Hooniverse Asks- What’s Your Favorite Two-Wheel Tourer?
I have questionable acquaintances. One of those friends once told me that his preferred vehicle for an L.A. to Vegas run was the early ’80s Cadillac Eldorado due to the fact that it had a glove box door which would drop down flat making for an excellent platform from which to snort blow. Like I said, I have questionable acquaintances. Still, that Caddy coupe, in pretty much any of its iterations, represents a form of luxury touring car for which there is little substitute. Little that is unless your predilections lean towards two wheelers of a similar ilk.
It seems that there isn’t a car or truck form for which you can’t match an equatable motorcycle. Ferrari? Ducati. Jeep? KTM Enduro. And touring bikes, being the biggest and most luxurious, are like the Caddys or Buicks of the tippy-over set, many having options that might shame even those hallowed white shoe and matching belt brands.
It takes a special kind of biker to rock a tourer, seeing as most are only a few pounds shy of what four wheels will buy you. Of course, going four wheels means putting up with the inconvenience of weather protection or crash safety. Riding a touring bike means wind in your face, numbness in your crotch, and a turning circle that would shame the Exxon Valdez. What it doesn’t mean however is missing your favorite radio program, lacking cruise control, or for some, actually having to scuff up the soles of your boots when backing up, as they sport reverse gears.
Knowing the unique appeal, which touring bike is your favorite? And stay away from hyped up people in old Eldorados on the I-15, m’kay?
Image: [motorcycle usa]
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Two-wheel tourer?
<img src="http://www.automotiveaddicts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/shanghai-v-day-cadillac-cts-v-two-wheels-three.jpg"width=500>
I'll take the CTS-V Coupe.
OT, but just watched License to Kill last night. Reminds me of this:
<img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9F37JFBarC8/Tf-nh54SVXI/AAAAAAAABRk/pjqhryKIWGg/s1600/ltk-+semi+stunt.jpg">
Obviously that Vision being ridden in the picture is from a motorcycle magazine. Because we Vision owners know at that angle a couple things are going to happen. First you are going to cause some very expensive damage by scraping everything under the bike. That and that the bike will stop moving since the drag caused by this will eventually just leave the bike tipped over at 30 degrees.
Now this may sound odd since I own a Vision and I am by no means a BMW car fan but the one I am really liking these days is the 2012 BMW K1600GT. The list price is $3000 more then my vision but it has 50% more power. It comes standard with reverse, GPS and a communications system. Plus you know that in 200,000 miles the bike will still be going.
<img src="http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/files/2012-bmw-k1600GT-gtl-gtl-comparison%205.jpg" width="600">
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/DEJ6s.gif" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" />
For me the Gold Wing is still the gold standard.
Not only does it have all the comforts, but it's pretty amazing how well one scoots along in the twisties. The legendary "yellow wolf" once made 106 runs up Deals Gap on one in 24 hours. I'm assuming no stuffed animals were mounted on the trunk.[youtube 0nrMQ3QwyPo&feature=player_embedded#! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrMQ3QwyPo&feature=player_embedded#! youtube]
Wow, that's a lot of scraping for any bike, but bikes that big. . . . craziness.
I scraped a peg once. Just once, after I'd been riding for maybe a week and a half. It was an accident and it scared the shit out of me, nearly as badly as my accidental wheelie at a crowded 4-way stop.
Nose down wheelie? I scraped a pedal once on my bike, in turn, pedaling away from a mean German Shepard, that was unnerving.
Nope. That might've been better. Sorry–it got long.
The scene: misty morning at a 4-way where I turn left. The asphalt in the intersection is all wavy and humpy from big heavy ag trucks taking off from all four directions. I left the house ten minutes late, which puts me at this intersection during a bit of a rush. I've been riding a motorcycle, at this point, for about a month, and am still a bit nervous around traffic or when I think People Are Staring At Me.
My turn comes, I let out the clutch and nothing happens. People are staring at me. I let it out a bit further and the engine starts to die. People are staring at me. I give it some throttle and the bike moves, but a bit slowly. "Odd, that," I think to myself and give it just a bit more gas. People are staring at me. As I'm giving it more throttle, I'm not paying attention to what my clutch hand is doing, which is letting the clutch go even more.
