Help me pick a sport touring bike....

[Jetbrett]

Cycle World picked the Streetfighter as one of it's " 10 BEST ."   Only Ducati in their " 10 BEST ."

Dolph     

It is a fantastic bike, but the pegs have got to go.  Waay too slippery and the exhaust cover...or whatever the hell that is on the right side make it hard to stay on.  With new pegs and removal of that piece.....awesome.

I've got to take a closer look at the Beemer too.  That is a sweet set up. 

[Ivan]

If your budget is limited, you really owe it to yourself to take a ride on the Aprilia RST.  These bikes can be found in great condition for less than $5k.  They are not all that powerful (~115 HP), but being a V-twin there is torque on tap at any rpm.  The engine is a detuned version of the Mille engine, and they are virtually bullet-proof.  The same engine is used in the Can-Am Spyder, so there is an alternate dealer network for engine parts if needed.  The engines have been known to go ~50k miles without needing any valve shim changes. The only real problems are that the factory coils are not sealed, so they tend to fail from moisture, and the voltage regulators are no good.  There are cheap aftermarket remedies for both of these problems.

The hard bags are watertight, can be removed/installed in about 10 seconds, and they lock.  There is an underseat exhaust, so the bags are quite large since there is no need for relief areas to accomodate the exhaust system. Then there is the SSS, so there are no alignment issues with chain maintenance. Last but not least, the RST has the most comfortable seat to ever grace a motorcycle.  I get about 220 miles per tank, so its great for those long trips.

This site also has a lot of info on the RST: http://www.apriliafutura.co.uk/

[tonkoshala]

Just ran across IMO the perfect sport touring bike on ebay. I don't know why anyone would chose a different sport touring bike. Other than brand locality or your wanting a Busa drag bike or the like....

12k isn't bad for an '06 K1200Gt fully loaded with all options with only right about 4k miles! Bids are at 10k with a few days left.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-BMW-K1200GT-Only-3-900-Miles-All-Options-Pristine_W0QQitemZ250460030508QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_motorcycles?hash=item3a5094c62c&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A12|39%3A1|72%3A317

And it's black 

[TAftonomos]

I'm going to try and look at/ride an RST as well. 

THere is a local FJR w/20K miles on it, all kinds of mods, for 6300 obo.....  Thats quite tempting as well.

Damn you Dolph for making me look at the BMW daytona site.  New K1200s's for 12988, used one for 10k.  Trying to stretch my limited budget but just can't spend that kind of coin now.....must get out of debit....damn.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I'm going to try and look at/ride an RST as well. 

THere is a local FJR w/20K miles on it, all kinds of mods, for 6300 obo.....  Thats quite tempting as well.

Damn you Dolph for making me look at the BMW daytona site.  New K1200s's for 12988, used one for 10k.  Trying to stretch my limited budget but just can't spend that kind of coin now.....must get out of debit....damn.

I would seriously consider a BMW, esp at your heights. They do make some nice bikes for larger people. 

[TAftonomos]

Sure I'm considering it.  Just won't spend 10K, or 9, or 8....

[Popeye the Sailor]

Sure I'm considering it.  Just won't spend 10K, or 9, or 8....

I've seen some fairly inexpensive ones on CL due to the economy. Fairly new too, with all the farkles. Just sayin'.

[TAftonomos]

Is there a way to search more than one area CL at a time, without having to go to each city, etc?  I see people post these deals, but I don't have time to search EACH city's CL 

[DrDesmo]

www.searchallcraigs.com

[Bick]

Hard cases you want...


But seriously...

Go with BMW.  You won't regret it.

There are deals on K1200S' to be found.

But this will be in my garage very soon (and a deal was found, even on this)

[TAftonomos]

I did find a K1200GT (04') w/19K miles on it.  Ad says $7500 and make me an offer.  I'm thinking if he'd take 6500, it might be a good buy for me.

[glazwegian]

I'm going to give you another, often overlooked, option:  Buell Ulysses XT

Pros:
-belt drive w/tension wheel....no cleaning, lubrication or adjustment necessary
-latest belts are good for over 125,000 miles
-2 HUGE sidecases & topcase standard
-heated grips standard
-functional helmet lock standard
-2 acc. outlets standard
-handguards(keeps cold air off outside of hands-works well w/heated grips) standard
-outstanding handling
-NO valve adjustments
-routine maintenance is simply changing fluids and tires
-great deals can be had on new & used bikes

Cons:
-can get quite a bit of heat on inside of right leg during hot weather
-cooling fan is loud and runs for several minutes after engine is turned off

I've done over 800 miles in one day on the stock seat on my XT and could have gone farther without undue discomfort.  The great thing about the XT is I can load it like a pack mule, travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to my destination.......then enjoy twisty backroads with friends on sportbikes when I get there.

In short.....it's a very versatile and easy to live with bike that can be had for a very reasonable price.

[silentbob]

I did find a K1200GT (04') w/19K miles on it.  Ad says $7500 and make me an offer.  I'm thinking if he'd take 6500, it might be a good buy for me.

The 04 is the old flying brick motor.  It is a completely different beast from the new K bikes.  You can't even use the side stand because they put the cylinder head on the left side of the bike and the oil sump on the right.  So, when you shut off the bike and put it on the side stand, the oil runs into the cylinders.

The newer K1200 bikes are better but the K1300 bikes are a big improvement over those.

[Langanobob]

So, when you shut off the bike and put it on the side stand, the oil runs into the cylinders.

I have an old K75s (three cylinder version of the four cylinder K-bike) and it's  not like all the oil flows into the cylinders and makes for a hydraulic lock.  From what I've read, parking for awhile on the side stand will cause a puff of smoke when the bike's started but I've never even noticed it.

Now, having defended the honor of the old K-bikes I have to add that mine is by far the most unreliable bike I've ever owned, and I also have a 1966 Triumph Bonneville. Other than the basic mechanical engine parts like crank, cam and pistons I don't think there is a part on it that I haven't had to replace. 

[DrDesmo]

I did find a K1200GT (04') w/19K miles on it.  Ad says $7500 and make me an offer.  I'm thinking if he'd take 6500, it might be a good buy for me.

Aside from the roundel on the tank, there is absolutely no reason I would get that over a Sprint ST / FJR / VFR

Unless you like spending boku bucks at the dealer - in which case, hey go nuts!