More sport touring choices....

[TAftonomos]

When you are 6'5", the monster doesn't lend itself to being "comfortable" most of the time.  Worst complaint I have is seat to peg height, but unless I drop them nearly to the ground it's not going to be enough.

[Raux]

have you looked at an older MTS?

[TAftonomos]

Sure, but they arn't in the same ballpark as far as the B1200 or FZ1. 

[Raux]

you could make your own MTS 1098

[Timmy Tucker]

When you are 6'5", the monster doesn't lend itself to being "comfortable" most of the time.  Worst complaint I have is seat to peg height, but unless I drop them nearly to the ground it's not going to be enough.

I can't imagine being 6'5" and riding a stock monster. I'm 5'10" w/ a 30" inseam and I'm screaming for lower pegs after an hour or so.

[bikepilot]

I had a bandit 1250.  Good bike with great low rpm power, dead reliable and will probably be flawless till the next ice age, but its a bit bland and appliance-like.  I rode it around for a month then sold it.  Did put on 9k miles in that time though.  Pics and stuff here.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507038

I've also ridden a current-gen FZ-1 a fair bit.  Its more sporting than the bandit, has a lot more top end power and a lot less low end power.  Its very boring in stock form, but once its sorted (secondary butterflies yanked, proper fuel map, full exhaust, penske shock, etc) its a fun, extremely fast, and highly competent machine.  I still find it to be a bit appliance-like (to be honest I've yet to ride a 4-cyl bike that really stirs the soul).

I've also ridden a vstrom a fair bit.  Decent motor, but I've a ton of time on a TLS and can't stop thinking about how good the motor should be.  In its own right the vstrom isn't bad, but compared to the TLS its a sad thing.  The v-strom's handling is a bit ponderous with that tall front tire and the windscreen/faring causes extreme buffeting.

I'd really like to try out a multistrada and ulysses.

[orangelion03]

I had a bandit 1250.  Good bike with great low rpm power, dead reliable and will probably be flawless till the next ice age, but its a bit bland and appliance-like.  I rode it around for a month then sold it.  Did put on 9k miles in that time though.  Pics and stuff here.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507038

Just went through your trip report...fantastic trip!  Great pics!  Thanks for the link!

[bikepilot]

No problem, it was a ton of fun.  If you get really bored here's a link to the trip I took Summer '08.  Same sort of stuff, but on a 919.  Started in Naples FL, spent most of the time in Denver and eventually wound back up in Naples.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367703

Of course there were stops to give the dirt bike some exercise


And swung through deals gap on the way home.  Was lucky to catch it on a cool, rainy day with no traffic.

[Jarvicious]

What inseam do you guys have?  While the monster's hardly "me" sized, I haven't found it too terribly uncomfortable, and I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam.  It kills my knees when I'm wearing my leathers, but that's just because they're not broken in yet. 

[DucHead]

What inseam do you guys have?  While the monster's hardly "me" sized, I haven't found it too terribly uncomfortable, and I'm 6'4" with a 34" inseam.  It kills my knees when I'm wearing my leathers, but that's just because they're not broken in yet. 

6'1" 34" inseam.  My only problem is restricted blood flow below the knees.  Luckily, on the Bandit, I can stand comfortably at speed, and occasionally I pull over for a stretch.