What is the sportiest sport-touring motorcycle?

[tzrider]

The Ninja 1000 is a decent choice with the attributes you’re looking for. Pretty fast, good handling, reliable, hard bags. It doesn’t have heated grips, but they’re easy to add.

I hadn’t considered this bike at all, but when my previous bike gave up the ghost, I wanted to find something quickly and inexpensively. One was available, I got it and have been happy with it.

 

[thepretender]

I have a 2014 VFR and a S1000R with soft bags I move to the bike I'm on and a strong argument can be made for each for you described use.

Despite the fact that the BMW dose everything better if I had to pick just one bike it would be a coin flip. The VFR is greater than the some of its parts and a pleasure to ride. Oh if you do go VFR get an 8th gen (2013,2015 model) they are much better than previous years.

 

[davidji]

And yes if you are going on a longer trip a shaft drive is the way to go.

If trip is longer than a chain adjustment interval of a new chain, maybe. Longer than the life of a new chain, sure. But for trips less than a chain adjustment interval not so sure it matters.

Some riders do more chain maintenance than necessary while traveling.

I've taken road trips on both kinds of bike. I do pretty much 0 chain maintenance on trips. In wet conditions I'd prefer to have a chain oiler, but most of my trips have been without. In dirty conditions, maybe clean occasionally with a small can of WD40 and a rag.

A shaft drive bike isn't likely to be the sportiest sport-tourer. The R1250R and RS have to be among the sportiest shaft drive bikes, and are worth a look if the OP wants a shaft.

 

[NoobCorpse]

The 1290 SuperDuke GT is the only correct answer. Except for the 1260 Multistrada GT. Or the S1000XR.

 

[mrzuzzo]

I think OP needs to define what sporty means.

I think of a Multi or Duke GT as adv type tourers.

IMO a bike needs to at least have clipons to be sporty. Having loads of power is not enough.

 

[russ69]

The Ninja 1000 is a decent choice with the attributes you’re looking for. Pretty fast, good handling, reliable, hard bags. It doesn’t have heated grips, but they’re easy to add.
I hadn’t considered this bike at all, but when my previous bike gave up the ghost, I wanted to find something quickly and inexpensively. One was available, I got it and have been happy with it.

1000 Versys hands down. Yes it's upright but it does it all. Very fast (go to jail fast), not that heavy, comfortable, great bags.

 

[atoyf]

i have had two busas, did solo and two ups rallys- great bike! :thumbup

 

[rudolfs001]

\IMO a bike needs to at least have clipons to be sporty. Having loads of power is not enough.

I'm of the same opinion.

In my mind, for a very sporty sport-tourer:
Sporty bits

• Seating position a little relaxed from a typical sportbike seating position (clip-ons, leaned forward, high-ish footpegs).
• Lightweight and nimble
• Moderate to high power

Touring bits (OEM or aftermarket)

• Heated grips
• Center stand
• Low maintenance
• Hard luggage
• Wind protection
• Moderate to good full day comfort

It's a heck of a wishlist, I know.

 

[davidji]

I'm of the same opinion.

In my mind, for a very sporty sport-tourer:
Sporty bits

• Seating position a little relaxed from a typical sportbike seating position (clip-ons, leaned forward, high-ish footpegs).

Touring bits (OEM or aftermarket)

• Moderate to good full day comfort

Those are mutually exclusive. For me anyway. Good luck finding your unicorn.

I looked at the new R1250R & RS today. The RS is closer to what you want, more than a little relaxed from a sport bike, but I could see it giving all day comfort. I was mostly thinking about buying the R.

 

[newbiker]

Only ONE -

CBR F4i

 

[TheRobSJ]

How about the Triumph Trophy SE? Has all that you asked for, but perhaps too much to the touring side.At least try one out. They sell cheap, but are great bikes, IMO.

-Don- Payson, AZ (RV)

You ain’t kidding they sell cheap. I tried to sell one here a couple years ago. And my god. What a rude awakening that was. Wound up trading the bike in, and it was very obvious they didn’t want the bike. Just to close the deal they took it, but I got such an absurdly low amount for it...well let’s just say if I would have just left it with the key in the ignition somewhere in a bad neighborhood? I’d have come away probably $10k more than what I got for it on trade.

It’s a fine bike. Had everything one would want for sport touring. Sounded great with plenty of power. Just with that particular bike, I guess what killed it was it’s foolishly high MSRP. Everyone would rather just go get the gold standard of that class and get the BMW.

 

[Smash Allen]

Holy shit, I am becoming Lou...

Buy a sportbike and put bars and bags on it... you get the sport chassis, handling, and power, with all day comfort. That’s what I did to my race bike and now it’s an intercontinental ballistic missile :ride

 

[DonTom]

You ain’t kidding they sell cheap. I tried to sell one here a couple years ago. And my god. What a rude awakening that was. Wound up trading the bike in, and it was very obvious they didn’t want the bike. Just to close the deal they took it, but I got such an absurdly low amount for it...well let’s just say if I would have just left it with the key in the ignition somewhere in a bad neighborhood? I’d have come away probably $10k more than what I got for it on trade.

