so maybe I should just wait and see what happens? I’m 57 and semi-retired, so I think bikes like the V4 Streetfighter and Tuono may be a bit too hooligan for me now!! I’m also not interested in out-and-out Sports bikes, I find them very uncomfortable – it’s an age thing.
Any advise much appreciated.
The sports tourer is largely dead now..The H2 SX jobbie prob the only really bike id consider from that sector.
Adventure bikes and the Super Nakeds are where the market is at now.
You may not like the looks as much but try one of the Super Naked and your Fazer will instantly feel very old hat...
Adventure bikes and the Super Nakeds are where the market is at now.
You may not like the looks as much but try one of the Super Naked and your Fazer will instantly feel very old hat...
podman said:
The sports tourer is largely dead now..The H2 SX jobbie prob the only really bike id consider from that sector.
Adventure bikes and the Super Nakeds are where the market is at now.
You may not like the looks as much but try one of the Super Naked and your Fazer will instantly feel very old hat...
Yep agree. My mate has a Fazer 1000 - quick enough but feels old school now. Super Nakeds are where its atAdventure bikes and the Super Nakeds are where the market is at now.
You may not like the looks as much but try one of the Super Naked and your Fazer will instantly feel very old hat...
What about the Versys 1000? Similar to the XR, cheaper and down on power and tech I would guess. Rode a 2019 one for a day for MCN rider clinic and it was ok.
H2SX - If you find the Ninja SX ugly, this will be in the same boat
KTM Super Duke GT - fails your dislike of twins and most find it ugly. Bloody good crack though!
As you say, the XR is about the only one that fits your criteria. That I can think off right now, especially if shopping for new.
H2SX - If you find the Ninja SX ugly, this will be in the same boat
KTM Super Duke GT - fails your dislike of twins and most find it ugly. Bloody good crack though!
As you say, the XR is about the only one that fits your criteria. That I can think off right now, especially if shopping for new.
As dailies/commuters I’ve an FZ1S & MT10.
Neither are attractive, but the MT is the better looking of the two IMO. Once I’m sat on it though looks aren’t too relevant.
I like XRs also and was considering one, but ultimately it proved to be just too big and unwieldy for me.
SD GTs were also on my list, but I got put off by too many horror stories to use it as a daily commuter, so went for the safe/boring option. If i didn’t commute then I might have ended up with the KTM.
Neither are attractive, but the MT is the better looking of the two IMO. Once I’m sat on it though looks aren’t too relevant.
I like XRs also and was considering one, but ultimately it proved to be just too big and unwieldy for me.
SD GTs were also on my list, but I got put off by too many horror stories to use it as a daily commuter, so went for the safe/boring option. If i didn’t commute then I might have ended up with the KTM.
Tribal Chestnut said:
As dailies/commuters I’ve an FZ1S & MT10.
How would you say the FZ1S and MT10 compare?If I decided that I could live with a super naked as an option, that would open up the Triumph Speed Triple as an option which I love the look of and the BMW S1000R which actually looks good value compared to the XR. I could also consider the Ducati V4 Streetfighter. That would be pushing the budget somewhat, but doable if I loved it enough!
Neal H said:
Tribal Chestnut said:
As dailies/commuters I’ve an FZ1S & MT10.
How would you say the FZ1S and MT10 compare?If I decided that I could live with a super naked as an option, that would open up the Triumph Speed Triple as an option which I love the look of and the BMW S1000R which actually looks good value compared to the XR. I could also consider the Ducati V4 Streetfighter. That would be pushing the budget somewhat, but doable if I loved it enough!
Triumph 1050RS is really good, MT10 same although a bit thirsty and gets light on the front. Nemesis I'm sure can add to this. Probably worth you riding a few to see what you like. S1000R is a great bike just a bit vanilla. Quick, good package and with the new one out could be a bloody good deal on last of old shape?
Sports Tourer class is a lot smaller, gone apart from the Z1000SX, Superduke GT, R1250RS and the H2SX. Effectively been replaced by the adventure and adventure-touring market.
S1000R would meet your requirements I think. Very comfortable for a naked, electronic suspension, heated grips and cruise control available, good tank range and can fit a small screen. Quite a few luggage options, some from BMW. As poster above said, with the new one coming out should be able to get a bargain on the old one.
S1000R would meet your requirements I think. Very comfortable for a naked, electronic suspension, heated grips and cruise control available, good tank range and can fit a small screen. Quite a few luggage options, some from BMW. As poster above said, with the new one coming out should be able to get a bargain on the old one.
