Best Sport/Touring Motorcycle

I'm actually seriously considering getting a BMW R1250ST. I need to test ride one, but it looks like it would be a pretty great sport tourer. And these days, there aren't that many true sport tourers left-- the other manufacturers realized they could change the wheels and tires on their adventure bikes and get both a sport tourer and and adventure bike out of the same package (Tiger, Multistrada)... I think BMW is probably headed that direction as well.

My dealer told me as far as he knows, they are going to make the ST in 2024, then who knows... I can tell you it's not a big seller in the US, not sure about Europe.

Suzuki and Yamaha still make sport tourers... I'm thinking the Suzuki GSX1000 GT is probably better on the "sport" aspect than the BMW, but not as good on the "tour aspect" but I could be wrong. Maybe I should ride one of those as well... probably not, though.

 

I think all the money these days is in adventure bikes. Most being peddled in that class do look more like adventure bikes with street tires. I don't really see any that make me want to sit on them 500 miles or so a day, day after day. Would make me seriously consider the Multistrada.

 

BMW S1000XR is their sort of crossover bike. I thought about one of those, but given I have the GSA I really don't see the need.

 

Problem I see with most is unless its a GS or a Harley there are not a lot of provisions for luggage/storage. If you are only out for 2 or 3 days I guess its OK.
But if you are prepared to get cold and wet that gear when you are not wearing it takes up some space. And if you are going into the boonies you want some spare gas.

 

My Sprint has decent, not great, luggage. I'm curious about the R1200ST-- BMW generally does a great job with luggage, so I want to see.

I can do 3-4 days on the Sprint without the top case. With the top case, I am pretty good for whatever timeframe.

Gas isn't that big of a deal. These bikes can all do 150 or so miles, and that's enough in the lower 48. Off road or Alaska, sure, but that is what the GS Adventure is for.

 

I just looked it up-- Triumph Sprint holds 5.2 gallons, BMW 1250RS holds 4.7 gallons. 1300GS holds 5 gallons, and GS Adventure holds 7.9 gallons (which is really, really nice).

According to the Harley website, the Road King holds 6 gallons (and probably gets slightly worse mileage than the 1250RS), so not that different.

 

Either of those BMWs might be a good choice. For some reason the 1250 looks like it would be more comfortable but you never know until you are on it for a bit.

 

I own a BMW 1250 GSA, and a 1200 RT. I've ridden the 1250RT and the K1600 as well. If you know 100% that you'll only ride on road, then you need to go ride an RT. The size, tossability, wind protection, and overall comfort is the most versatile. The K bikes are awesome for chewing up miles, but they are too big for my riding style. I was not a GS fan until I rode one for an extended period (Tail of the Dragon). It led me to immediately order one..I love it. I've recently completed some off-road training and will be doing some adventure riding this year.

Good luck with the hunt!

p.s. Don't skimp on good gear..Th Klim jackets, pants, and helmets are hard to beat

 

The suit I wear is a Klim. Cant say enough good about it. I can nearly swim in it it keeps me so dry even in very hard continuous rain. With an extra layer its good to nearly freezing. I hate their gloves. Especially the wet weather gloves. Work great until you take them off. The material used in the lining absolutely prevents getting them on when your hands are wet. My retired motorcycle cop riding partner taught me a valuable lesson. To stay dry and warm on your hands wear regular gloves with surgical gloves underneath. The Klim coat has so much ventilation if I unzip all the vents it moves enough air through its comfortable in 100 degree weather as long as you are moving. Ive done it. Its amazing with as much air that moves through it it doesn't balloon up.

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An RT would be good for you, Dale. They are very comfortable and can really cover the miles. They are big and heavy, though, and there is nothing nostalgic about them-- you seem more like a nostalgia guy, to me.

I have ridden a few and find them really big and heavy around town, but great on the highway.

 

That is the bike for the person who feels the RT is just too small.... in other words, not me!

The GS Adventure is as big as I want to go, and it is awesome on the highway as well. I want a sports tourer because it is a bit lighter and smaller.

 

You gave up on the 500 pounds pretty quickly! I don't know how much that bike weighs, but according to Harley the 2024 version weighs 802 pounds.

Try to make it at least one post before completely abandoning your criteria.

1250RS is 536 pounds, according to BMW. RT is 615 pounds.

 

Why would you do that? How did that come anywhere near this conversation?

 

Believe it or not, my touring Hyabusa is a fantastic touring bike. Mine has custom Corbin handbags made for it. Tremendous motorcycle.
I used to crisscross the continent on my fat boy (no windshield) until I started thinking about rocks hitting my face, (after about 25 years of street riding lol). I no longer long haul that bike anymore as that’s up to the FLH. I sure do miss those long rides with the wind in my face directly.
Tons of great memories on bikes. Real therapy. I haven’t done a long run in a long time. It would be a lot different now for me.

 

I'm looking forward to getting the bags on my Ducati Supersport. I've been traveling and haven't been able to pick them up yet, but in a week or two I should have them.

 

Unless I am on a long trip I usually leave the windshield off my Road King. Rocks are not an issue with a full face helmet. A couple of years ago I had a free day and just decided to just follow the road and see where I ended up. I did a 500 mile loop from Austin to Port Aransas to Victoria and back to Austin all on back roads.. I realized in the first 200 miles or so it was a mistake to leave the windshield at home. It was much more tiring without it. 500 miles seemed more like 800.

 

I see a lot of guys now with a full face on a Harley. Seems odd to me when I see it. I’m an old timer with a lemon peel for a helmet and sun glasses. Nobody in my day on a Harley wore a full face helmet. Off course no hockey player wore a shield either then and it wasn’t “safety first” in those days. Dangerous work sites and situations was how we got rid of liberal Democrat dipshits back then. Now we have to have danger signs everywhere, even telling them what the danger is lol.

Anyways, I digress.....

Sport bikes and the naked bikes full face helmet all day and if planning spirited rides, gloves boots and leathers. (Now I’m going to heaven lol.)

 

In your day on a Harley? I am almost 70, hate helmet laws and have worn a full face since they were invented. Its about my comfort and safety. I could give a $uck what others think or do.I grew up in the back yard of the World HQ of the H A. Even Barger wore a full face helmet.