Cheap touring bikes

[nsmith]

Wife really has a hard time with any distance on the Breva 1100. 400miles and she is VERY done with the whole idea.. A look at the locale motorcycle consignment dealer has two possible choices. 1986 Suzuki Calvacade 30,000 miles $2500.00 or a 2000 BMW k1200lt w/100,000 $2750.00.. So I'm asking if anyone has any useful info on either unit. As you can see the budget is tight and I'm just trying to find something that she can enjoy the ride on. Thanks   

[Kev m]

Betcha the Suzuki would move the bodies in comfort just fine, if not the souls.

[Buckaroo50]

Mazda Miata.... Been there   

[oldbike54]

 Is she riding pillion for 400 miles in one day ? Is the problem a lack of weather protection , seating comfort , room ? Being a passenger for long periods is kind of boring , maybe she needs her own bike . The fact is , even the best touring bikes can't solve every passenger comfort issue . 1500 Series Goldwings can be bought for $5K in good shape and have a good parts supply . The k1200 LT was kind of a top heavy beast , although they handled well at speed . The problem is that at 100K miles it will need some things and they are pricey to work on .

  Dusty

[nunzio]

You can get the same vintage Goldwing 1985-86.. WELL sorted-out for the same money and the support network is the best around!!! Tons of how-to info and parts.

My wife has her own bike and will not ride with me,so,I really have no need of a Goldwing ,though, I'm seriously thinking of getting one to build a sidecar rig.


Make sure that the carbs on a Goldwing are well "sorted-out" unless you like to fiddle with carbs.

Let us know what you get.....Alan

[Wayne Orwig]

Wife really has a hard time with any distance on the Breva 1100. 400miles and she is VERY done with the whole idea.. 

You need to find out why, before you just make a wild guess.

Is the seat uncomfortable? Is it wind? Foot peg location? Back rest?

Of all of the touring bikes and such I have owned, my wife says the Stelvio is the most comfortable.

[Silver Goose]

nsmith, a question. Where are you going to find parts for an '86 Calvacade?  I would suggest a Gold Wing, BMW both are very reliable, millions of parts and are real mile eaters.

Good Luck

[rocker59]

I vote for the Light Truck.  BMW's 2-wheeled answer to the Chevrolet Suburban.

But, be prepared for the possible fact that she will never be comfortable on any motorcycle for long distances.

I've seen many men chase this.  I've seen many men go through many motorcycles they'd have never bought, except they were pursuing the perfect motorcycle for their pillion rider. 

It's an expensive path, strewn with cast-off motorcycles that didn't fill the bill.

Miata, BMW M-Roadster, Ford Thunderbird, etc. may be the true answer to what would be the perfect 400+ mile per day ride for your wife.

Be prepared.

[Rough Edge racing]

 Older vehicles/bikes with electronic stuff can be trip ender if something fries that's not readily available..Do the Japanese/ BMW bike dealers carry parts in stock for 25 year old bikes?

[oldbike54]

 What Rocker said  :1: It is an unfortunate fact that our SOs don't always share our passions .

  Dusty

[oldbike54]

Older vehicles/bikes with electronic stuff can be trip ender if something fries that's not readily available..Do the Japanese/ BMW bike dealers carry parts in stock for 25 year old bikes?

 Depends on the dealer and bike . Older BMW dealers usually have a good parts supply , or can obtain the part quickly .

  Dusty

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

My pillion on the breva had three complaints:

1. Wind buffeting
(this was cured by adding a Sport 1200 fairing.. we are BOTH VERY VERY VERY happy with that.

2. seat
(resolved with a corbin saddle. I think it's too low, but she loves her portion.)

3. peg location/ vibrations
(no cure for this.. The left peg is also the muffler hanger and even rubber at the bolt mount ahs not reduced vibrations.  She also says the pegs are too high and her knees hurt after a while...  I don't think anything can be done..  She is only 5'2 and 105# so its not like she is tall or inflexible)

[rocker59]

Everyday, I count myself lucky that my 5'-9" 34" inseam pillion rider will ride anything with two wheels with little complaint, and usually with a big smile on her face.

