Used bike purchase - sports tourer
Discussion
Good afternoon,
I am trying to go firm on a bike and struggling!
Looking for a tourer / sports tourer for European trips but potentially also a long distance commuter occasionally (London to Plymouth).
An R1200RT seems to be coming out on top (preferably the post 2010 MU), with ST1300, FJR1300 and GTR1400 possibilities.
Wind protection, comfort, reliability and technology in priority order.
I think shaft drive, heated grips and hard luggage are essential I would suggest.
Budget around £5000 but happy to go a little either way.
The FJR and GTR appeal for the easy power, the ST as it just does it well but my chum swears by the RT.
Any help welcome.
I am trying to go firm on a bike and struggling!
Looking for a tourer / sports tourer for European trips but potentially also a long distance commuter occasionally (London to Plymouth).
An R1200RT seems to be coming out on top (preferably the post 2010 MU), with ST1300, FJR1300 and GTR1400 possibilities.
Wind protection, comfort, reliability and technology in priority order.
I think shaft drive, heated grips and hard luggage are essential I would suggest.
Budget around £5000 but happy to go a little either way.
The FJR and GTR appeal for the easy power, the ST as it just does it well but my chum swears by the RT.
Any help welcome.
I sold a BMW to buy a Ducati Sports Tourer, I still have it and it's been great.
Chain drive is something you can live with IMHO.
But they are all getting on now, so unless you like Ducatis, then probably not the right answer.
My criteria at the time included hard panniers to take 2 helmets without making the bike stupidly wide.
That was pretty limiting.
BMW is the obvious choice.
I like the ST, I have no urge to replace it with the modern 'adventure bike' alternative, I just don't get that 'I Want One' feeling.
Chain drive is something you can live with IMHO.
But they are all getting on now, so unless you like Ducatis, then probably not the right answer.
My criteria at the time included hard panniers to take 2 helmets without making the bike stupidly wide.
That was pretty limiting.
BMW is the obvious choice.
I like the ST, I have no urge to replace it with the modern 'adventure bike' alternative, I just don't get that 'I Want One' feeling.
This begs the question of when is a sports tourer actually just a tourer. For me, the bikes you have suggested are closer to tourers than sports tourers.
Anyway ...
If you're looking at sports tourers in that price range then I'd suggest the VFR1200F, the ZZR1400 and, of course the K1300S. The VFR and the K1300 have the shaft drive, hard luggage, heated grips etc. you want and also provide decent weather protection. Comfort is subjective and reliability is a difficult question as the internet will tell you of all sorts of horror stories along side many happy owners! Finally, they also have performance the bikes you mention can really only dream about.
If the more upright riding position is a priority then I'd go for the R1200RT (if performance really isn't that important) or the FJR1300. The UK police forces like them so they can't be too bed.
Anyway ...
If you're looking at sports tourers in that price range then I'd suggest the VFR1200F, the ZZR1400 and, of course the K1300S. The VFR and the K1300 have the shaft drive, hard luggage, heated grips etc. you want and also provide decent weather protection. Comfort is subjective and reliability is a difficult question as the internet will tell you of all sorts of horror stories along side many happy owners! Finally, they also have performance the bikes you mention can really only dream about.
If the more upright riding position is a priority then I'd go for the R1200RT (if performance really isn't that important) or the FJR1300. The UK police forces like them so they can't be too bed.
An RT is a great thing. They're supremely comfy and shaft drive is a bonus, plus you get the mother of all weather protection. I've not ridden a 2010 one (only the latest one), but Richard Hammond used to commute from the Welsh borders to our office in Chiswick on one a couple of times a week. He loved it, and it was 130 miles each way.
black-k1 said:
This begs the question of when is a sports tourer actually just a tourer......
When it doesn't have a 996 Ducati engine perhaps? :-)Personally in BMWs, I always preferred the RS models over the RTs, but I'm talking about older models.
Taste in riding position is important, but personal.
