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For the first time in my life I have a significant other that relishes the idea of some light touring on a motorbike.
Nothing too McGregor, just a few days away in the UK and northern Europe from time to time.
My last bike was a Yammy Thundercat (YZF600R), and although its up to the job I think she's more into the idea of a sit up and beg position, with possibly some form of back rest built in. I've also owned 3 Thundercats in the past so would be nice to try something else. I've had Bandit 650+1200, CB1300, Fazer 600, SV1000 in the past - would probably be a tough call if I were to pick one of those for a week away plus luggage. Loved the SV when I got it set up, but pillion seat perhaps not best in the world.
Of course, when she says 'would be great to tour' , I hear 'green card to spend small fortune on a big motorbike'. So before I stroll down to my local Triumph dealer and plump for a big ol' Tiger or something similar i'd like to hear about what 2nd hand bargains I should be looking at.
Brief, well, erm, something comfy (naturally) with a nice dollop of torque and plenty of room for two. Decent range would be good, but ideally it would be a bit nice to look at. Something I can store in my man cave and oggle.
ducati multistorey. the late one has a 1200cc motor and 150bhp. the even later one has 160. and they are not really silly money, just fairly silly. but it's a touring bike dear....
Fit for touring though? being Italian and all that
but 150bhp! and the noise... modern ducs are much much better than the 90s shite.
As it's your money I'm spending... another vote for a multistorey. The enduro version.
1200RT for practicality
1200GS or something else adventure like for practicality and style
Hayabusa for pure style
Where do you want to be on the scale?
Can I make a suggestion what not to get? A VFR800. I toured Europe (Bosnia and back) on it two up and whilst it went fine it was all too linear and pretty lacklustre (and the engine sounds like a sowing machine). It never gave me that smile I get from sports bikes, even my Dad's bandit 600 is more fun to fang around on then the viffer.
+1 the ducati
Multistrada is a good choice. I've had some teething issues with the electrics, the thing is like a space shuttle.
Hopefully all sorted now, an awesome bike for fun and touring.
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I have a thing for Triumphs, so something from there would be cool
Multistrada would be cool. Was with one on a track day, those things shift!
If you liked the SV then maybe consider the V-Strom DL1000. Get a base model and put on your own boxes though (Suzuki ones are shit, I've more room in the topbox than the panniers combined). You can get them for sub £9k without much difficulty.
Alternatively there's the new Africa Twin (or Crosstourer if you fancy shaft drive). Honda usually good on quality/reliability.
Theres a new Trumpet Explorer out soon so probably deals available on the outgoing model. Again, shaft drive.
Yammy Super 10? Best priced shaft drive I think. Mapping can be a bet meh, but curable I think.
Aprilla Caponard? Kawasaki Versys 1000 (not my cup of tea though).
All 'sit-up and beg' and McGregor free.... 
S1000 XR Sport if you must go for a roundel...
My new BMW S1000XR (Sport SE, in red cos it's fastest colour) arrives at garage tomorrow. Will be doing some big miles this summer.
(a very excited) Rachel
You can tour on anything. C90s, scooters, 125s, cruisers, dirt bikes.... Anything.
Mrs PP and I have used a GPZ500, a CB500, a Speed Triple, a Speed Four, a Ducati ST3s. Next year we're off to the TT on my NC700x and her MT07.
The ST3 was probably the best, but we were 2 up at the time and it had the space and the pace, but you don't NEED a specific bike. I reckon my NC700x will be a really good tourer. Nice riding position, torquey, practical, economical. I do a lot of miles on it anyway, and soon it'll be back to the 250 miles a week routine anyway.
With unlimited funds and a free choice, right now I'd probably go for the new Honda TransAlp. That's plenty. 🙂
Actually, slimjim78, if you want my BMW F800 GSA touring edition (in other words, with every optional extra and ally panniers) and you can buy it for £7k before the garage does next week, you'll have a good bike. Been all over on that and really works 2up.
His name is Feargal.
Rachel
Dont discount an mt 09 tracer, a lot of bike for the money
I had the old 1050 Tiger with full luggage - brilliant bike for touring on, comfy two up... and proper rapid when the urge took me 😉
That said, I am off to have a quiet word with myself as I keep finding myself looking at Victory bikes at the moment....
As nobody has mentioned it and I have one, Yamaha TDM900 🙂
My first bike tour was 1600 miles around Scotland on a Honda CD175. Then 5000 miles around europe on a CX500.
You can tour on anything, just some things are faster/more comfortable than others !
