Sport Touring Revival?

[YellowDuck]

I guess some people like to pretend they are riding Maximus Prime.

Let's not put that into an AI image generator.

[Clifton]

OK I get it you like sport tourers but also your V85.

I agree BMW styling has been pretty ugly for quite a while in fact GS's changed from their homely yet purposeful and functional appearance to homely and awkward looking beginning with the R1100. Most people buy GS's in spite of their looks because they are very good, all around motorcycles. Let's face it the V85 won't win any beauty contest either but like a GS it works very well.

As far as modern sport tourers are there any now that aren't hideous? The V100 Mandello isn't bad but with only a 4.5 gallon tank I don't think it fits in the sport tourer category. Honda NT1100, RT, Yamaha Tracer GT, Suzuki GSX-S1000GX, Ninja 1100SX? Nope.

[faffi]

Some perspectives

Pro adventure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AJqjoc0H1U&pp=ygUaYm13IGdzIHZzIDE2MDAgZm9yIHRvdXJpbmc%3D

Pro sports tourer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY4sgYFEuSg

[bad Chad]

For perspective, no "ADV" has looks to die for.  However, within the category, most are blatantly unattractive, with the GS vying for least attractive.   Also within the category, vying for most attractive has to be the V85, followed by the Aprilia.   As objective as I can be, none look beautiful, but the V85TT in the right paint and set up, looks pretty darn good!

[faffi]

While I agree that most ADV motorcycles are seriously ugle, some bikes a little older can sometimes look decent, like the Honda 1000 Varadero and Aprilia 1000 CapoNord. The original Tansalp 600 also looks a little like a motorcycle, as does the Ducati Elephant ie 900, especially in the Lucky Strike livery. I also find the TDM850 and 900 acceptable, but these are borderline ADVs and fairly close to street bikes.

[Tusayan]

My ST4 and K1200RS are excellent sport tourers but my R100GSs get more mileage.  For the kind of touring I do the sport tourers are often just a bit too narrowly focused, and none of the ADV bikes for the last 30 years are as good either.  The sport tourers are great if your job is a well defined ride from A to B, or even a weekend ride on twisty roads then home, but for meandering around in an rural area where you’ve never been over multiple days the R100GS is the best design in my fleet.  That’s why I have one in Europe and one at home in the US.

BTW more modern ADV bikes like the newer GSs have the same limitations for me as the sport tourers.  They’re useless for poor/dirt roads unless you want to destroy them, just too fragile and expensive to repair. A friend’s simple low speed tip over on a new GS ended up being a ridiculous episode involving a tow truck and code resets before the bike could even be ridden.

[MikeP996]

I have never cared for ADV bikes and would not personally purchase one BUT one of my wife's bikes is her 2020 Africa Twin.  I have ridden it a few times and every time I get off saying, "This is a nice machine!!"  IF I was forced to buy an ADV bike, an Africa Twin would probably be it.

[SIR REAL ED]

BTW more modern ADV bikes like the newer GSs have the same limitations for me as the sport tourers.  They’re useless for poor/dirt roads unless you want to destroy them, just too fragile and expensive to repair. A friend’s simple low speed tip over on a new GS ended up being a ridiculous episode involving a tow truck and code resets before the bike could even be ridden.

Wow!  That is amazing.  Modern tech can be very self-limiting rather than liberating.

I remember reading a post on a KTM forum by someone who claimed to be a KTM mechanic.  His advice to anyone who was adventure riding on a big KTM was bring two things, a cell phone and a good pair of hiking boots!  He said it takes over an hour to remove the body work in a well lit shop with a full tool box.

[SIR REAL ED]

I think an interesting sport touring/adventure touring experiment would be a smaller, lighter bike pulling a small trailer.

A friend went from VA to Sturgis, SD, two up on a V-Strom pulling a small homemade trailer made from about a 40-50 gallon plastic tote box.  When they arrived at an interesting destination or campsite, they just chained the trailer to a tree and Voila' they were on their light weight bike with no baggage!  Literally!

As far as small sport touring bikes go, a friend's Kawasaki VerSys 650 is a very competent and enjoyable ride.  The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is the adventure touring equivalent.

When I had a 650 V-Strom, we often rode together and switching bikes was a great learning experience.  The VerSys felt much smaller and lighter.  The V-Strom was more comfy.

[Stretch]

A friend’s simple low speed tip over on a new GS ended up being a ridiculous episode involving a tow truck and code resets before the bike could even be ridden.

Technology run amok - that's ridiculous. Recovery from a low speed tip over on an "ADV" bike
should consist of picking the bike up, restarting the engine, and continuing the adventure.

My next ADV-type bike is gonna be one of 3 ; A DR650, a CFMoto 800, or maybe a used 8V Stelvio.
I love that big gas tank on the Moto Guzzi!

The big Trophy fits the bill for luxo sport-touring, and the BMW K75S works well in that regard, too.

                                                                       -Stretch

[SIR REAL ED]

My next ADV-type bike is gonna be one of 3 ; A DR650, a CFMoto 800, or maybe a used 8V Stelvio.
I love that big gas tank on the Moto Guzzi!