Fairly low bars for me, except maybe for a town bike.
Another one for the list to consider - Ive got a 2013 Triumph Trophy SE for touring duties, it does everything the BMW RT does without being a BMW 
I preferred the styling and the 135bhp triple has a nice balance of power/torque. Upright riding position, certainly more tourer than sports tourer, but still handles really well for a 300kg bike, the weight just disappears once moving faster than walking pace. Does 50mpg on the motorway.
Its got full luggage with fitted bags
dual stage heated grips
dual stage heated seat front and rear
electronic suspension adjustment with 3 modes
radio/USB/bluetooth, optional factory nav kit, although I prefer to just use my phone on a RAM mount
full height electric screen
cruise control
The early ones like mine can be found sub £5k, obviously depending on mileage/condition.
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I preferred the styling and the 135bhp triple has a nice balance of power/torque. Upright riding position, certainly more tourer than sports tourer, but still handles really well for a 300kg bike, the weight just disappears once moving faster than walking pace. Does 50mpg on the motorway. Its got full luggage with fitted bags
dual stage heated grips
dual stage heated seat front and rear
electronic suspension adjustment with 3 modes
radio/USB/bluetooth, optional factory nav kit, although I prefer to just use my phone on a RAM mount
full height electric screen
cruise control
The early ones like mine can be found sub £5k, obviously depending on mileage/condition.
bogie said:
Another one for the list to consider - Ive got a 2013 Triumph Trophy SE for touring duties, it does everything the BMW RT does without being a BMW I preferred the styling and the 135bhp triple has a nice balance of power/torque. Upright riding position, certainly more tourer than sports tourer, but still handles really well for a 300kg bike, the weight just disappears once moving faster than walking pace. Does 50mpg on the motorway.
Its got full luggage with fitted bags
dual stage heated grips
dual stage heated seat front and rear
electronic suspension adjustment with 3 modes
radio/USB/bluetooth, optional factory nav kit, although I prefer to just use my phone on a RAM mount
full height electric screen
cruise control
The early ones like mine can be found sub £5k, obviously depending on mileage/condition.
Had not thought of the Trophy. I preferred the styling and the 135bhp triple has a nice balance of power/torque. Upright riding position, certainly more tourer than sports tourer, but still handles really well for a 300kg bike, the weight just disappears once moving faster than walking pace. Does 50mpg on the motorway. Its got full luggage with fitted bags
dual stage heated grips
dual stage heated seat front and rear
electronic suspension adjustment with 3 modes
radio/USB/bluetooth, optional factory nav kit, although I prefer to just use my phone on a RAM mount
full height electric screen
cruise control
The early ones like mine can be found sub £5k, obviously depending on mileage/condition.
Rented a Tiger with the same engine last year and that was a great mill.
Strongly suggest you steer clear of any secondhand BMW - particularly in that price bracket. I've been and done it twice, it's enough for me to NEVER own a BMW again.
Look at the VFR1200F/X range. Yes, they don't have the toys of the BMW but with sorted suspension they'll s
t all over the BMW ESA. You can ride with almost TOTAL confidence that it'll not breakdown. It won't rust and requires very little maintenance.
If you don't believe me then spend some time on the VFR group and compare it to the BMW ones, see how many problems crop up with the BMW in a day nevermind a week......
Look at the VFR1200F/X range. Yes, they don't have the toys of the BMW but with sorted suspension they'll s
t all over the BMW ESA. You can ride with almost TOTAL confidence that it'll not breakdown. It won't rust and requires very little maintenance.If you don't believe me then spend some time on the VFR group and compare it to the BMW ones, see how many problems crop up with the BMW in a day nevermind a week......
Tribal Chestnut said:
I love the look of the last gen. big VFR. Always thought it looked decent, but am quite taken with it after the thread on here.
Not sure if they have cruise control though, which would be a deal breaker for a tourer.
