Is the classic sport-touring motorcycle doomed to extinction?

Uncle Phil said:
Interesting that the saddlebags are not 'color matched' on the Mandello.
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You have to get the special limited "Navale" edition for matching bags. It's Italian, you can't color match the bags to the bike, but you can color match the bike to the bags. :rofl1:

Tom


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I think it's a thing with Italian bikes and OEM bags. When Ducati upgraded the Multistrada in '15 you could only get silver infill(color) panels for the first two years. After that they offered colors. The silver doesn't really match the Navale which is a matt grey, I think its a close match of the silver and green S model. Once they salt the roads and I'm done riding it for the year I will get them painted to match.
 
I had a visitor that took a pretty keen interest in the ST, I have to say though that I steered him away from the bike on the basis that it's long out of production, has a few [shall I say] replacement part supply issues and suggested that if he's interested in that sort of bike, he should consider the FJR 1300.
If I was going to enter the market segment now, I'd go buy one of the remaining Yamahas.
 
Again, if you have a bike you like, with a little creativity, you can make it into a sport-tourer.

Added: Each saddle-bag will hold two gallon jugs and two half-gallon jugs with room to spare.

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the Ferret said:
another new one at Milan
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Why do those panniers stick so far out?! :(
IMO a total design flaw all those "current" motorcycles suffer off; you can't filter, have a hard time finding a parking spot, pedestrians will scratch them with their purses, baby buggies, etc...
Even the rather small NC750X (the wife of a friend rides) suffers that issue:

bagtecs_koffer_a088155-04.jpg
 
ST1100Y said:
Why do those panniers stick so far out?! :(
IMO a total design flaw all those "current" motorcycles suffer off; you can't filter, have a hard time finding a parking spot, pedestrians will scratch them with their purses, baby buggies, etc...
Even the rather small NC750X (the wife of a friend rides) suffers that issue:

bagtecs_koffer_a088155-04.jpg
Click to expand...
Probably due to the exhaust being on the other side and making the bags symmetric vs making one bag thinner and one bag larger to account for that. But, I agree that oem bags should take advantage of the space and make one bag adhere to the empty space. Some aftermarket bags do a little better job.
 
Mellow said:
Probably due to the exhaust being on the other side and making the bags symmetric vs making one bag thinner and one bag larger to account for that. But, I agree that oem bags should take advantage of the space and make one bag adhere to the empty space. Some aftermarket bags do a little better job.
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Mentioned NC750 had exactly that issue; besides obscene prices the OEM pannier set protruded noticeable more then the Givi aftermarket kit they'd actually purchased at the end...

And those exposed, uncovered rear wheels cause havoc in bad weather...
Not only will all following vehicles suffer grime and chips being kicked up, that "naked" bike and the rider themself get completely soaked and mucked up...
We installed a "hugger" on that NC750X but that doesn't help much... crossing some roadwork in the rain and that "moped" looks like its been through the Dakar...
 
ST1100Y said:
Why do those panniers stick so far out?! :(
IMO a total design flaw all those "current" motorcycles suffer off; you can't filter, have a hard time finding a parking spot, pedestrians will scratch them with their purses, baby buggies, etc...
Even the rather small NC750X (the wife of a friend rides) suffers that issue:

bagtecs_koffer_a088155-04.jpg
Click to expand...
Those pics are not OEM which are smaller and fit closer to the bike. Honda offers two pannier sets for the 700/750X and if width is overriding capacity the 27 liter set are quite close fitting and narrower than the handlebar width. The 32 liter set of course wider. Givi makes several types that fit and the V series nestle tightly into the space against the wheel. Generic Givi E series are essentially boxes as are Trekkers. Do you have a clue which ones cause you such angst?
 
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ST1100Y said:
Why do those panniers stick so far out?! :(
IMO a total design flaw all those "current" motorcycles suffer off; you can't filter, have a hard time finding a parking spot, pedestrians will scratch them with their purses, baby buggies, etc...
Even the rather small NC750X (the wife of a friend rides) suffers that issue:

bagtecs_koffer_a088155-04.jpg
Click to expand...
Plus everyone insists that each saddlebag should be required to hold an XL full face helmet with an intercom attached to it.
 
the Ferret said:
Plus everyone insists that each saddlebag should be required to hold an XL full face helmet with an intercom attached to it.
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For me, a pannier must be able to hold a helmet. And if not, the top box needs to instead. There are times when you want to lock away as much gear as possible on the bike, and there are times when it's ok to haul your helmet and jacket around the place.
 
