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Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 1:03 pm
by diggermanbob
diggermanbob wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2019 12:58 pm
FJ1300r very nice bike , very comfortable , loads of grunt , great bike for touring , I bought one to go touring in Europe but the wife is not so keen so it might be available , trouble is ever time I ride it I don't want to sell it
so may have to go touring on my own !!!
Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 2:12 pm
by OB1
Reading Bob's reply above reminded me that you really should take the pillion's opinion into account if you will be touring 2-up. I was looking at a DL1000 V-Strom a few years ago so my girlfriend and I took one for a test ride: I had a great time reacquainting myself with the lovely 1,000cc v-twin Suzuki engine, however, when we got back to the shop, she said that anything above 50 mph was causing such bad vibration that she was worried her fillings might shake loose... don't think that all vibes are appreciated by women...
Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 4:34 pm
by Warthog
Pillion opinion certainly important!! Sadly there is not a massive choice around here so the market is somewhat captive. This makes finding bikes to test ride pretty hard.
Never owned a Triumph, mind you, so that could be interesting.
diggermanbob wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2019 12:58 pm
FJ1300r very nice bike , very comfortable , loads of grunt , great bike for touring , I bought one to go touring in Europe but the wife is not so keen so it might be available , trouble is ever time I ride it I don't want to sell it
so may have to go touring on my own !!!
You could ride it to Estonia and fly back!!
Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 5:15 pm
by Billy Bananahead
XJR1300 pre Racer type. XJR1200's are good but haven't got the adjustable forks of the 1300 unless modified by owners, mine has a FJ 3CV fork set up, some use USD forks from FZR1000RU.
Solid bikes, bulletproof engine, cruise all day long or blast it through the twisties, carbs or FI, and within your price range.
Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 6:20 pm
by diggermanbob
Warthog wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2019 4:34 pm
Pillion opinion certainly important!! Sadly there is not a massive choice around here so the market is somewhat captive. This makes finding bikes to test ride pretty hard.
Never owned a Triumph, mind you, so that could be interesting.
diggermanbob wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2019 12:58 pm
FJ1300r very nice bike , very comfortable , loads of grunt , great bike for touring , I bought one to go touring in Europe but the wife is not so keen so it might be available , trouble is ever time I ride it I don't want to sell it
so may have to go touring on my own !!!
You could ride it to Estonia and fly back!!
Indeed I could
Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 6:24 pm
by daveuprite
I had an XJR1300 for a while. Most comfortable saddle in christendom, and pillions always said the same. Tracie even fell asleep on the back returning from Donington WSB one time.
BUT, a bit of a pogo stick in the twisties if you are pressing on. The SP model has Ohlins labelled rear shocks, but they are not pucker Ohlins really - they just look nice. However I then got a Kwak ZRX1200, which was best of both worlds. Similar oodles of torque, decent pillion bike and it can handle the twisties fairly well. Not sports bike well, but not bad. And it can be loaded with soft luggage etc. Sadly the Eddie Lawson ZRX1200R replica bikes are getting sought after and over your budget, but you could still find a decent ZRX1200S, which has a more useful fairing for touring anyway. Would be a nice choice for what you want to do.
Also look at the Kwak ZZR1200, which has the same engine and a full touring faring.
As mentioned FJR1300 would be fast and comfy, or VFR800 perhaps. Don't think your budget goes to a VFR1200, but you might find one. One of the late Suzuki Bandits would be OK probably, or a Honda CBF1000 - which have strong Fireblade engines. Then there's oddball possibilities like an Aprilia Futura, which has the peachy Mille engine, or maybe a Ducati ST3?
So much to choose from. Have fun....
Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 6:48 pm
by Billy Bananahead
daveuprite wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2019 6:24 pm
I had an XJR1300 for a while.
BUT, a bit of a pogo stick in the twisties if you are pressing on. The SP model has Ohlins labelled rear shocks, but they are not pucker Ohlins really - they just look nice.
I suppose they could do a bit of pogoing if not set up well. A lot of owners opt for different shocks and fork springs, i'm running Hagon shocks with Hagon progressive fork springs and it's set up pretty well for two up riding.
Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 7:06 pm
by diggermanbob
Billy Bananahead wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2019 6:48 pm
daveuprite wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2019 6:24 pm
I had an XJR1300 for a while.
BUT, a bit of a pogo stick in the twisties if you are pressing on. The SP model has Ohlins labelled rear shocks, but they are not pucker Ohlins really - they just look nice.
I suppose they could do a bit of pogoing if not set up well. A lot of owners opt for different shocks and fork springs, i'm running Hagon shocks with Hagon progressive fork springs and it's set up pretty well for two up riding.
Yes my bike has maxton set up , haven't tried it with a pillion but it seems to handle very well
Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 7:08 pm
by diggermanbob
- image.jpeg (227.73 KiB) Viewed 2679 times
. It's got the full luggage as well
Re: Which bike for one returning to overlanding?
Posted: Tue May 21, 2019 7:24 pm
by daveuprite
Billy Bananahead wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2019 6:48 pm
daveuprite wrote: ↑Tue May 21, 2019 6:24 pm
I had an XJR1300 for a while.
BUT, a bit of a pogo stick in the twisties if you are pressing on. The SP model has Ohlins labelled rear shocks, but they are not pucker Ohlins really - they just look nice.
I suppose they could do a bit of pogoing if not set up well. A lot of owners opt for different shocks and fork springs, i'm running Hagon shocks with Hagon progressive fork springs and it's set up pretty well for two up riding.
Yeah I bet that works MUCH better than standard. Hagon are v good at what they do. My old XJR was in blue/white speedblock and looked cool. A full Hindle system, new intakes, rejetting and some dyno time added 25bhp to the rear wheel! Awesome fun. And that fat wide quilted seat - lovely!
