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Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 6:41 am
by jstark47
camthepyro wrote:My MSF instructor had a Triumph Sprint that was used as a touring bike, I think those come in 600cc, but I could be wrong.
The Sprint is definitely
not a beginner bike! Even the oldest Sprint has an 885cc triple that produces over 80hp in its mildest state of tune. Most 885's are more powerful than that. A modern Sprint uses a 1050cc triple that produces 125hp. Not for beginners!
Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 5:00 am
by Berserk
You could check out the sport touring bike at the Kawasaki website. It doesn't seem to be as big and unwieldy as the cruiser ones. I was thinking about getting one myself, but I think I'm just gonna get a standard bike and get saddlebags and all for it.
Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 5:18 am
by earwig
If you don't mind used, maybe check out a Honda Pacific Coast.
Posted: Thu May 25, 2006 5:32 am
by dieziege
How about alternatives? Many beginner-friendly bikes can be adapted to touring.
Ninja 250 -- There are people who put 500-1000 miles a day on these bikes with camping gear and whatever else strapped to the back. Not two-up... but if you got one for the wife you'd still have better mileage than most tourers, a lot more cargo than most (any?) tourers, and if you dropped the bike she wouldn't automatically fall with you... a lot safer IMO. You'll pay less for two of these than one standard touring bike.
KLR650 -- No, it isn't a traditional touring bike... but people tour thousands of miles on them, there are good aftermarket seats, luggage, etc. I'm not sure about two-up comfort, but I hear that people do it.
V-Strom 650 -- this is designed as an adventure touring bike... good luggage is available, and it would be good for solo or two-up riding. They are considered marginally acceptable 1st bikes.
I'm sure there are many others.
Posted: Mon May 29, 2006 4:48 am
by Andrew
As an update, I'm leaning toward going with a midsized cruiser (Suzuki C50), and just adding the accesories I need so I can make long trips.
That being said, I really like the BMW bikes, and the dealership here is selling a 2000 R1100RT for about 7k. If I weren't a beginner, I would go buy it tomorrow, but after reading this forum for a couple weeks, it seems conventional wisdom says that is too many CCs.
Does the R1100RT qualify as a sports bike? Could I learn to handle it without killing myself first?