I'd not rush to discount the MT10 until you've had a decent test ride on one. With a big screen with spoiler and top box, for me it has been the perfect all-rounder for the past 2 and a bit years. I actually now rather like the way it looks too but not half as much as the way it goes and its been totally without fault.
I also manage up to 150 miles out of a tank on a long run, especially on motorways (sadly a lot of my miles) using the amazing cruise control!
I also manage up to 150 miles out of a tank on a long run, especially on motorways (sadly a lot of my miles) using the amazing cruise control!
stang65 said:
Quite frankly, if you've done 15,000 in 10 years and like the bike, what's the point in changing? What are you hoping to gain?
That's a fair point and a question I've asked myself a lot. The bike is still in great nick, sails through its MOT's and has been completely dependable.I think it's just a case of fancying a change after 10 years on the same bike while I'm still (just about) young enough to still enjoy a modern sporty ride. I also assume that bikes must have improved enormously in the past decade.
stang65 said:
Quite frankly, if you've done 15,000 in 10 years and like the bike, what's the point in changing? What are you hoping to gain?
id say this, or at least look at thinks 1yr old or maybe a little smaller. Honda will discontinue the 800 vfr this year so you should get a good deal.The more I think about this, the more I start to think that maybe a super naked does make the most sense. I don't need to commute to work anymore, so 90% of my riding is purely for pleasure. Most of my longer distance riding is travelling from Norfolk to Oxfordshire occasionally to visit friends and I can either take the bike or car for that. I prefer the bike as it's more fun and I can always make progress when faced with the inevitable traffic jams!
Neal H said:
How would you say the FZ1S and MT10 compare?
If I decided that I could live with a super naked as an option, that would open up the Triumph Speed Triple as an option which I love the look of and the BMW S1000R which actually looks good value compared to the XR. I could also consider the Ducati V4 Streetfighter. That would be pushing the budget somewhat, but doable if I loved it enough!
When it comes to riding, I think they are incomparable really. The MT is quicker, sharper, so much more nimble, more comfortable, brakes are far superior and it’s even better for my daughter on the back, except for the lack of grab rails but that’s fixable.If I decided that I could live with a super naked as an option, that would open up the Triumph Speed Triple as an option which I love the look of and the BMW S1000R which actually looks good value compared to the XR. I could also consider the Ducati V4 Streetfighter. That would be pushing the budget somewhat, but doable if I loved it enough!
I’ve only had it a little while and the weather has been incessantly miserable, so haven’t even begun to start riding it properly.
Economy is similar for the fairly sedate riding I’ve done so far.
Mine has a big screen so no complaints about the weather protection.
Never thought I’d appreciate cruise control but on dead motorways it’s very nice.
Only gripe is that the previous owner stuck a tail tidy on it, but I’ve fixed that turd with a bit of correx taped below the plate.
I had the same issues a couple of years ago replacing my much loved K1300S (It was my second and I had a K1200S before that.)
Like you I wanted a minimum of 150bhp, reasonable handling, good range, comfort and easily removable integral luggage. The choice for me was the S1000XR (too buzzy and too tall to feel comfortable on slow speed manoeuvring), the KTM SD1290GT (a superb bike that does everything really well) and the H2 SX SE. None of them are good looking and I think the H2 SX is probably the least attractive, at least from the engine forward. The rear two thirds looks OK in my opinion.
The H2 SX SE however will make you forget the looks as soon as you ride it. The engine is simply amazing. Try one and see what you think.
Like you I wanted a minimum of 150bhp, reasonable handling, good range, comfort and easily removable integral luggage. The choice for me was the S1000XR (too buzzy and too tall to feel comfortable on slow speed manoeuvring), the KTM SD1290GT (a superb bike that does everything really well) and the H2 SX SE. None of them are good looking and I think the H2 SX is probably the least attractive, at least from the engine forward. The rear two thirds looks OK in my opinion.
The H2 SX SE however will make you forget the looks as soon as you ride it. The engine is simply amazing. Try one and see what you think.
Jag_NE said:
Averaging only 1500 a year I’d just buy what you like, practicality isn’t really a requirement. The Honda VFR800 is a lovely all round bike in my opinion.
This. With so few miles per year do you need a sports tourer at all (unless that is your preferred type of bike). Most bikes can tour and if you are doing so few miles buy something that appeals and makes you smile when you see it in the garage.I’m about your age and have a Tuono and love it so you are not too old. You don’t have to ride it on the back wheel (I certainly don’t).
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