Best Touring Bike

[knapdog]

I've got my Direct Access next month at the ripe old age of 62 and I'm already thinking what's next. The Cubs for exploring the lanes, the Cg125 for fair weather commuting but what about further afield like a vacance en France.
I've been half wondering about a Honda Deauville or possibly a Bonneville. Any thoughts? ??
For some reason the Cruisers don't appeal to me unless you think otherwise.

[Biker Paul]

I have had a Kawasaki W650 for about 5 years and would not part with it! It has the looks, the sound and general air of a sixties bike but with the reliability of a modern bike. I am 62 years old and find it absolutely perfect for my rallying often covering 300+ miles a day for several days at a time loaded with all my camping gear. I can recommend one. In over 80 thousand miles the only major expense has been a replacement exhaust (£1300 all in at Kawasaki prices .....£525 in stainless from Predator and sounds just lovely) Comfortable and easy to handle it will run all day on the motorways at 80 and averages around 65 to gallon.

[compo]

W650. Great bike, I also have one, had it for years and would not part with it..........

[ll81]

Depends on your price range too really, the following few bikes are from my through and through Honda man-ness.

If you've got £1500 to spare then a very good nick CB500 can be purchased. Nothing OTT on power wise, fantastic light bike for flicking around but very steady over distance and a good tank range. For a little more things like the XRV750 Africa twin, VFR800 and CB900 could make fine companions.

If money is a little less sparse then there are many capable models in the newer Honda range. The X connotation on newer models is the "adventure" line of bikes designed to be capable machines that will do mileage, are not stupidly powerful, very comfortable and won't shy away from a gravel track or bumpy back road.

I think really a visit to a dealer and arranging some test rides could be a good start.

[wightegi]

As above the cb is very good but has the learner image as a lot are used by schools .W650`s I like and also the Yam900 divi shaft drive. Or how about the new honda 700 twin over 70 miles to the gallon..old school BMW there are a lot out there but with a new license insurance may be a factor so 500 cc is good.

[Diddly]

Have a look at a maxi-scooter, Suzuki Burgman for example.... 400cc, good performance/economy.
As comfy as a Goldwing without the weight. Loads of on board luggage space/excellent weather protection. Twist and go/step through design etc etc.
Not everyones cup of tea but do not knock them till you have ridden one and do not ride one coz you might like it!

Diddly

[Bogger]

I bought a brand new BMW F800gs. It was absolutely crap, utter rubbish, complete waste of space and money and dreadfully uncomfortable. So I sold it and did without a big bike for 12 months or so. I then fancied a BMW R65 or similar. Anyways I ended up buying a BMW R1100RS for only £1,500 with 55k on it. I wasn't expecting a great deal from it in terms of 'gelling' with it etc. Can I just say what a fantastic bike it is. It does everything brilliantly. It's everything the GS wasn't. It's one of the 4valve oil cooled jobbies. Everytime I ride it I'm more impressed with it and it's surprisingly quick and effortless to ride . Can you tell I like it. The only down side is, is it's heavy if you are mauling it around. The weight disappears once on the road. Came with BMW panniers as well .

Bogger

[Saltysnax]

Old air head BMW or Honda CX500. Both reliable, comfy and good for miles and miles. I had a BMW R100S for 12 years and did over 100,000 miles on it. Both bikes easy to fix and maintain. Both good for 50 mpg+. Neither are new enough to have all the modern electrical computer nonsense that is fine when it works and dreadfully expensive to fix when it doesn't. Spares for these bikes should be cheapish too.

[Cerberus73]

hmmm depends what syle of bike you like, how long legged you are, and how much you wanna spend. CB500 great bike, couldnt find one with decent mileage and condition locally so i ended up with a GS500.. same idea, but not as good as the honda tbh, its a bit cramped if you are over 6ft.. daueville is great wee commute/tourer, has the panniers built in and along with a good topbox gives some load luggin ability. id love one but im to skint to get a decent one that isnt shagged already.. second hand pan euros are a option, as are beemer air cooled boxers.. the beemer GS is a bit crap, my chums one is a rattly, agricultural sounding thing and no it isnt shagged its just a rough sounding engine, there all like that.

a good CX500 or GL500 would be good, not to everyones tastes, but a good un will go on forever, the W800 and W650 kawas are nice, period looks but modern mechanicals. nice sit up and beg seating position. yamaha divvy 900 good bike, shaft drive, soft tuned and roomy. sets of hard panniers and topbox can be had for em. and then this leaves cruisers, viragos are thirsty and underpowered, but honda shadows can be found cheap enough, great 600 and 750 engines. later yam dragster 650 and 1100 is nice. and can carry a load if rigged out right. it comes down to what you want, not what everyone else is suggesting, as long as it fits you, does the job and the price is right.

[tomstransport]

I think you are thinking along the right lines with a Deauville or a Bonnie more wind protection with the Honda but the bonnie is a great bike.