Is the classic sport-touring motorcycle doomed to extinction?

Big_Jim59 said:
I am just glad I finally got my ST, even if it is a bit rough around the edges. I thought I would forever lament selling my fifth gen VFR800 but for my stage in life I like my ST even more. The specific sport touring model, like the ST is probably dead due to declining ridership, declining purchasing power and declining interest in riding as leisure. This has everything to do with Boomers shuffling off this mortal coil. Their taste in bikes is dying too. It's the Harley-Davidson problem. In any case, I am just glad to have mine even if my family has to sell it for scrap after I'm gone
Click to expand...
Well said, Sir! I had been lamenting caving to the wife's whining and selling my '82 Gold Wing Interstate 5 years ago. Saw a Valkyrie Interstate in a local for sale site, and secretly went out to test ride, just to see if I still could. I quickly remembered why I sold my first year Valk -- lots of fun in a straight line, but too long and too heavy for much of anything else. However, once I got the itch again, I kept looking. Test rode a BMW RS and didn't like it at all. No power at all off the lights, and vibrated like a leaf in a big wind. Looked at a lot of old Wings, but anything past the 1200 just got too bulky. Came really close to buying another GL1100 base model with just 14K miles on it, but if you think parts are hard to come by for the ST's, try sourceing carb parts for a GL1100. Then, in doing some research and reading, I stumbled across a '96 ST1100 at a dealership. Yeah, it had purple flames on blue paint, but what a great ride! I took it direct to a big mall parking lot that was mostly empty and put several miles on it just doing figure 8's and such. Fortunately, as it turned out, the dealer was just a little too impressed with it (honestly it was really dirty inside the bags and on the outside) for the condition it was in, and they turned down my offer. Then I found the 2003 ST1300 on cycle trader. It was listed well below similar bikes, and as soon as I saw it I figured out why. belonged to an 80-year old guy who was plenty tall enough, but not big enough to handle it. He had only had it a year, and thank God the original owner had taken good care of it. The tires were shot, the brakes were shot, the fork seals were for all practical purposes gone. It was sitting out on a dirt storage yard beside what looked like the hoarder version of the Partridge Family bus. and he had duct tape on both mirrors. Broke my heart to see what I could tell was still a diamond in the rough, "living" in those conditions. I now have more in it than I paid for it, but it is starting to look like it should and it is running like a new one.

But back to the point of the thread. I was one of the youngest Gold Wing riders in the country when I got my GL1000 back in about 1980. It wasn't "sexy", but I could ride it cross country all day and all night, and have tunes the whole time. I grew up in Kansas, and I really liked the solid feel of the big bike in strong cross winds.

Looking at what is out there today, anything smaller than the ST just gets knocked around too much by gusting winds, and I now live in Colorado, with even worse winds than KS had. Had the ST out last weekend, trying out the new Clearview medium windshield, and didn't look down at the speedo until I got to where I felt the bike was in a good groove in 5th. Was a tad surprised when I looked down at 95 MPH! Not quite as comfortable as my old Wing....yet....but that likely comes down to the seat, which also has duct tape on it.

I am pretty sure my heirs will have to figure out what to do with the ST another 15 to 20 years down the line, but until then.... :)
 
I just don't see how the adv or the more "naked" style bikes offer much wind protection. I rode UJM's for years, and moving to a fully faired CBR was a revelation. Sitting more "in it" than "on it". The ST is the same thing, I sit with my legs, torso entirely behind bodywork. Even the mirrors on an ST most keep the wind of your hands. For commuting this has been great for fatigue reasons and weather. Unless its really dumping buckets, as long as I'm moving I don't get all that wet. The NC750X is very highly regarded, and with hard bags, would do the trick. It's peaked my interest for sure. With a lot less HP, it might be a good thing, slow me down a bit. Will it run 80+ comfortably? A test ride may be in order. I can't see the wind protection as being anywhere near enough, but again, a test ride will answer that question. Its cool, to downright cold for a good bit of my riding season and I like being behind the bodywork and out of the windblast.
 
Mellow said:
But.. wasn't sold that way was it? So not really a sport tourer until you made it one?
Click to expand...
Correct. My point is that an otherwise-great bike can become a sport-tourer.

