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Sport touring advice please

5K views 30 replies 24 participants last post by  GL_Vstrom 
#1 ·
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?
 
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#2 ·
Personally i would stick with the Wee. I have ridden others and for those reasons you mentioned i went with the wee. The seat and buffeting can be delt with. While the suspension upgrades wont make it like the bmw it will vastly help.

Would you rather have a bike that you have custom fit to your needs for less than what a bmw or st would cost or a bike that has extras you dont need and more customizing needed?

Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#3 ·
Yep, keep the Glee.
 
#4 ·
You are in a bit of a tough spot between touring 2 up and commuting. The 650 is great for commuting but not the best for 2 up touring. However with endless aftermarket alternatives, the DL is one of your best choices for both. BTW, the ST and the RT are motor officers first choice for cone competitions with the HD's comming in third. Won't out handle the DL's, but for motor officer use, it's the best combination. Keep test riding all your choices
 
#8 ·
I agree. Sounds like just the ticket for your pavement only, 2-up scenario..... The 1300 cc's will not disappoint and its an asphalt eater. Try one.

As well, the Kawi Concours is a very sweet touring bike. Again, oodles of power, and better bags than the FJR... I had a 2007 which was the first year for the 1400 cc motor, and it was a sweet ride. I often regret ever selling it....
 
#13 ·
sprint gt



I would agree with John on this one. I went from a 2007 Wee to a 2011 Sprint Gt for two up and have not looked back. Great bike,128 hp nice size,not too heavy, comfortable and with the Shad 50 top case my lovely wife really enjoys the ride.




Mike D.
 
#10 ·
So much always depends on what your expectations are.
I think if you want a 'sport touring bike' then get a sport touring bike. Spend all you want on a Vstrom and its not going to be a sport tourer or anywhere close to it.
I have a 1400 Concours and my 650 Strom and they are about as different as two bikes can get. Power, braking, suspension, wind protection, ergonomics are just very, very different.
 
#14 ·
try riding a Triumph Sprint ST (made before the GT). great handling, nice ergos, awesome motor. not sure about pillion comfort, but my brother has one and it's a great bike.
 
#17 ·
I love my C14, but since I only ride 1 up I find myself wanting a Strom again. Big.....fast....powerful....heavy "but nimble"....smooth....great brakes....and eats up the pavement, is how I describe the C14. I wanted to try the true sport touring segment and glad that I have, but I am a true ADV style bike guy at heart. Who knows what will happen, may not have the C14 come summer. Less is more for me, riding my WR and previously owning a Strom has taught me that.
 
#24 ·
You could Beta Test the new DL1000, Eh?
 
#18 · (Edited)
Thank you--great help

Thanks all, this is quite helpful. Some additional thoughts.

1. Reading the various posts I am coming to realize that for me this is more about comfort than power or gadgets.
2. Don't feel the need for more power. Happy to drop to a lower gear or 2when needed. Have been at 80+ 2-up with full touring bags and still accellarating and passing smartly in 4th gear (17 tooth drive sprocket so more like 5th gear with normal gearing). Yes, occassionally would like to pass more quickly, but not often enough to justify the extra weight and lower gas mileage.

The message I am getting is that the Glee can be improved, but will never be a true sport touring bike. So I should try all the other options to see if any better suits me for touring. Prefer to have only one bike, but planning to do more touring so might require 2 bikes.

Wonder what Glee riders have found to be the most effective upgrades.
 
#19 ·
+1 in the Tiger 1050 or the Sprint. My wife voted for the Tiger because it is easier for her to get on and off with the bags on, plus she has lots of room. With the gel seat she likes it better than our previous R1200GS (I do too). with your weight you should have no problem with the 2012 and later suspension as it has been improved; however, you will have to put a Madstad windscreen on to eliminate buffeting. Triumph dealers are usually willing to let you take a good long ride to see if the bike works for you, so why not give them both a try?
 
#20 · (Edited)
Suspension upgrades hard to find

Interesting and frustrating. Apparently, few Stromers have upgraded their suspension so few in the after market have looked at the Glee. Not a single one of the 5 I called returned my call. Elka gave me measurements from the older models which I determined should fit, but they take no responsibility as they have not measured themselves. Touratech has shocks in their catalogue, but no idea when they will be available, even though Tractive says they are producing them. So, off on my 4,000 mile April adventure with stock suspension. Have a 3,000 mile trip planned for July, so hopefully options by then.
 
#21 ·
I love my Wee for its all-around capabilities, but if I was looking for a two-up bike for longish tours I'd get a bike better suited to that. You may laugh and call it an oversized pig, but if you were to ride a Goldwing 1800 you might very well change your mind about size. The danger there is that once your wife experiences the GL's passenger "throne" there will be no going back. You give up something in versatility, but if you only ride on paved roads you aren't sacrificing much and you are gaining a LOT.

I'm surprised to see someone suggest the Connie 14. I was going to trade my Corvette for one but unfortunately there was no way I could tolerate that way-too-sporty riding position.
 
#22 ·
I love my Wee for its all-around capabilities, but if I was looking for a two-up bike for longish tours I'd get a bike better suited to that. You may laugh and call it an oversized pig, but if you were to ride a Goldwing 1800 you might very well change your mind about size. The danger there is that once your wife experiences the GL's passenger "throne" there will be no going back. You give up something in versatility, but if you only ride on paved roads you aren't sacrificing much and you are gaining a LOT.

I'm surprised to see someone suggest the Connie 14. I was going to trade my Corvette for one but unfortunately there was no way I could tolerate that way-too-sporty riding position.
It isnt at all, have you ridden one?
 
#25 ·
It isnt at all, have you ridden one?
Actually, no. I went over intending to ride it and in fact fully expecting to take it in trade for my Corvette, but just sitting on it in the guy's garage quickly showed it required too much of a forward lean for me to ever be comfortable on it over a long riding day, so there was no need even to start it up. It just would not do for me at all. My way of determining this is to sit in a comfortable posture and with my eyes closed hold my arms out in a comfortable position and see where my hands end up. They were about 2 inches back and maybe three inches above the OEM grips. Adding risers to correct that would have entailed longer hoses and who-knows-what else. IMHO it's biased toward the "sport" part of sport-tourer, and that entails some compromises in the "touring" part.

If you like it, good on 'ya. It would not work for me -- I was really disappointed because I otherwise liked the bike's layout. We are all entitled to our preferences, whether they agree with others or not.
 
#27 ·
My first choice for a bike was an ST1300 when I got my Wee. The Wee fit my pocket book better and is still a decent sport tourer. The big advantage an ST has over the Stroms is wind and rain protection. Someday I still hope to get an ST but the Wee keeps me smiling when I'm riding.
 
#29 ·
Hey Doc

Rich O'Connor in Kingston (Rich's Custom Seats) will customize the seats on whichever bike you buy to optimize comfort and riding position for the rider and passenger.

Blair at svracingparts.com in Blaine will know all about an Elka shock for the glee as well as RaceTech springs and Gold Valve Emulators for the forks. Or contact Ricor for their Intiminator damping valves for the '12, and ask if there are any active promo codes for a price discount. Either route will cost less than Traxxion cartridges.
 
#30 ·
I did a four day weekend in July of 2001 riding a brand new Honda Goldwing 1800 for a couple of thousand km's riding in the mountains of Alberta and BC. The bike was truly amazing and if my idea of riding is to cruise two up across the country with someone on the back I can't see how it can be beat. I was riding solo (my friend was on her CBR600RR) and the power and handling were well beyond anything I expected. Having said that I was thrilled when I got back home and hopped on my 2006 DL650 which has 164,000+ km (or about 102,00 miles.) It wasn't that anything was wrong with the Goldwing.. just that my idea of riding means that I can ride just about anywhere I care to without worrying about the quality of the roads, gravel, tight spots, etc.

In January of 2011 I had some training near Los Angeles so I brought my gal down there and rented a bike and spent a week riding in California and Arizona. The Bike was a Honda ST1300. Truly a wonderful fast, smooth bike. It was overall pretty comfy (although if mine I would have had to tweak some things to fit me better) and my gal was comfy on the back as well. Power was amazing and wheelieing in 2nd gear roll-ons was entertaining as was blasting across the desert (CHP officers are kind of fun and entertaining on occasion compared to Canadian OPP officers.)

We did do a bit of riding near the Salton Sea on a dirt back road and didn't have any issues so it just reminded that you can do most things with almost any bike. We ended up riding about 3,000 km or about 2,000 miles IIRC. Home was snow covered but I knew my 2012 DL650 was waiting for me at the dealership so, in spite of enjoying the ST1300, I still couldn't wait to get on the Strom again.

A lot depends on what is important to you; and I have to say that I really love Stroms.

..Tom


 
#31 ·
Maybe take a look at this recent comparison by Motorcyclist magazine on sport touring bikes?

They liked the new FJR, but the BMW came out on top. It's very spendy, but might be another luxury option as some have mentioned about the Goldwing. I know I'd certainly like to try one, and the sound of that inline-6 is like music.
 
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