Which £5000 bike?

[junglie]

Good morning

I am looking for a new (to me) bike and not quite certain where to go!

I have owned mainly Hondas (CBR 600, Fireblade, Blackbird, Varadero) but ridden lots of others (K1600, Tiger 1200, FJR 1300 etc).

My main criteria are comfort and wind protection as well as hard luggage and preferably cruise control and heated grips.

I guess I am looking at R1200RT, ST1300, FJR 1300 and GTR 1400.

My mate has owned both the R1200RT and Pan European and is hard over that the R1200RT is the better bike. It always scores well in most reviews too.

Rented a 2019 Tiger 1200 XRT and it was a great bike for going around Wales but the screen was not brilliant at keeping the wind off on motorways.

Have seen a 1 owner R1200RT SE with 30k (FSH and most things apart from radio) which I think I can get for £4500.

Using it for pleasure mainly and the occasional long motorway / A road commute.

Where doers the sensible money go?

[Jazoli]

I'm in the same boat, I'd like an RT or GS but they can have expensive issues, the ST1300 is bulletproof, having to have cruise limits your choices at your budget.

[junglie]

I could probably live without cruise but do like it!

I would argue the ST1300 is the more reliable bike but apparently it is so much heavier and not as ‘good’ to ride.

[Jazoli]

They are heavy, although once moving they don't feel it, I wouldn't let any bikes screen dictate the purchasing decision, they are cheap and easily changed, I'd be interested in what you go for, stuff like the Versys 1000 can also be had in budget, but I'm guessing an ADV styled bike isn't to your taste. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265229023522?hash=item3...

[black-k1]

Most things with a full fairing offer good wind protection and good quality hard luggage can be added to many bikes that don't have it as standard. You seem to have primarily highlighted bikes that most would likely class as "touring". Is it specifically an upright touring bike you are after?

[junglie]

Thank you for the replies so far.

I really enjoyed the style of the ADV type of bike (Tiger 1200) but was quite envious of my mate on his R1250RT who was just in a cocoon of silence whilst I had some noise and buffeting.

We both wear Schuberth C3 helmets so that is a constant.

I quite enjoy the comfort of a more upright bike now which these seem to tick. I loved the ‘twist and go’ nature of the Blackbird but you never really get to use it.

I had a K1300GT and did not gel with it at all but it is more sports tourer than tourer.

[black-k1]

At that sort of money I think I'd be buying on condition, mileage, service history and extras rather than a specific model. They are all good bikes and all have plus and minus points. Test ride a few different ones but assuming there are no "stand out" makes/models, either good or bad, for you then go with the best deal from any of them.

The only bike I can think of that you may want to add to the list is the Trophy.

[junglie]

Very sound advice.

I missed out on an excellent example that was advertised and sold almost immediately.

I’m always on the lookout for that ‘unicorn’ but might have to settle for the next best example!

[junglie]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20210802...

This is the R1200RT I have been to see.

[Rob 131 Sport]

junglie said:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/20210802...

This is the R1200RT I have been to see.

Looks a nice bike. I would question why he’s selling it after 12 and a half years of ownership. Also 09 is going back a bit. Would you not consider a newer Kawasaki Z1000SX.

[junglie]

He is retired and just not using it much anymore. He has a Norton Commando for trips around the IoW where he lives.

The 1000SX looks good but I am thinking more comfortable and better wind protection plus the benefit of shaft drive.

Was thinking a VFR1200 but the write ups are seemingly not brilliant.

[LordFlathead]

junglie said:

Good morning

I am looking for a new (to me) bike and not quite certain where to go!

I have owned mainly Hondas (CBR 600, Fireblade, Blackbird, Varadero) but ridden lots of others (K1600, Tiger 1200, FJR 1300 etc).

My main criteria are comfort and wind protection as well as hard luggage and preferably cruise control and heated grips.

I guess I am looking at R1200RT, ST1300, FJR 1300 and GTR 1400.

My mate has owned both the R1200RT and Pan European and is hard over that the R1200RT is the better bike. It always scores well in most reviews too.

Rented a 2019 Tiger 1200 XRT and it was a great bike for going around Wales but the screen was not brilliant at keeping the wind off on motorways.

