Advice sought, modernish tourer needed

[florence]

I hope people here might be able to advise.  My wife and I would like to do some touring in Europe but although we used to go everywhere on my CB500, we were a lot younger then and so was the bike.  Nowadays we probably need something more modern and a bit more comfortable.  Bearing in mind that the newest bike I've ever ridden is a 1978 CX500, I would appreciate some advice.  My initial investigations have brought me to Triumph Sprint 900 perhaps....

[Lynx]

Hi Florence, You will get several different recommendations but mine is a VFR 750 or 800. Bargains at the moment, comfortable and very capable.

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[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

At the risk of being shot down the Yamaha XJ900 Diversion are a reliable sit up & beg touring bike plus air cooled - they were popular with dispatch riders as well.

Plenty of grunt/torque  with twin discs at the front single at the rear. That said the VFR's seem very capable of achieving high mileages.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/202403237893115?advertising-location=at_bikes

[K2-K6]

I guess there's many questions, price, age, faired or un, capacity, air or water-cooled etc.

Something of similar ilk to 500 could be from Honda hornet 600 range ... likewise Yamaha Fazer 600, Suzuki Bandit 600, plenty out there at variable cost with pretty decent power vs the 500 Four, so not slacking in pace and pull for two up touring.

Bikes like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256395213659 with a touring orientated spec possibly.

I like the Triumph you've mentioned, but possibly more fickle and potentially less supported through general dealerships than Japanese manufacturers while out and about.

Fairing top half around bars etc are very effective too for relaxed "wind calming" riding, more than the sum of their parts.

[SteveD CB500K0]

I’ve had both a Sprint 900 and. VFR

The Sprint is big, comfy and very grunty (Spellcheck changed that to “grungy )

The VFR800 was more modern and generally reckoned to be the best sports tourer ever made.

Ultimately though, I sold the VFR after trying a Sprint 955 which I loved.


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[Green1]

I would recommend any Hinckley Triumph the nine hundreds make more sense than the twelve hundreds almost as powerful and a fair bit lighter. Or even a Guzzi 1200 Brava,Sport or Norge all very cheap and capable bikes once there niggles are sorted. I have a lot of back issues and can't sit on the sofa for more than an hour but can ride the Guzzi all day 300+mile.

That's the last time I mention an Italian bike on the forum as I plan to dig out the 750 soon I hope. Even though anymore than 40 mile I want to get off it.

[taysidedragon]

I had a Trident 900 for 6 years and did a lot of miles on it, great bikes.The seat is high so not a good choice if short in the leg. All the Hinkley 900s have a problem with the starter sprag clutch spring eventually. Early ones have an access plate, so easy to replace. Later ones don't have access without full engine out to fix it. That's progress!
If you want one check the starter works properly.
Have a look at Bandits and Fazers but check for corrosion,  paintwork and plating not the best.

[Green1]

The sprag clutch only fails if you regularly turn the bike over with a weak battery. My dad's 1200 trophy was fine with over 85k on the clock. I had one fail on the Aprilia after I neglected the battery. So I've learnt my lesson and never attempt to start a bike that's stood for awhile without giving it a quick top-up

[taysidedragon]

The sprag clutch only fails if you regularly turn the bike over with a weak battery. My dad's 1200 trophy was fine with over 85k on the clock. I had one fail on the Aprilia after I neglected the battery. So I've learnt my lesson and never attempt to start a bike that's stood for awhile without giving it a quick top-up

Trouble is, buying one now you don't know what the previous owners have done with it. That's why you need to have a good check of the starter.

[Laverdaroo]

It’s a well known fact in here but my VFR800 has over 170k innit and I’ve been everywhere on it. The trumpets a great bike, so is the XJ albeit dated now. So many variables. I can’t fault my VFR as it’s so versatile, I wouldn’t know what to replace it with, …….except another one.

Also as an add I’ve an 09 plate one for sale in dark graphite grey with a few bits n bobs on it should you decide to go that route but don’t want to spend a fortune. Go ride some bikes, you’ll soon know what you like and what fits you.


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[davidcumbria]

St1100 pan European. Superb tourers and your wife will love you for the pillion comfort. Weight disappears when moving and with two of you ok to manage shoving around car parks. Cheap as chips , superb quality and reliability. CBF1000 another good choice. If you are used to cb500 seating ergos long distances on a sprint of vfr will seem uncomfortable on the wrists. Good to test ride a few before buying if possible.

[Green1]

That's a good point about seating position. Also it your vertically challenged like me the Hinckley Triumphs have incredibly long tanks and are a stretch to the bars.

[Orcade-Ian]

Hi Florence,
I've watched this particular thread with great interest having ridden a great variety of bikes for touring and know that asking a question like that could produce as many different replies as there are bikes.  BUT, I fully agree with Davidcumbria regarding pillion comfort - that is so important and his idea of a Pan would give you that (as would a 1500 'Wing - but I'm biased!). For us, another very important feature, not bike choice related would be a decent intercom - we've used them for over 30 years, firstly wired, now wireless and you can link most to phones and sat-nav.
Integrated luggage is another consideration (with removable bags) - our 1500 'Wing was 2 inches narrower than my mate's BMW K100 RT.

Ian

[Laverda Dave]

I had a new VFR800 for eight years, loved it, best bike I ever owned. I went for a test ride on a new Sprint 1050ST and was seduced by the rawness and sound of it so I px'd the VFR against a new one. After a couple of years I really missed the VFR's build quality and comfort but preserved with the ST and the poor finish and build quality of it (paper thin fairing panels, flaky paint on the wheels etc). After seven years I sold it and bought the bike of my dreams, a 17 year old VFR800 that looked as good as the day it was made. 100% recommended 👍

[Green1]

I think we have all been a little biased letts face it you can only recommend what you know. We have all missed the obvious question. What's your budget?
Also I know a couple that tour Europe on a cb500x and love it