Whats the best touring bike?

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RyderRider15

RyderRider15

Wannabie Member
See how we had to start over, this seems like a good topic to kick things off.

So what do you guys find to be the best touring bike on the market? What bike would you want to take around your country?

Me personally have a huge hard on for the Ninja 1000. I would take that bike everywhere.

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I would say my bike, but with a bigger engine (330 or 350). I have taken it everywhere! :-)

For a second, long-distance bike... I've been mostly considering the ER6n. I love the looks of it, and it's still naked (which I prefer) and it can actually cruise on the highway without blowing up. LOL

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Best touring bike? Probably something with a very neutral riding position and adequate wind protection so you aren't super tired after conquering many highway miles...my guess is something like Trace's BMW. I wouldn't buy one of those though, I'd much rather take that beautiful Ninja 1000 everywhere as well. :)
 
My FJR is fast handles well, but drop it and $$. My Black Stealth Mode Vstrom takes me pretty much everywhere.


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strom.jpg
 
That's actually exactly what I was going to recommend, the FJR. Was a little rich for my blood though to own and operate, and I don't have any qualms treating my VStrom with full crashbars less gingerly. :D

Got my GPS, hardbags, touring seat and alaska leather buttpad, adjustable cal-sci shield and a few other niggles (that's a real word, not racist), but sucks that my cruise control is jacked... overall good to go for the long haul though, and great fuel economy if you keep it around 70mph.

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I'd recommend an Suzuki SV650 :P if anything were to go wrong with it you wouldn't need to stuff around taking fairings off & they're a pretty cheap bike with readily available parts
 
Z1000SX is hot but i don't think it would be that comfortable for 2 up and long distance, inorder to go just anywhere including off the road a DL1000 or Tenere 1200 or their variants would be great.If you are sticking to asphalt ST1300.
 
I love the z1000sx (the bike you're calling the ninja 1000).

Would really love to own one in a few years time.

Depends to be honest, for sport touring the z1000sx or a vfr. Looks great and does what its meant for.

For adventure touring something like the big varadero. A 650 like the versys just isn't suitable for long distances.
Comfort tends to be good on adventure touring bikes, but vibes are bad because they're usually twins.

The king of touring though would have to be the goldwing... Nothing can beat that.
 
Ah, the question of all questions :)

I have to say, I did a demo ride with the Ninja 1000 and it's absolutely fantastic. It's comfortable and has loads of raw power. However, I don't think it's the "best" touring bike. Even if you take the word "touring"... coming from the word "tour", ultimately meaning "to travel for pleasure" (also business in occasions).

Personally I think nothing beats the Honda Gold Wing, it's like the holy grail of touring bikes. This bike has everything. A sound system, cruise control, heated grips and seat, adjustable windscreen, cockpit-adjustable headlights and rear-suspension preload... plus more than 75 accessories that include a navigation system, anti-lock brakes and even an airbag!

Now if you want a more sporty approach, then I would definitely go with the Kawasaki Concours 14 (ZX-14). It has great handling, stability and comfort. You will love the twisties with this bike.

Honestly though, every bike CAN be a touring bike. Depends on your level of comfort and appetite for adventure ;)
 
dxeavy said:
Honestly though, every bike CAN be a touring bike. Depends on your level of comfort and appetite for adventure ;)
Click to expand...

My thought exactly. It ultimately depends on the persons preference.
 
Crackn81 said:
I'd recommend an Suzuki SV650 :P if anything were to go wrong with it you wouldn't need to stuff around taking fairings off & they're a pretty cheap bike with readily available parts
Click to expand...


ah yahtzee! I'm not sure about that. I think as a touring bike, I would rate the sv650 a C+. It fails in a few areas. It needs more engine to comfortably cruise at 70mph+ ; and zero wind protection.

I think my vote for the best touring bike would be a Goldwing. I'll never own one because of its size so I'd rather vote for the best SPORT touring bike. My vote for that would be the FJR1300.
 
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