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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Best interstate tourer /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1385429664 Message started by pgambr on 11/25/13 at 17:34:24 |
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Title: Best interstate tourer Post by pgambr on 11/25/13 at 17:34:24 What has been your experience with the big cc tourers? A ball park criteria would be able to go 75 mph at 4K rpm, carrying 50 + lbs of gear, and windshield that kept the wind off your face. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by Dave on 11/25/13 at 18:11:32 I don't know what is the best.....but I just bought a Honda ST1100 and I was able to ride it home before winter set in here. They are very affordable on the used market, and they are supposed to be 200,000 mile motorcycles if they are taken care of. The ST1100 bikes sell for $ 2,000 - $ 4000 on the used market, the newer ST1300 sells for $ 6,000 - $ 10,000 and is nicer and has a lot of improvements like an electric windshield and digitial dash and an adjustable seat height. If you want a project that needs some electrical troubleshooting....check out this 1994 model for only $ 1,900! http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?133183-94-ST1100-Black-NON-ABS |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by gerald.hughes on 11/25/13 at 19:04:14 http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp223/gerald_hughes/111284932_1thumb_770x574_zps0082d4c3.jpg (http://s414.photobucket.com/user/gerald_hughes/media/111284932_1thumb_770x574_zps0082d4c3.jpg.html) |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by MMRanch on 11/25/13 at 22:42:43 Pgambr What kinda gas millage you expecting ? A lot of these bikes only get about 40 or so ! The factory 1200 Sportster gearing will be running down the interstate at 92mph @ 4000 rpm ,and redline high gear about 140 or so. I allways got at least in the low 50's for mpg. and putting around in no hurry in the high 50's. I've got this same gearing on my 883 now and there is no-shortage of power and it gets in the mid 50's mpg around town and short trips. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by Midnightrider on 11/25/13 at 23:00:44 I had an 86 Gold Wing and it was great. The new ones wear out tires quickly and they cost a fortune. I also had a 2000 Triumph Trophy 1200 that I rode 1126 miles in 18 and 1/2 hrs to get my first Iron Butt award. I would highly recommend either bike. If you like to go fast the Triumph is the better bike. If you're after comfort the Wing is the way to go. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by Paladin. on 11/26/13 at 05:24:12 5740464A4555270 wrote:
I have toured on a GS450E, the Savage, and my Vespa. In the early '80's, the 450 doing 85 mph up I-5 to L.A. to S.F., was very buzzy. Moving over to 2-lane roads doing 45-50 mph was far more relaxing, and got about 80 mpg. In '07 on the Savage I did L.A. to OKC. Day 1 was 570 miles, day 2 was 510 miles. 65-70 mph gives 60-65 mpg. At 70 mph the Savage does about 4,500 rpm. The exhaust tone is about 35 Hertz, the vibration is similar to the vibrating bed in a cheap motel. Last year, in the cage to Kentucky, mostly on I-40, I noticed that cars generally run about 5 mph over the speed limit, trucks do the speed limit (speed control plus GPS), and touring motorcycles do about 5 mph under the speed limit. On tour on the Savage in '07, the Interstate had about 50 vehicles per mile; back home on US-60 there was about one vehicle every ten miles. You can do 75 mph on the super slab, but it is far more enjoyable doing 60 mph on two lane highways. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by pgambr on 11/26/13 at 07:57:05 Thanks for the insight. I recently did a 1500 mile trip and a couple things would have proved to be beneficial. I'll address a couple points: 50 lbs - for the most part I used a 30 liter dry bag. After putting in a tool bag, other necessities, clothes, I really didn't have much room for anything else. Sometime I would like to do a 2 week trip through the Rockies and I'm sure I would need more room. 70 mph - That was my average and I don't have a desire to go much faster down the open freeway. However, I did get boxed in a number of times and being able to accelerate to get out of harms way would have been very helpful on occasion. Wind - It affected me much more than I anticipated. I quit counting the number of times it felt like someone hit my helmet with a rubber mallet knocking it to a 45 degree angle. MPG - That certainly won't be good with a heavy bike. I'm thinking something a 13-15 cc with a total wight no more than 700 lbs. I know many have some other bikes and done some trips so I thought you could offer some insight. Thanks again, best regards. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by Dave on 11/26/13 at 09:33:46 445355595646340 wrote:
