Sport-touring bikes are looking different, these days.

[Jeremy Z]

Love it. It's still the best-looking ST ever made, IMO. I've heard they're got in the summer time though...

[Sport-Touring]

[Oilhed]

 
When you say 'airhead' and 'oilhead' you're referring to just BMWs? I think so, but I'm not sure.

Yes R75, R65, R1100R & R1150GS (p.s. the GS is for sale.)

[motrhead]

Someone commented on a lot of advs having shaft drive. That's only true when they're > 1 L. There's no middle-weight shafties.

 That will change in January with the intro of the V85 Guzzi. That is the word...lots of spy photos of the pre prduction bikes. The Guzzisti are getting excited!  

[Jeremy Z]

 That will change in January with the intro of the V85 Guzzi. That is the word...lots of spy photos of the pre prduction bikes. The Guzzisti are getting excited! 

Looks to still be an airhead; 'hope it's not castrated too badly to conform to Euro4 emissions...

[Big Sarg]

It is always interesting whenever the subject of what bike makes "the best sport touring motorcycle", and the topic does resurface fairly often.  I personally side on the "start with a powerful excellent handling bike" side of the equation.  I absolutely love my ZX-14R.  I only done a couple things to make it better on long trips; raising the clip-ons 3/4" and adding a top  box.  When I go on multi-day trips I add soft saddle bags and another soft tail bag.  My wife cannot due long trips on the bike due to knee problems which would be the case on any bike, so passenger pillion comfort is pretty much an afterthought.  Funny though, she finds the 14 more comfortable than a Harley Softail.  I do full day rides (12 hours door to door) stopping only briefly every couple of hours and one longer stop for lunch and the only complaint I have is some saddles soreness.  I haven't changed the seat but may in the future.  I realize not everyone rides through the twisties with as feverishly as I do or wants a bike that can handle an occasional ratchet up to 150 mph, but for me the power and handling are majorly important.  The extra size of the 14 makes moving around a bit better and the extra wheel base length over 600 and 1000cc sportbikes makes it more comfortable over bumps.  I can't precisely quantify my wife’s like of the 14 over cruisers, but I think it was down to the stiffer suspension for a couple reasons.  One, the bike does not wallow which could lead to a feeling of sea sickness. And two, because the stiffer suspension makes the bike feel safer because it is not moving around so much.  I have had a lumbar fusion and a cervical spine fusing and I still find the 14 quite comfortable.  If my neck ever did become a problem on the 14 I could always go the full bar option (roughly 4 inch rise).  My next bike will be another 14 or the new H2 SX/SE should I want to drop 25K.

[Blue is Best]

Huey- You are in the game but to be the best you need an FJR!

Big- After setting my ZX14 up correctly, I really didn't have any issue with it for long days. I think my longest run was 671 miles to meet buddies and camp. Didn't like never getting 50 mpg, or lubing the chain. For some reason(well, I do know why) I always went to the FJR as I owned both of them at the same time.

After I bought the ZX14 it took my wife several weeks before she would ride with me. She knows my hooliganism and didn't believe me when I told her I wouldn't gas it. When she did ride with me on it she was amazed at how smooth it was and the seating position was good.

[Big Sarg]

Blue, the top box on the back gives any pillion I have had on the back a safer feeling.  

[kver]

Blue, the top box on the back gives any pillion I have had on the back a safer feeling.  

The top box also makes them less likely to suddenly grab you when you accelerate, which makes me feel safer too...  

Guess that wouldn't be a problem if i were married or had a regular pillion who was used to bikes...    

[jay547]

After I bought the ZX14 it took my wife several weeks before she would ride with me. She knows my hooliganism and didn't believe me when I told I wouldn't gas it.

Ha, when Lisa is on the back and we see young guys on sportbikes, I'll say, "Hold on, it's wheelie time."  She likes it.

[jtdunc]

I had a 94 CBR 600F2, then an 04 600F4i.  Both were great bikes, but even with a custom seat 350 miles was about my max doing back roads and 2 hours on the hwy was horrible.  I moved on to a 2004 Honda ST1300.  2012 was the last model year, so not the newest sport tourer out our there.  It has everything but that instant zip you get from a chain driven sport bike that weighs around half as much.  I can do a quick run around the block, or ride all day and be as(or some times more)comfortable than my suburban on a long drive.  620 miles in one day is my top distance and I was still super comfortable.  At 730lbs curb weight it's not the most fun in stop and go traffic. But luckily I don't use it commute. . It has integrated storage that's removable too.  Once you get moving it handles like a sport bike.  When they first came out many said it was more of a Sport ride than a Tourer.  I'm probably partial though, since I've wanted an ST1300 since I bought my first CBR.  I just couldn't justify a toy for $16,000. . . So I waited, got more mc experience, and good a good used one for $3,500 and been in love ever since.  

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Now those are sport touring bikes.

For me, if you can't ride it comfortably for a few hours straight, it's not a sport-touring bike.  Maybe it's an urban or communter bike.
For me, the larger engines run cooler too.

It should also have mounts for a large top trunk and saddlebars.