Road-trip-worthy protection and storage can be added. I have lowers, too.
 
rwthomas1 said:
I just don't see how the adv or the more "naked" style bikes offer much wind protection. I rode UJM's for years, and moving to a fully faired CBR was a revelation. Sitting more "in it" than "on it". The ST is the same thing, I sit with my legs, torso entirely behind bodywork. Even the mirrors on an ST most keep the wind of your hands. For commuting this has been great for fatigue reasons and weather. Unless its really dumping buckets, as long as I'm moving I don't get all that wet. The NC750X is very highly regarded, and with hard bags, would do the trick. It's peaked my interest for sure. With a lot less HP, it might be a good thing, slow me down a bit. Will it run 80+ comfortably? A test ride may be in order. I can't see the wind protection as being anywhere near enough, but again, a test ride will answer that question. Its cool, to downright cold for a good bit of my riding season and I like being behind the bodywork and out of the windblast.
Click to expand...
Take a look at the F900XR. It doesn't look like it has much for bodywork...but it does. The Triple Black model I owned had the larger OEM screen. It didn't look like much at all. About the size of a dinner plate. But like the rest of the body, you could tell BMW had done some wind tunnel testing. It actually diverted a lot of air around and over you. It amazed me at how little that bike has for a fairing and windscreen, but how effective it really is. And I'm sure many of the other mid-sized bikes like that are the same way.

Chris
 
Daboo said:
Take a look at the F900XR. It doesn't look like it has much for bodywork...but it does. The Triple Black model I owned had the larger OEM screen. It didn't look like much at all. About the size of a dinner plate. But like the rest of the body, you could tell BMW had done some wind tunnel testing. It actually diverted a lot of air around and over you. It amazed me at how little that bike has for a fairing and windscreen, but how effective it really is. And I'm sure many of the other mid-sized bikes like that are the same way.

Chris
Click to expand...
If I was going BMW it would likely be F800GT. Rubber drive belt and nice bags.
 
Let's see... is the Classic Sport Tourer doomed to extinction?

Well, it was never really all that popular to begin with... in a Cruiser and Gold Wing world it never beat any of them as far as sales go... so from a business decision, yeah doomed.

Then came adventure styled bikes which really messed up the equation...

What classic sport tourers actually still exist? Tough question as the definition of a sport tourer is also a bit all over the place, most manufacturers don't even call them sport tourers.

Currently:
- FJR - but have heard rumors it's on the chopping block - but have heard that before so still around
- BMW RT - still around

That's it IF - classic sport tourer means:
- shaft drive
- full fairing
- included luggage

Then, you dip your toes into the big guys that cross into both the touring and sport category - some say more touring but I've had a tough time keeping up with @amorley on that big K1600 when I was on the Tracer 900 and should have been easy - I'm sure I just had a bad day, didn't sleep well, there was sun in my eyes and was hungry.;)

K1600 - Several variants - GT/GTL/Bagger/Grand America
Gold Wing - Tour and Bagger

That's it... so.. it's not dead... BMW and Honda will continue to sell the models above and you can skew the results by including bikes w/chains, that throws a couple more bikes in the mix but some of those are crossing the adv styled bikes even if they aren't targeting that segment.
 
‘Then, in doing some research and reading, I stumbled across a '96 ST1100 at a dealership. Yeah, it had purple flames on blue paint, but what a great ride! I took it direct to a big mall parking lot that was mostly empty and put several miles on it just doing figure 8's and such. Fortunately, as it turned out, the dealer was just a little too impressed with it (honestly it was really dirty inside the bags and on the outside) for the condition it was in, and they turned down my offer.’

I think I’ve seen that one on CycleTrader…when you do custom paintwork (like flames), your audience for the bike in resale shrinks- when I last checked it was $1999 (assuming it was the same bike)- what did you offer for it?
 
rwthomas1 said:
If I was going BMW it would likely be F800GT. Rubber drive belt and nice bags.
Click to expand...
The GT is a great bike.

Here's what I was trying to get at regarding the fairing. And I think it applies to many if not all the newer mid-range "touring" bikes. The advances in wind tunnel testing end up with an extremely small fairing in comparison to what we're used to with the larger sport-touring bikes.