I'm thinking the "0" button on your keyboard may be acting up a bit! ;D |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by old_rider on 11/26/13 at 09:50:32 pgambr Not sure you could get a bike that's 1300-1500cc that would weigh under 800lbs. let alone 700lbs or lighter. Most of the bigger touring bikes like my old Honda 1300R VTX would do well on the slab. It averaged about 47mpg at 75mph, but it only had 5 gears and I was always reaching for a 6th gear. The 1300R was really low go the ground and I could flat foot it easily with a 32" inseam pant size. I now have a trike system on my 2007 Harley Road Glide (it weighs in at about 900lbs without the trike system) that makes it really easy to handle, however.... I have to manually pull/push it backwards which can prove challenging at times (it costs another $500 to add the electric backup). If you could be comfortable with it I'd say get one of the Honda vtx series bikes as they are very comfortable to sit on and can be modded the heck out of! The newer ones (1800cc) are even fuel injected and have a low fuel light and 4.5 or 5 gal fuel tanks. Also the used ones are fairly cheap 4-7k in price. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/26/13 at 10:51:10 Having no experience on big bikes & wanting none, my O-Pinion is probably worth nothing, BUT, were I hunting a tourer, Id be hunting the lightest, most fuel efficient bike I could use Comfortably,, Something that would run at RPMs that would not be a challenge for the engine over extended periods. In my opinion, running something at more than about 80% of its max abilities is punishing for it. Soo,, I dont see needing over 900 CC if running 80 Miles per hour is the most youll see for extended periods of time. Id expect a 900cc to weigh enough to eat up the basic road vibration, as long as the engine itself was balanced well enough to not create a buzziness at those speeds. Id spend time on every forum that is about a bike that just Might fit your needs. This is a decision that wont be cheap or easy to change should you make the wrong choice. Take your time, get it right on the first pass. WD knows a good bit about the big Kawasaki , I wanna call it the Drifter. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by Serowbot on 11/26/13 at 11:10:06 A nice Triumph Bonneville is about 500lbs and near 900cc... Lightweight, 50mpg, plenty of power, and beautifoool... :-*... http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201201/2012-triumph-bonneville-t_600x0w.jpg |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by verslagen1 on 11/26/13 at 12:04:10 caption... why does HE get to drive all the time. >:( |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by Tempted on 11/26/13 at 18:36:17 My opinion is the Kawasaki Concours is about the best sport tourer built. I loved my Harley Street Bob, very comfortable. Right now I ride my ZRX1200R all over the country. It is what I travel on. Comfortable, fairly efficient and blisteringly fast. When I'm on the open interstate I keep it around the triple digit mark and its solid as a rock. No wind issues, the motor isn't working hard and the fuel economy is in the high 40s. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by keith pearson on 11/27/13 at 03:29:05 I have recently bought a 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1600. I haven't had a chance to go far as winter is now here, but it cruises at 70 with no wind, very comfortable seat, and the engine is not revving high. The 4th and 5th gears are overdrives. Also it costs far less than a Harley, it doesn't need a lot of expensive aftermarket stuff, and is considered 100% reliable. Just getting use to the weight , it is a bit tricky at slow speed and in town. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by 12Bravo on 11/27/13 at 07:44:57 I currently ride a 2005 V Star 1100 that I turned into a bagger. It has plenty of power and will cruise 70-80 all day long. The Vstar 1100 weighs about 650lbs and the 1300 weighs about 750lbs. Look at all the available options/styles of bikes. If you get a bigger cruiser (no matter what brand), look into getting a driver backrest for those long hauls. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by WD on 11/27/13 at 10:05:18 Id spend time on every forum that is about a bike that just Might fit your needs. This is a decision that wont be cheap or easy to change should you make the wrong choice. Take your time, get it right on the first pass. WD knows a good bit about the big Kawasaki , I wanna call it the Drifter. Drifter was a variant of the VN1500, inarguably THE best V twin ever made. The 1600, while just a refinement, took massive steps backwards in the looks department. But, for a tourer, the 1600 has cast wheels sporting tubeless tires, much more user friendly than the spoke wheels and inner tubes of the 1500 Vulcan. Kawasaki Nomad in 1500 or 1600, or the Vaquero in "jumbo industrial sized" displacement, are great bikes for the buck. The Vaquero adds a fairing and top trunk to the old Nomad platform... but it will cost you ElectraGlide money to buy a new one. The Vulcans over 805cc are BIG bikes. Except the 900, which is just a bored and stroked 805 with fuel injection, ugly fenders, and a faulty belt drive system. The bigger platforms are liquid cooled, fuel injected (debuted in 1998 on the 99 1500 Drifter), shaft driven, windshield/fairing and luggage friendly. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by ESLloyd on 11/27/13 at 13:37:33 My favourite distance burner was my 1500 Goldwing.The sound of the flat 6 was pure music to me.Taking an afternoon run of 200-300 miles was common.Unfortunately it was extremely heavy and with health concerns (heart and knees)I had to part with it.Almost dropped it on myself moving it in shop. Sold it to a buddy and still miss it 3 years later.(wife does also).Was probably my favourite bike ever(have had over 50 bikes over the years) Current large displacement bike is a 2006 Vulcan 1500 Classic(about 200 lbs lighter than Goldwing and lower).Trying to adapt a batwing fairing to it with some other modifications to increase wind protection. Pretty good bike but a Wing can spoil you. Previously had a 97 Savage and in the process of fixing a pronged 05 S40(almost done). ::) |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by pgambr on 11/27/13 at 13:39:45 To all the site members thanks for the insight. Just starting to do my research. I'd probably have to find the right one, right time, right paint job, and for the right price. Even the 10 year old ones aren't that cheap. Incidentally, did you get yours on the road WD? |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by Tempted on 11/27/13 at 19:11:35 It pretty much comes down to the money you want to spend and the type of ride you're looking for. If you want power the V4 bikes like the Magna, Madura, V-Max(as far as I'm concerned one of the best bikes ever built), etc are all good choices. The Kawasaki Concours will beat all of those when it comes to raw, high RPM power while still retaining a fantastic and comfortable ride. The fastest bikes are inline 4s and there are some outstanding I4 touring machines. If money isn't an issue, the Triumph Rocket III is, in my opinion, the single greatest touring machine on the planet. Its the best looking, fastest true touring bike ever produced. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by MMRanch on 11/27/13 at 20:07:37 Hay Pgambr You waiting for someone to say these majic words : Drum roll ......... MotoGuzzi ? :D Bike of the year this year acording to "Cruser" magazine ! The 1500 cc modle I think ? :) |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by keith pearson on 11/28/13 at 06:03:44 6675310 wrote:
I agree. I looked at the Harleys and was not all that impressed. Then I was advised on various forums that if I bought a Harley, most of the stock stuff like shocks, carb, filter and so on needed chucking away and replacing. The Vulcan 1600 has shaft drive - I really think a big thing like that must have that. (and I once had a BMW Boxer) . But now, Harley are having to copy the Japs to stay in the game. I have 3 jap bikes, and they ALL have balance weight shafts, overhead cams, two have twin plugs and unit gearboxes. Both my V twins are watercooled. I don't want to be shaken to pieces and charged double for it. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by WD on 11/28/13 at 07:14:28 283F39353A2A580 wrote:
Not yet. And I gave the 1963 Honda to a guy from Do The Ton that has a bunch of 248/305 projects as a parts roach. Engine was fragged. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by LANCER on 11/28/13 at 07:32:36 352631302F2224262D72430 wrote:
Michael, do you remember what model bike that Doug rides ? He was extremely pleased with it and had ridden LOTS of miles on it without any issues at all, if my memory serves me right. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by LANCER on 11/28/13 at 07:34:00 1E0D490 wrote:
Not yet. And I gave the 1963 Honda to a guy from Do The Ton that has a bunch of 248/305 projects as a parts roach. Engine was fragged. [/quote] Jeff, I missed your post somehow and asked Versy about Doug's bike; what make/model is it ? |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by WD on 11/28/13 at 07:48:26 1999 VN1500 Drifter with 100K miles on it. In that time it has needed a set of clutch discs and an upgraded clutch main spring, everything else has been routine oil/brake pad/tire changes. Still has the factory fill in the radiator (still tests out like new). I put 44K miles on a 99 VN800A in 18 months. I want another 800A so bad it isn't even remotely funny. Even kept my full rear fender conversion and large saddlebags when I sold the bike. 140+ mph top speed, and phenomenal handling with its 21/16 wheel combo. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by pgambr on 11/28/13 at 14:00:18 0516520 wrote:
Which did you like better of the 2? |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/28/13 at 19:55:27 Based on his desire for another 800, Ima say it was the 800.. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by pgambr on 11/28/13 at 20:16:17 Proabaly so. I ran into a fella who had the 1500 and said he had 53k on it and all did was change the oil. No valve adjustments or anything else. |
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Title: Re: Best interstate tourer Post by WD on 11/29/13 at 06:32:34 I'll take handling any day. So an 800A with a full rear fender conversion. The Drifter belongs to a friend who's 61 and been riding since the late 1960s or early 1970s. He likes the look of a bike running a 16/16 combo. I've got a Savage, Lisa has an 800 Intruder and a 71 Honda CL100. |
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