FJR? Have been sniffing around for one of these myself, but proving difficult to find anything between old with intergalactic mileage and almost new with price to match.
As benp said an R 1200RT for practicality, range & comfort is hard to beat. If you plan to go on rougher surfaces then a GS/GSA. If you fancy mental an S 1000XR or MultiStrada, just don't expect decent range.
Panigale?
Asked the same thing a couple of years ago and went for loads of test rides.
Funnily enough, loved the VFR.
I'm a shortarse but found it pretty manageable, unbelievably smooth and refined and very, very Honda.
Fitted well, instantly felt at home, no dramas.
Way more performance than I could ever see me using.
Becoming very affordable now.
Really liked the V-Strom 1000 but preferred the 650.
It just felt really well balanced, it works as a package.
Tried a couple of the bigger bikes the more experienced people on here recommended but they just all felt a bit too much for me.
I nearly binned someone's lovely Triumph Tiger after underestimating the weight and my ability to get both feet down properly.
😐
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Late model KTM smt with abs, ergo seat and hard luggage. The engine is beautiful - will pull cleanly from about 1700rpm all the way to its 9grand red line. Brakes are superb and handling wise, well, imagine a kona stinky with 110bhp.
The hard luggage box has a proper back rest you can buy for it and the ergo seat is gel filled, a departure from the normal ktm puritanical granite slab.
As soon as I get a new contract I'll be looking for one to replace my 950sm.
I've got a Triumph Sprint ST1050 which I love. Happy to do 1,500 miles in Scotland over 4 days 1 up (trips planned again in April and July), Mrs C is happy on the back too - we're going together from the NE over to the IOM for the weekend at the start of May.
We chose it by both sitting on lots of bikes that I liked the look of. We had a Honda Firestorm previously that I liked (provided I didn't have to go anywhere further than a couple of hours away) and Mrs C loathed... She's really comfortable on the back of the Sprint which is the key thing. Decent distance between seat and pillion pegs.
The Tigers (800 and 1050) are worth a look if you prefer a more 'adventure' style. I've had a couple of goes on an Explorer 1250 and it's a great engine, but just felt a bit too heavy for me.
So go and sit on a few different bikes together! You'll find something that works for both of you. And when you've narrowed it down find a dealer that'll let you take the bike out for 1/2 a day 2 up and that'll confirm whether you've made the right choice. That's what we did 🙂
This is what we've got.....
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ooooh - that looks good.
Rachel
Late model KTM smt with abs, ergo seat and hard luggage. The engine is beautiful - will pull cleanly from about 1700rpm all the way to its 9grand red line. Brakes are superb and handling wise, well, imagine a kona stinky with 110bhp.The hard luggage box has a proper back rest you can buy for it and the ergo seat is gel filled, a departure from the normal ktm puritanical granite slab.
As soon as I get a new contract I'll be looking for one to replace my 950sm.
Having the 990sm at the moment I agree it is a fantastic handling bike with a peach of an engine but it's a little vibby for long distances.
I previously had a Honda Varadero which was a great touring bike and took it all over Europe. At the time it was a short list of GS1200, GS1150, Varadero and Caponord. As much as I like the others the Varadero was effortless with it's VTR engine and much more comfortable two up, it was like a two wheeled Range Rover.
Read the bike magazines and they slate it because all they were interested in was power and speed. I never regretted buying it but wish I never sold it and would have another one in a heart beat.
Can I make a shout out for another Triumph, the 1050GT.
Like an ST but made with more space for comfort plus an extended wheelbase for added stability.
I did the best part of 20k in a year of all weather commuting on the one I had. Came with 3 boxes and the usual refinements, plus +60mpg on a fast commute.
I had a Tiger 1050 previously and wanted to go back to a 'proper' bike.
But while I'll second the 'any bike will do', did a tour of France in the late 80's two-up on a FZ600 - no way would I want to do it now though.
allthegear - Member
ooooh - that looks good.Rachel
Ah, you only like it 'cos it's red. But you're right, they are much faster than the blue or grey ones.
Bet you can't wait to get your new BMW, they look like awesome bikes!
ZZR1400. I use mine with panniers and top box with backrest for two up touring. Comfy, smooth, and plenty of torque! If she's tall you may need lowered rear pegs.
Borrowing my brother's CBR1000F for some summer touring. Was never the most exciting bike in the world, but no slouch for a 20 year old bike, comfy and stable too.
Kawasaki Z1000SX would get my vote, I'm considering one myself for similar reasons.
