[Aladinbama]

I tried to post this before and was stumped (somehow). Anyway, I was recommended to the Wee/Vees at Burgmanusa.com.
I'm looking for a light touring bike. I currentlt have a 03 Burgman 400 and a 92 Goldwing 1500A. I use the Burgman for commuting back and forth to work (@35 miles one-way) - I LOVE the 60 mpg's and I can't say that I REALLY use the Goldwing. It's just too big and heavy for my riding style.
So here goes; I'm looking for a bike that could be used for a 2-up tourer capable of a comfortable max of about 300 to 400 miles - 1-up I'll go farther if comfortable. I also would like the bike to replace the Burgman so commutability and mpgs would be important - it needs to be able to negotiate traffic well.
Bikes that are currently under consideration; Burgman 650 - low hp/lbs ratio, small wheels; the Wee/Vee Stroms - don't know much about them yet, just discovered; Honda Pacific Coast 800 - very affordable, plastic may have issues, carburated; and the NT700 - expensive. I like the belt/shaft drive systems a bit better due to their low maintenance.
Whatever I buy, I will eventually have to get all the bags and cases that can be mounted for storage. I plan to do a bit of riding, with or without my "rider".
Thanks for any suggestions, Tom

I'm not limited to the bikes mentioned so ...

 

[Bstrom650]

Can see what you are trying to accomplish and your choices are good ones. My take on your situation is:

- Vee is not an ideal bike overall but would suit your needs for power...
- Wee might be a tad underpowered/undersized for bags and extra body. I ride solo on mine and it's very capable overall.
- Pacific Coast is a proven performer and a bike I've always wanted to ride - (didn't know it carbed?).
- NT700 could very well do you right too if you like it - great quality bike.
- Scooters for touring? I dunno...

For comfy two-up travel, you need a bigger bike to be safe. Economy is a lower priority in that regard over available power and handling. Your Gold Wing is a premo performer and outstrips all the above - big as it is, it probably handles/brakes better too. Maybe an FJR or Honda ST? these bikes are made for the job - the others are a compromise to me.

 

[realshelby]

Take the Vee out of the equation.
An '07 and up Wee with the dual plug heads is capable of fuel mileage in the 60mpg range. There is nothing at all keeping the Wee from being a 1000 mile per day bike if the rider is up to it. Like any bike, the seat has room for improvement as does the windscreen. Get those perfected for your taste and it is a very good highway machine. Chain vs shaft...not that big a deal. A shot of lube once a day on a trip is fine, modern chains are very forgiving in that respect. You don't mention your size, the Wee will be a lot taller than you are used to. Once you are moving it is not a factor. You might be surprised at the Wee's power, even two up. What is nice, especially two up, is that the 650 Wee is a full size bike and you will have plenty of room.

 

[Aladinbama]

I guess I forgot to mention me! I'm 6'1" and a varying 190 lbs. The wife would be 5'2" and about 150 lbs (yes, I lied, but so does she). I've rode early in life and have taken it up again some 10 or so years ago. The Goldwing is the biggest thing I've ever been on - I handle it ok, but it's too big for "around town", hence it doesn't get ridden much. (oh, I live around the metro Houston, Tx area)
Another thing I forgot to mention is that I'd love a bike with lots of power, but I really don't want anything that will be at 120 mph with a mistake on the throttle - so I'll settle for something a bit more conservative - though, the ST1300, and FJRs seem to be pretty nice bikes - I think they would lack the economy. Another consideration I guess should be the 1000 Concours.
I also know, that there is NO perfect bike for what I want, but I can try :yesnod:

 

[dtalk]

If I only wanted a low-maintenance commuter, I'd love the NT700. You really can't beat those little car-like Hondas for hassle-free urban service. The PC800 is old and outdated and a real PITA to maintain, though it needs so little that this might not matter. It too is a fabulous little urban commuter and errand bike. If you get a good deal on one in good shape, grab it.

