Touring bikes

[Lambo FirstBlood]

I’ve been back on a bike for a year after a 20 year hiatus and I’m loving it. Riding for fun only, predominantly around Surrey Hills, down to Brighton etc.

I’ve really got the bug and am thinking about doing some longer trips, likely abroad and I don’t have the right bike for that kind of riding.

I’ve got a Triumph Bobber which is perfect for what I use it for but it’s not a long distance bike.

I don’t love the design of a lot of tourers and I’m not looking for something to do a Euan and Charlie on so I think I’ve narrowed it down to 3 bikes:

MV Augusta Tursimo Veloce - have test ridden and thought it was nice and light and a lot of fun. Also looks fab for a ST. I also really like the fact that they are so rare.

Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak - haven’t ridden but have ridden the Streetfighter V4S which was too fast for me for me but very accomplished and Ducati seem to be right on their game at the moment. Also like the looks of the Pikes Peak.

Triumph Rocket 3 - not strictly the same class. Is it too niche for a trip to the alps? Like the looks and the brand. Not yet test ridden.

I know the BMW GS seems to be the benchmark in this class and I’m sure its incredibly accomplished but I don’t desire it in a way that is important to me.

I’d be interested in any thoughts/ opinions/ experiences.

Also interested if anyone else has gone from a shorter distance bike to a longer distance bike. Part of me would like to keep the Bobber and I’m fortunate enough to be able to do that financially but I don’t love the idea of another vehicle to tax, MOT, Insure etc. I’ve just sold a couple of cars for that reason.

Would I just end up using the bigger bike all the time? All 3 of these are supposed to handle very well and the MV was superb in the twisties when I rode it.

Edited by Lambo FirstBlood on Sunday 19th June 21:43

[hiccy18]

I went from an SV650 (which I loved) to a BMW R1200RS with two up touring in mind and, the more miles I pile on it, the less I miss the SV, and the less I fancy getting something lighter alongside it. If you pick the bike that ticks the most boxes you'll be happy with it.

[Steve_H80]

I would say beware of anything too rare or obscure in case you need parts when away - a ruined holiday for a sapped clutch lever would be a bugger.
Multiple bikes doesn't have to be expensive, a multi bike insurance policy isn't much more than single bike, MOTS are cheap and you can tax or cancel a tax online each month.

[SteelerSE]

That's three quite different bikes.

As a tourer I value a flexible engine, good wind protection for those unavoidable motorway slogs, a comfortable riding position, ability to take luggage.

I've just come back from a trip with about 20 people down to Spain, riding the Pyrenees and the Picos.

The choice of bikes ranged from the ever present GS (probably 40%) through to an Indian Chief, a Panigale (!), K1300S, S1000RR, KTM 1290, Kawasaki H2 SX, Yamaha Tracer, my Crossrunner and others that I've doubtless forgotten.

All had their plus points but my suggestion would be something like a Ducati Multistrada 950. You said that the 1200 was too fast for you but you liked the looks of the Pikes Peak. The 950 would be a good mid-point between those IMO.

The Indian rider loves touring on his bike so the Rocket could well work. When I eventually change the Crossrunner it will probably be for a Tracer 9GT, Honda NT1100 or potentially something less all-rounder-ish but crucially, that takes luggage. I love the looks of the Indian FTR but the tank range is too small and the luggage options are laughable.

Make sure you buy with your heart though. If you're not excited when you open the garage door then it's probably the wrong bike.

[black-k1]

You can tour on pretty much anything. The important questions you need to consider are around your expectations on:

• The amout of luggage you expect to carry and how you'd like to carry it?
• The number of miles/hours you expect a normal day and a long day to include?
• The types of road you realistically expect to ride?
• Whether riding roads, visiting sites or whatever is going to be the most important to you?

If you expect to have some big 500+ mile/12+ hour days with campling gear and a dinner suit for the evening meal then you need a very different bike to one where you expect your longest day to be 4 hours, where the top priority is travelling quickly of tarmac mountain passes and your idea of packing is picking up a credit card.

[podman]

Lambo FirstBlood said:

Triumph Rocket 3 - not strictly the same class. Is it too niche for a trip to the alps? Like the looks and the brand. Not yet test ridden.

Edited by Lambo FirstBlood on Sunday 19th June 21:43

For what its worth, my brother has a new Rocket 3, he did a European trip on it last month and declared it, much like the Speed Triple 1200 RS, way to hard suspension wise, anything other than smooth roads/autoroutes was , he said, tiring and uncomfortable.

He has ridden to Spain and France and many times on everything from a 996 to his Multistrada but the Rocket was so uncomfortable, he cut his trip down by 2 days.

[Cylon2007]

After 5 years on a Street Triple RS 765 which I 'toured' on thgrough France and Spain and most recently 5 days in Scotland I have just changed it for a Kawaskai Ninja 1000sx (20201 model).
I changed due to me getting older and thre Street effectlively being a naked sports bike, light, fast flicakble etc but after 1350 mikles in 5 days I was in bits, dodgy hip/Knee general old age wear.
The 1000sx is a quick as the Street, feels more relaxed and the perfomance is easier to access, it's jut so much more comfortable but still great fun to ride and it's as good on fuel as the Street but has a bigger tank so better range.
I would recommend one, in fact I'm off the the continent on Saturday for 8 days.

