As I attempt to curb my desire to get a new bigger bike - not even a week post DAS - one thing I was wondering was what you all think of your bikes if you’re a long distance rider. I’m thinking it’ll need to be fared, reasonable sized engine. Dream first trip is up to Scotland - maybe Skye, so something that’ll do a couple of days and not turn me into a zombie - or less of a zombie than a naked might
I like the look of the ER-6 but that might buzz a little bit at high speeds. Any thoughts? Would a naked just be insanity?
iN 2003 i TOURED eUROPE FOR 3 WEEKS ON A 600 DIVERSION - THIS YEAR IM DOING IT ON A CBR F1.bOTH ARE COMFY, HAVE BIG TANKS, DONT GET TOO HOT AND ARE AS RELIABLE AS THEY COME.
bUT IVE ALWAYS FANCIED DOING THIS ON A GOLDWING TYPE THING WITH LOTS AND LOTS OF STORAGE ETC ETC.i THINK GOING NAKED WILL HELP WITH THE HEAT BUT ALSO IN DIAGNOSING AND FIXING ANY PROBS YOU MIGHT GET.
Have a look at the Triumph Sprint RS. Smooth, powerful, comfortable, 1/2 fairing that is actually very good. I get 38mpg town riding and 54mpg on open roads (being good and light on the throttle!).
Plenty of power and well put together. The triple engine delivers its power smoothly and with no sudden rush. You can find yourself cruising very comfortably on motorways and acceleration is nice a quick. Sporty enough for excellent fun and comfortable enough for long rides.
I’ve just gone through this dilemma and bought a 650 V-Strom for my trip to Spain and Portugal. It’s very good tank wise, has bags of space for luggage and is ultra-comfy. I’ll let you know whether it was the right choice in a couple of weeks!
if you looking for a similar riding position to the Varadero but with a larger engine then have a look at :
Transalp 650/700
Versys 650 - same engine as the ER6 just different cam and ecu setup
DL650 V-strom
BMW F650GS (old single or the new twin)
Personally looking at either the the old F650GS single or the Versys to replace the CBF500. Both are very comfortable, have a largeish tanks 17 & 19 respectivity and both are very economical and have the option of ABS.
Otherwise you have the CBF600S, Bandit 650, Fazer etc.
Have to disagree with you there MacP, a few years ago, yes, but not now lol.
You could say I do a fair bit of touring, 20k miles in the last 12 months and all for pleasure. I ride a GSXR1000 K7 and find it very comfy…bum gets a bit narky with me after 100 odd miles with no rest, but a quick fill up and its good for another 100. Eeeek I mean petrol fill up!
I can get 120 miles before the reserve light comes on and then another 50! miles… I know this as I ran out during one of my Wales trips
Last year I did 1500 miles in 3 days over in France, my body didn’t ache it was just my head from concentrating so much.
It really depends, my K2 thou was good but as bikes get newer the all round performance and parts get better too. Make sure you have a good service including forks, renew all oils and get your suspension set up to your weight before you go, it’s surprising just how different it can make your ride.
I never got on with my old SV, it killed my arms and hands, I dread to think how I would’ve coped doing the miles I do, on that.
I can pack the K7 up with loads of luggage, I use an extendible tail pack, tank bag and if needed a ruck sack and it doesn’t unbalance the bike at all.
Trouble we all have is finding out the expensive way that a bike we have got isn’t good for the purpose we want it for and have to sell it and have a rethink.
Which is why I thought I’d get some opinions from those that have made the mistake Having said that, a litre bike after a 125 might be a bit of a step up …
Ahh right, gotcha. I guess I’m really after ideas. There’s so much to choose from and if you read reviews, rarely is a bike a total stinker to the point that you’re warned off it completely.
I guess I’m hoping that some people will say “Whatever you do, don’t get X as it shook the crap out of me!”
Read Bike magazine this month, they’re comparing the gsxr750 with a VFR 800 . . . the VFR comes off far worse unless you want to carry a pilion. My gsxr 750 K4 is a track bike but I can fully understand why they think it’s so comfortable, I could almost fall asleep on it :w00t:
I tried a ZZR1400 - simply awesome as a cruiser/tourer as well as being fun. (How can 170 bhp not be fun on a bike ! ) The weight vanishes when you pull away and it only feels long on small roundabouts and on tight roads. Would have one in my garage if I had room.
DL-100 (v-strom) is a great mile muncher. Comfortable all day riding position, good handling and good tank range. I’ve had one for two years now and couldn’t give it up although I am thinking about getting a vfr as a 2nd bike.
Having said that, a litre bike after a 125 might be a bit of a step up …
) The weight vanishes when you pull away and it only feels long on small roundabouts and on tight roads. Would have one in my garage if I had room.