                                                                       -Stretch

I've had three DR650's now for over 20 years.  I've never considered them to be adventure motorcycles, just simply motorcycles.  There have only been a couple minor changes since 1996.  Just a basic motorcycle that people turn into whatever they want.

I doubt you will be disappointed with a DR650, as long as you keep in mind it is just a basic motorcycle.  Simplicity is probably the main reason people buy them.  If you buy used, it will probably already have a lot of the desirables farkles, and the seller will probably be owned by a knowledgeable motorcyclist that is over 50 years old. 

[Stretch]

Next spring or summer - after this wretched shoulder heals - would be the time frame
to look for the DR650. There seem to be two basic categories used: Those that are older
and somewhat modified, and those that are a few years old with almost no miles or mods.

In any event, I have perused the ProCycle catalog. (Oh, my  ) So, even if I
score one really cheaply, the end result is gonna be a wee bit spendy!

A brandy-new CFMoto might be less expensive!

                                                                    -Stretch

[SIR REAL ED]

Next spring or summer - after this wretched shoulder heals - would be the time frame
to look for the DR650. There seem to be two basic categories used: Those that are older
and somewhat modified, and those that are a few years old with almost no miles or mods.

In any event, I have perused the ProCycle catalog. (Oh, my  ) So, even if I
score one really cheaply, the end result is gonna be a wee bit spendy!

A brandy-new CFMoto might be less expensive!

                                                                    -Stretch

Oh yeah.  You can easily triple the cost of a DR650 by perusing the Pro-Cycle DR650 website. 

For the frugal, a replacement seat or seat cover, and a jet kit will fix the most annoying flaws.

[Clifton]

I've had three DR650's now for over 20 years.  I've never considered them to be adventure motorcycles, just simply motorcycles.....

With some accessories they can be made into a light weight adventure bike that's pretty nice to travel on. I owned two DR's over the years and set them both up as such with Corbin seats, 5 gallon tank, rear rack, and soft panniers. Rode one all over the southwest then back to WV. The only thing missing was effective wind protection but it really wasn't needed on that long ride in the summer. Actually my friend accompanying me had a nice shield on his DR.

Maybe the best all around motorcycle that can do most everything sits somewhat in between sport tourers and adv bikes is just a standard motorcycle such as a V7 Stone/Sport, R1200R, or UJM. They'll cost a lot less than their sport touring or adv siblings and with some of the money saved they can be accessorized with shield, seat, panniers to be a versatile all around motorcycle. Suspension is not up to adv bikes but generally more compliant than sport tourers. And they'll generally be lighter. I've enjoyed a few bikes set up like this from R100/7 to various UJM's and still have one.

CB750 Nighthawk from the past.





My current CB1100.

[Perazzimx14]

The most versatile motorcycle, IMHO, is a bagger with a windshield. Something like a H-D Road King or my Victory Hard-Ball. A rear passenger backrest/luggage rack increases the versatility even more. All day comfortable with plenty of additional luggage options with a few Roc Straps. Watertight saddlebags, an Ortleib waterproof duffle bag and you’re set. Go anywhere, do anything in comfort and style.

This is how I feel about Adventure bikes. Lots of storage and ability to haul it, LT suspension, comfortable ergos with room to move around, configurable with different seats, panniers/op cases,  windscreens, foot pegs etc to dial it into what riding type/style you are doing with upright seating position, lightweight in comparison to some of the behemoth touring full dress bikes out there. Plenty of electrical capacity to run accessories and heated gear. All the reasons Adventure bikes are popular and continue to be 

[tommy2cyl]

This is how I feel about Adventure bikes. Lots of storage and ability to haul it, LT suspension, comfortable ergos with room to move around, configurable with different seats, panniers/op cases,  windscreens, foot pegs etc to dial it into what riding type/style you are doing with upright seating position, lightweight in comparison to some of the behemoth touring full dress bikes out there. Plenty of electrical capacity to run accessories and heated gear. All the reasons Adventure bikes are popular and continue to be 

Spot on.   Swiss Army knife appeal.    To the point of the original post, there certainly are more aesthetically pleasing motorcycles to look at,
and some of the Adventure motorcycle stying is a bit garish and over the top to be sure (BMW 1300 GS as previously mentioned).   I just like the functionality of 'em.  If I had to own only one bike (which fortunately I don't) and taking my experiences of riding for 40+ years,  I would have an Aprilia Tuareg sitting
in the  barn. 

[Frulk]

My NAKITT sport tourer

[bad Chad]

Spot on.   Swiss Army knife appeal.    To the point of the original post, there certainly are more aesthetically pleasing motorcycles to look at,
and some of the Adventure motorcycle stying is a bit garish and over the top to be sure (BMW 1300 GS as previously mentioned).   I just like the functionality of 'em.  If I had to own only one bike (which fortunately I don't) and taking my experiences of riding for 40+ years,  I would have an Aprilia Tuareg sitting
in the  barn.

I had never ridden a large ADV bike, (except a 10 mile ride on a Quota 15 years ago) before I bought a V85.   The things I didn't realize until I got it are, how easy it is to configure, how much different and better long travel suspension can be over conventional bikes,  and how much more room there is for the rider (big deal for me at 6'6").    Different strokes..., most all motorcycles are cool, ride what you like!