best value in a used sport tourer?

[feralchimp]

Goals:
- eats highways
- corners well
- comfy for a passenger
- will run forever on fuel, oil, tires, and the occasional spark plug
- budget $6k
- not an FJR (no good reason, just don't like the look of them and know I'd never buy one)

1150RT/GS? ST1300? Wondering how the bulletproof reputations line up with folks' experiences here.

[number9]

Honda VFR.

[jhawley]

Honda VFR1200.

[csmutty]

There a bmw for sale on born for 5k.

[feralchimp]

Honda VFR.

Is pre-VTEC with gear driven cams the only way to go with those, or are the VTEC models also reliable?

[number9]

Is pre-VTEC with gear driven cams the only way to go with those, or are the VTEC models also reliable?

I have a 5th gen. bike, VTEC bikes were released in the next generation. They're as reliable as each other, but some guys didn't like the way the VTEC "came on". It really comes down to rider preference, but there are 7th gen bikes now which are much more popular.

[Chippertheripper]

Mts1000dsS.

Kidding of course, but fuck, I miss that thing. I'm sure you do too.

[feralchimp]

Mts1000dsS

LOL if I hadn't gotten that *particular* multi, I'd miss it a lot more. I'm glad that between the two of us it got fixed up proper before it moved on.

[duganc1717]

Concours.

St1300 does have a monster Fuel tank, almost 8 gallons.

[nhbubba]

No FJR?! For whatever reason?! They are titties.
Unfortunately for me I'd not be able to settle for a 5-speed machine now that they've gone 6-speed. Probably doesn't need it, but..

ST1300's are cheap as hell nowadays. Guy down the street has his in the yard with a FS sign. Don't think I haven't thought about it. I suspect that sign will be in the yard for a while yet.

I'd avoid the newer BMW R-RTs. 1150 is the newest I'd go. And even then.. that shaft drive. I dunno.
Coworker has an 1100RT with GOBS of miles and it works well. He's currently chasing his tail trying to fix a problem with the fuel tank though. Yes, the fuel tank. Most complicated fuel tank assembly I can possibly imagine, then with some extra engineering applied to it.
Those are some complex bikes.

Same guy just bought a used R1200GS as his "reliable beater" (his words). He handed me the keys and I took it for a ride. It's nice. Although I got an ABS warning light half way through the ride that he's now chasing.


My DL650 with Pilot Roads and a set of Givi bags is still my favoritist sport-tourer ever.

[aldend123]

Aprilia Futura. Ask me how I know It's been wonderfully reliable so far. But I'd want to spend half that budget. Aftermarket is basically non-existent too. A big issue with them is the rear wheel bearing. Only available from Aprilia, and I think is now something like $700? It's gone up rapidly over the years. Don't think failure is common, but it'll be expensive if it does. I'm closing in on 60k and think mine is original. Power's good but the curve is a tad uninspiring. And the bike carries its weight kinda high making it feel heavier than it is at slow speeds.

There's several BMW ST variants in that price range, but I've always felt like they are mostly overpriced. Seems like there's no shortage of buyers for those older models so the price stays high.

[RyanNicholson]

A bit of a shameless plug but this ST1300 seems like a lot of bike for the money:
2005 HONDA ST1300 - National Powersports Distributors - 1-603-410-4120

Seems to fit the bill. Higher mileage but it'll be gone through with a fine tooth comb and fully serviced/detailed before it goes out the door according to the internal notes on it.

[number9]

I rode across Denmark and Sweden (with passenger) on an ST1300. It was great, I'd do it again tomorrow..

[Rada]

So sad for the prejudice against the FJR. My 08 with under 20K could be had for just a smidge more than 6...

Turns well.
Hauls everything from firewood to ass.
I've ridden from Saco Maine to then NY/VT border on a tank of gas.
It will do the speed limit in any gear.

[PhilB]

Moto Guzzi Norge.

PhilB

[Kurlon]

Hell, the old ST1100 had zero character but was a brilliant mile eater.

[Spooler]

Tiger 1050. Or a Sprint if you prefer the look.

The Tiger is a crazy versatile bike. It eats miles, is reliable, comfy for a passenger, handles great, and you can find them for ~$5000.

[02redhawk]

As far as passenger comfort, some features or options may mean more to your passenger than others. My FJR has a aftermarket rider / passenger seats,side cases and top case. The seats help the passenger more than the rider as its easier for me to shift my weight around without disturbing the bike. While the better seat was appreciated she much appreciated the back support from the top case. I kind of wished I’d gotten her to try the back of an FJ09 with a similar back rest.

[Pigman]

Grom.................

[myzx6]

Busa......

[Bonk!]

I have a 5th gen. bike, VTEC bikes were released in the next generation. They're as reliable as each other, but some guys didn't like the way the VTEC "came on". It really comes down to rider preference, but there are 7th gen bikes now which are much more popular.

I have an '07 and it has been bulletproof so far (a power commander has evened out most of the VTEC blip). Before that I had a 2000 VFR, my favorite of all time. I had it fully rigged for touring with hard bags, a Corbin Gunslinger for my wife and a throttle lock. You could easily put that together for $6K.

[Falko]

Moto Guzzi Norge.

PhilB

This. My first suggestion would be the FJR, super reliable, fast, pretty sporting. Concours is also a good choice, very similar to FJR. IF it is just you and no passenger, Guzzi. Great handling, lighter bike, and fun.

[duganc1717]

So sad for the prejudice against the FJR. My 08 with under 20K could be had for just a smidge more than 6...

Turns well.
Hauls everything from firewood to ass.
I've ridden from Saco Maine to then NY/VT border on a tank of gas.
It will do the speed limit in any gear.

I'm not a huge FJR advocate, I think mainly because my buddy and his CHIP's Patrol friends can't stop raving about them. All that being said apparently the power-train is quite durable. Few weeks ago I saw one in VT at a dealer with 133k miles and the bike still looked nice too!

[butcher bergs]

Too bad about the lack of love for the FJR. The only thing I felt that was lacking on the 2005 I owned was the factory shock. Everything else was excellent.

Bought in St Pete, FL and ridden back to NH. Original plan was 4 days. I decided 6 days was better.

Kinda wish I held onto it....

[MattR302]

There a bmw for sale on born for 5k.

2002 BMW k1200lt - Band Of Riders

Or like Bubs said, if you don't need 1000+ cc's, you can pick up an older DL650 (or even DL1K for that matter) loaded with tons of accessories, for $3g.