Have seen a 1 owner R1200RT SE with 30k (FSH and most things apart from radio) which I think I can get for £4500.

Using it for pleasure mainly and the occasional long motorway / A road commute.

Where doers the sensible money go?

I would recommend he rides the GTR1400. I'm biased as I have owned 3 ZZR1400's but the GTR is a shafty so less to faff around with. I've owned an ST1100, ST1300 and had two years use of mates FJR 1300 - I have no experience of BMW's as they are just not "my thing" but they get rave reviews.

The Pan is completely indestructible, more akin to a two-wheeled caravan and way too heavy and it feels it too. Also in the summer the heat-soak through the plastics is unbelievable. You feel like your legs ARE actually cooking Fuel injection is smoother than its earlier ST1100 but gear changes clonk badly and they suffer swing-arm bearing failure and rot as they are often overlooked as "typical Honda shafty reliability that needs no maintenance".. I did over 60k miles on my 13 and 50k miles on the 11, and I have a fondness for them. But there are better (lighter) bikes out there with higher MPG's. On the latter the electric screen is a like having a transparent paste table infront of you it's huge but it works

Personally I loved riding the FJR1300. It's a hoot and always brought a smile to my face. No good for touring though if you like to keep the speed above 70mph. It's hard work.

I had a 6 month GTR from Kawasaki as a long term test bike a year after they were released. It's a very slightly detuned ZZR engine and it can manage 50mpg if you are gentle on twist. It's not hard as torque is brilliant from around 1300 rpm. I'm on my 3rd ZZR1400, so I'm quite biased (was a Honda fanboi before I jumped to Kawasaki). On the downside they are an old bike by todays standards. If I needed to have something other than a ZZR the personally I would still pick the GTR, but finding one with a low mileage is tricky. Looking forwards to see what he goes with. Having owned a Norton 850 then his senses are in for a positive surprise

[carinaman]

junglie said:

He is retired and just not using it much anymore. He has a Norton Commando for trips around the IoW where he lives.

I visited the IoW once. I associate Sandown with horse racing and I was thinking if they race horses on the IoW I'd surely know about it. So from this thread I have learnt that Sandown and Sandown Park are not the same place and they don't race horses on the Isle of Wight just Cowes.

[junglie]

LordFlathead said:

junglie said:

Good morning

I am looking for a new (to me) bike and not quite certain where to go!

I have owned mainly Hondas (CBR 600, Fireblade, Blackbird, Varadero) but ridden lots of others (K1600, Tiger 1200, FJR 1300 etc).

My main criteria are comfort and wind protection as well as hard luggage and preferably cruise control and heated grips.

I guess I am looking at R1200RT, ST1300, FJR 1300 and GTR 1400.

My mate has owned both the R1200RT and Pan European and is hard over that the R1200RT is the better bike. It always scores well in most reviews too.

Rented a 2019 Tiger 1200 XRT and it was a great bike for going around Wales but the screen was not brilliant at keeping the wind off on motorways.

Have seen a 1 owner R1200RT SE with 30k (FSH and most things apart from radio) which I think I can get for £4500.

Using it for pleasure mainly and the occasional long motorway / A road commute.

Where doers the sensible money go?

I would recommend he rides the GTR1400. I'm biased as I have owned 3 ZZR1400's but the GTR is a shafty so less to faff around with. I've owned an ST1100, ST1300 and had two years use of mates FJR 1300 - I have no experience of BMW's as they are just not "my thing" but they get rave reviews.

The Pan is completely indestructible, more akin to a two-wheeled caravan and way too heavy and it feels it too. Also in the summer the heat-soak through the plastics is unbelievable. You feel like your legs ARE actually cooking Fuel injection is smoother than its earlier ST1100 but gear changes clonk badly and they suffer swing-arm bearing failure and rot as they are often overlooked as "typical Honda shafty reliability that needs no maintenance".. I did over 60k miles on my 13 and 50k miles on the 11, and I have a fondness for them. But there are better (lighter) bikes out there with higher MPG's. On the latter the electric screen is a like having a transparent paste table infront of you it's huge but it works

Personally I loved riding the FJR1300. It's a hoot and always brought a smile to my face. No good for touring though if you like to keep the speed above 70mph. It's hard work.

