Which smaller touring bike
Discussion
Went to see a BMW F800GS earlier in the week, which I liked but thinking what else I should be looking at.
Up to 6 years old is OK with me. Almost new is also OK with me as long as it is under £9,000.
I'm 5'9" and do a lot of city riding and filtering so it needs to have a sensible seat height so I can put both feet down in a hurry if necessary. 810mm or so. Must have a half or full fairing. Must have been sold with full luggage so that there will be a few used ones around with full luggage. Minimum engine size 800cc and upright riding position.
Contenders so far:
BMW F800GS. Liked it on a test ride but in the back of my mind I wonder of an 4 cylinder would be easier to munch miles on than a parallel twin.
Kawasaki Versys 1000. Like this the best, but the ones I like up for sale now are also at the top end of my budget. Has the highest seat height so I might have to get the foam in the seat trimmed and I don't know what that would do to mile munching comfort.
Honda VFR800X Crossrunner
Honda CBF-1000. Used to own a 600 one of these. Bit boring but cheap and gets job done.
I don't think there is much else out there in budget with a upright riding position and plenty around with luggage.
Up to 6 years old is OK with me. Almost new is also OK with me as long as it is under £9,000.
I'm 5'9" and do a lot of city riding and filtering so it needs to have a sensible seat height so I can put both feet down in a hurry if necessary. 810mm or so. Must have a half or full fairing. Must have been sold with full luggage so that there will be a few used ones around with full luggage. Minimum engine size 800cc and upright riding position.
Contenders so far:
BMW F800GS. Liked it on a test ride but in the back of my mind I wonder of an 4 cylinder would be easier to munch miles on than a parallel twin.
Kawasaki Versys 1000. Like this the best, but the ones I like up for sale now are also at the top end of my budget. Has the highest seat height so I might have to get the foam in the seat trimmed and I don't know what that would do to mile munching comfort.
Honda VFR800X Crossrunner
Honda CBF-1000. Used to own a 600 one of these. Bit boring but cheap and gets job done.
I don't think there is much else out there in budget with a upright riding position and plenty around with luggage.
Iminquarantine said:
Went to see a BMW F800GS earlier in the week, which I liked but thinking what else I should be looking at.
Up to 6 years old is OK with me. Almost new is also OK with me as long as it is under £9,000.
I'm 5'9" and do a lot of city riding and filtering so it needs to have a sensible seat height so I can put both feet down in a hurry if necessary. 810mm or so. Must have a half or full fairing. Must have been sold with full luggage so that there will be a few used ones around with full luggage. Minimum engine size 800cc and upright riding position.
Contenders so far:
BMW F800GS. Liked it on a test ride but in the back of my mind I wonder of an 4 cylinder would be easier to munch miles on than a parallel twin.
Kawasaki Versys 1000. Like this the best, but the ones I like up for sale now are also at the top end of my budget. Has the highest seat height so I might have to get the foam in the seat trimmed and I don't know what that would do to mile munching comfort.
Honda VFR800X Crossrunner
Honda CBF-1000. Used to own a 600 one of these. Bit boring but cheap and gets job done.
I don't think there is much else out there in budget with a upright riding position and plenty around with luggage.
Tracer 900Up to 6 years old is OK with me. Almost new is also OK with me as long as it is under £9,000.
I'm 5'9" and do a lot of city riding and filtering so it needs to have a sensible seat height so I can put both feet down in a hurry if necessary. 810mm or so. Must have a half or full fairing. Must have been sold with full luggage so that there will be a few used ones around with full luggage. Minimum engine size 800cc and upright riding position.
Contenders so far:
BMW F800GS. Liked it on a test ride but in the back of my mind I wonder of an 4 cylinder would be easier to munch miles on than a parallel twin.
Kawasaki Versys 1000. Like this the best, but the ones I like up for sale now are also at the top end of my budget. Has the highest seat height so I might have to get the foam in the seat trimmed and I don't know what that would do to mile munching comfort.
Honda VFR800X Crossrunner
Honda CBF-1000. Used to own a 600 one of these. Bit boring but cheap and gets job done.
