Stromers, I could really use your expert guidance. Deliberating over whether to upgrade my 2012 Glee for better touring or keep as is for everyday use (I ride year-round in Seattle) and buy a true sport touring bike. Sorry this is a long post, but I tried to cover all the factors and I think writing this all out will help my thinking.
As an expert in natural medicine I lecture literally all over the world. The last several years I have taken the opportunity to tour beautiful locations (New Zealand the best so far) and rented different bikes each time to try out the options.
This is not an obvious decision for me as I really like the Glee (upgraded from '06 V-Strom on which I put 27K miles) and especially appreciate its remarkable strengths after trying other bikes--but it does have limitations. Following are some notes which will hopefully help:
1. All touring 2-up. My wife and I are not large (300# with gear), full side bags and top case.
2. She likes to ride 300 miles/d max (I prefer longer, but you know how it is...)
3. Main upgrade so far is GIVI adjustable windscreen and 17-tooth drive sprocket.
4. Seat a bit too hard. A bit too much buffeting. Nonetheless, last summer conpleted a 7-day 2,500 mile trip which we really enjoyed--except the expansion jonts in some CA roads.
5. Now riding about 15,000 miles a year, half touring and half local. Do not own a car.
Here are the bikes I have rented with my reviews of their strengths and weaknesses. Riding 2-up 2-4,000 miles provides the opportunity for a thorough experience with a bike (sorry if I offend anyone, these are simply my experiences):
2008 Honda Transalp, which I expected from the reviews to be very similar to the V-Strom. Only 10 HP less? You have got to be kidding me. Felt like 1/2 the HP of my '06 (which, like my 2012, had a 17-tooth drive sprocket). Weaker suspension and poor wind protection as well. Was so bad we ended up swapping it for an R1200RT (discussed below).
2009 Kawasaki Versys, which I also expected from the reviews to be very similar to the V-Strom. Less power than the V-Strom but enough and nicer exhaust sound. But truly ghastly suspension (both more reactive to expansion joints yet bottomed out a lot--the worst of both worlds), terrible seat and poor wind protection. Surpsingly, a full 25% poorer gas mileage! I read in disbelieve motorcycle magazine reviews that consider the Versys comparable to the V-Strom. Would have tried to rent a different bike but Nova Scotia had no other acceptable options.
2008 BMW R1200RT--excellent sport touring bike, plenty of power, good gas mileage, excellent wind protection, comfortable seat, and effective suspension. And I won't buy one: Don't need that much power, saddlebags terrible (imagine the last night before flying back to Seattle, hot and sweaty from the atypical heat, covered in mud from sliding to a drainage ditch when the one-lane dirt road--which we were not supposed to be on--disappears around a blind corner, and the damn bag with our clean cloths won't unlock!) and the bags are small with poor shape so can't put much in them. But perhaps most important and probably unfair: where's the "soul"? I simply did not resonate with the bike.
2009 Honda ST1300, wanted to try a truly big touring bike. Stable in heavy cross winds and huge power. However, extremely difficult to maneuver at low speeds, uncomfortable engine heat, poor gas mileage and small bags. An interesting experience, but not what I want.
So my dilemna, will upgrading suspension with Traxxion fork and Elka shock and a good seat (perhap Sargent, but have not yet decided) be enough? Still no cruise control, no electronically adjustable screen height, limited roll on power, and the chain has to be oiled (much easier now with a center stand)--none of these are a deal killer for me. Or get one of the new sport touring bikes like the Triumph Trophy and expense of 2 bikes.
Your thoughts?
As an expert in natural medicine I lecture literally all over the world. The last several years I have taken the opportunity to tour beautiful locations (New Zealand the best so far) and rented different bikes each time to try out the options.
This is not an obvious decision for me as I really like the Glee (upgraded from '06 V-Strom on which I put 27K miles) and especially appreciate its remarkable strengths after trying other bikes--but it does have limitations. Following are some notes which will hopefully help:
1. All touring 2-up. My wife and I are not large (300# with gear), full side bags and top case.
2. She likes to ride 300 miles/d max (I prefer longer, but you know how it is...)
3. Main upgrade so far is GIVI adjustable windscreen and 17-tooth drive sprocket.
4. Seat a bit too hard. A bit too much buffeting. Nonetheless, last summer conpleted a 7-day 2,500 mile trip which we really enjoyed--except the expansion jonts in some CA roads.
5. Now riding about 15,000 miles a year, half touring and half local. Do not own a car.
Here are the bikes I have rented with my reviews of their strengths and weaknesses. Riding 2-up 2-4,000 miles provides the opportunity for a thorough experience with a bike (sorry if I offend anyone, these are simply my experiences):
2008 Honda Transalp, which I expected from the reviews to be very similar to the V-Strom. Only 10 HP less? You have got to be kidding me. Felt like 1/2 the HP of my '06 (which, like my 2012, had a 17-tooth drive sprocket). Weaker suspension and poor wind protection as well. Was so bad we ended up swapping it for an R1200RT (discussed below).
2009 Kawasaki Versys, which I also expected from the reviews to be very similar to the V-Strom. Less power than the V-Strom but enough and nicer exhaust sound. But truly ghastly suspension (both more reactive to expansion joints yet bottomed out a lot--the worst of both worlds), terrible seat and poor wind protection. Surpsingly, a full 25% poorer gas mileage! I read in disbelieve motorcycle magazine reviews that consider the Versys comparable to the V-Strom. Would have tried to rent a different bike but Nova Scotia had no other acceptable options.
2008 BMW R1200RT--excellent sport touring bike, plenty of power, good gas mileage, excellent wind protection, comfortable seat, and effective suspension. And I won't buy one: Don't need that much power, saddlebags terrible (imagine the last night before flying back to Seattle, hot and sweaty from the atypical heat, covered in mud from sliding to a drainage ditch when the one-lane dirt road--which we were not supposed to be on--disappears around a blind corner, and the damn bag with our clean cloths won't unlock!) and the bags are small with poor shape so can't put much in them. But perhaps most important and probably unfair: where's the "soul"? I simply did not resonate with the bike.
2009 Honda ST1300, wanted to try a truly big touring bike. Stable in heavy cross winds and huge power. However, extremely difficult to maneuver at low speeds, uncomfortable engine heat, poor gas mileage and small bags. An interesting experience, but not what I want.
So my dilemna, will upgrading suspension with Traxxion fork and Elka shock and a good seat (perhap Sargent, but have not yet decided) be enough? Still no cruise control, no electronically adjustable screen height, limited roll on power, and the chain has to be oiled (much easier now with a center stand)--none of these are a deal killer for me. Or get one of the new sport touring bikes like the Triumph Trophy and expense of 2 bikes.
Your thoughts?