Arellcat said:
For me, a pannier must be able to hold a helmet. And if not, the top box needs to instead. There are times when you want to lock away as much gear as possible on the bike, and there are times when it's ok to haul your helmet and jacket around the place.
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Panniers transform a bike from being an expensive toy to something useful for day-to-day riding. Holding a helmet out of sight is a necessity in some areas of the country, and especially if leaving the bike for any long length of time. I'm probably looking at $1000 to replace my HJC RPHA 91 Carbon helmet with Sena 10C EVO Bluetooth camera if I just leave it unsecured.

When I bought panniers and a top case for my XR, I had a clean slate to work with. I stumbled on some cases from Shad that are unique.

The Shad 58X top case is expandable. The front of the top case raises to allow for three capacities, (46, 52 and 58 litres). It takes seconds to change from one capacity to another. The Shad SH38X also expands. In the smaller configuration, you get about 23 liters of storage. When you expand it, you get a 38 liter capacity.

What I like about both is in the past, I rode around with the full size cases, even when they were empty. Now, I ride around with the smaller configurations, but when I go on a trip or to Costco and need the capacity, I have it. And it is so simple to configure.

ST1100Y said:
And those exposed, uncovered rear wheels cause havoc in bad weather...
Not only will all following vehicles suffer grime and chips being kicked up, that "naked" bike and the rider themself get completely soaked and mucked up...
We installed a "hugger" on that NC750X but that doesn't help much... crossing some roadwork in the rain and that "moped" looks like its been through the Dakar...
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I ran into that problem with the XR. The solution wasn't to buy a hugger that only extended the existing rear fender a few inches. I bought one of these. It works.

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NOTE: You can buy cheaper ones on Amazon. I did and returned it. Their attachment method uses the axle bolt. It sounds like a valid solution, but when I looked at my axle bolt, it only had a couple threads showing...before putting on the hugger. I felt it was unsafe and returned it. The Givi product uses a metal rod that goes through the hollow axle to secure the hugger properly.


Chris
 
ST1100Y said:
Why do those panniers stick so far out?! :(
IMO a total design flaw all those "current" motorcycles suffer off; you can't filter, have a hard time finding a parking spot, pedestrians will scratch them with their purses, baby buggies, etc...
Even the rather small NC750X (the wife of a friend rides) suffers that issue:

bagtecs_koffer_a088155-04.jpg
Click to expand...
Not sure what bike that is?
 
ST1100Y said:
Why do those panniers stick so far out?! :(
IMO a total design flaw all those "current" motorcycles suffer off; you can't filter, have a hard time finding a parking spot, pedestrians will scratch them with their purses, baby buggies, etc...
Click to expand...

This is certainly true in my case, and probably true for most bikes that have an exhaust higher (or much higher) than the axle, meaning luggage has go outside that envelope rather than simply tucked in above like the Pan or any sensibly designed cruiser or tourer. But - heh! - they'll get water in their exhaust pipe when they try to ford that two-foot deep river.


Outer markers
 
This has been a very interesting thread. First, that Gideon Lichfield is an idiot. Takes the wrong bike, the wrong gear, and the wrong attitude and then blames the mode of transportation. Hes a buffoon.

Lots of things seem to be dying out. I fly small aircraft for fun. Theres a dwindling number of pilots that fall in this category. I like to sail. Again, dwindling number of people involved in that. Motorcycling is in decline. So what are people doing? From what I can see its staring at the screen and being as "safe" as possible. I honestly feel less and less a part of the society I'm living in. And that's OK, I'll "rage against the dying of the light" on my own. Its kinda odd, the people that like activities like this are usually comfortable with "calculated risk". So I hang out with them, living what may be the last, best part of living. I'm uninterested in living in a safe box, thats a prison. The reaper knows where you live, he will find you on your couch. So go do something....

I have greatly considered replacing the ST1100. If I'm honest, I am in some way avoiding maintenance in that thinking. The ST1100 probably should get steering head bearings. The exhaust needs replacement. Should probably pull the swingarm, go through the final drive. And maybe find a good used final drive to address the spline wear. So I look at newer bikes. The reality is I won't spend the money on the new. For less than $1K I can put the ST1100 "right". I just need to do it. I think I will.
 
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