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        <title><![CDATA[Tourers - Adventure Bike Rider]]></title>
        <description><![CDATA[the home of adventure motorbikes and adventure motorcycles riders]]></description>
        <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/</link>
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                <guid isPermaLink="false">111-399</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Honda Deauville: Not as dull as the press would have you believe]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/111-honda-deauville.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Trading in a Triumph 955i ST Sprint I bought my NT650VY Deauville which is a year 2000 model first registered in July 2001.  I bought it in October 2005 with just 3,250 miles recorded by the one previous owner.  The first priority was to junk the horrible Macadam tyres and fit Avon Azaros which transformed the handling, quickly followed by the addition of a Kappa topbox, a front fenda extender, and the fairing extensions Honda affectionately calls “knuckle deflectors”.  Commuting threw up the need for added wind protection which came in the form of a MRA Vario Touring screen which enables me to ride looking over the screen while benefitting from the weather protection and a total lack of buffeting (although the wind noise is still present).  Winter riding was now possible but the addition of Oxford heated grips to keep hands warm made it much more pleasurable.

2006 saw me doing my first ever trip onto mainland Europe by motorbike with a trip to Holland for a meeting with fellow Deauville riders and some gentle touring in the Renesse region – 360 miles each way and a total of 1,000 miles in 5 days.  The following year saw me organise a trip to the Republic of Ireland for a group of fellow owners.  Seeing others riding with the advantage of GPS lead to the next modification in anticipation of more touring, an ignition wired power socket and a cheap Navigon sat nav unit.  I wasn’t to know it then, but due to redundancy and lack of funds my next big trip wouldn’t happen until June 2011 and a week touring France, the Voges and Black Forest.  This trip was over 1500 miles in a week including the return trip from Riegel of 695 miles in 11 hours including Le Chunnel crossing.

So here I am now, April 2012 and the bike has 44k miles on the clock.  It’s been used in all weathers and in some areas that is starting to show as the engine casings are starting to look a bit rough.  The standard exhaust rotted away and has been replaced with a full stainless Motad system.  The Azaros have been replaced by Avon Storms which have in turn been replaced by Avon Ultra 2s – yes I like Avon tyres and they suit the Deauville giving good mileage and grip, especially in the wet.  There is plenty of storage so I can carry a small air compressor, cargo net, spare bulbs and extra tools under the seat, a first aid kit in one cubby hole while the other has tyre pressure gauge, spare ear plugs, disc lock, stand puck, torch and various sundries.  The panniers are useful and all the plastics are standing up well to the mixed use it gets. 

And I love riding it.  The riding position is all day long comfortable, the handling is predictable and a Cramp Buster ensures that the vibrations don’t kill my right hand.  Power is adequate with enough acceleration for the traffic light GP against car drivers.  No, it won’t beat sports or new generation naked bikes but then it was never designed to do so.  What it will do is 55mpg all day long for as long as you want, at 85 mph (on the continent) giving 210 – 230 miles between fill ups (reserve comes up at around 185 – 190 miles).  I’ve already hinted that there is some vibration from the engine but generally it is smooth and willing, pulling well from a low 1800 rpm, picking up through the 4,000 – 6,000rpm sweet spot to run out of puff at 7,500.  Yes, 85pmh is a realistic cruising speed but chasing any more than that takes time and once to 100mph it’s a bit pointless trying for much more and will require patience.  Taking it easy and riding more “normally” will find your left foot checking for a non-existent 6th gear. 

That brings me to the faults – which are well known and documented on the web by myself and fellow Deauville owners.  The headlight on pre-2002 model year Deauvilles is poor and benefits from a bulb upgrade.  My early bike has Brembo brakes (nice and sharp, the way I like them) as standard while later ones from 2002 onwards have linked Nissin brakes which many riders prefer.  The other issue is the fuel pump which suffers from built in obsolescence and typically fails before 40k miles and is best replaced with a Facet transistorised equivalent. 

One last comment is on the subject of accommodation.  Mostly I ride solo so it is not an issue and I know many that tour 2 up but it is not commodious and 2 larger built folks on board would probably find it cramped and the performance needing the assistance of frequent gear changes to keep it in that 4,000- 6,000 rpm sweet zone. 

So on to my scores:-
Long distance touring 8/10 – better if solo and could us a few more bhp 
Off road 1/10 – not built for it and too much plastic 
Around town 9/10 – it has presence which helps filtering 
Additional equipment 7/10 – yes you can personalise it but it’s no BMW GS1200 
Reliability 10/10 – use iridium plugs and then change oil and filter every 4,000 miles
Handling 8/10 – rear suspension can get “crashy” on poor surfaces but nice and predictable 
Engine 7/10 – lasts forever, needs a few more bhp 
Value for money 8/10 – used examples hold their value well if kept tidy
 
This is the only bike I’ve ever kept for more than 2 years and I currently have no plans to change it (yet) as it does everything I ask it to whenever I need it to.  It may not be the only bike you’ll ever want but it is the only bike you’ll ever need.  If you want more power and a fuel gauge then buy a 700 Deauville and get the complication of fuel injection and ABS, but I can service mine myself using simple tools and a Haynes manual (once the plastics have been removed) and the carbs only need balancing every 30k miles or so. 
 
