Looking at a sport tourer for my second bike

[ViperChief]

How are y'all doing? This is my first post here and I asked myself if I should go through all the posts and try to find my answer, but since I think each person has different circumstances which make it harder to just find a general answer.

About a year ago, I bought my first bike (I have been through MSF). It was a 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 800. I rode that thing for...I don't even know how many miles. It didn't take long before I felt like I needed something a little bigger, especially when I rode two-up with my wife. I sold it a couple months ago. For one, I was planning on getting something bigger and I felt that selling it right before a deployment would work out well (I'll be leaving for about 4 months in a few weeks). Within my first week back, I plan on buying another bike.

While I was looking at another cruiser, I've been very interested in sport touring for a little bit, especially the Yamaha bikes. But, that's a jump from an 800 cruiser to a 1300 sport engine. Would that be too much? I'm 6'2" and 190lbs. While I never would've gotten something like that as a first bike, I'm wondering how it would be for a second bike. I came close to dropping my first bike once, but that was when I learned not to try doing a tight U-turn at 5 mph. That was the closest I came to having a problem with it.

The sport touring really appeals to me, but I don't want to get in over my head. I'm thinking that I would be okay with it, especially if I take it slow and careful at first. But, I wanted to get some advice from more experienced riders. Thanks in advance.

[bassjones]

That's a pretty big jump in HP.  I might suggest going in the mid range first then jumping up to the FJR - or the Concours.  Good midrange ST bikes that are pretty good for two-up riding are fairly plentiful.  First up would be the Honda VFR800.  Same CC as your Vulcan, but a big difference in power and handling.  Available hard bags either from Honda or a nice Givi setup.  FZ-6 is a good choice too, but not as comfortable two up.  V-Strom might be a good choice as well, or an older Bandit.  Other thing would be an older ST1100 or even a PC800.

[ViperChief]

That's a pretty big jump in HP.  I might suggest going in the mid range first then jumping up to the FJR - or the Concours.  Good midrange ST bikes that are pretty good for two-up riding are fairly plentiful.  First up would be the Honda VFR800.  Same CC as your Vulcan, but a big difference in power and handling.  Available hard bags either from Honda or a nice Givi setup.  FZ-6 is a good choice too, but not as comfortable two up.  V-Strom might be a good choice as well, or an older Bandit.  Other thing would be an older ST1100 or even a PC800.

The HP jump is what I was concerned with. I know that cruiser and sport engines are a lot different. The VFR800 looks pretty nice. Do you know how the ride feels, especially "long" rides (I'm thinking about 5-7 hours in a day)? The ST1100 also looks pretty nice. Before buying my Vulcan, I had looked at the V-Strom. One big thing that appealed to me was the idea of being able to go off the beaten path a little.

[bassjones]

I can do 500 miles on the VFR without too much trouble and I'm a big guy.  Bar risers are probably the first mod you'll want to do if you get one.  3/4 inch makes a world of difference in distance comfort.

[UHOH]

a jump from an 800 cruiser to a 1300 sport engine. Would that be too much? I'm 6'2" and 190lbs.

bet you'll be fine.  
just wouldn't ride 2-up for a bit until you're comfy with it all,
probably start out more on doing roads vs. low speed around town errand running.

and welcome

[ViperChief]

I can do 500 miles on the VFR without too much trouble and I'm a big guy.  Bar risers are probably the first mod you'll want to do if you get one.  3/4 inch makes a world of difference in distance comfort.

Nice. I'm looking more into it and it looks pretty nice to me. My big thing about getting a sport bike was the long distance (hence looking at the touring aspect) and comfort for those long rides. I saw a picture of a VFR with saddlebags and I gotta say, it looked pretty sexy.

[bassjones]

It is, and that V-4 engine    It's really smack dab in between the pure sport bikes and the full on Sport Touring bikes in both comfort and handling.  Much more comfortable than the CBR/GSXR/R1/ZX but handles a lot quicker than the FJR/Concours/etc...  The Triumph Sprint ST is sweet as well but it's pricier than the VFR, especially given prices for leftover 07, 08, and 09s - if you want new that is.  