500 mile days on the Bassa were tiring.  The upright seating and lack of suspension travel really played havoc on her lower back.  Four 500 mile days in a row and she wasn't looking forward to riding it anymore.

She really loved the V11 Nero Corsa and probably rode 15,000 miles on the back of that bike.  The forward lean took the pressure off the back.  She never complained about the high pegs.  400 miles were the longest days on that bike, though she did go on some multi-day trips and kept that smile.

For comfortable repeated 400+ mile days, it's hard to argue with the Goldwing BMW-LT, and HD-FL.

Just be prepared to drop some serious coin and discover that what she's really saying is she's not interested in long days on motorcycles.

[LowRyter]

car

[Semper-guzzi]

http://sciposts.com/images/volkswagen-beetle-convertible-tdi-2014-10.jpg

I have the TDI version. I routinely get 40-45 mpg if i push it hard and fast. Best I've gotten is 69.5mpg trying. If I'm normal, 50mpg all day. And there is nothing wrong with 240lbft of torque.

[rodekyll]

"We're not happy until mom's not happy."

Back in the 70s my future X dug bikes enough that we had his & hers BSAs.  One night we were cruising the loop 2-up on mine.  At the stop light someone blipped a throttle, I answered, and it was on.  I did a little wheelie taking off and spanked the contender smartly.  The only problem was that when I took off I'd left my sweetheart standing in the intersection -- the bike had simply moved out from under her.  She never got on the back of a bike again -- at least not on one of mine.

[oldbike54]

If I were a woman I would never get on behind me.

:-)

  :1: 

  Dusty

[travelingbyguzzi]

I honestly don't know how pillions do it. They should be praised with trumpets pointed skyward.

[rocker59]

I honestly don't know how pillions do it. They should be praised with trumpets pointed skyward.

They've gotta have lots of "want-to".

If they don't have it, they won't ride far or often.

If they do have it, the type of machine and its seating accommodation are not really top issues.

[Arizona Wayne]

If I were a woman I would never get on behind me.

:-)

Well, we used to ride 2up on any bike I had and when I forgot she was back there(she is such a good passenger) and decided to turn up the wick,  when she had  had enough she just hit me in the central part of my back, momentarily paralyzing me.........and I changed my riding operandi.    But that was years ago and we don't ride together any more for different reasons.   


Even when we drive in our car she says I'm too aggressive some times. 

[nsmith]

Hello, I am Neil's wife of 30 years.  We have been riding for years.  I prefer riding as a passenger due to my own inexperience and more importantly, my lack of trust in others on the road.  I trust my husband's driving without question.  Once in 1999, we rode a 1975 Moto Guzzi 850 T from central South Dakota to central Texas and then to central Arkansas in two days.  I remember aches from that ride but not pain.  Granted we had to wait two days for a blizzard to blow through in South Dakota before we traveled home.  Oh.. the stories..  Over the years for one reason or another, he has rode more and more of the longer rides by himself.  Our children are now grown so we now have more time to ride.  I have always enjoyed riding until now.  I said all of this to let you guys know it is not the lack of want to from the wife.  Let me explain the problem.  After about 100 miles, my back hurts but it is not due to the back rest.  Then in another 100 miles I get cramps in my upper and lower thighs.  My feet also hurt.  Around this time, we bought better riding boots, thinking that was the problem.  Nope.  By the 300 mile mark, I genuinely hurt all over.  I was envisioning someone coming in a car to pick me up.  I was truly hurting.  The only thing different from 1999 is the difference in age (50 this year) and I am now 20 lbs lighter. The T had a JC Whitney cavalcade? queen/king seat which my husband said was a horrible thing.  I really don't remember.  Our Breva has a stock seat with an extra inch put in the passenger seat.   I truly want to ride with my husband.  I enjoy it for myself and I enjoy the pleasure it brings him.  So any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. 

