GRM ish upright motorcycle recommendations please.

Its been a while since I had a two wheeler. Last one was a BMW R1100 RSL. Which I enjoyed. Recommendations for an upright sport tourer?

It is a great time to be looking for this kind of bike. Lots of options, triumph, ktm, BMW, all Japanese manufactures. 

What kind of budget and how much sport vs touring?

Yeah what budget?

I have to suggest the FJ-09. Very upright but more sport than touring.

Ideally it would be $3500. And used fairly regularly for a 45 mile heavy traffic commute to work.  

I had a BMW K100rs that I really enjoyed.  Once you install "bar backs" to lift the bars up and inch and back two, it gets quite comfortable.  Sounded sweet with a header and Supertrapp.  Detachable luggage made life easier.  Easily within $3k.

I would also look at a Kawasaki Concourse and Honda's ST-1100.

Dan

I enjoyed my FZ1, it was comfortable and fast.

914Driver said:

I had a BMW K100rs that I really enjoyed.  Once you install "bar backs" to lift the bars up and inch and back two, it gets quite comfortable.  Sounded sweet with a header and Supertrapp.  Detachable luggage made life easier.  Easily within $3k.

I would also look at a Kawasaki Concourse and Honda's ST-1100.

 

Dan

I am not a "bike guy". But I would own that.

A Miata.

More "uprightish" than your R1100RSL?  Or similar? Do you want to stick with a larger bike?

In the similar category, I'd go with ST1100.   I had both an R1100RSL and a two ST1100s, and put a lot of miles on them.  They're both great bikes.  The BMW was a bit more nimble, but the ST1100 was more comfortable.  Both are getting long in the tooth.  I'd go with the Honda for parts availability and $$.

More 'uprightish', I'd go VStrom 1k, or 650 if you want to downsize.  Versys 650s can also be had in that price range.  I had a first year VStrom 1k, and I considered it the best all-round bike I ever owned until getting my FJ-09 in '15.  I second the recommendation above for the FJ9, but they're still in the $6k range for a nice used one.  But, you're getting a lot of modernization over a VStrom that will be in the $3500 range.

If you really want to downsize, some of the new 300 class bikes can probably be bought used in that range.  Excellent fuel mileage, but I wouldn't want to 'tour' on one.  OK for a commuter, though.

I like the idea of a Kawasaki Concours.  They built them for ages so decent examples should be easy enough to find, and as far as I know they're quite reliable.

I like Triumph Tigers - I also happen to like flying brick BMWs, but the ones I prefer (K1100LT) might be a tad out of your budget.

You should be able to find a Tiger 955i with bags for about your budget. Bikes don't get much more upright than that

stuart in mn said:

I like the idea of a Kawasaki Concours.  They built them for ages so decent examples should be easy enough to find, and as far as I know they're quite reliable.

The problem is the newer ones (1400) are $5k+, and the old ones are E36 M3.  Basically a late 70s  design with corresponding suspension and brakes.  For a long time some people loved them 'cause they were cheap.  Reliable, sure, but it would be like DDing a Model A Ford.

For that amount of money it would be hard to find a better bike than a Vstrom. To me not very exciting but they are extremely capable and competent.

A Triumph Speed Triple is a good compromise between upright and sporty. Here's mine:if you want fully upright a Tiger is a good way to go. My riding buddy has 4 of them between him and his wife. Two for adventure riding and two for the street.

For that budget, it’s hard to beat a fz6 or fz1. 

Both have more than enough power, reliable, and comfy. 

Sport touring? Didn't Honda' s VFR Interceptor invent that. 

In reply to Appleseed :

I always forget about the vfr. 

Are you still in Georgia?  I’m in Knoxville and I have a Vstrom 1000 I am going to sell. I was waiting until spring but if your interested maybe we can work something out. I can promise you it will be under your price cap. Heck probably enough under to get some good gear.  

Emailing me through the forum doesn’t work, but if you want you can try 865 x 227 x nine two four three. 

In reply to Nick Comstock :

Wouldn't call a VFR a motorcycle via a very upright seating position. They're great bikes, though.

In reply to BoxheadCougarTim :

Yeah, there is a large disparity in the "sport touring" category. Some are going to have you more folded up and some are going to be more upright. The upright requirement by the OP is why I keep thinking Strom. 

The newer "adventure touring" bikes are going to be more upright than traditional "sport touring" bikes while still being extremely capable road bikes. 

Really I'm blown away by my FJ. An extremely flickable short chassis with a powerful engine that is comfortable enough for touring. I was in pain after twelve hours on it but if I was smarter I wouldn't have pushed myself so far. It's a brilliant bike.

Not what you are looking for, but I'm kind of partial to it.

In reply to Dirtydog :

There is an abundance of used Harley's on the market for very reasonable prices right now. It's no wonder they are having a hard time selling new ones. 

That's for sure.

The upright position is due to years of low back abuse. Lots of great choices here. The FJ looks like my favorite but likely out of my price point. I sorta like the Vstrom. May have to sit one one to see. Love the idea of a BMW K RS but the ones I like are also likely just out of range. Rode a 919 and liked the zoom. Triumphs confuse me due to the price spread. Also am attracted to Buell but not sure that I have a handle (bar) on that. As for a Harley make mine a night train soft tail . Wayyyyy out on pricing there. Also like the one that looks like a dirt track bike. May be streching a bit but how about a KLR with super moto type set up? 

I'd stay away from a big single like a KLR.  Good around town, or a fire road, but not much fun on the highway.  A 1k VStrom sounds like it might be the sweet spot for you.  I rode mine coast to coast and border to border, even took it to the track once and made some sport bike guys cry.