Best Touring Bikes
Yamaha FJR1300A
Rock Solid Performance – I owned Gen I ABS bike first for three years then changed to a new Gen II in 2008 mostly for the heated grips and gear change indicator. Its a… Read more
peculiarity of the FJR that although I consider myself a seasoned rider with over 50 years in the saddle I annoyingly still went looking for that non existent 6th gear. Had they added the sixth gear back then they would not have needed the gear indicator! I am a six foot and with the standard screen it is a little low. A shorter rider would find it perfect although the seat height might be a little high for shorter legs. Now completed 50,000 klms which is low for a 2008 bike (now Oct 2020). No issues other than fork seals replaced, one leaking, left one of course and a new lithium battery which has been great and very light. Would love the extra gear but simply can't justify swapping out a bike that still looks and rides like brand new. Yamaha quality has to be the best.
Yamaha XVZ13CT Royal Star Convertible
One sweet and liesurely ride – When I decided to get back on two wheel I was searching for a very specific motorcycle, and the XVZ1300 CT fit every requirement then some. I wanted… Read more
a big bore cruiser with shaft drive, and needed lockable storage for all my camera gear.
The Royal Star Tour Deluxe was at the right price, and as far as I was concerned was an absolute bargain given it was perfect in every way.
A mere 59000km on a 2006 model when I purchased it in late 2018, and I've managed to add another 30000 in the almost three years of ownership.
If you're looking for a 2nd hand cruiser with a practically bulletproof engine (a detuned V-Max mill so it hardly has to do any hard work) and lazy but predictable handling look no further.
This weighty machine out-corners all my mates on HD's every time, albeit scraping the sacrificial steel plates underneath the running boards - which put on quite the show after dark✨ In the wet I occasionally get the rear to drift when taking off at the lights, but the long wheelbase just soaks up the slide and once the rear tyre heats up glides back into line if the power is kept on
Bucket loads of torque from the V4 allows effortless acceleration in practically any gear, but if you really give it some poke then hold on!
It's such an easy ride, that never gives any surprises in corners, even when things get bumpy. It simply floats across any undulating surfaces and stays planted.
If it's sound you're after, the bike I purchased had straight four-into-two pipes which sound suitably angry when under load. I have had comments that it sounds surprisingly like a V8 note
BMW K1200GT
ROAD RUNNER – I recently purchased my K 1200 GT... It is a big motorbike with a big heart... Very comfortable, plenty of space for touring away... Rides beautiful,… Read more
shaft drive is a bit of the new (louder) thing for me (compared to my previous Japanese HONDA VFR800). But, CRUISE CONTROL is a god given... Set it and "relax" your wrist... Great Cruising. Maintenance and parts are a bit on the pricey side, but nothing comes free these days... Maintain regular servicing intervals and Reliability is known, I traced the mechanic that was servicing for the previous owner, and these machines easily go over 100K kilometres, 130K plus... Yes Cruise Control is a God Given, brings the heaven on earth...
Suzuki VL 1500 Intruder LC
Very good service was recommended by a friend to puchase it n im very happy woth the result
Indian Roadmaster , Classic Style , Modern function , Touring excellence – I am on my second Indian Roadmaster , a 2016 and now a 2017 Black / Cream Roadmaster . The bike had a major upgrade in 2017 ,that is the main reason… Read more
that I updated . The other reason is that I love the Black / Cream COMBO . The level of std equipment is outstanding . The bike comes with an electrically adjustable windscreen . [ about 100mm] An outstanding sound system that has blue tooth as well as IPOD plug in and am/fm radio including AVC that is Automatic Volume Control that increases and decreases Volume by measuring speed . The bike has Heated Grips and Heated Rider and Pillion seats . Huge amount of centrally lockable saddle bag / Top Box storage , Several MFD screens on the huge 7" display including Tire pressures , Audio Screen , Trip computer , and Full Sat Nav that fires up in a few seconds . ABS is std , Also std is probably the best Cruise Control , that I have ever experienced on a motorcycle . Additional storage in the lower leg pods , that incorporates a dual vent system . They can run a bit hot especially on the RHS , so these vents are helpful . Keyless FOB ignition incorporating locking and Alarm setting options . . A very large range of accessories are available , but some are pricey .The bike is powered by 111CUI of American V-Twin that's over 1800cc's with a 6 speed gearbox . Just turn up the music , lock in the cruise control and sit back and enjoy the miles ahead .
