Author Topic: Cheap Touring Bike? (Read 8469 times)

jimbojangles · « **on:** August 30, 2015, 04:01:51 PM »

I've dreamed of a long solo motorcycle trip for years and am finally in a position to work toward making that a reality. (not totally broke and in a good relationship) I've set a goal of this time next year. I plan to buy something in good used shape and prepare it for the trip throughout next summer. I'm gonna take two weeks from work for this trip.

I'm looking for ideas for a reliable and cheap bike that could do 500-600 mile days. I plan to sell my '99 Magna and throw in a little extra money to get a better touring bike. Did a 500 mile day on the Magna recently and hated it. 90 miles between fill ups and uncomfortable. I'm strongly leaning toward the Kwak Concours. I've found low mileage bikes from the 90s/2000s for less then 3 grand.

Any other bikes I should consider? Anything wrong with the Concours other than looks? I like the availability of parts, price, and fuel capacity.

Thanks

Steve_K · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:45:04 PM »

A 1990's Honda VFR could do the trick. I have done 300 to 500 mile days over six days on mine back in the mid 90's. I was younger then and now my back would not take it. The 500 mile did beat me pretty hard.

A friend has done several 1000 mile days on his Concours. His has a custom seat, extra fuel tank, GPS, sound system and other farkles. He a member on the Iron Butt Club. He is nuts, but I don't think all Iron Butt guys are.

I had the first generation SV650 and that was good for 400 mile days. Suzuki also made some 650 v twin adventure type bikes that may fit the bill. I like those 650 twins.

Steve

calj737 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2015, 04:51:58 PM »

BMW K100RS from 88-98. Removable hard luggage, inline 4, fuel injected, ABS available, shaft drive, enough fairing, and all kinds of torque to pull you, luggage and your "other" if you choose. Used to run one back and forth from Chiapcagl to DC nearly every other weekend for 2 years (weather permitting of course). +700 miles a day, climb off and go dancing. Can't beat them for long distance comfort and reliability in my opinion.

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2015, 05:19:54 PM »

An 80's Goldwing. Cheap, easy to work on, good parts availability, decent aftermarket support too.

goldarrow · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2015, 05:33:26 PM »

Of course, Honda cb750, why else are you here.

-Comfort, yes
-120 miles per fill up, yes
-One can be made tip top shape for $3k or less, yes

754 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:28:02 PM »

And easy to do 500 mile days or more.

Desert-SOHC · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2015, 06:30:48 PM »

My last one I averaged 18K a year on......many 500+ mile days on it. It was a stock 78 K8 with progressive suspension all around and gold emulators. It went coast to coast a few times.

jimbojangles · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:10:33 PM »

HA. I joined this forum when I had a 750, but I only have a 350f now. I had done some day trips on the 750, but I would be a little nervous being a couple thousand miles from home and alone on it. I think my friends and family would feel better about me being on something newer too. They had highway patrol looking for me when my 750 broke down outside of cellphone range once.

My first thought was an old goldwing that I could strip down and make into a naked wing once I return, but then I saw how cheap you could pick up a relatively new Concours.

I really like the v-stroms and have wanted one for a while, but I think shaft drive would be nice. Their also running a little out of my price range.

For the money, what would be better, an early 2000s Concours with less than 20,000 miles or a 90s BMW with 40,000 miles? The BMWs seem to cost a little more, but are they worth it?

MoMo · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2015, 07:56:34 PM »

Quote from: jimbojangles on August 30, 2015, 07:10:33 PM

HA. I joined this forum when I had a 750, but I only have a 350f now. I had done some day trips on the 750, but I would be a little nervous being a couple thousand miles from home and alone on it. I think my friends and family would feel better about me being on something newer too. They had highway patrol looking for me when my 750 broke down outside of cellphone range once.

My first thought was an old goldwing that I could strip down and make into a naked wing once I return, but then I saw how cheap you could pick up a relatively new Concours.

I really like the v-stroms and have wanted one for a while, but I think shaft drive would be nice. Their also running a little out of my price range.

For the money, what would be better, an early 2000s Concours with less than 20,000 miles or a 90s BMW with 40,000 miles? The BMWs seem to cost a little more, but are they worth it?

vote would be for the Concours,

calj737 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:00:57 PM »

Quote from: jimbojangles on August 30, 2015, 07:10:33 PM

The BMWs seem to cost a little more, but are they worth it?

I may be quite biased having owned two K bikes, each seeing enormous absolutely trouble free miles. I toured this continent on both, a K75 triple followed by a K100 four. My opinion, no better bike made for sport touring. Worth it? I'd pay more for a used BMW from that age then I would for a new bike from most manufacturers today.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2015, 08:07:59 PM »

I second the Goldwing. Plentiful, inexpensive, and, no disrespect to the SOHC/4's, glass smooth.

I am still partial to the early wire wheel 75-77 GL1000's, but they are getting pricey. I would look for GL1100 or 1200 Interstate or Aspencade. Pay extra for a bike that needs no carb work and don't be afraid of a bike with 40-50k miles on it.