I had a 6 month GTR from Kawasaki as a long term test bike a year after they were released. It's a very slightly detuned ZZR engine and it can manage 50mpg if you are gentle on twist. It's not hard as torque is brilliant from around 1300 rpm. I'm on my 3rd ZZR1400, so I'm quite biased (was a Honda fanboi before I jumped to Kawasaki). On the downside they are an old bike by todays standards. If I needed to have something other than a ZZR the personally I would still pick the GTR, but finding one with a low mileage is tricky. Looking forwards to see what he goes with. Having owned a Norton 850 then his senses are in for a positive surprise

My Lord,

Thank you for this comprehensive write up and the GTR 1400 seems like a great bike.

I think I would prefer to stay Japanese, over BMW, but I am concerned that the spec is not as good. The comfort is a driving factor and I don’t want to be disappointed seeing an R1200RT / ST1300 going past and wishing I had bought one of those!

That is not to say this is the case and the GTR 1400 might well be just what I need. I loved the FJR1300 but that was some time ago so can’t really compare between things I have ridden more recently.

The obvious answer is to go and rides some but it needs time and also a friendly dealer to let you have a go (I would rather buy private but not a deal breaker).

My mate has had the ST1300 and R1200RT back to back and swears that the BMW is better in every way. Rose tinted perhaps (he has just bought the new R1250RT) but I do trust his judgement.

I think I am perhaps overthinking and just need to get it done!

[Biker9090]

junglie said:

He is retired and just not using it much anymore. He has a Norton Commando for trips around the IoW where he lives.

The 1000SX looks good but I am thinking more comfortable and better wind protection plus the benefit of shaft drive.

Was thinking a VFR1200 but the write ups are seemingly not brilliant.

From personal experience (and that of a number of friends) there is no such thing as quality German Engineering with BMW - just expensive German Engineering. Avoid any out of dealer warranty like the plague. You MAY get lucky and be OK but experience shows otherwise. My battered old 500 has a better finish than either of my K1200R Sport or K1300GT did. I had absolutely no end of problems with them including but not limited to ABS failure, corrosion, ESA failure (on both), clutch failure (on both), overheating (on both), more corrosion (worse I or the WELDER had ever seen on a bike) and battery failure. Both of these had a full BMW service history and had apparently been well cared for.

I ended up getting rid of the 1300 and part exing it for a VFR1200F. I can't quite describe the difference in build and component quality between the Honda and the BMWs the VFR is EXCEPTIONAL. When I picked it up a 2 year old R1200R pulled up next to it which already had paint flaking on the final drive, the 30,000 mile VFR had none apart from a few bolt heads. Yes, you loose out on most of the BMW toys (albeit you do gain a slipper clutch) but you no longer ride with a nagging thought in the back of your head about whether or not you'll actually get where you're going! The only downside to it is poor suspension (I've fitted K Tech Springs and waiting on a Nitron R1) and slightly worse MPG (around 5-10% in Urban environments but the same on a run). The VFR also seems to handle much better than the K bikes with it being FAR more flickable despite the weight.

[jhoneyball]

K1300S

[junglie]

The only sensible answer is to buy about 6 bikes and then all is well!

I know what you mean about BMW and quality. Similar experience in a number of my BMW cars over the years. Now own a Lexus and the same story as you and your VFR 1200 in terms of quality.

I would love a VFR 1200, an alternative to a Blackbird (loved mine), but feel it may not offer the comfort / wind protection I am after?

[Biker9090]

Re comfort and wind protection. Both of those are better on the VFR than my k1200 and the wind protection is surprisingly better than the k1300 with its enormous screen. Not sure how they managed in with the wind protection but it's extrordinary how they did it. When I picked it up I very narrowly avoided speeding tickets due to not realising the speed due to the lack of wind. The only negatives in comfort compared to the k1300gt are higher pegs and a bit of a hard seat, both of which can obviously be sorted easily. I honestly can't praise the bike enough. So much less stress to have to deal with and you can just relax and ride.