Touring and Street/road riding - FJR 1300 ABS or VFR 1200 / 800?

[gilakia]

Hi guys,

 

need your advice - which one do you think would be better for general road riding and touring up to Malaysia / Thailand?

 

FJR 1300 ABS or VFR 800 / 1200?

 

I'm thinking about getting one of the above, so need help to choose!

[biting_point]

VFR1200

V4 rules..

 

PS: There'll be only 2 bikes i'll give up my DRZ for..

1: Multistrata 1200 (but too expensive)

2. VFR 1200

[Joseph Ho]

How abt Kawa Concours 14 (GTR1400)....checked last month was $1k cheaper than VFR1200....

[endlessloop]

Gilakia, your question is too vague...any bike also can tour malaysia and thailand Serious. What other qualities are you looking for besides riding up north?

 

Between those that you stated (FJR13, V800, V1200)--it depends on your budget and your riding style/riding posture.

 

If partner comfort is important and you prefer upright riding posture--then FJR13 or the others likes (Kawa, STX(I owned one), BMW Rs).

 

The V800 and V1200 (eyeing) has a inclined, lean forward position (but less than sportsbike). Pillion seat pad is also smaller. Between the 800 and 1200, of course if you have the budget, go for the 1200 (better wind protection, more torque).

 

There's actually a wide range of other class2 bikes capable of comfort, power for the long road trip: my FZ1 is one; nakeds with wind shield (Hornet, CB1K, Bandits, Diversion, etc etc); soft off roaders (VStrom, BMW, KTM, Versys) etc. So many, so many choices, cannot finish

Edited October 8, 2010 by endlessloop

[ramen71]

Seems like, nowadays ppl prefer dual sport bike,

lighter,easy maneuvering, offroad capable.

multistrada

f800gs

KTM990

SUPER TENERE

R1200GS

[ohayo]

Currently in our traffic condition n not so friendly carpark for big cc motorbike such as goldwing, concours or spyder. Plus speed limit in expressway is 80-90. 50 on normal road. A class 2 bike power is superly underutilised! More than often you are using 30-40% of the bike power only. My kawa concours must go 100km/h-110km/h. Below than that speed, fans turned on! overheat!!

 

If u just wanna to use 90% in singapore and 10% Malaysia or thailand. 400cc-600cc is good enough liao. If you wanna use the other way round, you have to decide your goal. If you want to go out malaysia for occasional seafoods or coffee. Sportsbike very shiok!.

 

If you wanna go beyond malacca to thai to golden triangle etc, choose a tourer (comes with panniers). or dual purpose bike. Storage availability and riding position matters alot when u need to travel 500km and more in a single day.

 

My friend rode a busa to phuket with me. I could see he did not have a good 1300km ride at all. On the other hand, a concours with panniers during singapore peak hour jam will fly your balls, thighs and sweat all your clothes including underwear. Every bikes behind will curse you for lane hogging at 40-50km/h!

 

Decide wisely.

[CSV]

i would say the v800, its a pretty darn good all rounder, does everything well except off road. but thats my opinion.

 

take a test ride on all you fancy, go with the one you like the most on your gut feelings. no one else can make your decision for you.

[mafitra]

If u just wanna to use 90% in singapore and 10% Malaysia or thailand. 400cc-600cc is good enough liao. If you wanna use the other way round, you have to decide your goal. If you want to go out malaysia for occasional seafoods or coffee. Sportsbike very shiok!.

 

If you wanna go beyond malacca to thai to golden triangle etc, choose a tourer (comes with panniers). or dual purpose bike. Storage availability and riding position matters alot when u need to travel 500km and more in a single day.

 

Agree on this. Any bike can can go tour up North even on a vespa. Question is how how comfortable you want to ride on it to the north, mileage per liter / speed factor / handling position plays apart.

 

Gilakia, your question is too vague...any bike also can tour malaysia and thailand Serious. What other qualities are you looking for besides riding up north?

 

Between those that you stated (FJR13, V800, V1200)--it depends on your budget and your riding style/riding posture.

 

There's actually a wide range of other class2 bikes capable of comfort, power for the long road trip: my FZ1 is one; nakeds with wind shield (Hornet, CB1K, Bandits, Diversion, etc etc); soft off roaders (VStrom, BMW, KTM, Versys) etc. So many, so many choices, cannot finish

 

Endless Loop and Ohayo sums up everything that is needed. Broaden the mind... Good luck with finding your next bike...!