Ideas for touring bikes please

[ChasF]

I've ridden all the bikes on your list except the zzr. The one I'd favour by a mile s the K1300GT but have to say I don't own on 'cos if I did I wouldn't have a licence any more

[92kk k100lt 193214]

Ride a k 1600 nothing else comes close
Really coming down in price get a warranty
Done 21000 miles on min in 12 months carnt stop riding it
Really is good fun and does boring long miles with ease

A good friend had one for quite a while but always felt it was a matter of not if but when he let it fall over. At which point it would put a big hole in his wallet. Weight was his only issue as he really loved it. He had gone from an early K100 straight to the K1600. He then went instead for 1150GS and which he is very happy with but he is the kind of guy who will service at main dealer and do it by the book. He never rides 2 up though.

[sven]

The R1200RT handles really well two-up with luggage. I hired one in the States for a 3500 mile/17 day tour and also owned one for a couple of years. It came back from the Pyrenees with zero chicken strips.

I swapped it for a GS LC though as the RT made me feel 10 years older than I am and it was a little bit lardy when ridden solo.

If you only ever ride with a pillion, I don't think there's a better sports tourer on the market. My wife loved it (thumbs)

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[Big Red]

If weight doesn't bother you, you could look at a BMW k1200lt. All day comfortable for rider and passenger. Add to that a 300 mile tank range and the prices have dropped a lot in the last couple of years. Heated seats are good as well. They may be a big old bus but handle far better than they have any right to.
I sold mine a couple of years ago and I regret it every day

[skipper]

I came to the conclusion that the st is the best touring bike around .put fuel ,change oil and ride. last year i bought an fjr not so heavy, lower no problem with flat footing and faster,sold it and went back to the pan.

[AndyB]

I don't know anyone who's owned a K12/13 and complained about it. They're absolutely storming bikes though for two up blasts across Europe if I was buying a 4 cylinder BMW it'd probably be a K1100 RS because I loved the one I had for 3 years.

[-Ralph-]

get a warranty

Couldn't agree more.


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[-Ralph-]

I don't know anyone who's owned a K12/13 and complained about it. They're absolutely storming bikes though for two up blasts across Europe if I was buying a 4 cylinder BMW it'd probably be a K1100 RS because I loved the one I had for 3 years.

I do, gearbox problems, ABS problems, oil leak on final drive, other electrical stuff I can't remember just now. Just problems basically.

Both guys I know that have them both describe them as a labour of love, and they do love them as they keep going back and buying new ones, but neither would keep them past the end of the 3 year warranty.

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[waynecoluk]

I rode the Kawasaki 1400GTR and wasn't that impressed. The engine was good but the rest of the package felt quite dated. I also took the K1600GTL out last summer after a guy who comes touring with us bought one and raved about it. It was strange, for touring it would be the bollocks im sure and the 6 cylinder engine is so smooth but I wouldnt want to take it out for a blast on a Sunday.
If you've more than one bike and just want a bike purely for touring I can see the attraction but not as a one bike does all.
I think my shout would be for the FJR. It looks good, it meant to have a storming engine and is meant to handle well.

[macvisual]

Have you looked at the Suzuki V-STROM DL1000 new or old shape (?), ticks all the boxes and you can pick them up for decent prices.

Full luggage/main stand/heated grips/comfortable etc....