Again the engine starts to die, and my right hand, without asking my brain for permission, really honks on the throttle, and this scares the reptile part of my brain badly enough that it directs the rest of my body to cling to the bike like a lizard to a rock. So I let go the clutch and clutch the handlebar. My right hand and wrist lock into position for "holding on tight", which at this point is also the position of "go really fast".
I've already pointed the bike for a left turn and now, suddenly, I'm making that left turn on a single wheel. There's nothing but sky in front of my handlebars. I scream, but I’m wearing a helmet, so none of the people staring at me can hear it. The clouds in the sky in front of my handlebars slew to the right. A light pole crosses the sky in front of me. I keep screaming and start thrashing my feet about, trying to get them to HOLD ON TIGHT also.
My right foot whacks the rear brake lever, and causes the sky in front of me to go away. It also causes my body to pitch forward, which causes my right hand and wrist to rotate just enough to close the throttle. The front wheel whacks into the ground and I bounce off the seat. Somehow I grabbed the clutch right then—certainly it wasn’t a conscious thought, just a lucky grab—and I roll off onto the shoulder and stop.
Silence. Then horns. Twenty cars honking, more congratulations than annoyance. I look back, see a few fists pumping out windows, all those fist belonging to People Who Are Staring At Me.
I turn bright red. I can feel it in my ears. But I’m wearing a helmet, so none of them can see it. I figure out that I am in 2nd and not 1st gear, then take off down the road with two wheels on the ground.
With that (can't stop laughing, with the image of you dangling legs flaying about) you are the third person I am following here. The first that is not a contributor, get on that, would love to see you as an author here!
Smiling. Thanks.
That. Is. Awesome.
Laughed out loud. My wife asked what was so funny, so I had to laugh while I read it out loud to her. She laughed.
/Still Staring At You
/ears turning red
Having owned an '01 ABS GL1800 for a short time…before almost dying on it…I can say it behaves like a machine 3/5ths its size.
I was quite comfy, too comfy, perhaps, dragging hard parts after a week and about 400 miles.
I rode around the fountain in one parking lot, getting a feel for it before I let my wife get on the pillion.
They're the perfect road machine, though they do not fly or float particularly well.
A motorcycle tour is about being alone with your thought. Having reality scream toward you while being literally seconds and inches away from non-existence. All the doo-dads just detract from the experience, which is why my pick is the Guzzi California Vintage:
<img src="http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/files/2009-moto-guzzi-cal-vin-3.jpg" width=500>
I could probably see myself doing the most miles on a Gold Wing. That said, I know someone who does distance rides on a turbo 'Busa. So that would probably be my favorite two-wheel tourer. Like a couch with a turbo.
I have a thing for naked/streetfighter/cafe racer goldwings…
<img src="http://www.classic-japanese-bikes.com/images/HondaGoldwingStreetfighterGold4.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://www.pipeburn.com/storage/21_01_2012_goldwing_cafe_racer_01.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1327109970867" width=500>
<img src="http://www.classic-japanese-bikes.com/images/HondaGoldwingStreetfighter.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://thekneeslider.com/images/2010/03/goldwing-finish.jpg" width=500>
<img src="http://www.randakks.com/Endurance%20Special%20Honda%20GL100055.jpg" width=500>
IIRC, the one at the bottom is supercharged.
I've thought many time about building a naked Wing.
Old Goldwings look great stripped. Great proportions.
Many people don't realize that naked was the original configuration and that early 'wings only came that way. Craig Vetter's success with aftermarket fairings and luggage prompted the factory to get in on the action.
I remember that. They looked pretty good, too. They were fast for their time, as well. I remember a long time Harley rider getting one, and he didn't regret it.
Randakk is the go-to guy when i comes to early Goldwings. Helped me a lot with my GL1100.
What have you done with yours?
After 115K I decided to try something new. The Kawasaki Drifter is pretty but it's not as refined as the Goldwing. I'm actually thinking about trying a small bike for touring next: the Suzuki TU250X.