[JJ55]

Multistrada V2/ 950 would be where I’d put my money. Rides great, comfy riding position, lots of gizmos & tons of luggage options. It also seems to win the group bike tests in all the motoring mags.

[stamper]

SteelerSE said:

That's three quite different bikes.

As a tourer I value a flexible engine, good wind protection for those unavoidable motorway slogs, a comfortable riding position, ability to take luggage.

I've just come back from a trip with about 20 people down to Spain, riding the Pyrenees and the Picos.

The choice of bikes ranged from the ever present GS (probably 40%) through to an Indian Chief, a Panigale (!), K1300S, S1000RR, KTM 1290, Kawasaki H2 SX, Yamaha Tracer, my Crossrunner and others that I've doubtless forgotten.

All had their plus points but my suggestion would be something like a Ducati Multistrada 950. You said that the 1200 was too fast for you but you liked the looks of the Pikes Peak. The 950 would be a good mid-point between those IMO.

The Indian rider loves touring on his bike so the Rocket could well work. When I eventually change the Crossrunner it will probably be for a Tracer 9GT, Honda NT1100 or potentially something less all-rounder-ish but crucially, that takes luggage. I love the looks of the Indian FTR but the tank range is too small and the luggage options are laughable.

Make sure you buy with your heart though. If you're not excited when you open the garage door then it's probably the wrong bike.

+ 1 to this advice. You need a balance between ride comfort for the much longer than average miles in a day you'll be doing, excitement for the roads you'll be riding along, and reliability so that you're not travelling along them in a recovery truck. And your balance will be different to others.

[Lambo FirstBlood]

podman said:

Lambo FirstBlood said:

Triumph Rocket 3 - not strictly the same class. Is it too niche for a trip to the alps? Like the looks and the brand. Not yet test ridden.

Edited by Lambo FirstBlood on Sunday 19th June 21:43

For what its worth, my brother has a new Rocket 3, he did a European trip on it last month and declared it, much like the Speed Triple 1200 RS, way to hard suspension wise, anything other than smooth roads/autoroutes was , he said, tiring and uncomfortable.

He has ridden to Spain and France and many times on everything from a 996 to his Multistrada but the Rocket was so uncomfortable, he cut his trip down by 2 days.

Thanks for the incite. I was surprised to hear it was so harsh.

[Speed addicted]

I find the key to having multiple bikes is to have ones with very different characters.
The bike I take touring is a triumph Explorer, it’s a big comfy thing that can get a shift on when needed. I’ve always found that adventure bikes give the most comfortable riding position for me as there’s a lot of room.

I’ve also got a Ducati st2 that’s been modified, it’s not a comfortable thing but every ride feels like an event and somehow special. It’s nice to have something that’s just for shorter runs that’s very different from the triumph.

I’ve also got my first bike, a 1985 Kawasaki GPz600R. It’s great for reminding myself how lucky I am to have modern bikes!

[EVOTECH3BELL]

Sold my tracer 900gt for a rs660 to go touring and work on because the tracer was just too dull although the engine made a nice noise.

[Lambo FirstBlood]

black-k1 said:

You can tour on pretty much anything. The important questions you need to consider are around your expectations on:

• The amout of luggage you expect to carry and how you'd like to carry it?
• The number of miles/hours you expect a normal day and a long day to include?
• The types of road you realistically expect to ride?
• Whether riding roads, visiting sites or whatever is going to be the most important to you?

If you expect to have some big 500+ mile/12+ hour days with campling gear and a dinner suit for the evening meal then you need a very different bike to one where you expect your longest day to be 4 hours, where the top priority is travelling quickly of tarmac mountain passes and your idea of packing is picking up a credit card.

Thanks for posing these questions.

I guess I’m somewhere in the middle of all that. I most definitely won’t be camping. I would imagine around 6 hours riding per day give or take.

[black-k1]

If you're looking for new/almost new, it sounds to me like you should look at the likes of GSXS1000GT, Z1000SX, RS1250RS, Multistrada, SD1290GT, H2 SX. All are great "do it all on tarmac" bikes that will happily handle motorways, A roads, towns and mountain passes, loaded or not loaded. Integral luggage that can be easily removed from the bike is a great bonus and cruise control can make those long boring runs needed to get from one nice area to another much more relaxed.

[poo at Paul's]

Of the choices, a Multistrada. Since looks are important, you cannot consider a Superduke 1290 GT, which is a shame as they are a chunk cheaper and IMO, better.

[dreamer75]

I've just done 7 days riding in France on a Z1000SX (about 1400 miles total), and did 8 days across the Lakes/Scotland on it last year. I also swapped bikes with my husband and rode his R1250GS a bit. I love the Z, but the GS is so easy to ride for long distances - less frantic, very capable, and far less tiring. Not for me, but hand on heart a little bit of me would've quite liked it at the end of a few days. The Z is very capable - carries luggage easily, eats up motorway miles (the newer one has cruise control which would've been a god send yesterday heading back on the A roads and Autoroutes), but is more sporty and buzzy than the GS. Best of both worlds! Someone in the group also had the new Ducati V4 which seemed interesting - maybe worth a look?