looking for another bike

[billvanevera]

my 2000 interstate valkyrie (232,000 + miles) is getting a little heavy for a 70yr old man - sooooo - looking for all day comfort, bullet proof engine, sport touring worthy and less than 700lbs for my next used bike purchase.  have a 650 wee strom that i like, but is just a tad light and only half day comfort (500 miles) and just a little short on power and speed on the superslab.  am looking at fjr1300 - st1300 - super tenure - triumph triple explorer - vstrom 1000 and concours14.  any ideas, comments, opinions or advice from this group would be held in high regard. tia.

[DireWolf]

Welcome old friend! Glad to see ya back. FJR and Concours 14 (which I have for two up touring) are great comfy tourers but both pretty close to 700 lbs and they have a higher center of gravity than the Valk. I'd suggest you check out a Yamaha FZ09 or a Ninja 1000. My current solo ride a Ducati Multistrada 950 would be perfect but they have only been out for a year.

[STLTHMSTA]

Ooorrrrrrr, you could buy my '98 Valkyrie Tourer (only slightly lighter) with only 27,000 miles on it and you could try to wear it out. Currently on eBay. Apparently you couldn't kill the one you have as it's still going. Gotta love that motor!!  Suggestions above are good ones but will take some getting used to by comparison.  TM


I bought a '14 CB1100 Deluxe. New ones are on some dealers floor but I couldn't find one. I found 1 (one!) used one many miles away. Base models can be had for less if you're interested.

[Patmo]

Other than its 725 lb curb weight, why not the Honda CTX1300?  Or look around the country and see if you can find a leftover or very low mileage ST1300?

The local Indian dealer in NKY has a traded in FJR that is extremely low miles and looks like new for less than 7K.  The former owner traded it and another bike in on a slingshot because his wife wouldn’t ride on the back. 

[Ride4MS]

The ST1300 is top heavy.  We have a '02 ST1100 and a '86 Gold Wing Interstate 1200.  The ST1100 is much more top heavy and harder to move around in the garage than the Wing.  But the ST1100 is more fun to ride in the twisties.


I would suggest to try to maneuver whatever bike you are interested in, around in the shop before buying.  And, maybe take a test ride.


We tested a Vanderhall in Las Vegas last month at the AIMExpo.  It is a 3 wheel, FWD, GM 1.4L turbo, 180 HP, at 1300 lbs.  It was fast and fun.  The dealer in Minnesota rents them out, and we are going to rent one next summer and possibly buy one for ourselves.

[RichGrab]

Other than its 725 lb curb weight, why not the Honda CTX1300?  Or look around the country and see if you can find a leftover or very low mileage ST1300?

The local Indian dealer in NKY has a traded in FJR that is extremely low miles and looks like new for less than 7K.  The former owner traded it and another bike in on a slingshot because his wife wouldn’t ride on the back. 

Where is NormKern when you need him. He'd be all over this with praise for the FJR. From most everyone I've heard they are great bikes and near bulletproof. Enjoy the search.

[Brick]

I’ve loved the two Super Tenere that I’ve owned. Great Price point too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Paco Bulto]

I’ve loved the two Super Tenere that I’ve owned. Great Price point too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Same here.

[tunerider335]

I currently have a KTM 1190 Adventure, 2013 model if interested.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[billvanevera]

wow!  lots of good feedback - all make good sense to me - haven't figured out how to contact individuals yet, but when I do, i'll have some more questions.  will check out the tenere more closely - three diff models and not sure how bullet proof they are.  so far the fjr and the vstrom 1000 seem to be the best fit.  I do remember the gold wing 1200 interstate with the fixed strator issue being a nice fit but not having the power and speed that these models have some 30 yrs later.  please feel free to comment as much as want to - great help to this slow careful (almost drive you nuts) decision maker!!

[stevegrab]

Bill,

If you want to contact one of the members here click on the user name, then look for the Send PM link under their name, that will send them a private message and if they've supplied an email address in their user info the forum will send them an email telling them they have a message.

Good luck with the new bike search, I got a brand new 2014 VFR 800 from a dealer in Wisconsin for almost half price, (under $9000 with bags etc.) and have really enjoyed it this year.

[Ride4MS]

On the Gold Wing 1200 Issue:  My Uncle originally owned this bike.  He was at a family gathering about 80 miles from home.  Went to start and dead battery.  Had it hauled to a local dealer, they replaced stator and also cleaned corroded connection for stator.


Jump ahead many years.  His daughter and son-in-law had bike for about 10 years sitting in a pole shed.  I then got the bike and restored it.


First thing I was told by a long time Gold Wing shop, was to check the connection to the stator.  If corroded, take it apart and solder wires, eliminating connector.  I also found this suggestion on several forums.


It was corroded.  I removed connector and soldered wires.  Runs good and stator will last now.  They get burnt out by corroded connector.


 

[africord]

I have an aging 2002 VFR800 and one of two bikes on my short list are the R1200RS and RT. The RT would be the better two up option. I don't want to go much heavier, and I can see that the recent editions of these bikes have solved the dreaded final drive issue. Valve management is actually easier on than the VFR on these bikes and I think I'm gaining on power/weight. 2014 models price similar to FJR.  I'm also short of inseam and the BMW models have better solutions than I can find on many ST solutions.

[HawkGTRider]

On the Gold Wing 1200 Issue:  My Uncle originally owned this bike.  He was at a family gathering about 80 miles from home.  Went to start and dead battery.  Had it hauled to a local dealer, they replaced stator and also cleaned corroded connection for stator.


Jump ahead many years.  His daughter and son-in-law had bike for about 10 years sitting in a pole shed.  I then got the bike and restored it.


First thing I was told by a long time Gold Wing shop, was to check the connection to the stator.  If corroded, take it apart and solder wires, eliminating connector.  I also found this suggestion on several forums.


It was corroded.  I removed connector and soldered wires.  Runs good and stator will last now.  They get burnt out by corroded connector.


 

I purchased an '85 GL1200 in 2002 with 57k miles clocked. It's got 161k on it now, and I rode it to STAR this past summer as my pack mule for camping for the ~3 weeks I was on the road. No, it's not fast, but it will certainly go the speed limits plus a bit. It's not the best handling bike ever, but with a low center of gravity, a generous steering lock, and good low rpm torque, it's one of my first choices for MSF classes where I need to demonstrate techniques.

[BMWKeith]

I'd say take a look at the '13 to '18 BMW R1200RT and R1200GS models.  With the new 1250 out in 2019, prices on the superseded water heads will probably be down a little bit.  Either would be less than 700 lbs, with a low center of gravity, and will easily handle as much spirited riding as you would want to do.