Note: the stats accompanying this listing is a mixture of 650 and 700 and the following stats listed are wrong, and for the 650 should read:-
Top speed 115mph
Engine size 647cc
BH power 55bhp
Fuel capacity 19.1 litres
Tank range 225 miles
Dry weight 223 kg (wet 236 kg)

For more info see www.deauvilleuk.org                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:08:56 +0200</pubDate>
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                <guid isPermaLink="false">134-361</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Yamaha FJR1300A: Yamaha FJR1300A]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/134-yamaha-fjr1300a.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Got my 2005 - FJR1300A in May last year and I have done 17000Kms since then, throughout Europe and loved every minute. This bike ticks all the boxes for me. Bucket fulls of power from low down sometimes feels like a Auto as it will pull from 30KMS/h to max in 5th gear like a train. Its comfortable and reliable with a good fuel range thanks to the big 25L tank. The adjustable winscreen is another major plus which makes my mates enviouse no more buffeting down motorways put the screen up and hide in the quiet zone. 
Due to the low scoop faring this is not any good for off roading as there is a very low ground clearance plus the heavy weight can be a problem to balence.
The only regret I have is that the bike could do with a 6th gear as it has the grunt for it, I keep finding myself trying to change up on motorways. 

I went on a couple of trips with mates on Hyabusa and a Fireblade and kept up with them without any problem although it is a heavy long bike so tight bends have to taken carefully. 

The only changes that have made are to change the standard Continental tyres for new Dunlop Sports MAX which has transformed the handling and the brake pads thats it. 

I have installed a Garmin Zumo 660 GPS, a 12v power socket. 

The bike is very easy to maintain and service myself which is satisfying and saves money. 


Satisfaction 90% 
Reliability 100% 
Looks 100% 
Comfort 90% 
Running cost Low just depends how much you open the taps for fuel economy 
Build Quality 95% 

Wants:- 
6th Gear 
Reduced weight 

I have no intention of changing it in the future and loking to soaking up ore tarmac in the comming seasons.
                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:17:32 +0100</pubDate>
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                <guid isPermaLink="false">459-320</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Triumph Trophy 900: Why didnt i buy one earlier]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/459-triumph-trophy-900.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Not one for words BUT...... I,m 50 years old , been riding a variety of bikes since i was 16 years old ( 50+ bikes ), all i can say is why the fuck have i wasted my time with sports bikes!!!!!!! I appreciate some guys say the seat is a possible issue, but i can ride easily until the tank needs filling with no issues at all. Approx 160 miles then fill up, 10 minute coffee break then away, 500 miles + a day with ease . Handling is good if you dont think your Valentino Rossi, ride the bike for what it is.. an excellent tourer, commuting is superb as well as easy to use in traffic. I would recommend the trophy to anybody as a very competant tourer. I will add i,ve owned BMW,s in the past and in my opinion the Triumph is every bit as good if not better, sure the beemer has shaft but buy a scott oiler !! 
I know everybody wants different things out of there bikes but you should at least try a Trophy and i dont think you would be dissapointed .                   ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:06:07 +0200</pubDate>
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                <guid isPermaLink="false">573-309</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Kawasaki ZZR600: ZZR-600 - A capable all-rounder]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/573-kawasaki-zzr600.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                I bought this ZZR600 in 2007, it was already 9 years old and had 20,000 on it. Some scuffs on the plastic, and me buying it in January, meant I got it for £1100, a real bargain.

It does feel like a heavy bike, compared to my previous Divvy600, but it also feels a lot more stable because it is very low. Being able to get a boot far ourt from the bike means it's easier to keep upright than some lighter, taller bikes.

When you're moving it feels solid upto 120+ (Ask someone else what it's like above that!) and down to 5-10 mph through traffic lines, both with a loaded pair of 36 litre Givi panniers. 

It's acceleration is phenomenal for an old 600, topping out second gear at 100 is always good fun (sorry chain and sprockets) and the sound from the air-ram that accompanies it is VERY grin worthy :-) Even fully loaded it's chuckable into corners, although it does fall in a little more than usual which is unnerving at first.

My better half tells me the pillion seat is super comfy, but within an hour of hanging on her hand is in pain, due to the very wide (not rounded) design of the grab handle.

Riding all day on it is a breeze solo, and possible 2-up. despite the deep-wide saddle it's bum fatigue that comes in first, after about 5 hours, followed by stiff legs on day two, because of the low seat/higher pegs arrangement. 

