I’m not happy with my CBR and want to grow up and get a sports tourer. Been looking for one, but the choices are so confusing. What makes a sports tourer different from a sports bike, apart from the up-right position and the bigger fuel tank?
Anyone got an Aprilia Futura to share? Not bought second hand before, but these seem to be really good value (or is there something wrong with getting parts hmmm). Good bikes?
I’m looking for something with a tank range of at least 150 miles. It’s not much, but it’s all I’m asking for. Recommendations?
Triumph Sprint ST 1050. Good for 160 miles around town, 200+ touring (21 litre tank). Lovely triple engine with bags of torque where you need it, goes like the clappers when you want to, does everything: commute, scratch, tour, track.
I was looking at those - they look really great but I’ve no experience with Triumphs. A 200 mile tank for touring sounds just great.
Service charges on average? Better or worse than Japanese or Italian bikes?
Any pitfalls to look out for when buying a second hand one?
Any advice appreciated.
The alternative I was thinking about, was a shaft driven bike with no messy chain to maintain…but there don’t seem to be many shaft-driven riders around.
I’m thinking more along the lines of a European bike. Nothing against Japanese bikes ~ just that I own one
The VFR seemed attractive initially, but its tank range is really very small and it comes with some of the worse touring options from all the manufacturers! Just my view…
Yeah - that was on my hit list. It looks great, but service costs are a nightmare. The dry plate clutch is also a nightmare. Nowhere near as reliable as other makes. I’m not good with mechanics. Prefer to get a garage to sort my bike out always. The red ST4s looks fantastic and I wouldn’t mind it if I knew it wasn’t going to stitch me up every weekend getting it fixed/repaired/serviced or hauled off the motorways by the AA.
The Triumph Sprint; Aprilia Futura or Moto Guzzi Stelvia or Norge look quite good. But I don’t want to end up in debt so I’d rather buy used. Actually, the Aprilia Futura looks like a real bargain. Just haven’t seen these around though…
Triumph Daytona 955i is the perfect bike for all reasons. 45,000 miles in 3 years, Isle De Rey, Spanish Pyrenees and Nordcap are a few of the delights that await you. Sunday trip to Keswick and back and a trip to Wales this weekend + a 1000 mile sponsored ride in 24 hours in a few weeks are all well within the capabilities of this sublime British collectors item.:).
All done two up with a tank bag and rucksac.
Or get a Pan and face the ridicule and ostracism concommitent with such a decision.
Get an Aprilia Falco - nicer looking than the Futura in my opinion and has a good rep - probably more reliable/durable than a Ducati - and a decent tank range.I haven’t any direct experience of the bike but was interested in getting one at one point and did the usual research - the impression I got was that it was a sound bike.
I heard that they get snapped up pretty quick when they come on the used market which is an indication that they are well thought of.
6k service intervals, the big ones (12k, 24k) can be expensive - £500.
It’s a sound bike, early ones had recalls for suspension linkage bolts and brake master cylinder upgrade (a courtesy fix rather than an official recall). You can check any used bike’s VIN on the Triumph website to see whether there are any outstanding recalls. Pre March 06, panniers were an option, standard equipment from then on. Early pannier lids were poorly-fitting but again that was fixed. Panniers are a bit on the small side, I’ve heard (don’t have them as I got mine in 05). Battery is small and lies on its side under the seat which can cause short life, an Optimate takes care of that.
The upsides more than out-weigh the niggles. I’ve had mine for 4 years / 29k and can’t think of anything I’d trade it for, except a newer Sprint!
Another vote for the Sprint (I’ve got a Sprint RS 955i). They are more comfortable than the VFR’s and are way better as a touring/fun bike. I’ve had a VFR and the Sprint just leaves it for dead in terms of economy, power and most importantly torque. You do not need to rev the nuts off it to get moving. Also you get the joy of a triple engine, beautiful sound and bags of character. Servicing is easy enough to do yourself for most things. Head to www.tri-moto.co.uk for servicing if they local enough for you.
Sid - the Falco gets some great press. Aprilia look like a very interesting manufacturer these days too! But it is a conventional tourer I’d like. One with detachable panniers to do the crazy London filtering stuff that we have to do…
Hey thanks for the advice on the Triumph ST guys. The website seems to report happiness factor with it.
One problem is I park on the street and don’t have wiring for an Optimate or Battery Tender to keep the battery going. It’s a real headache when my battery dies. Then I have to find the right tools from home and bring them all out to the street.
Any idea how much a used 2006 Sprint ST would be reasonable to pay for?
Great to see there’s a service agent in central London too. I was thinking of Boyer Motorcycles in Plumstead. Any feedback from those guys?
Still thinking about that sexy Aprilia Futura though.
Boyers closed down (or are no longer Triumph dealers, can’t remember which). A couple of Boyer techs set up their own business, the aforementioned Tri-Moto! They come thoroughly recommended.
Can’t help re 06 prices but there’s plenty about so shop for the right one at the right price. Silver ones go fastest!
if you’re after something a little smaller, the suzuki GSX650F is a good middleweight option, won Sports tourer awards last year, bargain cheap and mine got me from Essex to Cardiff on a tank(19l) going through London. and then promptly ground off the footpegs on the coast roads while I was there.
