Touring motorbike considerations

[Cosy]

I am considering selling my trusty 1998 Deauville NT650 for another touring motorbike, on a £4500 budget, the list of must / nice to haves are as follows:

Must haves

1) Shaft drive
2) Big seat
3) Two side panniers to fit a helmet in each.
4) Top box or capability of having one
5) As low a pillion seat in relation to the riders seat as possible
6) At least a 600cc plus engine

Nice to have

1) Glove boxes
2) Fuel injection
3) Centre stand
4) Sat Nav
5) Electronic outlet/plug (cig lighter)

Not fussed on exact engine size or weight at this stage, I am not after a sports tourer and although not wishing to have an adventure bike (BMW GS for example) I have not yet dismissed the idea.

So far my list of bikes to consider is as follows:

1) Deauville 700 (2006 onwards)
2) BMW 1150/1200RT
3) Pan European
4) Yamaha FJR
5) Triumph Trophy???


I am not really wanting a moto guzzi or ducati, any further suggestions or those with experience of touring bikes, please step in.

[clai cerrig]

Rocket Three

[Cosy]

Too 'harley' for my liking, but a nice bike.

[spencer_foxwell]

Surely the Pan is just the perfect touring bike?

[mr_pea]

Pan would've my choice, but what about a Goldwing? Would mean older as budget would get late 80's early 90's (poss mid 90's).

[Jonny Wilkinson]

Be a bit different and go for a GTS1000 ?

Only other things I can think you haven't mentioned is a Hardly Goesatall but being yank they are all a bit shit and overpriced.

If you could live without shaft-drive, Arry's thinking of selling his Trumpet.

[Hachi Roku]

Nowhere near budget but probably has everything in list. Xtz1200

Sent from my C6903 using Tapatalk

[clai cerrig]

Too 'harley' for my liking, but a nice bike.

Nothing like a HD

Now the new Triumph America 1700 i took out on a run last week that is deffo MORE HD than an Origional HD

When you an arry get your arses up here you take Mikes Rocket 3 out it will change your mind im sure

[arry]

The sprint puts the pillion up high - and with James being a shortie

Shaft is the requirement that will limit choice

[Cosy]

Hey Clai, yes we WILL have to come by, be good to do it this year...

The rocket is just not my bag baby, but I see the appeal. Will see out of interest only the 1700.

As for a sprint, it's just too much a sports tourer, the trophy would be more suited.

The BMW1150 seems to tick boxes as the pan maybe too 'hardcore' tourer, but will see. I am looking to get on one today. Either the ST1100 or ST1300, be it the later commands thousands more bucks.

[arry]

You don't get a lot of FJR for your money either

[Cosy]

Although all bikes have their vices, everyone has an opinion that can put you off various vehicles in life. I was told by our touring buddies that the FJR they test rode kept buffeting around and this was more felt by the pillion. That said a raised screen would have helped, I saw one and yes Arry it is a but sparce, even the newer one in compariosn with the competition. Although reviewers all rave about the engine usability, but lets be practical here, when touring, the engine usability is one thing on the list, but all the essential bits like big panniers, rider comfort, extra features, pillion comfort, adjustable settings, noise etc are key importance. Hence the Honda and BMW choices.

[Prior]

GTR1400 would be perfect if you can pick up one within budget.

[arry]

Think they're a bit lumpier price wise

[Cosy]

The kwack is a bit lumpier and not quite as 'touring' for steph, sat on one and although it was nice, I could see the discomfort over a tour, plus steph was sitting in the clouds for het liking. I liked the engine though!

[Prior]

Think they're a bit lumpier price wise

Ive seen a few locally for under £5k. You'll always get your money back on it so its not a bad investment.

The kwack is a bit lumpier and not quite as 'touring' for steph, sat on one and although it was nice, I could see the discomfort over a tour, plus steph was sitting in the clouds for het liking. I liked the engine though!

That surprises me as my mate has one and the pillion is hella low compared to the likes of the BMW GS etc. I would of thought you'd be looking at a leather tassles cruiser to get something even lower or even a..... cough..... bonneville.

I think realistically you are only going to be happy with something like a ST1100. If it was me I would be looking at a blackbird or busa with some kind of riser set up, but I dont think they will tick the low pillion box

[Cosy]

I had thought of the blackbird, there are a few here but it is too touring bias and not a confortable as the pure tourers.

Considering the deauville or pan realistically, may stunt the extra for the ST1300.

[voodoo_melon]

Blackbird, risers, MRA screen and a comfier seat

Not that I've ridden any of the other options, but there you go

[Cosy]

I have always wanted to ride a blackbird, but due to having owned a fireblade and now R1 I felt they could be too similar?

[Prior]

I have always wanted to ride a blackbird, but due to having owned a fireblade and now R1 I felt they could be too similar?

Apart from the superbike-esque power figures they are chalk & cheese. R1 & Blade are out and out superbikes. The bird is definately a tourer.