It is a very capable weekend/week tourer, it handles the weight of tent/stove/bedding, clothes, and a few kilos of food as if it's not there, I went on a four day tour of Wales with my mate and it handled everything his KLE500 did, including quary roads across the beacons and running across grass/meadow to find camping sites.

Economy wise it's not as efficient as a KLE 500, but still does 150+ before the generous reserve kicks in, and I reckon it's be 200 miles from 18 litres, which is nearly 50MPG.

All in all it is an amazingly capable bike that can handle 1000 Miles in a weekend, is reasonably ecconomical, LOTS of fun, very comfortable and even a 10 year old one is still reliable enough to take round Europe.                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:43:52 +0200</pubDate>
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                <guid isPermaLink="false">128-224</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Triumph Sprint ST: Living with a Triumph Sprint ST for 5 years]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/128-triumph-sprint-st.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                I have now gone to a Sprint GT as the wife want to come with me on my tours....

I also own a Yamaha and a Suzuki so no I'm not a Triumph only man                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Sun, 27 Feb 2011 21:54:09 +0100</pubDate>
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                <guid isPermaLink="false">459-220</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Triumph Trophy 900: My love hate relationship!]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/459-triumph-trophy-900.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Bought the bike with 3k on clock,& paid £3k; currently 40k, mechanically easy to work on & so far it has been reliable.The worse bit is the seat, after 3 hours your arse is numb & after 10 hours you just want to get home. This is what its good at; when you need to cover ground quickly it just eats up the miles whilst still doing 45mpg plus.
Bit of an handfull fully loaded; up Stelvio not a nice feeling [until you reach the top!]
Overall the best bit is the noise even with standard exhaust on, ride it between 4 & 6 k where it pulls like a train & is quick enough for an old fart like me.
                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:51:34 +0100</pubDate>
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                <guid isPermaLink="false">94-200</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[BMW F 800 ST: F800s/st]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/94-bmw-f-800-st.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                Got my f800s in 2007 put on panniers, tall screen, topbox, tankbag, garmin 660 bike satnav and remus can for weight saving and turned it into a great tourer. The ST bars just don't sit right for my six foot tall frame the sports bars on the S are ok as they are not as low down as most sports bike so you don't suffer the same rist pain.
Completed a trip to Europe last year(the longest on my F800) of 2,500 miles in eight days from Belfast via dublin, through Wales, England, the Tunnel into France for the MOTO GP at LeMans. Then to the Ring in Germany and back via Belguim so lots of road types to chose from....
The seat was great no num bum even on the first day of 485miles from Belfast to Folkstone, one of the best seats i have had on a bike. 
The engine run smooth no problems and cruised nicely at 70mph on the motorways and went like stink on the autobann at 134mph with full lugguge and a fat boy on board.
The fuel economy was the best at an average of 65mpg the whole trip, my friends came on there KTM990 & yamaha Fazer 600 so a good mix but there trip fuel wise was a bit more costly.
All in all a good all round bike sporty, hard working, comfortible, cheap to run compered to most tours and BMW's and i would not swap it for the world....                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Sun, 23 Jan 2011 14:30:14 +0100</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">116-187</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Kawasaki 1400 GTR: Ultra quick long distance tourer]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/116-kawasaki-1400-gtr.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                I've owned my GTR1400 for 2 years now after trading in my FJR1300. Even after two years this awesome bike still manages to put a grin on my face after a day on the road.

So far this bike has managed two trips through Europe and countless trips around the UK with consummate ease.

Positive points:
Motor pulls like a starship right up to warp speeds!
Excellent brakes with ABS.
Excellent medium to high speed handling.
Easily enough luggage space for 2 up touring.
Incredible looks!

Negative points:
Poor low speed handling.
No heated grips (corrected on 2010 model).
Seat is not comfortable enough for all day riding (there is a Yamaha upgrade, but in this price range you shouldn't have to pay extra for something this important).
Too easy to lose your license ;-)

I have added:
Tomtom Rider SATNAV
Kawasaki topbox
Oxford grips
Taller screen
Softer gel seat

The above additions have made the bike near on perfect for long distance touring.

The negative points are minor and I have either corrected them or learnt to live with them. This is easily one of the best bikes I have owned to date and I suspect that it will be a while before I find a bike good enough to replace it.                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2010 23:10:55 +0100</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">459-168</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Triumph Trophy 900: Triumph Trophy 900 1994.]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/459-triumph-trophy-900.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                 

This is my Triumph Trophy 900 1994(see avatar). It’s the earlier model with the single headlight. This is the bike that I never meant to buy, as I had been looking to upgrade my trusty (and very cheap) XJ600 for something that I could wander around a bit on. I tried bikes such as a Tenere, an XJR 1200 which I loved, and the XJ 900. My biggest problem is that I’m 6ft 5 and most bikes don’t fit. The budget barely stretched to £1000. Consequently, finding the right bike was taking ages. A chance look around a local second hand dealer, someone who I trust having dealt with before, led me to look at the Triumph. It’s a large bike and at first glance it seemed huge, but once you get it going, it is hugely addictive. I had previously looked very briefly at a Triumph. I cant remember which one it was but it was bright yellow, and I didn’t really fancy it much.

