Cheap-ish bike for Euro Trip
Discussion
Next year I’m looking at doing another euro trip. Went to the south of France this year on my R NineT but we put the bikes in a van and took them down there.
The beemer is now gone and has been replaced by a Harley Sportster S. I don’t much fancy touring with 2” of suspension travel so want to get something sub £5k which is relatively reliable, can go cruise all day and still be enjoyable to ride. My mate has just got a 06 GS which seemed to tick the boxed, but am open to ideas.
The beemer is now gone and has been replaced by a Harley Sportster S. I don’t much fancy touring with 2” of suspension travel so want to get something sub £5k which is relatively reliable, can go cruise all day and still be enjoyable to ride. My mate has just got a 06 GS which seemed to tick the boxed, but am open to ideas.
The usual answer here is VFR800. I did this for a similar trip last year but got on with it so badly I sold it and have gone back to doing road trips on my GSXR1000.
For me it was too heavy not to be thinking about the weight almost all the time, though this may not be an issue if you're considering a GS. I also have other bikes and the VFR suffered in comparison to these.
My friend has a Kawasaki Z1000SX which would do everything needed, but may not be enjoyable when you get there.
Reading this back it comes across as a proper Eeyore post, so Suzuki Hyabusa to try and end on a high note.
For me it was too heavy not to be thinking about the weight almost all the time, though this may not be an issue if you're considering a GS. I also have other bikes and the VFR suffered in comparison to these.
My friend has a Kawasaki Z1000SX which would do everything needed, but may not be enjoyable when you get there.
Reading this back it comes across as a proper Eeyore post, so Suzuki Hyabusa to try and end on a high note.
I won’t be going to the south of France, probably Italy, lake Garda etc. I will need luggage but won’t have a pillion.
A gsx1400 is not my cup of tea to be honest. Aren’t VFRs a pain when it comes to valve clearances etc? Although I do like the sound of a V4. Ideally my budget would be £2.5k-£3.5k.
A gsx1400 is not my cup of tea to be honest. Aren’t VFRs a pain when it comes to valve clearances etc? Although I do like the sound of a V4. Ideally my budget would be £2.5k-£3.5k.
Shakob said:
I won’t be going to the south of France, probably Italy, lake Garda etc. I will need luggage but won’t have a pillion.
A gsx1400 is not my cup of tea to be honest. Aren’t VFRs a pain when it comes to valve clearances etc? Although I do like the sound of a V4. Ideally my budget would be £2.5k-£3.5k.
I like the sound but they seem a bit juicy but I don't know what other bikes do. I saw a BMW used approved F800ST with all of the luggage for £4K advertised a few months ago. I have a petrol car that's always liked fuel so ideally I'd like a motorcycle that's relatively economical. A gsx1400 is not my cup of tea to be honest. Aren’t VFRs a pain when it comes to valve clearances etc? Although I do like the sound of a V4. Ideally my budget would be £2.5k-£3.5k.
the cueball said:
You'll be wanting a Pan European for that trip..1100 if you're not bothered about sexual electronic add ins.. 1300 but you feel the need... both will do it easily.
It's literally named for it!
I still tour Europe in my 30 year old 100k plus one...
I don’t think I’ve quite got the pipe and slippers just yet for a Pan European! 😂It's literally named for it!
I still tour Europe in my 30 year old 100k plus one...
£5k, solo - virtually any big engined non-sports bike will do the job nicely. You're in a nice position to choose something you like rather than something that does the job.
I've gone to the Med several times on a Hayabusa and Fazer - would have no worries in recommending either.
I've gone to the Med several times on a Hayabusa and Fazer - would have no worries in recommending either.
Edited by graham22 on Friday 8th September 09:19
On mountain roads with luggage, upright adventure type bikes are fun. If you want cheap take a look at an older TDM, V-Strom or Africa Twin. Won't be as quick on the fast roads as some of the sports tourers suggested on the thread, but great fun on the twisties, handle luggage well, and cope with poor surfaces way better.
One thing that has become very obvious from the 25 years of Old Gits trips is that you can tour on any bike and, with the exception of the Autobahns, "speed" is almost always defined and/or limited by the rider, not the bike.
The most important thing is comfort. There is nothing worse than having to ride for miles/hours on a bike that is uncomfortable. It'll ruin a trip. While everyone is different and finds different bikes comfortable/uncomfortable, generalisations about the comfort levels of sports bikes, adv bikes etc. exist for a reason.
The most important thing is comfort. There is nothing worse than having to ride for miles/hours on a bike that is uncomfortable. It'll ruin a trip. While everyone is different and finds different bikes comfortable/uncomfortable, generalisations about the comfort levels of sports bikes, adv bikes etc. exist for a reason.
Biker9090 said:
Pretty much any VFR (maybe apert from the gen 8) can be had for that money plus enough to give it great suspension and a new seat.
You might also be able to get a GSXS1000F if you're lucky.
A 2006 GS is a disaster waiting to happen.....
Interested to know your thoughts on a GS, I've been thinking of buying a R1200GS from around that period, I thought they were fairly reliable?You might also be able to get a GSXS1000F if you're lucky.
A 2006 GS is a disaster waiting to happen.....
Shakob said:
I won’t be going to the south of France, probably Italy, lake Garda etc. I will need luggage but won’t have a pillion.
A gsx1400 is not my cup of tea to be honest. Aren’t VFRs a pain when it comes to valve clearances etc? Although I do like the sound of a V4. Ideally my budget would be £2.5k-£3.5k.
They rarely actually need adjustment so depending on your attitude to risk it can be ignored. I think some have done over 100k without adjustment. A gsx1400 is not my cup of tea to be honest. Aren’t VFRs a pain when it comes to valve clearances etc? Although I do like the sound of a V4. Ideally my budget would be £2.5k-£3.5k.
Wouldn't want to do a long trip on mine though TBH it's too wristy for my carpel tunnel.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404510682223?mkcid=16&a...
That's where my money would go I think. Not because it's a great tourer just because I want to try one.
That's actually good value for a K1300R.
That's where my money would go I think. Not because it's a great tourer just because I want to try one.
That's actually good value for a K1300R.
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