I just intentionally took the fairing off my FZ1, so it's clear tourers aren't my thing; and I generally dislike cruisers; but for some reason the Art Deco style of the Kawasaki Vaquero really gets me. So I suppose I'll go with that.
<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/7/S/0/-/11-kawasaki-vaquero-3-4.jpg" width="600">
A similar effect makes Indians work.
<img src="http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/files/2010-indian-motorcycles.jpg" width=500>
Still got too many doodads…
<img src="http://scoot.net/gallery/2005/07/mayhem/Ray/small_DSC01502.JPG" WIDTH="640">
From a weekend trip from SLC to Denver. Did the ride back in one day and it was perfect.
I get three votes, okay? Okay,
<img src="http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/1984-harley-davidson-fxrt-3.jpg">
The original H-D FXRT Sport Glide. The first tourer I ever rode that made me think, WANT!
<img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Honda-GL650-SilverWing-Interstate.jpg">
It combined all the best qualities of a middleweight with all the comfort of a full-dresser. My boss had one and I fell in love with it.
<img src="http://www.kz1300.com/techarticles/80-kz1300-a2.jpg" width="450">
And finally, it had no luggage and no windshield, but that's what full-face helmets and tank bags are for. I rode one once and I immediately wanted to point it toward the Pacific and just keep going. It just begged to keep eating miles.
My first bike was a GL500. Took it 2-up from Ontario to Cape Breton. Very nice touring bike.
I've only seen one or two of those KZ1300s, and just looking at it made me feel the same way.
Unfortunately, there are no new parts available for the carbs and electrics anymore, but I still desperately want one anyway, and regularly torture myself with yakaz searches for them.
That's pretty much why I sold my GT550 when I left Utah. It was getting harder and harder to find parts for it. For instance, NOS points were unavailable any more at the Suzuki place, and they were selling me cheap looking knockoffs. Boyer had stopped making electronic ignitions, too. Oh, and the coils and plug wires were one unit, and the wires were about to go. It seems like it's getting more difficult to keep interesting old bikes like these on the road.
I've always found the Honda Goldwings impressive. The fact that it has a 1.8 liter horizontally opposed 6 cylinder engine doesn't hurt either.
<img src="http://images02.olx.com/ui/6/22/93/1275494269_97361993_1-Pictures-of—2007-Honda-Goldwing-GL1800-low-miles-1275494269.jpg" width="500">
The I liked best was my Blackbird
<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R3vfoyYMc7I/SuICApDRTGI/AAAAAAAACjQ/YkVZUR2LiSM/w532-h299-k/DSC04739.JPG">
I ride a lightweight, modern interpretation of the UJM-style bike. I absolutely cannot imagine riding a bike that big, or that heavy, or that low.
But when I imagine real hard, I start to get an image that doesn't look too different from a Valkyrie, and I think thie is due to my infatuation with the 1500cc flat-six carbs-all-around engine that sound like a Porsche. I love this motor. I would love to find a wrecked bike just for the motor. I want this motor in my Geo.
<img src="http://www.manufacturer.com/cimages/product/www.alibaba.com/0309/z/10342465_Honda_Valkyrie.jpg" width=400>
Watch the Nickel Test video. You'll love this motor, too.
[youtube -ltreXdBlC4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ltreXdBlC4 youtube]
*sounds*
I can't ride full-dress tourers because I get absolutely no pleasure out of them. I'd rather stay home than scrape around on a half-ton of chrome and doo-dads. I'm not judging others who do, I just don't get any kind of enjoyment out of large, lazy bikes.
Getting that part out of the way, my first choice for a touring bike has to be the 1993 Yamaha GTS1000. It was way too expensive when it was introduced, but that doesn't negate the fact it was super cool and a great ride.
<img src="http://www.burningart.com/meico/moto/parker/gts1000a.jpg" />
Superb choice.
As much promise as hub-centre steering has of being better than forks it's a shame it's had so little development. Then again if it's left to madmen like Stellan Eglund that's maybe not all bad.