[ViperChief]

It is, and that V-4 engine    It's really smack dab in between the pure sport bikes and the full on Sport Touring bikes in both comfort and handling.  Much more comfortable than the CBR/GSXR/R1/ZX but handles a lot quicker than the FJR/Concours/etc...  The Triumph Sprint ST is sweet as well but it's pricier than the VFR, especially given prices for leftover 07, 08, and 09s - if you want new that is.  

Well, then. I think I need to go find me a Honda dealer Saturday and check one out for myself.

Would you recommend a newer one or should I look at early 2000s?

[bassjones]

If you can find a clean pre-02 model, people who don't like the VTEC motor prefer that era.  If you get a VTEC model, then the 06 and up have a much smoother transition than the 02-05 did.  I don't find it all that noticeable on my 06 to be honest, other than moderate acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear.  If you're getting on it hard, it just feels like you kick it into the power band and in 3rd gear and higher you don't really notice it at all.  If you can find a dealer with leftover 07s they are blowing them out.  Should be able to get into one with ABS (1000 option) for around $7K and without ABS for around $6400.  There aren't many left though.  Check e-bay because there are some dealers on there that have a few.

[Corbeau]

The VFR800 looks pretty nice. Do you know how the ride feels, especially "long" rides (I'm thinking about 5-7 hours in a day)?

On my 02 VFR, I do 5-7 hours before lunch.
I hope that answered your question.

[midlifeuturn]

I have to disagree a little with the horse power concern.  The Yamaha FJR 1300 is a sport tourer, it is a 1300 but it isn't like the bike wants to bring the front end off the road every time you touch the throttle.  I guess what I'm saying is the Hp is really governed by your rist.  I would think the concern should be more about bike weight and how it is distributed, ie: the FJR 1300 is a little top heavy.

I had a fair amount of experience with dirt bikes and had always wanted a street bike.  Two years ago I got a
Suzuki GSX650f (smallish sport tourer) as I wanted a bike more for local errands and short trips.  My wife and I qucikly got into touring and a number of trips during the summer (400 mile days).  Late last summer I bought the FJR 1300, a big jump you might say.  Never really thought about the power difference, and I do drive fairly conservatively.  The big differences are bike weight, smoother throttle response with two up and much more comfort.  You are 6'2" and 190, I wouldn't be concerned at all.  

[ViperChief]

Well, I went and looked at a VFR800, but I'm not really going for it.

I did look at the NT700V, but I'm concerned that a 700 V-Twin won't be the greatest for two-up, especially in hills. Though, as a daily commuter, I really liked it (not the price, though).

I also looked at a V-Strom 1000. I had first looked at these online last year and was interested. But, I actually got to see one in person and sit on it and, I have to say, I really liked it. Once I get back from my deployment, I'm going to go try to take a ride on one and see how I like it. I know some people think it's ugly and I have to say I don't think it's the sexiest bike I've seen, but I actually like the looks. One thing I really like about it is the opportunity to take some back dirt and gravel roads. My wife also seemed to like it and since she'll be on back, that's a plus.

I'll have to see more when I get back but, right now, I'm leaning towards the V-Strom. Of course, if I end up getting her a Ninja 250, I might look at the NT700V again.

[ViperChief]

I ended up stopping by the Yamaha dealership and they had a used 2007 FJR1300AE so I decided to sit on it...feel it out. I loved it. I wished I had more time and my helmet, I would've seen about taking it for a test ride. It wasn't nearly as heavy as I expected and it didn't spread my legs out. I was a little concerned after sitting on an ST1300 the other day which felt pretty top-heavy to me and was uncomfortable to sit on. The FJR was the complete opposite.

I also like the way it looks when the saddlebags come off (unlike the NT700V). I'm leaving tomorrow for my deployment but when I get back, I definitely want to take an FJR for a ride. I'm kind of hoping that ride will go well. This was the original sport-touring bike I had been interested in and being able to sit on one just made me want to try it out more. Also, my wife fell in love with it and that's a huge plus.

[bakwheeltango]

Hey Viper

ride an 05+ Triumph Sprint. I know plenty of guys your size and bigger riding them.
more sport than touring..