I don't think there is much else out there in budget with a upright riding position and plenty around with luggage.
Z1000SX Tourer
Vstrom 1000
Triumph 900 Tiger
Multistrada
All have what you want, I wouldn't class any of therm apart from maybe the Tracer and Tiger as a 'smaller' touring bike though.
Iminquarantine said:
Update: bought a BMW F800GT.
First impression is that 1st gear is quite high and the engine doesn’t have much rotational inertia. Infact I stalled it while moving already
They like some revs First impression is that 1st gear is quite high and the engine doesn’t have much rotational inertia. Infact I stalled it while moving already


I've got one so shout if you have questions. I find it very easy round town. Rode it home through torrential rain last year with lots of detours for floods. Was wet through and frozen, only the heated grips keep me going!
I find it a bit bland but competent. Good mix of power and weight - manages twisties as well as motorways.
GadgeS3C said:
They like some revs 
I've got one so shout if you have questions. I find it very easy round town. Rode it home through torrential rain last year with lots of detours for floods. Was wet through and frozen, only the heated grips keep me going!
I find it a bit bland but competent. Good mix of power and weight - manages twisties as well as motorways.
Nice to hear Gadges3C 
I've got one so shout if you have questions. I find it very easy round town. Rode it home through torrential rain last year with lots of detours for floods. Was wet through and frozen, only the heated grips keep me going!
I find it a bit bland but competent. Good mix of power and weight - manages twisties as well as motorways.
Me, I wanted a lighter touring bike after having a heavy touring bike, which was great for touring but not as great for short trips in town. This is my first bike with traction control. I gave it a bit of a boot in 1st gear last night and saw the traction orange light flash several times, which was a bit of a surprise since this is only a 90hp bike. I wonder if you can do a power wheelie on it if the traction control is off?
Iminquarantine said:
Went to see a BMW F800GS earlier in the week, which I liked but thinking what else I should be looking at.
Up to 6 years old is OK with me. Almost new is also OK with me as long as it is under £9,000.
I'm 5'9" and do a lot of city riding and filtering so it needs to have a sensible seat height so I can put both feet down in a hurry if necessary. 810mm or so. Must have a half or full fairing. Must have been sold with full luggage so that there will be a few used ones around with full luggage. Minimum engine size 800cc and upright riding position.
Contenders so far:
BMW F800GS. Liked it on a test ride but in the back of my mind I wonder of an 4 cylinder would be easier to munch miles on than a parallel twin.
Kawasaki Versys 1000. Like this the best, but the ones I like up for sale now are also at the top end of my budget. Has the highest seat height so I might have to get the foam in the seat trimmed and I don't know what that would do to mile munching comfort.
Honda VFR800X Crossrunner
Honda CBF-1000. Used to own a 600 one of these. Bit boring but cheap and gets job done.
I don't think there is much else out there in budget with a upright riding position and plenty around with luggage.
Oddly enough I was just updating my Crossrunner review. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Up to 6 years old is OK with me. Almost new is also OK with me as long as it is under £9,000.
I'm 5'9" and do a lot of city riding and filtering so it needs to have a sensible seat height so I can put both feet down in a hurry if necessary. 810mm or so. Must have a half or full fairing. Must have been sold with full luggage so that there will be a few used ones around with full luggage. Minimum engine size 800cc and upright riding position.
Contenders so far:
BMW F800GS. Liked it on a test ride but in the back of my mind I wonder of an 4 cylinder would be easier to munch miles on than a parallel twin.
Kawasaki Versys 1000. Like this the best, but the ones I like up for sale now are also at the top end of my budget. Has the highest seat height so I might have to get the foam in the seat trimmed and I don't know what that would do to mile munching comfort.
Honda VFR800X Crossrunner
Honda CBF-1000. Used to own a 600 one of these. Bit boring but cheap and gets job done.
I don't think there is much else out there in budget with a upright riding position and plenty around with luggage.
I know everyone plugs their own bike but don't discount it without riding one.
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