Which bike next????

[andyfreeman88]

Hi guys n girls! Two years ago i passed my test and brought a fazer 600. I went around france switzerland and germany on the bike then last year i traded it in for a fz1s and this year i went to strasbourg on the fz1.

The issue for me is I want to do more long distance touring but I'm gonna need to spend about £500-£1000 turning the fz1 into a semi decent sports tourer and even then the fuel tank is pants. The warning light comes on about 120/130 miles travelling 80mph ish.

I can't see myself doing a RTW trip or doing excessive amounts of off roading but I want a big fuel tank and reliability as I'm not that great mechanically. I was thinking a pan european 1300 or a super tenere. Is there any other bikes people would recommend me to get? It's gonna be 2 up touring aswell as my solo week ride to strasbourg that I do once a year.

All advice massively welcome thanks. Btw I'm 26 if that helps with style or ergonomics.

[Threewheelbonnie]

Slowing down would help! At 80 you'll barely average more distance than at 60 but will use significantly more fuel.


A £5 can of some sort will let you ignore the warning light which I bet comes on at 140 when the tank is really good for 200. There are very very few places in Europe more than 150 miles from a petrol pump but the hassle of breaking off the ride to buy over-priced over-watered rural fuel is a PIA.


My Guzzi V7 has a 300 mile range once you learn to ignore the light that comes on at 200. Weestroms, GSX650's, CB500X, NC700S, FJR1300 and BMW F800's all have good range on paper. I researched on Fuelly.com and used the lies the manufacturers tell when doing my research on the Guzzi. Guzzi and Suzuki don't seem to tell whoppers, I've got within a litre of putting the stated volume in both. The rest I have not tested in person.


Andy

[mollydog]

Andy,
Seems you're spoilt for choice. Lots of great bikes would do the job. The Two Up aspect does narrow things a bit, but still plenty of good bikes could make you happy ... and even offer performance close to your FZ-1.

BTW, a Brit friend of mine (lives in USA) did a Full Euro trip on his FZ-1. Shipped the bike over, rode about 25K miles, shipped it home. All of UK, Europe, Eastern Europe and more. That FZ-1 has been around. He's even ridden on dirt roads on some of our local club rides here, near San Francisco Bay area. A great bike!

Tony on his FZ-1 in Death Valley area. (this ride was 85% tarmac) Tony can ride it ANYWHERE! ... and keep up with
our Dual Sport bikes.

But for two up, I'm not sure the FZ-1 is ideal. Bit more room might be nice?

Perhaps try out a few bikes? The Super Tenere' is not a bad choice, but I'd bet a BMW R1200GS is more comfortable two up, maybe better "all round" bike? ... if you can handle the "service issues". Both GS and Ten are pricey machines.

A lower budget (and very good) option would be the new 2014 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000. Does it ALL well at a lower price than BMW, KTM or Yamaha Tenere'. I owned original V-Strom, stellar reliability and performance. 90K miles.
Inexpensive to run and keep on the road compared to BMW, KTM, Aprilia, Guzzi.

If you've got the budget you must try out new KTM's. Stunning performance but WEAK in comfort and service areas.

Other bikes to consider:
Triumph Explorer 1200
Yamaha FJR1300 (latest updated version)
Moto Guzzi Stelvio
Aprilia Capo Nord
Ducati Mulitstrada 1200
Honda 1200 Crosstour

2nd hand bike would be much less, so consider that too.

[backofbeyond]

I spent forever touring Europe and beyond on bikes with a 150 mile fuel range. Still do - my 125 does about 80/90 miles on a tank before reserve and my old 400 about 150. My advice - just use what you've got until it comes time to change it - and ride it at whatever speed seems sensible. 80 is ok on many of the European motorways and riding slowly on a quick bike is just an exercise in frustration.

You'll find when you do get a bike with a longer range that nothing really changes. You'll still run out just out of walking distance to the nearest fuel station and it'll still be closed when you get there.

[andyfreeman88]

Thanks to all of you for your advice. Will take it on board!