<img src="http://www.mychopper.ro/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/se-service-600×400.jpg">
Is BMW's Telelever pretty close to this?
The Telelever is quite different. The linkage in that one is above the wheel level, and the wheel doesn't pivot in the fork. Lessee where's a diagram … ah here –
<img src="http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/113/977/1660518-telelever_p0013231.jpg">
another
<img src="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7567661/telelever.jpeg">
Got it. I didn't really notice any difference in feel between riding the GTS1000 and Telelever-equipped Boxer twins.
Yes, please, and throw in a Tesi 3D for sport riding.
<img src="http://www.webbikeworld.com/bimota/tesi-3d/bimota-tesi-3d-right.jpg">
This was the one I tweaked into Frankencycle.
<img src="http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp29/mckellyb/STrightfront.jpg" width="400">
<img src="http://i394.photobucket.com/albums/pp29/mckellyb/STrightrear.jpg" width="400">
My wife and I took our LD rallying rather seriously. BTW, 10.4 gallons of fuel isn't enough in many parts of the west. I ran out of fuel more than once due to miscalculation of MPG (turned out a 1100cc machine can get 22 MPG for extended periods).
The Oregon plate read "FARKLD". Yeah…it was…rather.
An ST1100 is on my short list when I get rid of the Venture.
Is it fair to assume you were happy with it?
I was quite happy with it. More so after putting both a Works shock in the rear and a CBR600F2 front wheel on it.
Does a Ural fit the definition?
<img src="http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/259530/images/1Ural-Red-October1.jpg"width=500>
Check the records at http://www.ironbutt.com, there's a number of Ural sidecar rigs that have made the rated rides (1000mi/24hrs and up)
There was one that participated in the Iron Butt Rally (around 10,000 miles in 10 days) in 2001, though I believe it had lots of mechanical problems.
I don't doubt that there were many mechanical issues on an endurance run. While Ural's quality has improved over the last four or five years, the earlier bikes are just not well built. It seems my taste in bikes is similar to my taste in cars.
My Norton Commando worked fine as a tourer, it was smooth and handled well. I've always wanted one of these, though. I don't want to adjust the valves, or rebuild all the carbs, etc. Ok, I like the idea of having one.
<img src="http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/1981-honda-cbx-1.jpg">
I would go for a BMW R100RT. I like the features and performance of the new R1200RTs but I appreciate the simplicity and durability of the old Airheads and I want a little more comfort.. While my 25 year old self was fine clocking high mileage on my R100S cafe racer, my 46 year old back wants a more upright seat and less rain in the face. Plus Red Smoke is the best BMW color scheme ever.
<img src="http://images.psndealer.com/dealersite/images/re-psycle/vp1012233_1.jpg">
<img src="http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/CudaJeff71/Divers/CHiPs09.jpg" width="500">
http://www.hark.com/clips/gghvshzvvp-chips-theme-…
That was my phone ring back in the days of songs played by modulating beeps the phone could make. I totally need to bring it back!
Couldn't agree more!
[youtube VTDOLoDiOcg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTDOLoDiOcg youtube]
Aprilia RST 1000 Futura. Is it beautiful? Not particularly. Does it work? Oh so very well.
Alternatively, a properly accessorized KLR650 will take you just about anywhere. Slowly.
Myself, I'd have to go with a well set up road bike, as in bicycle, with a full set of panniers and handlebar bag.
Now a good buddy of mine, the fork lift mechanic, always swore by his big BMW cruiser. Of course, he wasn't averse to taking his Goldwing on a motocross circuit, either.
I've been pretty happy with my ZRX1100. Some performance mods, some changes for comfort (and now it's lost the fairing & has a 9" round headlight from an '80-something Suzuki GS1100.
<img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3047/3038215147_e6a9bf43f0_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="fall colors">
Nice! A ZRX was on my very-short-list before I ended up with my FZ1.
Here is one I saw last summer. I don't know much about this bike, but i liked it's stance and the fact that he made room for his steelhead fly rod in the gear pack![youtube BJzgu5aiSz8&feature=youtube_gdata http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJzgu5aiSz8&feature=youtube_gdata youtube]