[oldbike54]

 Hello Mrs Neil's wife  This really sounds like a posture issue . If your feet are hurting that would indicate a circulation problem caused by a bad hip/leg position . The good news is , that can be mitigated somewhat , the bad news , and I am loath to even mention this , age is probably playing a factor here  I might suggest more frequent stops , and a brisk walk and some stretching at every stop .

  Dusty

[rocker59]

-First thing I'd do, then, is spend some money on a nice touring seat for the motorcycle that you have.

Top choice would be a Day-Long from Russel:  https://www.day-long.com/

At the very least, pick up a Corbin and give it a try:  http://corbin.com/motoguzzi/mgnrg7.shtml

-Second thing.  You're older now.  Do you take ibuprofin or naproxin sodium (Advil, Aleve) before and during your rides?

-Third thing.  Try slipping some appropriately sized rubber hose over the metal passenger foot pegs. 

Fuel hose from the auto parts store.  Whatever.  For a long-term fix, transplanting some touring footpegs from another motorcycle will give a more finished look.

We all get older.  Pain can be chronic.  I'd be lying if I said I don't hurt on long rides.  It's just part of the experience.  You just have to find ways to work through it.

[canuguzzi]

Within the budget you spoke of, a well maintained Suzuki Bandit, one of the later water cooled 1200 versions would do nicely. They have just enough fairing so as not to be a barn door, an engine that can do anything you're likely to ask and without all the complexity of an older dedicated tourer where little things can nag you to death.

This assumes you want a new bike. Otherwise, that money can go along way to making the one you have much better for longer rides but there are limitations as to what a seat and different handlebars and a windshield can do, the foundation is the same.

The thing about modifying a bike is the formula of diminishing gains. You do one thing that accentuates the incompatibility of another thing and before you know it, you've spent far more than had you just went out and bought something else better suited.

You can also find well maintained ST1100 out there for that money and having had one, my experience is that it is a 130 mph sofa. It will take you and yours long distances in comfort, with a super smooth engine that is quiet and has plenty of power, ergos that fit many and going beyond maybe a different seat or cheap risers, should satisfy a higher percentage of riders and their passengers. They are virtually bulletproof in reliability.

Another is a 2003 or older Triumph Trophy 1200 Four or 900 triple. An often underrated but equal to just about anything out there, with a better seat and nothing else, a mile muncher that provides a nice perch for the passenger.

Then there is the DL1000 V-Strom. The stock seat for the passenger is amazing. They can also be had in the price range you're talking about and they go a long way with very little maintenance. A good map on the ECU and they are smooth and with their tall gearing, will cover very long distances with ease. The riding position is fantastic.

[mach1mustang351]

In my case, with my passenger, the key is stopping more often. I can run the gas tank empty on the v Strom before needing a stretch. Our first long ride I was stopping at like 150 miles. As it turns out she was only good for 100-120 max. Pretty easy fix. Just stop a little more.

[Chuck in Indiana]

You aren't taking statins, are you?

[oldbike54]

You aren't taking statins, are you?

 Good question .

  Dusty

[Lannis]

  She also says the pegs are too high and her knees hurt after a while...  I don't think anything can be done..  She is only 5'2 and 105# so its not like she is tall or inflexible)

Mine's 5'8" with a 34" inseam and 135#, and the answer is Stelvio.

Lannis

[Two Checks]

The Beemer has too many miles on it and the Zook hasn't been made since the 80s and not that many were built. They were a bit ahead of their time and everyone said they were too heavy. Production stopped then the 1500 Wing came out and it weighed even more.
Find a different bike.

[Guzzistajohn]

My wife dislikes riding on the back of a bike about as much as I dislike having a passenger. It would be pretty much a bummer.We get along just fine that way