Maybe...just maybe...Sport Touring is coming back!

rc_heli_nut · Dec 12, 2020

Yes, some of today's bike look positively weird, like things are grafted on as an afterthought. Think I'll keep the NT, it has a nice "finished product" vibe about it.

I've given some thought to trading the NT for something else from time to time, but always eventually block the thought out, afraid of getting something else I won't like as much. Seems I always find a way to fall back in love with the NT.

Brad

Coyote Chris · Dec 12, 2020

NewTo700V said:
If I wanted a brand new sports-tourer to replace the rides I have now, I would take a serious look at the new Aprilia RS 660. I would consider it a sports-tourer simply from the riding position. There will also be factory luggage options available. That's more than I can say for the 1998 VFR800, which had no factory luggage available and is referred to as a sports-tourer in all media I've ever seen.

I dont think the bike is BAD. But its small at 400 lbs and the rider position would need risers, etc. If you dont camp, perhaps the coming luggage would work. It just doesnt seem to be the bike for a 6 ft 2 in old man. (I also start twitching when someone mentions the word "buzz".

Coyote Chris · Dec 12, 2020

rc_heli_nut said:
Yes, some of today's bike look positively weird, like things are grafted on as an afterthought. Think I'll keep the NT, it has a nice "finished product" vibe about it.

I've given some thought to trading the NT for something else from time to time, but always eventually block the thought out, afraid of getting something else I won't like as much. Seems I always find a way to fall back in love with the NT.

Brad

The NT and the VFR were designed in an age where bikes couldnt be one trick ponies. They had to be adaptable to something a broad band of riders could make work to fit their needs. Big lids? Luggage rack? GREAT! We now have a touring bike that different wind screens are available for. The NT , and its father the 650, while not in the US, were big successes and still are in Europe. Same with the VFR. That's why they lasted so long. Just like the Concours C10. Let's see how long that Rebel lasts......

NewTo700V · Dec 12, 2020

Coyote Chris said:
I dont think the bike is BAD. But its small at 400 lbs and the rider position would need risers, etc. If you dont camp, perhaps the coming luggage would work. It just doesnt seem to be the bike for a 6 ft 2 in old man. (I also start twitching when someone mentions the word "buzz".

The VFR is a porker at 500lbs, but it's certainly not a big bike. It has more in common with the Aprilia than the NT you got rid of. I have Helibars on my VFRs and even then I don't think I could recommend a VFR for older riders.

The NT is another category as far as comfort. You can put lower sets and risers on VFRs all day, but that won't change the real estate available in the saddle.

The VFR and Aprilia have tanks that essentially make a 90 degree angle to the plane of the seat. There's not much room before you start mushing dangly bits up against the gas tank.

The seat on the Deauville has a gentle upsweep and the tank continues at this angle. No trying to turn the family jewels into diamond.

Coyote Chris · Dec 12, 2020

NewTo700V said:
The VFR is a porker at 500lbs, but it's certainly not a big bike. It has more in common with the Aprilia than the NT you got rid of. I have Helibars on my VFRs and even then I don't think I could recommend a VFR for older riders.

The NT is another category as far as comfort. You can put lower sets and risers on VFRs all day, but that won't change the real estate available in the saddle.
View attachment 17130

The VFR and Aprilia have tanks that essentially make a 90 degree angle to the plane of the seat. There's not much room before you start mushing dangly bits up against the gas tank.

The seat on the Deauville has a gentle upsweep and the tank continues at this angle. No trying to turn the family jewels into diamond.

I disagree. Depends on the person's samatotype and likes. I rode my VFR with the risers 544 miles one day this summer with Frosty. Mostly off the four lanes. I think its a very comfortable bike.
The engine is very smooth and its not top heavy at all, like the NT was. Easy to flat foot. Some of Frosty's bikes dont fit me very well and fit him perfectly. I avoided even sitting on a VFR for years as I thought it would be too ergonomically hard...then I took a test ride on a used 2014 and I was gut hooked. The NT is a great bike. Treat the lids like glass, and if you dont mind the little bit of a buzz and the lack of power and are carefull about the top heaviness and propensity to take naps, its a winner. Me? I will keep my VFR, thank you very much. My dangly parts are just find.

Mellow · Dec 14, 2020

I like the adventure bike segment myself. There have been quite a few times I was on my Goldwings or ST1300s and had to deal with nasty construction or had to go down a bad road to a campground and even though I did get through it, a lighter bike with a more capable suspension would have been much easier to deal with.

My Tracer is considered a Sport Tourer by Yamaha and I feel that's very accurate. However, many that look at it also look at the BMW F850GS and Triumph Tiger 900 GT. I just test rode the F850GS this weekend because I was bored. That bike feels more like a comfortable sport tourer than my Tracer. The suspension is soft and absorbs the bumps better since it's also targeting some off road duty and that has the side benefit of being very plush on the highway. On my Tracer, I feel every bump. The front fairing on the BMW is much larger and will actually provide more wind protection than the Tracer.

I equate the Tracer to having a Corvette... great on the road and you can take it down a farm road, it might make it or you might tear out your oil pan.

I equate the true Adventure Bikes to having a jeep, pretty much capable of the toughest trails but noisy, slow and not great on the highway.

I equate the Adventure bikes (middleweight) to having the best of both worlds, maybe like a Subaru WRX Rally Car.

In the end, you get whatever 'tool' will do the job for 'you'.

My next bike will probably be one in the Adv category. I've had a Super Ten but after a few years it started getting heavy so I looked for a lighter bike. I didn't care for the Tiger 800 series and the Tracer engine is something everyone should experience one.. lol... But, as a 'tool' for 'me', I do with is was more Adv oriented.

Just like chain vs shaft, I won't let a 'category' of bike cause me to be blind me on what options I have for a 'tool' since there are still so many great bikes to choose from.

NewTo700V · Dec 14, 2020

JustPassinThru said:
Seems they intend to replace the V-4 with the Africa Twin.

I'm not sure that's an improvement.

I wonder how many Africa Twins have been over this forest service road in the mountains... I know my V4 has done it with just Michelin Road 5s. I still don't consider it a dual sport.

Coyote Chris · Dec 15, 2020

An adventure bike is one step above a street scrambler. I dont know if you would consider mine having a fairing but with an aftermarket windscreen I am happy with the wind protection for what it is. It has a relaxed seating position. wide bars, good close quarters steering. Hand protectors and a minor bash plate. With my decaying balance, I wouldnt take it off road...even the 10 mile FS road to West Ten sleep lake I used to do on my loaded Connie C10. But its lots of fun in many ways. Just like my VFR and FJR are lots of fun.

DirtFlier · Dec 16, 2020

Sport Touring was always a tiny segment in spite of all the STs and FJR's you see on the highways and at events. In my mind, the ADV bike has taken over at least a good portion of the sport touring market with hard bags, taller windshields, custom seats, etc. My guess is that most 1000cc+ ADV bikes hardly ever see any dirt, if at all but that's fine because the dealers and manufacturers are happy they continue to sell!

I noticed recently that H-D released their Pan American ADV bike which was honestly a surprise to me. I hope it does better then their electric motorcycle but realistically would the typical H-D buyer think about riding an ADV bike? And would someone in the market for an ADV bike stop at the Harley dealer?

Harley-Davidson Unveils 2021 Pan America Adventure-Touring Model

Harley-Davidson released new photos of and information about its adventure-touring motorcycle, the 2021 Pan America.

www.cycleworld.com

Mellow · Dec 16, 2020

I guess I don't understand why people care if an ADV bike sees any dirt. The ones I've had see as much dirt as my Wings did or my ST1300s did... The reason I like the ADV bikes is, due to the added suspension travel, you typically get a nice cushy ride on the hiway and potholes are not as jarring as they are on a 'Street' bike... You also aren't committed to the oem luggage with some street bikes like, goldwing, st1300, NT... you can mix and match as you like. I just added some Givi Dolomiti bags on my Tracer because I MUCH prefer top loading bags vs side loading.

My next bike will likely be a middleweight ADV bike like the F850GSA, Tiger 900 GT Pro or maybe the Africa Twin but I don't know a lot about that one just yet and they did have issues with the adventure trim they supposedly fixed for 2021. My main focus for my next bike is range and versatility. I want a great touring road bike that can handle the 5% of dirt/farm/construction/pot holes that all my previous and current bikes have done.

I love the Tracer engine but the range is lacking. My prev super ten would get 200 miles before the fuel light would flash and it was a good range. The tracer might make it to 180 but it might only be 140/150.. Given I like to do long 4-5 day touring, and I rarely just take the bike out for a quick ride, I don't like to start thinking about gas stops as I pull away from a gas station.