For overall utility, though, there's nothing like the Wee. It's an outstanding commuter, though a bit higher maintenance due to the chain. It handles highway miles very aptly. Properly equipped with the right panniers (I have the Touratechs, which make it easy to lash stuff on top of them), you can haul stuff you wouldn't believe. I routinely carry a few 8 foot 2x4s and a sack of concrete or two now and then. If you only have one vehicle and it's a bike -- as I do -- this is very important.

Don't count on getting 60mpg with the Wee, though. That's very optimistic and not attainable for most people. Figure on a little over 40mpg in the city, 50mpg at consistent speed on the highway under 60mph, and 35mpg on I-10 in west Texas. It's NOT aerodynamic, and high speeds are where fuel economy suffers most. I have a lifetime average of 45mpg over 34000 miles in all kinds of riding.

I think the ST and FJR are much too big for an urban assault vehicle, but they would be very satisfying on the open road.

Just my $.02 US.

 

[dtalk]

Oh, and having spent quite a bit of time on a Wee and a PC800, I can say that the Wee feels decidedly more powerful, both torque and HP, according to my butt-dyno. The PC's larger displacement does not adequately compensate for its extra weight, apparently.

 

[dtalk]

Oh, and one more thing -- my comments about the Wee's fuel economy refer to the '11 and earlier models. the 2012 might do a little better on the highway, since it appears to have improved a bit aerodynamically. You're still not going to get 60mpg on the interstate, though.

 

[greywolf]

I get 60mpg on the Interstate, if I use the sport windscreen, have no luggage, and keep it under 60mph. I put in 5.09 gallons today with 308 miles on the trip odo.

With a touring screen plus luggage doing a real 75mph, 82 indicated, into the wind, I've gotten as little as 40mpg.

 

[dtalk]

- Wee might be a tad underpowered/undersized for bags and extra body. I ride solo on mine and it's very capable overall.

I routinely ride mine two-up (we're 175 and 155 lbs) and fully loaded, and don't find it to be lacking. I can still pass anything except sport bikes and expensive sports cars. "Adequate" is a personal thing, of course, and we'd always like more power.

 

[dtalk]

I get 60mpg on the Interstate, if I use the sport windscreen, have no luggage, and keep it under 60mph. I put in 5.09 gallons today with 308 miles on the trip odo.

One tank isn't a useful metric, as the fill line is going to vary slightly. Average over at least three is more meaningful. Also, Tom's in Texas, not Chicago; if he's only going 60 on the interstate, he'll get run over. :biggrinjester:

 

[greywolf]

That was just one example. I consistently get 58-62mpg around home. I never approached that out west though.

 

[dtalk]

I consistently get 58-62mpg around home.

Perhaps age of the rider is a factor. :biggrinjester: :biggrinjester:

If it's interesting to anyone, you can see my fuel data here.

http://www.flyingjoke.org/motorcycles/dl650/fuel-consumption.html

Up to 11000 miles, I traveled with a top case and occasionally some stuff lashed to the pillion seat. After that, most of the miles were with Touratech panniers mounted. The fill-up locations will give you a good idea what kind of travelling was involved for each tank.

As you can see, the panniers don't appear to have had any negative affect over time, despite their blocky profile. My riding style is what I'd call "brisk". I don't thrash it, but I don't dawdle. Gearing is stock.

 

[Aladinbama]

Tom's in Texas, not Chicago; if he's only going 60 on the interstate, he'll get run over. :biggrinjester:

I almost feel that way on the side streets too - One of the reasons I like the Burgman so much. It's pretty quick and easy to get out of the way.
I realize that I will loose mpg's for what I am looking for; 50+ might be a better number to shoot for.
And thanks for the chart - kind of gives a "real" number of what the mpgs might be (riding styles aside).