Long distances without a fairing are obviously possible. But the first time I hit the highway with my Vetter equipped GL1000 I was amazed at how much difference the full fairing makes.

simon#42 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2015, 01:11:40 AM »

i would vote for the bmw , again i am biased having done a few hundred thousand miles on boxer twins . a k75 would tour just as well as a gold wing but could be much more sporty if the mood took you ,
you would also get much better fuel consumption .

+700 miles a day, climb off and go dancing. Can't beat them for long distance comfort and reliability in my opinion. cal that is just showing off

70CB750 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:15:29 AM »

Honda Pacific Coast?

I like Concourse, not real experience but it looks like a no nonsense long distance bike.

Definitely fairing, I am with Danny on that, even the smallest fairing makes a difference in fatique.

MoMo · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:46:42 AM »

Quote from: 70CB750 on August 31, 2015, 04:15:29 AM

Honda Pacific Coast?

I like Concourse, not real experience but it looks like a no nonsense long distance bike.

Definitely fairing, I am with Danny on that, even the smallest fairing makes a difference in fatique.

How dare you disparge my PC, afterall it is the world's best touring golf cart

.. Actually I may go to look at a fairly low mileage Concours for 2K. Bike has been made for about 30 years with little to no change other than cc and bulk. I've never owned a Kawi so it might just be time to get one. Back when the Iron Butt originated a fellow mechanic started and finished on a first year Concours without any problems whatsoever...Larry

70CB750 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:51:03 AM »

Good Morning, Larry

I know a guy from Ontario, CA, who rides a Honda Silwerwing to Florida every summer.

MoMo · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2015, 04:59:43 AM »

Quote from: 70CB750 on August 31, 2015, 04:51:03 AM

Good Morning, Larry

I know a guy from Ontario, CA, who rides a Honda Silwerwing to Florida every summer.

Morning, I would still have my Silverwing if it had been a 650 rather than 500. Don't know why I am thinking of swapping the PC off for a Concours other than since I got the Katana 1100 I like the idea of MORE POWER...Larry

jimbojangles · « **Reply #16 on:** September 02, 2015, 12:40:24 PM »

Hey guys, I'm putting the Magna up for sale this weekend. With the money I get for the Magna and some cash I've set aside, I'll probably be looking to spend $3,500- $,4000.

It's funny that you guys mention the Silverwing. That's where I started when I thought of this idea. The problem is that I would want the 650 and they only made it for one year. One thing I'm looking for is an abundance of parts and support.

I'm still leaning toward the Concours and trying to convince myself that it's not as ugly as I think. I'd love a good deal on and ST1100, but they rarely show up on Craigslist. I'm lost when it comes to BMWs. I know there are the bikes that have the toaster tanks and then they make giant modern tourers that are as big as cars. If there's a specific model someone can suggest, I'll check it out. I live in Arkansas and plan to head through the national forests in Colorado, Montana and Utah (places my dad took me as a kid) so I'm leaning toward sport touring more than anything. I plan to avoid interstate as much as possible, except through Kansas because I want to get through there as quickly as possible.

One thing I've seen a lot of in discussions about the Concours is hydrolock. Apparently some people have bent rods when their petcocks and floats fail and fill a cylinder with gas. (there's not overflow tubes) Do you have any idea how I could tell if this has happened to a bike just by listening to it run? I'd assume it will sound rough, but how do I distinguish between out of tune carbs or something serious like a bent rod?

calj737 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 02, 2015, 01:04:40 PM »

see Reply #2

jimbojangles · « **Reply #18 on:** September 02, 2015, 02:09:16 PM »

Sorry calj. I'll see if I can find anything around here. K bikes seem to be cheaper than the Rs. Being from Arkansas BMWs are less common. But if you want a used Harley Sportster this is the place. European bikes are extremely rare to see on the road or for sale. I love Guzzis, but have only seen one or two ever.

madmtnmotors · « **Reply #19 on:** September 02, 2015, 02:52:01 PM »

http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcd/5122268750.html

madmtnmotors · « **Reply #20 on:** September 02, 2015, 02:53:15 PM »

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/mcy/5203030424.html

http://ocala.craigslist.org/mcy/5181749345.html

MoMo · « **Reply #21 on:** September 02, 2015, 03:05:00 PM »

Good deals down there in FL! Probably has nothing to do with all the older people that move down there, does it? ...Larry

madmtnmotors · « **Reply #22 on:** September 02, 2015, 03:51:37 PM »

Quote from: MoMo on September 02, 2015, 03:05:00 PM

Good deals down there in FL! Probably has nothing to do with all the older people that move down there, does it? ...Larry

I think it has more to do with the substandard wages...

Stev-o · « **Reply #23 on:** September 02, 2015, 09:32:28 PM »

Love Kawasaki's (have 3), Concours not my style, but a lot of bike for the money...

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/5199762537.html

MoMo · « **Reply #24 on:** September 02, 2015, 09:59:10 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on September 02, 2015, 09:32:28 PM

Love Kawasaki's (have 3), Concours not my style, but a lot of bike for the money...

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/5199762537.html

Sweet bike, almost feel like coming down to TX and riding back. 10K on a ten year old bike,, lots of life left on that...Larry

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Author Topic: Cheap Touring Bike? (Read 8469 times)