Sport touring bikes

I really like my 05 k1200s. I rode from TX to TN in a day. The stock seat sucked though.....I went with a corbin.

The answer is GSX1100G. I see them regularly, they're less than $3000 and they're well taken care of, usually spotless.

If anyone is looking to better an SV650...keep on looking. The holy grail bike has yet to be made. SV's will do anything well. I mean Anything.

Track - Check - stock will do thanks. Tour - Check - Add on a corbin seat, taller bars, soft bags. Offroad - Check if you get the Vstrom 650 which the SV motah in an SUV frame.

..and they're cheap.

The sv is the miata/e30/p71 of the sprocketed world.

Xceler8x wrote: If anyone is looking to better an SV650...keep on looking. The holy grail bike has yet to be made. SV's will do anything well. I mean Anything. Track - Check - stock will do thanks. Tour - Check - Add on a corbin seat, taller bars, soft bags. Offroad - Check if you get the Vstrom 650 which the SV motah in an SUV frame. ..and they're cheap.

I have one. haha love it. would shoot for a FI SV650 though. Might end up with another one...

Xceler8x wrote: If anyone is looking to better an SV650.....and they're cheap.

I'd have to go with the 750-4 Honda. Tracker, chopper, tourer, sportbike-this bike does it all. Dependable as the day is long and with over 15 years production, a good used one can be had for stupid cheap money.

Keeping with the sport-touring thing i have been seriously looking at a few. (trying to buy an FZ1 at the moment)

Between the FZ1, FZ6, Bandit 1200s, and the Honda 919, which wins out?

The FZ1 and Bandit 1200S both have fairings and the power as well as a ton of after market and both easily do 2Up. Both are rock solid. The FZ6 seems a bit small for 2Up however although i can find a ton of really new bikes with low miles and they are fuel injected as well. The 919 is the odd ball of the group with no fairing and little aftermarket support but its quick and from what i read a solid bike.

Thoughts?

In order how i like em its FZ1, Bandit 1200S, FZ6 then 919.

Opinions?

minimac wrote:

Xceler8x wrote: If anyone is looking to better an SV650.....and they're cheap.

I'd have to go with the 750-4 Honda. Tracker, chopper, tourer, sportbike-this bike does it all. Dependable as the day is long and with over 15 years production, a good used one can be had for stupid cheap money.

SV650s are stupid cheap... mine was $1800. The problem with getting older bikes is that there is a point where all of the wear items have to be replaced anyway, which escalates the cost.

What kind of mileage are people getting out of the SV650? I'd like to pick up a FI model to commute on instead of the CB450.

That or a Ninja 650R

CarKid1989 wrote: In order how i like em its FZ1, Bandit 1200S, FZ6 then 919. Opinions?

I agree with your preference order. Some caveats.

FZ1's are big bikes. They're like full-size and a half compared to other bikes. If you like'em on the smaller side then an FZ1 is not for you. But that glorious motor. It's like someone caged a small bit of black hole. The power in that thing is immense.

The Bandit 12 is the same but the old school stump puller. 100 hp stock is just the beginning. Pipe, jet, and you're looking at some serious power into the 110's - 120's. You could also get larger carbs from a sport machine like a GSXR and up the power further. Or ride it like it is and enjoy the fact that those bikes will do 50k miles, no sweat.

FZ6 and 919 are the smaller of your picks. The 919 seems a bit boring to me so I agree it should be down on the list. The FZ6 sounds like a nice, reasonable, and easy to get along with cycle. 600cc's but enough power to move. Low running cost is a plus as well. I think it's a detuned R6 motor which, on paper, sounds awesome. I don't typically like peaky sport motors on the street. Detune a bit with smaller cams and carbs and I believe those previously peaky motors then turn into better street bike motors.

MitchellC wrote: SV650s are stupid cheap... mine was $1800. The problem with getting older bikes is that there is a point where all of the wear items have to be replaced anyway, which escalates the cost.

Oh yeah. Just about anything with some miles will need rehab. But I like the round tube framed SV's better than the square tube framed SV's. Just personal preference.

Sat on a FZ6 today. from sitting on it it feels quite skinny/ narrow and tippy tall. Im a tall guy at 6ft 3in and i can flat foot the bike and all. bars seem high too although i like it otherwise. But i ride 2 up enough to where im thinking it might be a bit small.

Still need to sit on a FZ1 and try it out.

Its between a FZ1/Bandit 1200S.

CarKid1989 wrote: Sat on a FZ6 today. from sitting on it it feels quite skinny/ narrow and tippy tall. Im a tall guy at 6ft 3in and i can flat foot the bike and all. bars seem high too although i like it otherwise. But i ride 2 up enough to where im thinking it might be a bit small. Still need to sit on a FZ1 and try it out. Its between a FZ1/Bandit 1200S.

You are 100% correct in my mind.

If you ride two up a lot I'd definitely step up to the larger bike. I owned my 98 YZF600R for 8 years (and a Seca II before that) and put over 50k on it. I took a lot of long trips, commuted, raced, you name it, but that was mostly with just me. When I did ride two up it was shorter trips.

Two up on the 600 class bike just wasn't as fun for me.....it took a real hit in power. It's not like we're orca fat either. I'm a fairly big guy at 6'2" 200lbs, but my wife is tiny. I finally tired of the 600 and bought an 05 k1200s, then slapped a corbin with a backrest on it for her. Much much much better. LOTS of power all day long wether single or two up and more room too....the k1200s is a long bike. It is rated at 167HP stock just fyi, but it is very tame for such a powerful bike.

I sat on an FZ1 at the bike shop the other day and really liked the feel. I have not ridden one though.

In reply to sobe_death:

I was getting 46 mpg with my FI SV650.

clutchsmoke wrote: I was getting 46 mpg with my FI SV650.

Heck , I get 41-43 with my carbureted land barge(Gold Wing)

Do not get the 919. They are great bikes, fast and nimble, and capable of keeping up with much larger machinery, but their wind protection sucks and you will notice that on a long trip. Trust me.

You should still have a Bimmer on that list. You owe it to yourself to sit on one.

Mine;

Mental wrote:

I've spent a lot of time chasing those bikes on back country roads on supposedly faster machinery. Great bikes those.

A BMW R110S would be prime but its not happening in my price range. (which i thought was decent at 3.5 grand)

sobe_death wrote: What kind of mileage are people getting out of the SV650? I'd like to pick up a FI model to commute on instead of the CB450. That or a Ninja 650R

I get 45 all-city or between 50 and 55 when mixed with highway.

i say gen-1 fz1. comfy, strong, decent fuel mileage for a liter bike, docile enough under 7k that I really believe you could LEARN how to ride on one. Awesome brakes. Crappy rear shock. You can find them all day long for $3k