 

[DougInKY]

I guess I forgot to mention me! I'm 6'1" and a varying 190 lbs. The wife would be 5'2" and about 150 lbs (yes, I lied, but so does she). I've rode early in life and have taken it up again some 10 or so years ago. The Goldwing is the biggest thing I've ever been on - I handle it ok, but it's too big for "around town", hence it doesn't get ridden much. (oh, I live around the metro Houston, Tx area)
Another thing I forgot to mention is that I'd love a bike with lots of power, but I really don't want anything that will be at 120 mph with a mistake on the throttle - so I'll settle for something a bit more conservative - though, the ST1300, and FJRs seem to be pretty nice bikes - I think they would lack the economy. Another consideration I guess should be the 1000 Concours.
I also know, that there is NO perfect bike for what I want, but I can try :yesnod:

I own both a Pacific Coast (have owned it since 1997 and have 160,000 miles on it) and a Wee. My wife says that our Pacific Coast is the most comfortable bike she has even been on the back of. But, we have a Corbin Seat on the PC. She loves riding 2 up on the PC but wasn't wild about the stock seat on the bike. She will ride behind me on the Wee (especially now that we have a Seat Concepts seat on it) but still much prefers the Pacific Coast.

The main problem with a Pacific Coast for the two of you as I see it is the seating position for you. I think you will find that it will be cramped for you (seat to riders peg distance). I haven't met many tall PC riders who were pleased with this aspect of the bike.

You will be much more comfortable on the Wee in my opinion. Especially if you get a aftermarket seat and put Richland Rick's peg lowering kit on it. You will also get fuel injection (something none of the PC's have). You will be getting a newer bike as well (PC's were made from 1989-1998).

As to handling... I have put Hagaon shocks on the PC and Progressive springs on the front. Hagon makes a really good shock for the PC unlike what they make for the Vstrom as I hear. My PC will carve the corners wonderfully and will keep up in tight twisties with any sport-tourer and with most sport bikes. It makes up for the lack of horsepower by faster entry speeds. I can ride my PC right to the point that the tires start breaking loose and sliding. I run Dunlops on it as they are the stickiest tire I can get for it (the model that fits the PC is not as sticky as a lot of other sport touring tires but it is one of two different tires that will fit it).

If I was in the market for a new (to me) bike right now, I would take the WeeStrom over the PC though. The Wee does many things pretty well, is not expensive to obtain, and has newer tech in it's design. You can take a Wee and make it into a fair Sport-Touring rig of you can with a little money, make it a pretty good Adventure bike out of it. Or... You can just leave it stock and have a good commuting bike. Lots of choices and I am sure I haven't covered them all.

 

[DougInKY]

Oh, I forgot to mention. I get about the same milage out of both the Pacific Coast and the Wee.

 

[dtalk]

\You can take a Wee and make it into a fair Sport-Touring rig of you can with a little money, make it a pretty good Adventure bike out of it. Or... You can just leave it stock and have a good commuting bike.

Of all the bikes Tom mentioned, the Wee is by far the easiest to transform for a particular application. Flexibility and utility are what I love about it, since it's my only motor vehicle.

 

[Cake_Kat]

Thanks for any suggestions, Tom

I'm not limited to the bikes mentioned so ...

I'd look at the Tiger 800. Heresy on a V-Strom forum but you asked...

 

[JRWalker]

I like the belt/shaft drive systems a bit better due to their low maintenance. ...

one thing about chain drive, ya aint going to break it. :yesnod:

 

[V-Tom]

...
For overall utility, though, there's nothing like the Wee. It's an outstanding commuter, though a bit higher maintenance due to the chain. ....

Agreed, although most people make a lot of unnecessary work for themselves with respect to the chain. All you need to do it about 5 seconds of spray between the side plates on both left and right sides after fuelling and rain riding and that’s it. Cleaning is a waste of time and does nothing of any value.

..Tom

 

[PTRider]

The Honda NT700 in Europe is called the Deauville and nicknamed the Dullville. Ride one before you buy. With any used shaft drive bike (PC800) I'd want a look at the shaft & drive before I buy. Those parts cost much more than a chain, and they are not maintenance free--that's why Honda sells their Moly 60 paste.

The V-Strom is reliable, economical, comfortable, and FUN. No bike is perfect, but these are easy enough and cheap enough when the rare repair is needed, and maintenance is minor. They are fun to ride, and while some upgrades are highly recommended, don't cost that much to get right for each rider or rider & passenger. In your case new front & rear springs would be needed, as well as highly recommended modified shock. A comfy seat and buffet-free windscreen, and you're ready to travel.