Bike for a European jaunt
Discussion
As we've had to postpone our Californian HD 2 week tour, four 'chums' and I are thinking about taking a trip down through Germany We are looking at heading down through Germany to Switzerland and on to Italy on our own bikes (Explorers - 1200 & 800 and GSs - 1200, 800). The last guy is thinking about buying a bike to do it.
With the following in mind, any suggestions on what bike?
1 - Not costing a fortune - buying just for the ride really.....
2 - Reliable
3 - Not too big in height / weight (height 'challenged' munchkin)
4 - Not caning the bike to keep up with a steady pace with luggage
With the following in mind, any suggestions on what bike?
1 - Not costing a fortune - buying just for the ride really.....
2 - Reliable
3 - Not too big in height / weight (height 'challenged' munchkin)
4 - Not caning the bike to keep up with a steady pace with luggage
Taff107 said:
MrGman said:
A low tiger 800?
Exactly what I was thinking so far....Seems like a lot of bike and will be immense on the trip like that.
Pretty much any bike of around 750cc or bigger! Are you looking for new or second hand? What's the budget?
Assuming it's a solo trip (no pillion) then luggage on/across the pillion seat means all bar the most focused single seat sports bikes or bobbers would be up to the job.
One mans comfortable is another mans agony. The Old Gits have seen everything from S1000RR to K1600GT and while some bikes offer some advantages none are clear winners for every situation.
Assuming it's a second hand bike that's required then I'd recommend looking at the "usual suspects" of the K1300S, the VFR1200, the VFR800, the Sprint, the 1200GS, the Explorer etc.
ETA K1300S with factory option low seat (available on eBay for peanuts) fits the resident "short legged" Old Git.
Assuming it's a solo trip (no pillion) then luggage on/across the pillion seat means all bar the most focused single seat sports bikes or bobbers would be up to the job.
One mans comfortable is another mans agony. The Old Gits have seen everything from S1000RR to K1600GT and while some bikes offer some advantages none are clear winners for every situation.
Assuming it's a second hand bike that's required then I'd recommend looking at the "usual suspects" of the K1300S, the VFR1200, the VFR800, the Sprint, the 1200GS, the Explorer etc.
ETA K1300S with factory option low seat (available on eBay for peanuts) fits the resident "short legged" Old Git.
Edited by black-k1 on Friday 30th October 15:10
My mate has just called to say he just reserved one of them 1200 Tigers! XCW with full ally panniers and loads of other kit, £2150 down, £150 per month for 50 months.
I think all dealers doing it, his is from Oxford Triumph though, white bikes only.
Looks brilliant and a proper good deal.
I think all dealers doing it, his is from Oxford Triumph though, white bikes only.
Looks brilliant and a proper good deal.
I've done tours on all sorts, but the thing that sticks in my mind the most is a Honda Blackbird. It's low - albeit reasonably heavy - but you can manage the weight easily and it just soaks up the miles in comfort. Jack the back up and it's fun on a twisty road. I had a Ventura rack on mine which basically turned it into a car.
Your mate will also get back exactly what he/she paid for it after the trip.
Your mate will also get back exactly what he/she paid for it after the trip.
poo at Paul's said:
Triumph doing some brill offers on the Tiger 1200 just announced today. £2k down, 49 months at 150 per month, brand new 1200 with fully loaded stuff, ally panniers and topbox.
Seems like a lot of bike and will be immense on the trip like that.
It will be too tall if he is 'height challenged'. Sounds like an interesting deal thoughSeems like a lot of bike and will be immense on the trip like that.
old fzs1000. Cheap as chips to buy used and go on for ever. Comfy with enough power to not be wanting. Bonus is you will get your money back on it after the trip and sell it quickly.( The last 2 I sold within a day....1 sold within 45mins of the ad being posted and they other took a full 20 hours.
GG33 said:
poo at Paul's said:
Triumph doing some brill offers on the Tiger 1200 just announced today. £2k down, 49 months at 150 per month, brand new 1200 with fully loaded stuff, ally panniers and topbox.
Seems like a lot of bike and will be immense on the trip like that.
It will be too tall if he is 'height challenged'. Sounds like an interesting deal thoughSeems like a lot of bike and will be immense on the trip like that.
Agree with a few suggestions already.
Buy a nice used Honda VFR800, Blackbird or a Yamaha Fazer 1000.