It’s a fine bike. Had everything one would want for sport touring. Sounded great with plenty of power. Just with that particular bike, I guess what killed it was it’s foolishly high MSRP. Everyone would rather just go get the gold standard of that class and get the BMW.

I don't care about resale value myself, because I never sell or trade in my bikes. I keep them all until they are junk that nobody would want and then junk them. So now I have ten motorcycles to insure and register <g>.

At first, back in 2013, I was considering the BMW K1600 GTL. Then I discovered the TTSE and went with it. It had many little things I liked better. And didn't require high grade gasoline and got better MPG I never tried the RT1250 back then, but I did after my TTSE and I felt it was also a great bike.

I am not sure why the new TTSE sales were so low, but no doubt that is even worse for the used bikes. They are no longer made.

IMO, the MSRP on the TTSE was about right for what they gave you. A great sport tourer bike with every bell and whistle possible.

Why did you decide to trade yours in? Do you miss the TTSE at all?

-Don- Payson, AZ (RV)

 

[ScottRNelson]

The sportiest sport-touring motorcycle ever made was the Ducati ST4S.

Actually, this was built for a long distance competition that never happened and would be the sportiest. Designed to cross the country in about a day and a half. They only built one.

 

[davidji]

Holy shit, I am becoming Lou...

Buy a sportbike and put bars and bags on it... you get the sport chassis, handling, and power, with all day comfort. That’s what I did to my race bike and now it’s an intercontinental ballistic missile :ride

Hard luggage rules out some sport bikes, centerstand rules out more.

I think he's looking for the old school heavy sport bike type sport tourer, but that's been a dying market what with adventure tourers. Low maintenance probably rules out an older bike like a Ducati ST4 (which has all that stuff).

VFR800 has it too. When did the US last get those? I think they still have them elsewhere.

 

[TheRobSJ]

I don't care about resale value myself, because I never sell or trade in my bikes. I keep them all until they are junk that nobody would want and then junk them. So now I have ten motorcycles to insure and register <g>.

At first, back in 2013, I was considering the BMW K1600 GTL. Then I discovered the TTSE and went with it. It had many little things I liked better. And didn't require high grade gasoline and got better MPG I never tried the RT1250 back then, but I did after my TTSE and I felt it was also a great bike.

I am not sure why the new TTSE sales were so low, but no doubt that is even worse for the used bikes. They are no longer made.

IMO, the MSRP on the TTSE was about right for what they gave you. A great sport tourer bike with every bell and whistle possible.

Why did you decide to trade yours in? Do you miss the TTSE at all?

-Don- Payson, AZ (RV)

I got the bike from my dad along with a couple others when he passed away. At the time, I was looking for a big luxo barge like the K1600GTL you were interested in. The Trophy was pretty close. Luggage, comfy seat, great wind protection, and all that...just had the wrong engine. Only a v twin was going to do for me. Victory Vision looked like a spaceship, and I don’t think the Indian Roadmaster was out yet. So there was really only one choice for me.

Sad that I practically gave a bike away for free to get a bike that does pretty much the same job...just does it in the least sporty way possible.

 

[WWWobble]

Holy shit, I am becoming Lou...

Buy a sportbike and put bars and bags on it... you get the sport chassis, handling, and power, with all day comfort. That’s what I did to my race bike and now it’s an intercontinental ballistic missile :ride

I Hope to Hell it has a Scotts Damper installed. :laughing

 

[DonTom]

had the wrong engine. Only a v twin was going to do for me.

Is that because you like the looks of the V twin or is there another reason?

My Harley does have a nice feel to it. But when the M8 engine was first designed, Harley decided it was way too smooth. so they reduced the 100% balanced engine to 75% so their riders "would know that they are on a motorcycle".

But I am sure curious about how I would like that 100% balanced engine. But the bike as is is not harsh at all, unlike all the other Harleys I have ridden over the years. I does have a very nice feel to it, besides being the most comfy bike I own. It's my Moto Guzzi Stelvio that feels more like a Harley than my Harley does! The Stevio is a bit on the harsh side with its vibrations.

The best wind protection is my TTSE. Sometimes I don't realize how windy it is until I stop! And that is a smooth bike and one that is good for at least 20K miles before having to service it. I would say the TTSE is worth looking into for those who want a sport-touring machine. Just cannot by a new one as they are no longer being made. But so many good deals on used ones, and fairly easy to find.

-Don- Payson, AZ (RV)

 

[Corb]

MotoGeo's 600RR Dionysus has my vote. Touring, dualsporting, trackdays... the perfect motorcycle :cool


youtu.be/mA9gi23oaIg

 

[FreeRyde]

Holy shit, I am becoming Lou...

Buy a sportbike and put bars and bags on it... you get the sport chassis, handling, and power, with all day comfort. That’s what I did to my race bike and now it’s an intercontinental ballistic missile :ride

Yeah, but it's still slower than a 1986 Kawasaki Concours.