There is a company making aftermarket electronic kits for it tbf.Not sure if they have cruise control though, which would be a deal breaker for a tourer.
I'd take my VFR1200F over ANY other sports sportstourer
I would suspect that BMW riders rack up a few problems because there are a lot of them doing a lot of miles?
Those that are tediously reliable don't generate much social media?
Maybe I'm out of date on that, I carry no torch for BMW bikes, had one didn't bond with it.
My Ducati has been pretty good, but plenty of people seem to have issues with not many miles.
I have a few mates who've racked up miles on Triumphs.
Not sure how to get a true picture of reliability.
Those that are tediously reliable don't generate much social media?
Maybe I'm out of date on that, I carry no torch for BMW bikes, had one didn't bond with it.
My Ducati has been pretty good, but plenty of people seem to have issues with not many miles.
I have a few mates who've racked up miles on Triumphs.
Not sure how to get a true picture of reliability.
OutInTheShed said:
I would suspect that BMW riders rack up a few problems because there are a lot of them doing a lot of miles?
Those that are tediously reliable don't generate much social media?
Maybe I'm out of date on that, I carry no torch for BMW bikes, had one didn't bond with it.
My Ducati has been pretty good, but plenty of people seem to have issues with not many miles.
I have a few mates who've racked up miles on Triumphs.
Not sure how to get a true picture of reliability.
A lot of other bikes do a great deal of miles as well.Those that are tediously reliable don't generate much social media?
Maybe I'm out of date on that, I carry no torch for BMW bikes, had one didn't bond with it.
My Ducati has been pretty good, but plenty of people seem to have issues with not many miles.
I have a few mates who've racked up miles on Triumphs.
Not sure how to get a true picture of reliability.
I had terrible trouble getting rid of both BMWs (before I even mentioned the issues with them) as hardly any dealer wanted them due to expensive repairs. Even my specialist BMW mechanic advised against them after working on them (he had a Suzuki....)
bogie said:
Another one for the list to consider - Ive got a 2013 Triumph Trophy SE for touring duties, it does everything the BMW RT does without being a BMW I preferred the styling and the 135bhp triple has a nice balance of power/torque. Upright riding position, certainly more tourer than sports tourer, but still handles really well for a 300kg bike, the weight just disappears once moving faster than walking pace. Does 50mpg on the motorway.
Its got full luggage with fitted bags
dual stage heated grips
dual stage heated seat front and rear
electronic suspension adjustment with 3 modes
radio/USB/bluetooth, optional factory nav kit, although I prefer to just use my phone on a RAM mount
full height electric screen
cruise control
The early ones like mine can be found sub £5k, obviously depending on mileage/condition.
lovley picture (top) I preferred the styling and the 135bhp triple has a nice balance of power/torque. Upright riding position, certainly more tourer than sports tourer, but still handles really well for a 300kg bike, the weight just disappears once moving faster than walking pace. Does 50mpg on the motorway. Its got full luggage with fitted bags
dual stage heated grips
dual stage heated seat front and rear
electronic suspension adjustment with 3 modes
radio/USB/bluetooth, optional factory nav kit, although I prefer to just use my phone on a RAM mount
full height electric screen
cruise control
The early ones like mine can be found sub £5k, obviously depending on mileage/condition.
shame they never took off and got dropped
junglie said:
That looks great value and only 29k miles on it. Also has the factory nav mount fitted (not expensive, just a pain to wire in) A lot of bike for the money.The Trophy forum has loads of useful info and a checklist for buying a used model:
https://www.triumph-trophy.com/index.php
wa16 said:
lovley picture (top)
shame they never took off and got dropped
thanks, there is often a pro photographer hanging out on a popular bike route in Lincs, the pic was taken on the first fine day out of 2022.shame they never took off and got dropped
I dont know why Triumph dropped them from the range, I guess they didn't sell well, people still buy BMW RTs and adventure bikes seem to be more popular tourers these days.
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