Triumph introduced this bike in 1991 and the modular engine is the basis of the Trophy 900, as well as the Trident and the Daytona. From the modular design, the Trophy 900 was gifted with Triumphs’ long-throw motor which at the time was the star of their show. Irrespective of which form you bought the engine in, it has bags of character. Just ask anyone who has ridden one. Future development of this engine went on to produce the first Speed Triple and the Sprint. The 885 cc staying constant and changes that started with cam profiles.

The engine is really distinctive even with the woolly sounding original pipes. It was almost too quiet, so I changed them for some after market pipes which with a bit of a prod or two and no need for re jetting gives this particular bike a very singular noise which beyond 6000 makes my face snap into a stupid grin every time I hear it. The triple engine has a big following which is growing all the time, and rightly so.

But back to this particular bike. It does feel like a big bike when you first get on it. Once you get it going it doesn’t feel so big at all. In fact, I find it easy enough to traffic dodge around central London, on the few occasions I have had to go there. Around town it feels really secure, and on open road it is really stable, even with the Ortlieb luggage on the back.  It will happily cruise at 80/90 with no problems at all on the motorway. On average I get 150 – 160 miles to a tank. The clocks are clear, and protection is good. Being a bit taller than some, I get some wind noise but I haven’t fitted a taller screen as it doesn’t make my neck ache. I do however use ear plugs on longer journeys but that’s mostly about the helmet I wear I expect.

I’ve fitted heated grips, which are great. This is about the only mod apart from the pipes.
I couldn’t resist the replica 1939 Supermarine Spitfire markings as the BRG was screaming out for it, especially with the new louder pipes.

The engine has been very reliable. I didn’t have much history when I bought the bike so I have had to sort things out as I’ve gone along. Having said that, I bought the bike with 37000 miles on it in August ’09 and today it has 51007 and during this time, I have done only general maintenance and nothing major, although I did change the inlet rubbers. 

Having no history with the bike meant I had to do some sorting of stuff;
Sprockets and chain
Brake pads
New front discs
New tyres (now running Conti road attack front and Bridgestone BT 021 rear)
Valve clearances (which also meant that I had to use helicoil inserts to fix a previous engine cover bodge)
Fixed the clock!
Various oil changes
Fork seals.

The bike does burn a bit of oil, and one day I will strip it down and give it new rings and valve guide seals. I also hope to get a custom seat made up as I have an ongoing back problem.  

Other than that, the bike has been superb.  Its great fun to ride, it is consistent, comfortable, reliable, turns heads and fits me to a tee. It will fit shorter people than me, so don’t just think it’s a tall persons’ bike. I really didn’t ever thing I would ride a British bike I certainly wasn’t looking for one, but I’m glad that I took the step. So here it is people, never discount a Hinckley Triumph. You’ll be amazed what you get for your money.

Incidentally, I’m not sure if this acceptable to do, but the guy I bought my Triumph from has a Sprint RS for sale. He is a reliable source.


http://www.bikehutbristol.co.uk/used-motorcycles/1534_triumph-sprint-rs.htm

Thanks for reading this.
Cheers
Matt
                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:12:55 +0100</pubDate>
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                        <item>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">134-164</guid>
                <title><![CDATA[Yamaha FJR1300A: Yamaha FJR]]></title>
                                <link>http://www.adventurebikerider.com/component/content/article/43-sports-tourer/134-yamaha-fjr1300a.html</link>
                <description><![CDATA[
                                I've owned my FJR for 4 years. Its a 2001 model, in black, and I have updated it with an MRA screen, Tomtom rider satnav, heated grips and a few other bits and pieces.

It is definately the best bike I have owned in the 21 years that I have been riding.

The engine is amazing. Even fully loaded it will pull to warp factor speeds with little or no effort.

I have used it for 4 trips across to Europe and it has never let me down.

I recently looked at trading it in for a R1200 GSA. I test rode several BMWs and even though I enjoyed them when I got back onto the FJR I realised just how comfortable it was.

An added bonus for me is my annual insurance cost, fully comp/protected NCB is £65.....

Overall - an awesome bike that I would not hestitate to recommend to anyone.                ]]></description>
                <category><![CDATA[Tourers]]></category>
                <pubDate>Sun, 28 Nov 2010 16:13:10 +0100</pubDate>
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