Which hyper tourer?

[Arsey]

Was thinking same as smudger about the 'hyper-tourer' status but there is one bike missing from the list, the 'ONLY' hyper tourer.

I owned one for 6 years and toured regularly through Europe, including blast round Nurburgring. The bike - Suzuki Hayabusa. Unrivalled speed, good MPG (for the speed), comfy pillion seat, etc, etc. I suppose the only negative would be the lack of hard luggage available but I used soft luggage, tank bag and packed fairly light!!!!!

Other than that and if I wasn't bothered about the 'hyper-tourer' status it would be a Yam or ZZR1400GTR.

I loved my Busa when I had one a few years back.But....

The Busa is not suitable for (hyper) touring if you are 6' or more as the pegs are too high.



And if you ride a modern bike like the K1300S you realise what a barge the Busa is.


The K13S has FAR FAR superior handling.Brakes in a different league-infact a recent test in a bike mag said the K13 brakes were the best they had ever tested on ANY bike including latest sportsbikes.

Comfort is also brilliant,as is the screen

The K13S also trumped the Busa on torque and top gear roll ons and was only beaten on top speed.

But if you really need any more than a genuine 170 mph I think you may be needing treatment.


Obviously the K13 is more expensive than a Busa,but the base model is little more,and directly comparable with a similar spec.


I'm also obviously a bit biased as I've just got a K13S.

But it took a hell of alot to trade me GSA for one.


I've tried a GTR1400,and also demoed the BMW GT1300 but the K13 was so much better than all of them.


But if you want a cheap Hyper Tourer then I guess a Blackbird is the best bet.

 

[red1]

Did 24k on a K1200GT-SE until swapped for 07 GSA in Feb.
Hell of a bike for fast touring - if that's what you want.
Was a question about reliability which should be sorted with K1300.

Did 28K in 2 years on Pan 1300 - don't believe the wan*ers it handles well at all speeds and all weights. Most of ours was 2 up.

Kwak is the least "touring" of the bikes. Least powerful in the "real world" and no touring bits -heated grips etc. I'd just get ZZR14 and save money and get performance.

FJR is good but currently well overpriced. Not changed for 3 years and now around £11.5K ??

Which one?
K1300GT (lighter and faster than Pan) then Pan 1300 (best weather protection) then FJR (if a good deal around) then the Kwak

 

[GS TRV]

Just checked - it's not the 1st of April Arsey

 

[Arsey]

What are peeps views on the reliability of the 1300GT?

Wife thinks I should do deal with BMW as they are giving fair price for Z4*

p.s. *anyone want a lovely 3.0 SE Z4 42k miles dark metallic grey soft top?

p.p.s I love how devious us men can be, start off wanting a 2nd bike and with the right moves can achieve the "Oh, just buy the bloody thing!" in about 3 weeks if we are careful ;-)

If considering the GT13,get a ride on the K13S if you can.


I tried both and the latter was so much better,for me,at least.


I hated the srceen on the GT (I'm 6'1").

On high setting it produced buffet and on low was no better than K13S.


It also felt like a barge and got battered in any crosswinds and the seat/riding position wasn't great,again just a personal judgement

Only benefit over it's fitter sister I can see is bigger panniers and heated seat option.

 

[Arsey]

Just checked - it's not the 1st of April Arsey

So what are you disputing ?

 

[vilguy]

im a kwak man so would go for the 1400gtr all day long, i was over at our hinckley branch of drayton croft the other day and they had some 08 1400s gtrs & zzrs going for some seriously cheap money! Leicester Kawasaki has also got a zzr1400 08 cheap as well. All new but pre reg'd

 

[Kneeslider916]

Blackbird every time

 

[bladerunner]

....and the winner is......!

Ta Dar!

The kawasaki GTR1400.

OMFG what a nice bike. Test rode one from South Wales superbikes yesterday on a very blustery M4. Beautiful, planted, smooth and slightly brisk ;-) I like a heavy long wheel based bike - and despite that it turns in very easily. Also remarkably easy to ride slowly in traffic.


I do so love it when the middle of the speedo reads 110mph!!! Not sure of I used more than 6 of the 11.5k revs available.

IMHO it is better made than the BMW and cheaper.

So Kwak it is, we'll see how we get on.


Thanks for all the thoughts - it's been fun trying them all out.

 

[Paul Rochdale]

"Pan might weave at high to very high speeds".