All capable of keeping up with the other bikes when loaded up, all will return 40-50mpg minimum even with luggage and likely to cost £1500-2500 and not lose much if anything on resale
Depends on the budget really but that's what I'd be looking at as a cheap and cheerful bike. Just make sure the reg/recs (and poss the rest of the charging system) on all of the bikes are tip top as they all can suffer from it to a great or lesser degree.
Buy a nice used Honda VFR800, Blackbird or a Yamaha Fazer 1000.
All capable of keeping up with the other bikes when loaded up, all will return 40-50mpg minimum even with luggage and likely to cost £1500-2500 and not lose much if anything on resale
Depends on the budget really but that's what I'd be looking at as a cheap and cheerful bike. Just make sure the reg/recs (and poss the rest of the charging system) on all of the bikes are tip top as they all can suffer from it to a great or lesser degree.
You can tour on anything. as long as it meets your needs and price.
My Aug trip this year was Over 1300 miles over a long weekend to Germany and was done on my H2. most I seen on my travels are on GS's as that's the only bike I seem to seem most often when I tour.
The H2 is not the first bike you think you can do 400 miles in a day but I did.
I am looking at touring more and been looking into the FJR 1300 as a second bike to keep my H2 for more fun local trips and TD's
My Aug trip this year was Over 1300 miles over a long weekend to Germany and was done on my H2. most I seen on my travels are on GS's as that's the only bike I seem to seem most often when I tour.
The H2 is not the first bike you think you can do 400 miles in a day but I did.
I am looking at touring more and been looking into the FJR 1300 as a second bike to keep my H2 for more fun local trips and TD's
poo at Paul's said:
Triumph doing some brill offers on the Tiger 1200 just announced today. £2k down, 49 months at 150 per month, brand new 1200 with fully loaded stuff, ally panniers and topbox.
Seems like a lot of bike and will be immense on the trip like that.
I have a 1200 and it is ideal for touring. Unfortunately, its far too big/heavy for himSeems like a lot of bike and will be immense on the trip like that.
black-k1 said:
Pretty much any bike of around 750cc or bigger! Are you looking for new or second hand? What's the budget?
Assuming it's a solo trip (no pillion) then luggage on/across the pillion seat means all bar the most focused single seat sports bikes or bobbers would be up to the job.
One mans comfortable is another mans agony. The Old Gits have seen everything from S1000RR to K1600GT and while some bikes offer some advantages none are clear winners for every situation.
Assuming it's a second hand bike that's required then I'd recommend looking at the "usual suspects" of the K1300S, the VFR1200, the VFR800, the Sprint, the 1200GS, the Explorer etc.
ETA K1300S with factory option low seat (available on eBay for peanuts) fits the resident "short legged" Old Git.
Secondhand and non sportsbike types preferred.With the exception of the VFR800, all the rest are far too big and heavyAssuming it's a solo trip (no pillion) then luggage on/across the pillion seat means all bar the most focused single seat sports bikes or bobbers would be up to the job.
One mans comfortable is another mans agony. The Old Gits have seen everything from S1000RR to K1600GT and while some bikes offer some advantages none are clear winners for every situation.
Assuming it's a second hand bike that's required then I'd recommend looking at the "usual suspects" of the K1300S, the VFR1200, the VFR800, the Sprint, the 1200GS, the Explorer etc.
ETA K1300S with factory option low seat (available on eBay for peanuts) fits the resident "short legged" Old Git.
Edited by black-k1 on Friday 30th October 15:10
Iminquarantine said:
I wouldn’t be rushing to do a European tour with current travel restrictions, the fact that you will be mixing households on the trip and with a requirement to self isolate on return.
Next summer.......VFR 800s are a good alternative to the Tiger 800s I think....
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
I've done tours on all sorts, but the thing that sticks in my mind the most is a Honda Blackbird. It's low - albeit reasonably heavy - but you can manage the weight easily and it just soaks up the miles in comfort. Jack the back up and it's fun on a twisty road. I had a Ventura rack on mine which basically turned it into a car.
Your mate will also get back exactly what he/she paid for it after the trip.
Plus one for the Blackbird. I've done 4 European trips on mine, inc Germany and SW France, effortless creamy smooth power and much easier to handle at low speeds than a Moto style bike .Your mate will also get back exactly what he/she paid for it after the trip.
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