My list:
Yamaha FJR1300
Kawasaki Concours
BMW R1200RT, GS series
Suzuki DL650/1000
Honda VFR800
Yamaha MT-09 Tracer
Yamaha FZS1000
Honda ST1100/1300

[Biking Sailor]

I'm partial to sport-touring bikes. 4 of the 5 I currently have are set up for that, but all very different. One is my FJR, then an FJ09, an R1200GS (with alloy wheels) and a Guzzi Griso. The Griso has a throttle lock, a fly and touring wind screen, power outlet/GPS mount and a luggage rack, yes it's a touring mount!

Saw a new Tracer GT in the flesh Saturday. Nice improvements! That's the current trend in Sport-tourers. ADV bikes are so yesterday.  

[blackbuell]

I currently own 2 bikes that are what all of you would consider true sport touring bikes, though few of you would probably consider owning either one of them. I used to ride GT bikes like KAW ZZR12 and a Blackbird, but now that I'm 69 yo, I need bikes with a more upright rising position, and I certainly don't care about riding at warp speed anymore. The fact that I'm only 5'7" and less than 150 lbs. also factors into my choice of bikes. I seldom ride off pavement, and I generally take 2-3 cross-country rides each years.


For me the Moto Guzzi Norge is the perfect bike; low seat height, relatively light, shaft drive, great luggage, heated grips, etc. I just wish there was a more extensive dealership network. I do like the fact that the bike  is easy to maintain. And yes, little things can go wrong with these Italian bikes, but the basic drive train is nearly indestructible.


The BMW F800GT is a very competent bike and suits my size and age well. I have mine set up very well for cross-country trips. Good gas mileage, good luggage, grip heaters, good weather protection. Love the belt drive. However, it is a bit boring.


If I were a larger person, I'd probably buy an FJR.

Jon

[buelligan]

I've been through quite a few "sport tourers" in the past 30 years...
Buell 1125CR, fast as snot, cornered like a dream, and actually pretty comfortable for long days. Loved the belt drive
ST1300, super comfortable, decent power, at 800 lbs waaaaay too heavy for my skinny azz.  My first shaft driven bike  
Ninja 1000ZX, too small, to cramped, hated the close ratio transmission, pretty much hated everything about that bike, and really regretted buying it.
Super Tenere, easily the best all around bike I've ever owned. I've taken it over the rocky mountains, back country discovery routes, crossed the country, pulling a bushtec trailer, shaft drive, easy maintenance, reliable, not too heavy, not too tall, I'm still tempted to buy another one.
R1200RS, this is currently my 'sport tourer'.  I've gone back and forth across the country on this bike, shaft drive is great, so far, in 25,000 miles, I've had zero problems. Love the wonder wheel and the Nav5
KTM 1290SAR, my newest acquisition, after the theft of my Tenere.  very comfortable, super fast, great in the corners, I've spanked a few sport bikes with this thing  
The motor puts out tons of heat though, and here in the southwest desert, it cooks my thighs, and I hate chain drive!  I've been so spoiled by belts and shaft drives!  
While the motor on this bike is a real jewel, I think it's life in my stable will be short lived.

So, which is best for sport touring?
For me, the ability to really carve the corners, comfortable over long distances, LOCKABLE, roomy saddlebags, low weight, excessive power...
As is obvious reading everyone's posts, there is a lot out there, that can do what we want, personal preference  is the answer.
 

[51 New West]

If I could only have one bike, it would probably be an Africa Twin. It would do almost everything that I want to do.

My Irish cousin has owned a Blackbird and a trailbike for several years, and just bought an Africa Twin.  He did a single 10 day roadtrip through Europe with a few mates and sold the Africa Twin as soon as he got back.  He said the test ride was nice, but he hated actually living with it.  He still has the Blackbird

[HipGnosis]

My Irish cousin has owned a Blackbird and a trailbike for several years, and just bought an Africa Twin.  He did a single 10 day roadtrip through Europe with a few mates and sold the Africa Twin as soon as he got back.  He said the test ride was nice, but he hated actually living with it.  He still has the Blackbird

What, exactly, did he hate about it??

[lobo10s]

Love my taller sport touring bike. 35K and counting on the Big Versys

[jay547]

Love my taller sport touring bike. 35K and counting on the Big Versys

I rode through Bella Vista Saturday. Didn't see you though.

[1moreroad]

Happy to see the trend toward lighter weight touring bikes.  When I joined this forum, I sport toured on a ZX6R (yes, @BlueisBest - ZXs are some of the best sport touring bikes ever) because everything else weighed so dang much.  

I test rode an FJ09 and an FJR.  After riding the FJ, the FJR just felt bloated and portly.  I appreciated the riding position and the amenities, but I would much rather be on a bike with only 75% of the weight.

The FJR has a much sportier position than the FJ.  In between the ZX and the FJ, I had a WR and I have grown to appreciate the riding position.  I think the position appeals to more older riders (and riders, on average, are all getting older) than the sportier position of the FJR.

[Oilhed]

This used to be a Sport-Touring bike:

BMW R80ST
Years produced: 1983-1984
Power: 50hp @ 6,500rpm
Top speed: 108mph
Engine: 798cc air-cooled OHV horizontally-opposed twin
Transmission: 5-speed, shaft final drive
Weight: 4361bs (wet)
MPG: 45-55mpg
Price then: $4,190