[seruzawa]

Bandit 1250. Do anything.

 

[seruzawa]

And the...

It seems like you've described the Sport Touring catagory in your needs/wants description. That brings four bikes to mind immediately, there are certainly others: Honda ST1100, Yamaha FJR, Kawi Concours 1k or 14k, and the Triumph Sprint ST. You can get a nice pre-owned version of any of them for well under $10k.

...Bandit. Don't forget the Bandit makes a nice sport tourer too and is a lot lighter than the Honda. Well, almost anything is lighter than the Honda. Even a Dyna Glide is lighter than the Honda.

 

[seruzawa]

That's a great idea!

Yeah, and the Honda looks really cheezy. I sat on a brand new one at the local dealer. The Kawi, Triumph, and Yamaha beat them hands down on overall impression of quality, fit, and finish. I'm sure they run well, but so what?

Bandito, you say? Hmm, you could get a giant sombrero, wear a bandanna across your face, and sneer at the gringos over the top of your cheap cigar as you blow by them in traffic.

It would give me a chance to wear my crossed ammo belts and tie my Marlin on my back!

I have to chuckle at today's bike buyers. Somehow people think that if they want to go sport touring they have to buy a proprietary design. Bandits, ZReX's, SV's, T100s... any can be a sport tourer with a set of bags.

 

[seruzawa]

Oh lordy, Ken....

And another thing Mr. Zawa: IMHO, a proper sport tourer is going to have:

- A full or nearly full fairing and widnshield to keep you dry in the rain and warm in the cold. Or drier and warmer.

- Quick detach luggage that doesn't take tools or 1/2 an hour to remove and take into the hotel.

- Includes or has accomodations for a top bag, OEM or aftermarket.

- A resonably comfy seat for the 'geena.

Sure, I used to hang throw-over bags and a windshield on the Low Rider, and put the Mustang touring seat on it, but still...it's doesn't make it an ST. With the Concours my boots don't even get wet in the rain!

... are we starting that "proper" nonsense again? Who defines proper?

Oh boohoo. I got my tootsies wet. Boohoo. Sorry but I'll keep My Zrex for my sport tourer and continue to show my taillight to all of the "proper" sport tourers as I ride through the mountains like I do now. Concours.. oink oink. Nyah nyah. If you tell mom you're a chicken.

 

[seruzawa]

The ONLY choice for sport touring:

Triumph SprintST.

 

[seruzawa]

Sorry....

In my experience I could bag up a Busa, and it will sport-tour on it as well as any other bike. It is easily as comfy for me as a VFR, and the 50 extra horsepower doesn't hurt either! :-D

... doesn't cut it. A sport tourer to be a REAL sport tourer has to be factory made and marketed as a sport tourer. Otherwise you won't be allowed to join the community of REAL sport tourers and get a sticker from some self-appointed sport tourer sanctioning body to prove that you are a REAL sport tourer guy. Don't you feel ashamed?

Maybe next you'll HAVE to get a special sticker from some self-appointed website to prove you are a REAL sport tourer. Just like they have now for "adventure tourers". Can you believe it? LOL!

 

[seruzawa]

You got it.

Given my unwillingness to buy a GPS, the fact that my maps are 10 years out of date and my horrendous capacity for substance abuse every tour is a gad-dam adventure......

Now that's real adventure touring. That GPS stuff is for pansies! Where's the adventure when you ride in luxury from hotel to hotel?

 

[seruzawa]

Gee, I have two GPSs on my 599 . . .

Well, get rid of 'em. Burn your maps. Ride on bald tires. Head down the nearest dirt road on half a tank of gas and no idea where the heck you are going. Sarnali and I can show anyone how to have a really great "adventure".

You got health insurance, right?