School me on ST bikes, maybe recommend one (2024)

Current bike: Aprilia Tuono
Like: Upright seating, bars, mad liter twin powah
Dislike: 125 mile range, not very good for pillion

I did a couple day trip that was fun and find that I'd like to do more stuff like that. No huge 2 week long cross country Nemo's Big Adventure stuff, but maybe some more weekend trips and stuff.

Things I'm after:
Luggage - preferably hard bags
decent wind protection
Decent-to-good range on a tank
Pillion comfort is a plus, just in general.

I test rode an Aprilia Futura and it wasn't too bad, but the reach to the bars seemed long. I'm sure helibars or some other risers would rectify that, though.

Bikes I've somewhat narrowed down to after not a lot of research:

Sprint ST
Multistrada
Futura
FZ-1

I'd prefer fuel injection, but I know the first gen FZ-1 was carbed and was a pretty universally loved bike... so it's not a complete requirement, but I also hate playing with carbs.

So, throw out some recommendations, BARFers!

You seem to have listed some bikes that only marginally meet your criteria.

How about...

Yamaha FJR1300ABS

or the BMW's?

Luggage: Sizeable hard bags with removeable liners included.
Excellent wind protection with many windscreens available and std electrically adjustable windscreen.
Excellent range on a tank. 6.6 gallon capacity, 260 mi/tank, burns 87 octane.
Pillion comfort is excellent, even more so if you upgrade to a Russell or Bill Mayer saddle.

You can have an '05 (last of the first generation) that's well outfitted with farkles for under $7500, or an '06 to present from about the same price up to about $11k, used.

Excellent, sporty fast machines that have NO PROBLEMS that will have you on the side of the road.

Ninja 650. No liter bike "powah", but plenty still to leave me with passing power doing 80 on 80 uphill with a passenger and a STUFFED trunk. Comfy, upright, decent mileage, handles great, lightweight... I could go on...

Or a Versys. My boss is buying one tomorrow, and we are taking a trip to Santa Barbar this weekend, so I should be able to tell you which I like better by then. Basically the same bike, bigger tank, slightly different power curve.

mikev said:

Don't think I can afford an FJR or BMW

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Used BMW's of the same vintage as a Futura shouldn't be too expensive. Have you considered the "other" Aprilia, a Caponord? They're reputed to be the sh*t for riding with pillions. On that same tack, how about a big Strom?

Of course, you could just see the light and get a Versys.

Well, depends on the budget, but I will tell you my secret for searching Craigslist for possible replacement bikes... Select: all motorcycles in your area, with pictures, over $2000, under your budget +2,000, search entire post, search for: heated

Because any ST bike that does not have heated something is not worth your time.

Ridden a few BMWs.

K1300GT - Insane power, excellent range, good comfort, esp for pilon. You won't notice that there's a passenger on the back. Cons: Reach to the bars may be a little long. Angle isn't perfect. Length is not a real limitation, but felt during cornering. Lighter than any other hyper-tourer on the market, but still not light. As of 2011, not in production. Gearing is shorter than I'd like for freeway use.

R1200RT - Electric power - plenty of grunt down low. Surprisingly nimble little bike, and feels much lighter while moving than the specs would indicate. Very predictable, stable suspension. Speakers work better than you might expect, on models so equipped. Sportier than the GT in the twisties. Cons: Gearing is great for touring, but a little taller than necessary for back-road riding. No top-end hit of power.

A quick CL perusal came up with a 2007 BMW K1200R "sport" with a full fairing instead of the oO headlight.

I'm in love.

Oh, sh*t.

Nevermind :|

+1 on the VFR. You can get the 6th Gen with 100hp for a decent price nowadays. I put the spiegler bars on mine and its so comfortable.

For me its the perfect mix of sport and touring. And it looks sweeet ;-)

I never ride 2 up though.

mikev said:

Oh, sh*t.

Nevermind :|

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You should ride one. He hated his, but you might like it. I just thought it was funny.

Can't afford one anyway

I will add the VFR to my list, though, based on the recommendations so far.