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The season is almost over here, maybe another 6 to 8 weeks to go before the perpetual Vancouver rain and drizzle settles in for a good long stay. Already thinking about the '08 season and possibly buying a new bike.

The Sabre has done me proud these past few month, but I think I would like something a little bigger, a little newer and a little more sportier. I've looked at a number of cruisers and decided they really aren't for me, nor are hard-core sport bikes, I am just too old, too tall and too fat to bend myself over double to ride one, so I am thinking of a sport-tourer.

I've looked at couple of bikes and sort of narrowed down my choices between the Yamaha FJR1300A and the Kawasaki Concours 14 ABS. Both seem to fit my wants and needs along with the style of riding I like to do. I'd like to hear from those that have or ridden either machine, let me know what you like about them, what you don't......in others words, give me all the dirt .

I also considered the Honda ST1300, but have been put off it by the negative press it received in the UK as a police bike. I'd wouldn't mind a Suzuki Katana, however I believe the largest engine they seem to come with is a 750.

Blast you for talking 'end of the season' - off with his head!


I think the trouble with the Honda ST1300 was the way the luggage was loaded and how fast these fellas were going at the time they experienced trouble. Yes? No?


Sport Tourer is a fun way to go. The ST2 has been good to us this season. I think you can also look at a Vstrom. But you've got a decent amount of choices in that genre.

lol here in michigan I got at least another 4 months of riding to go .

Indeed. I propose a rule that no one can utter the phrase "end of season" until after Thanksgiving.

We just had a customer come back from an Iron Butt Run on his Concourse 1400. He didn't have a single bad thing to say about it. He just went on and on and one about how great it was. A good sign imo.

How would something like a BMW F800 ST compare to a V-Strom 650 or a Concours?

I'm a bit biased, but have you considered a Bandit?

ceemes wrote:The season is almost over

Don't EVER say that again or I'll use you as ballast in my Ural's sidecar. In January. At -20C.

Have you ever thought about a suzuki boulevard m109r? They are a mix between a cruiser and a sportbike.

Septimus wrote:How would something like a BMW F800 ST compare to a V-Strom 650 or a Concours?

sapaul did a quick review of the F800 vs an Interceptor. Not a VStrom or C14, but you get the idea. viewtopic.php?p=178521#178521

Gummiente wrote:

ceemes wrote:The season is almost over

Don't EVER say that again or I'll use you as ballast in my Ural's sidecar. In January. At -20C.

For some reason, I'm jealous of this I want to ride in January (on something other than my dirtbike )