Looking for some suggestions regarding a new/used sport/tour bike

[Monte Jones]

Hello MSTA, I'm new to the forum. I logged-on today seeking advice as I search for a new bike. I'm fairly new to moto bikes, owned some Yamaha RD 2 strokes back in the 80's and have spent the last 15+ years riding mountain bicycles and road bicycles. About 6 months ago I purchased a 2009 Kawasaki KLR. Love the bike and there is an abundance of area gravel close to home which I have been exploring a bit. The KLR is great do anything bike but it's lack of power is really starting to bore me.

I live in East Tn and have access to some great roads close to home. Deals Gap (The Dragon) is only about 45 minutes away and the Smoky Mtns and Blueridge Pkwy are very close as well. I have found that even though I've spent many years pedaling on dirt singletrack I really prefer the open roads and asphalt twistys that the mountains provide.

All this being said, I'm considering selling the KLR and getting something faster, light with the ability to haul some gear. I ride the KLR always with a top case attached and found it so useful that I could not own a bike without this type of storage. I have a budget of $4-$6k. My short list of bikes are V-Strom 1000, FZ1, VFR 800 and Versys. Do ya'll have a recommendation on one of these or possibl something I'm missing?

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.

[africord]

I'm biased toward the VFR, as it's what I ride. I'm assuming you are looking at used bikes with this budget. I would add the Suzuki Bandit, Ducati Multistrada 1000, Ducati St2 or St4, Triumph Sprint 1050 (older model), BMW K1200R. Lots and lots of options. Read the forum sites for the contenders in your mind so you know what you are getting into. For the VFR, you need to spend some time on VFRD, and VFR World.

[RIDEMYST]

Welcome aboard, Monte. You've come to the right place for sport touring advise.
You are in one of the best locations for riding in the country for sure!
The bikes you listed are all great choices and should fit within your budget. Keep in mind that you will more than likely want to add hard bags and a few frakles, so don't spend all of your budget just on the bike purchase.
You should come down to SE Star in a couple of weeks in Dillard, GA, just a hop, skip and jump from your area.
Hope to see you at an MSTA event. -JEP-

[brider]

How about the Bandit 1250?

[stlthmsta]

He came to right place but I think I don't like this guy already based on where he lives.......I'm jealous!!!!!
Welcome aboard. I've had 2 VFR's a wish I had kept one of them, ain't that always the way.`All mentioned here are good bikes for your needs, I'm giving an edge to the Versys as it may be most like the KLR but a street bike, but having never ridden one.
Tom, Ohio

[stevegrab]

The VFR is a great bike, I have one as well (98) that I bought used and put over 40K miles on already. Tom is one of at least two riders I know who still regret getting rid of their VFR. The others are good bikes as well. Being rather new to street riding you need to decide what really suits you. Does a more sporty bike with higher performance like a VFR fit the bill. Or does something a little more comfortable (any of those other mentioned) with less performance be what you need. Do you need/want some off road capability, to explore some of the unpaved treasures, then the V-Strom or Versys may be better (even an FZ1 with less plastic).

There are many members here, and I know there are probably people who own all those bikes that can contribute more. I have a friend with a V-Strom 1000 and he really loves it. It is the bike he rides the most often, and he also has a VFR, ST1300, KLR and used to own a Triumph Sprint ST (955 version) before getting the ST13 (I now own his Sprint).

I know what you mean about the top case, once I bought a used bike with one I really loved it and now want all my bikes to have one as they are very useful.

Good luck finding the right bike. There are plenty of good used bikes out there. There is also a 650 version of the V-Strom (nickhamed Wee-Strom) that is also very popular with the sport touring crowd.

PS You do live in a great area for riding. We have lots of active members in the wast TN and west NC area. We also do several regional events in that area, have had our national event in Asheville NC and Johnson City TN.

[EricLarsen]

Hi Monte,

Welcome to the Forum. If you really want some great input, come on down the the MSTA SE-STAR event in Dillard, GA the weekend of September 21-23. You will find a lot of great examples of rides and heck, stay the weekend and pay the rally fee and you'll get a years membership in our club for free! You'll see v-stroms, wee-stroms, vfrs, klr, bmws, all manner of mounts and you
won't have any problem getting these guys to talk about their bikes.

[OldButNotDead]

Nothing really new to add. All the aforementioned bikes are excellent. Yep, go to Dillard, lots of fun. Not sure how much DIY work you do, but something you might want to consider is the total amount of tupperware between you and the maintenance items.

[VegasVFR]

[QUOTE=RIDEMYST;10205]Welcome aboard, Monte. You've come to the right place for sport touring advise.
You are in one of the best locations for riding in the country for sure!
The bikes you listed are all great choices and should fit within your budget. Keep in mind that you will more than likely want to add hard bags and a few frakles, so don't spend all of your budget just on the bike purchase.
You should come down to SE Star in a couple of weeks in Dillard, GA, just a hop, skip and jump from your area.
Hope to see you at an MSTA event. -JEP-[QUOTE] a bike is an objective and su bjective purvhase ref the vfr checkout 3105 web safe money for my review and used price ranges. Take your time and beg borrow rides on friends bikes until you find one that fits you....nick....

[ejfudd]

Hello and welcome. Just a suggestion, all the bikes mentioned are larger CC. Before you buy anything, try a modern 600 CC, and see what you think. It is no KLR.

From your choices, try an FZ-6 if you can. My neighbor swears by it, and it has more power than you may expect. The FZ-1 would be a natural if not, but all your choices are great bikes.

I ride a GSXR 1000 and GSXR 600, and for me and where you live, the 600 is the choice for the twisties, yet does just fine on the open road if I slab it.

Good luck! Best results from riding a buddies bike, if he lets you!