You might get struck by lightening but it's extremely unlikely. Nine years ownership, never happened yet, fully laden, two up. I tour at between 80 and 90 for hour after hour. Rock steady at these speeds. And you don't get off at the end of the day with a bad back and a sore arse.

 

[Ted]

Have a look at this months Motorcycle Sport & Leisure. Have a road test of the three bikes you are looking at. Did the same swap, GT from GSA1150. Totaly different bike but (now all mods done ) a great touring bike as fast, or as slow as you like. Just be carefull, even loaded and pillion on board will "go light " at the front if you crack open the throttle in the lower 3 gears.

 

[MIKE R]

If you're considering the BM, Cooper's at Tunbridge Wells were doing a cracking deal on pre reg K12GTs. They still had one left last Wednesday.

Don't ask me how I know!

Mike

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just get a R1100RT and save your cash for some decent trips and tours

It'll do all the previous mentioned bikes will...................in comfort and speed

Plus you won't have all the electric trickery, that may let you down

 

[Decompressing]

"Pan might weave at high to very high speeds".

You might get struck by lightening but it's extremely unlikely. Nine years ownership, never happened yet, fully laden, two up. I tour at between 80 and 90 for hour after hour. Rock steady at these speeds. And you don't get off at the end of the day with a bad back and a sore arse.

Unfortunately, there's no 'might' about it, more likely 'may' weave at speed....I've owned both 1100 and 1300 Pans...no probs with 1100 but I had a years worth of issues with the 1300's handling...I sold it in the end, despite the fact that everything else about it was awesome for touring.

Trouble is, it affects some bikes more than others, some people never experience it and you can never tell when its going to misbehave...and before people start on about the variables, tried everything, topcase on or off, one-up, two-up, every screen position, suspension altered to every possible setting....you just never knew when it would play-up....

Still, you might be lucky...

 

[bladerunner]

I had an 1100RT for 7 years and 50,000 miles - sold it to best mate who is hardly using it - so may well buy back again. It went to Spain and France 9 times and to Morocco.

Problem is - three bikes will not fit in garage.

I agree probably best bike BM ever made, but does get out of breath above 85 and is a bit buzzy. Most "advances" made by BM (servo brakes, lighter less robust engines, floppy fairing panels, bl**dy CAN bus which will not allow heated jacket and trickle charger) have been backwards IMHO. Get into da BM groove at 60 on a country road and life's sweet, but I do like an ICBM power surge.

It is time from work/family which restricts my trips rather than finances.

 

[Brig]

Yeh I had a bird b4 the gsa the bogs dollox

 

[richie]

Just get a R1100RT and save your cash for some decent trips and tours

It'll do all the previous mentioned bikes will...................in comfort and speed

Plus you won't have all the electric trickery, that may let you down

I agree with Johnny... But why not the 1100RS... Lovely bike and quite rare should be a bit faster...

 

[Twotter]

I agree with Johnny... But why not the 1100RS... Lovely bike and quite rare should be a bit faster...

I did 50k miles on my old 1100RS before I got a GS and it was very good indeed. A bit odd looking from some angles but a very capable, and underrated, bike. I've also ridden 1100 & 1150RT's and I found myself riding that bit faster then on the RS. I think it was the better weather protection and a nod towards RT's being surprisingly agile for their size

I still fancy a Blackbird though

 

[Wapping]

I still fancy a Blackbird though

....and I STILL know where there is a fantastic second hand one to buy at a cracking price.

You would be a real mug to miss it and it's not a million miles from your front door!

 

[Twotter]

....and I STILL know where there is a fantastic second hand one to buy at a cracking price.

You would be a real mug to miss it and it's not a million miles from your front door!

Off to Germany on the Varadero this weekend for a week. If all goes well I may decide to stay as I am but I could very easily come back and look to sell it. If so, then I'll be in touch

Though if you know any details of the bike I'd appreciate a pm

Edit. Just got your pm

 

[FidoNick]

...
I wish I could get the GT off its bloody centre stand with a degree of confidence - then I'd buy one without even bothering to test ride the others!...

I know what you mean. That's why god invented the side stand Of course you could always try the way that every else does, but never admits to.....

I've not tried the 1300 yet, but the 1200GT has always seemed a most capable bike, though a bit cr&p off-road....

Anyway - whatever decision is made will be a good one!