Suzuki GSX-8S
2023 Suzuki GSX8S -3,000 Kilometers – Hi All, Thanks for reading my review of my bike, which I have now sold and I'm continuing to the 8R faired… Read more
version soon. It's a excellent bike, but has only one real drawback which is suspension related. It's too hard at both ends of the bike for my riding weight of 93KG on our poorly surfaced Qld Roads. Well, it's not going to rattle your fillings out, but it doesn't need to be racetrack firm in my opinion.
The suspension, front and rear, is mostly non adjustable at all. No front preloads or rebound adjustments, only rear shock preload, BUT Suzuki no longer provide the adjusting spanner. They tell you to see a Dealer or buy your own (part number supplied). The front end bounces off sharp ridges followed by the rear end. But this gives sharp sports bike like handling on the occasion when you can use it.
The motor is a good one, it doesn't excessively vibrate, there's a little in the Riders foot pegs, but the state of your boot soles (softness) will be the deciding factor in how you feel it. Fuel, being 95 Octane, is fairly economical, and a lot better than a 4 cyl GSX-S1000. Around 4 L/100 KM is the average of what I got.
Seat comfort is OK, and not having the Rider hard against the tank is a good feature. No idea what the lights are in the dark, not part of my riding. Tyres were hardly worn at 3,000 KM, being the stock Dunlop SportsMax 2 fitting, and good in the driving rain showers too that I couldn't avoid.
The quick Shifter action was not the best that I have used with other brands. It was preferable to just use the tried and true methods, and not try to down change while the transmission is under heavy load.
All up, for mid level Rider bike, Suzuki has spun a lot of good engineering with a very fair price. You'll enjoy it as much as I did for sure.
Bob.
Purchased in Jan 2024 at Brisbane Motorcycles.
Mileage: 3,000 km
Great customer service – Very nice & clean showroom on Parramatta rd, Sydney. Sales rep was very helpful & went through the complete sale with us, from helping us choose… Read more
which bike suited us up until the last step of presenting us with our new purchase. We will defenitly be recommending this place to family and friends.
Also we loved our new bike!
Big Smoothy – Just picked up my 2002 Caponord Love it. The engine is fantastic , plenty of grunt and likes to rev out a bit too.It plays a nice tune with a set… Read more
of Staintune pipes as well. Sounds like a V twin should.
Reading other reviews I had the Aprilia HD fork springs fitted before I picked the bike up. This improves braking ( less dive ) and Improved already good handeling.
Comfort is good for rider and pillion.
If your looking for a comfortable bike that can bring a smile in the twisties and cope with poor roads have a good look at the Caponord.
1 year down the track and I still love my Capo.
Just loaded a new fuel map ( free go to Aprilia Fi Forum) and its amazing. 450km from a tank and more power.
There are a few things that need to be done to make the Caponord reliable ( see the forum) and you have a powerful sweet handling adventure tourer that sounds a treet Engine, comfort Soft front forks ( simple cheap fix with the Aprilia HD springs)
BMW K1600GTL
Once in every lifetime , there comes a Bike like this! – I am not very tall ( 5"3 n a bit inches on a good day) I wanted a decent sized bike that I could also get my feet down to the ground with . Nothing… Read more
but cruisers seemed to fit the bill , so I was in a niche for many years ... and then along comes The Beast!.. BMW K 1600 ( actually 1649cc) GTL Super Sports Tourer. This bike has just about every modern technological toy imaginable ! Riding is like a comfort seat all the way ( although some cruisers are a tad easier on the but) Performance is UNBELIEVABLE!!! and cruising along a highway , cruise control ensuring my licenses stays intact, whilst listening to the radio blaring away .. Heaven!
Too many emotions are involved here.. If you've ever wanted the ' Rolls Royce ' of bikes.. Get a BMW!
Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited
Are you finding that your wife and usual pillion passenger is finding it hard to get on the back of your lovely Adventure Bike? Are your poor old… Read more
knees not as reliable as they were 50 years ago? Funny you should say that, BRP (Bombardier Recreation Products) Can-Am have something to ease those problems. Enter the Can-Am Spyder. The Spyder comes with a 1330 cc 3 cylinder engine of 88 kw output, a 6 speed semi automatic gearbox and comfortable seating. The wide track (about the same as your ute) means the bike doesn't do anything weird when you and the missus climb aboard, it just sits there level and waiting. If you have been riding for years you will anticipate corners and bends as they come up, the bike doesn't lean, but you do, for your own comfort. Things to get used to:- 1. No foot gear change, instead it is a switch with up / down paddle on the left hand grip. 2. No hand operated front brake lever, instead a single pedal on the right foot peg / floor board applied force to the 3 Brembo discs via ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution etc. 3. No clutch lever see below. 4. Cruise control on the right grip next to the conventional twist throttle. It sets and adjusts easily with your thumb and a touch of the brake pedal and the cruise control drops out for you. The cruise control does not lock or grip the throttle twist grip in an open position. 5. Semiautomatic downshifts / upshift lockout, as your speed reduces especially under braking the gearbox downshifts to match your ground speed. At standstill the bike will automatically be in first gear ready to go. on upshifts 2nd gear above 20 kmh, 3rd above 30 kmh, 4th above 40 kmh, 5th above 50 kmh, 6th above 60 kmh. Downshifts are similarly scaled with a deadband included.
Why didn't I give the bike a 5 star rating? In 3 words TERRIBLE THROTTLE RESPONSE. Low end torque is negligible. Linearity is non existant. It encourages a style of riding that I'm uncomfortable with. From standstill holding on to 1st gear will mask the mess somewhat at the risk of overshooting the 60 kmh limit. When overtaking mobile roadblocks at 80 kmh it gets even worse. Open the throttle and apart from a large increase in noise not much happens for quite a while, then somewhere between 4000 and 5000 RPM whoosh. On rough current day unmaintained QLD roads the result is unnecessarily unpleasant, the time in the oncoming lane is longer than it should be and final speeds likely higher along with noticeable chassis dynamic degradation especially in the numerous QLD rough patches. After market work around devices do exist, called throttle controllers, however the correct and safe approach would be for BRP to recall all these bikes and properly tune the ECM for a linear response. They broke it, they should fix it.
Best Tourer ive owned !!!!! – Well yes i know, before you say it, its another copy of a harley. Well id have to aggree in looks the XVZ1300 is exactly like a Harley Electra Glide,… Read more
but only bigger! This thing is huge and heavy as well. But once you are rolling its a pleasure to ride with excellent weather protection and comfort which exceeds my Gold wing 1800. Performance is good for a heavy bike and will easily cruise quietly at speeds of 80-100 mph where limits permit! The stereo is great and you can still hear it clearly with a full face helmet on , also the cruise control is a very nice feature which limits wrist ache on long journeys. All in all an excellent machine with all the capabilities of any tourer! Looks not your normal boring paneuropean or bmw tourer Straight cut gearbox can be a little whiney at certain revs .
Suzuki GSX-8R
2024 Suzuki GSX8R – Early days yet, only a few months traveled since first service. Now at 1800 KM on the clock. I have another 800 Suzuki, the V Strom 800 RE at the… Read more
moment too, and had a 2023 8S of which there is a review on this site. The R is a sportstourer more than a hard on sports bike; buy it for that alone and you will get a bike that does a few more roles than just carve corners.
The torque is centred around 4 to 5000 RPM and it is not a top end power machine like my now departed 2024 First Gen Honda Hornet 750 which the 8R replaced. It is far more comfortable than the Hornet, but that depends on your age and fitness too. The aerodynamics of the fully faired bike make for excellent wind deflection away from the rider. Some bike windscreens just dump all the air into the riders face (my 800RE !). Suzuki has got it right for my 6 foot frame and height, even better if you are more vertically challenged than me.
Suspension is a welcome highlight on the R version. It has Honda owned Showa's at both ends and the benefit is obvious over that fitted to the cheaper 8S. Where the S at the front leaps upwards over ridges, the R just absorbs them and moves on. The rear on the R is just as good. Yes, you still feel the suspension, but it doesn't get upset. No complaints about the Dunlop tyres fitted, they are the same as on the S, but are higher speed rated Z one's.
First service was $265, which included using the Suzuki oil, filter pack which IF used at every service by a Suzuki Dealer, gives 12 months full warranty extra over the standard two years.
Bob.
pure utter junk – the kinroad xt50-18 is got to be the most dodgy motorcycle out their.frame has poor welding.and poor geometry .the electrical wiring harness is junk… Read more
and corrodes in slight damp weather,the metal is pure junk that rust easy.the .engine is stone age technology.engine components are very rattly,very under powered. poor climbing ability.