1730324384550.png

That really doesn't look like there's much protection there at all...but there is.

Chris
 
Mellow said:
had a tough time keeping up with @amorley on that big K1600 when I was on the Tracer 900 and should have been easy - I'm sure I just had a bad day, didn't sleep well, there was sun in my eyes and was hungry
Click to expand...
I suspect the hunger had more to do with it than anything. ;) It takes your concentration off the road, and weakens the muscles dramatically. :D

Chris
 
rwthomas1 said:
I just don't see how the adv or the more "naked" style bikes offer much wind protection.
Click to expand...
I'll rephrase what I've posted elsewhere regarding the Big Mule GSA 1250 and weather protection.

Yes, golly, the 1300 has about the best shelter of any bike I've owned when riding through the elements. But the GSA, even with the funky stock windscreen looking like an afterthought, and that oddly effective monstrosity of a fuel tank, is surprisingly close to the same comfort in rain and wind.

This, again, explains why many IBR contestants and other mile-munching riders like the GSA for distance and hours in the saddle, and have for years. Many never see trails or dirt, beyond the occasional gravel road or hard-packed lane.

As for our defined sport tourer examples, it doesn't come stock with luggage, but obviously this travel machine has multiple options in soft or hard bags, from BMW and the extensive aftermarket.

And to point out the obvious, it rises to the heavier end of the weight spectrum, but that also contributes to its docile handling and easier riding in strong winds.
 
Some guys hate the wind...don't want to hear it, don't want to feel it. I still like it. I want the wind broken off my torso, to keep pressure off my chest, but want my head in the clean air..weird I know....

Here's the shield I ran on my ST

bK5k7GF.jpg


and on my FJR

Uv1ExVN.jpg


and on my NC

FlEaUFM.jpg


and on my CB

ElPtUa9.jpg


and on my FZ-1

c9FF0qw.jpg


and I always ride with my visor cracked open so I can feel the wind and smell the "roses"

gdBpSdm.jpg

uvUJog7.jpg

Cm4jryx.jpg
 
I'm not concerned one bit!

At 72 years of age, I still have two ST1300s (both with less than 40K miles), and both are in such good shape I'd ride them across country, if the opportunity came up!

And,
#1. It took me a long time to find the right bike (that suits my riding style the best!)
#2. I'm NOT looking for another bike, anyway.
#3. They want too much, for what is available.
#4. I couldn't afford a new one, anyway.
#5. I don't get bored with what I have like many others do!

As for what my kids will do with my bikes? Three of my sons (out of the 5 sons, I have) already own ST1300s (thanks to their dad). They'll fight over them and the parts (including the 2006 ST1300P & the 2005 ST1300 with the bad engine).

So, I'm not concerned one bit!

:hat3:
 
rwthomas1 said:
. The NC750X is very highly regarded, and with hard bags, would do the trick. It's peaked my interest for sure. With a lot less HP, it might be a good thing, slow me down a bit. Will it run 80+ comfortably? A test ride may be in order. I can't see the wind protection as being anywhere near enough, but again, a test ride will answer that question. Its cool, to downright cold for a good bit of my riding season and I like being behind the bodywork and out of the windblast.
Click to expand...
NC750X will cruise down the highway happily at 80 all day long with power left to pass. Not only that I was happy while doing it!

Mellow you could ad the Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello to your current sport tour list? Yes you pay extra for the bags but the mounts are built into the bike so it is intended to have them.
 
@the Ferret I've never noticed you had passenger floorboards on the ST1300 before.
Are they from a GoldWing?
Did you have to modify the mounts, or are they just bolt-ons?
I don't carry anyone on mine, but that is unique among STs!
 
I always want another bike, but, if I think back and try to put it into context, it all started when I was a kid, I wasn't like the rest of the boys, I was different. Don't get me wrong, couldn't even ride a bicycle worth a *****, learned when I was seven. But I'm hoping that I'll still be young enough to think about the new and improved Kawasaki supercharger, hoping they put in on something with a little more bore and not so much stroke... can you say that? in the mean time, they're fun, all these bikes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom