New bike advice for sports touring
Discussion
Hi,
Have been riding GSXRs for the last few years and feel like I want a change this year. Also have a bit of spare money to splurge. My current bike is a L6 750 GSXR which I really enjoy riding, but when I fitted heated grips this year and Michelin Road 5 tyres I began to realise that the sports bike isn't really where my riding is going.
I am thinking that I would be better getting a sports tourer, something with ABS and decent traction control as a lot of my riding is commuting. At the weekends/holidays I am interested in doing some longer tours. Have been toying with a tour in Europe at some point in my life!
As I have been so used to sports bikes, the thought of the adventure style bike isn't really that appealing so I have managed to trim my list down to two bikes. The Honda VFR800 or the Kawasaki Z1000SX, and in both bikes I am looking to get the panniers, and heated grips fitted. The price with these options between the bikes isn't that much (Honda have an offer on side panniers and the heated grips are standard).
I am leaning towards the Honda mainly because the nearest Kawsaki dealer is the other side of the country (I am in Scotland and live/work around Glasgow) and the Honda dealer is down the road.
Both bikes seem to get good reviews, but I am unsure if going for the Honda is such a good idea as the Z1000SX is such a popular bike.
Anyone have any advice to help me decide?
Have been riding GSXRs for the last few years and feel like I want a change this year. Also have a bit of spare money to splurge. My current bike is a L6 750 GSXR which I really enjoy riding, but when I fitted heated grips this year and Michelin Road 5 tyres I began to realise that the sports bike isn't really where my riding is going.
I am thinking that I would be better getting a sports tourer, something with ABS and decent traction control as a lot of my riding is commuting. At the weekends/holidays I am interested in doing some longer tours. Have been toying with a tour in Europe at some point in my life!
As I have been so used to sports bikes, the thought of the adventure style bike isn't really that appealing so I have managed to trim my list down to two bikes. The Honda VFR800 or the Kawasaki Z1000SX, and in both bikes I am looking to get the panniers, and heated grips fitted. The price with these options between the bikes isn't that much (Honda have an offer on side panniers and the heated grips are standard).
I am leaning towards the Honda mainly because the nearest Kawsaki dealer is the other side of the country (I am in Scotland and live/work around Glasgow) and the Honda dealer is down the road.
Both bikes seem to get good reviews, but I am unsure if going for the Honda is such a good idea as the Z1000SX is such a popular bike.
Anyone have any advice to help me decide?
How much touring are you going to be doing? Do you still want fun bike on weekends?
I’ve had lots of sportstourers and sportsbikes, I generally change a lot as I get bored.
Z1000SX is ok , I didn’t like the handling at all, but that could be me. If you go big they are a lump, ie zzr, k1300s, great bikes but they are big, Try a mt10 touring, Ok I’m biased as I have one but it really does fit each brief well, comfier imo than the z1000sx engine is peachy on the motorway, luggage there’s loads of options and it goes like f
k
I’ve had lots of sportstourers and sportsbikes, I generally change a lot as I get bored.
Z1000SX is ok , I didn’t like the handling at all, but that could be me. If you go big they are a lump, ie zzr, k1300s, great bikes but they are big, Try a mt10 touring, Ok I’m biased as I have one but it really does fit each brief well, comfier imo than the z1000sx engine is peachy on the motorway, luggage there’s loads of options and it goes like f
kBoth good bikes and both will do touring well while still offering the sport(ish) type ride. The Honda is the slightly better bike with regards to pretty much everything except, it lacks those extra 200cc which make life just that little bit easier. If you plan on taking a pillion then those 200cc will make a difference.
Not an easy decision! Do ride both for a reasonable amount of time/distance, and include all different types of road. You may find one works better for you than the other and makes the decision easy.
(
I won't mention that a good second hand K1300S is a better option than both as it's not on your list 
)
Not an easy decision! Do ride both for a reasonable amount of time/distance, and include all different types of road. You may find one works better for you than the other and makes the decision easy.
(
I won't mention that a good second hand K1300S is a better option than both as it's not on your list )ewant81 said:
I had looked at the MT10 touring, but I was put off by the small fuel tank and some reviewers complain about snatchy throttle. I had a K6 GSXR which had the most annoying snatchy throttle, just about drove me daft!
What kind of fuel range do you get from a full tank?
The throttle isn’t that bad at all in standard mode, it’s snatchy in b mode which I never use.What kind of fuel range do you get from a full tank?
And I hate snatchy throttles!
When touring I get about 130 miles when the light comes on, it’s never been a problem in Europe, strangely we’ve all got nakeds as a group now, just more enjoyable in the twistys and better for Fun blasts.
The MT10 out of all the naked bikes is the most versatile and you can do some serious miles on them in comfort, I find it more comfy than my africa twin on long distance
Had a look at a VFR1200 but it's proper massive! Probably a bit too big for my use.
Had looked at BMWs, but they are quite a premium price. Having got friends with BMW and having quite a few warranty issues I wouldn't be as keen to get a 2nd hand model. Also, I am forever clocking my shins off my friends boxer BMWs even when walking past them. The boxer engine'd models I am quite put off for that reason.
I agree on test rides, I need to get some booked and try them out.
Had looked at BMWs, but they are quite a premium price. Having got friends with BMW and having quite a few warranty issues I wouldn't be as keen to get a 2nd hand model. Also, I am forever clocking my shins off my friends boxer BMWs even when walking past them. The boxer engine'd models I am quite put off for that reason.
I agree on test rides, I need to get some booked and try them out.
ewant81 said:
There is a BMW Motorrad near me, so I will stop by and have a look/seat at what they have. Although am I right in saying that the K1300 is no longer on sale?
No new K1300S unfortunately but second hand ones with low miles are available. Edited by black-k1 on Saturday 19th May 06:15
black-k1 said:
ewant81 said:
There is a BMW Motorrad near me, so I will stop by and have a look/seat at what they have. Although am I right in saying that the K1300 is no longer on sale?
No new K1300S unfortunately but second hand ones with low miles are available. Edited by black-k1 on Saturday 19th May 06:15
The shame of it, but I traded it for a GS - lord knows what I was thinking. The GS was OK 2 up touring but so slow when on your own and wanting to push on a bit. It's gone now thankfully. Lesson learned.
Had a test ride on the new Z1000SX on Saturday, and its quite different from a GSXR!
Front end feels quite remote on the Z, and the suspension in general actually feels quite plush in comparison. Did find that when you get up to motorway speeds amongst the traffic, the front end seemed to develop a bit of a wobble. Spoke to the dealer and he suggested that it me be down to the fact that the screen was set at its highest level?
Bike seems nice to ride otherwise though, its just a departure from a sports bike. Need to try a few other bikes to see how I feel.
Has anyone else had similar issues with their Z1000SX ?
Front end feels quite remote on the Z, and the suspension in general actually feels quite plush in comparison. Did find that when you get up to motorway speeds amongst the traffic, the front end seemed to develop a bit of a wobble. Spoke to the dealer and he suggested that it me be down to the fact that the screen was set at its highest level?
Bike seems nice to ride otherwise though, its just a departure from a sports bike. Need to try a few other bikes to see how I feel.
Has anyone else had similar issues with their Z1000SX ?
If it's within your budget, I would recommend you go try the KTM SuperDuke GT.
I have a K1300S currently and have been ruminating with what to replace it with. Took the KTM out on the weekend and had a blast. Very pointy and also comfy at the same time, thanks to the semi-active suspension. Would be easy to tour on I'll bet seeing as it has all the luggage options you need, plus a very comprehensive safety package and up/down quickshifter.
Only downside I found was significant vibration through the pegs during my ride. I rode the 1290 Adventure S immediately after and this had none of the vibration, but was also ponderous to ride in comparison.
I have a K1300S currently and have been ruminating with what to replace it with. Took the KTM out on the weekend and had a blast. Very pointy and also comfy at the same time, thanks to the semi-active suspension. Would be easy to tour on I'll bet seeing as it has all the luggage options you need, plus a very comprehensive safety package and up/down quickshifter.
Only downside I found was significant vibration through the pegs during my ride. I rode the 1290 Adventure S immediately after and this had none of the vibration, but was also ponderous to ride in comparison.
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