Okay, so I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about what the best sport touring motorcycle is. You know, the kind of bike that lets you eat up miles and miles of highway without feeling like you’ve been through a meat grinder, but still has enough pep to be fun when the road gets twisty. Well, I finally decided to put my money where my mouth is and do some serious testing.
First off, I dusted off my old riding gear. I mean, it had been a while. Then I started hitting up all the local dealerships. I wanted to test a bunch of bikes. I figured that was the only way to really know what was what.
I started with the Yamaha Tracer 9. I’d heard good things about it, being based on the MT-09, and it seemed like a good starting point. It’s a triple, which I’m a fan of. It was decent, comfortable enough, and had a good engine. But, it just didn’t quite blow my hair back, you know?
- Yamaha Tracer 9: Rode it around for a day. Nice enough, but not “the one.”
Next, I moved on to the BMWs. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “BMW, fancy!” But hear me out. They’ve got a couple of contenders in this space. I took out the R 1250 RS. A lot of people love it, but for me it was alright. I also rode the M 1000 XR. It has a lot of power and is very fast. I rode it for a long time, but in the end it wasn’t very comfortable for me, and the price was too high for me.
- BMW R 1250 RS: Test drove it. Classic, but not exciting for me.
- BMW M 1000 XR: Took it out for a spin. Fast, but not comfortable.
Then I stumbled upon the Honda VFR Interceptor. Now, this one surprised me. It’s a bit older, been around for a while, but it’s got a cult following for a reason. It’s definitely more on the sporty side than touring, but man, is it fun! I took this baby out on a long weekend trip, two-up with my partner, and it was a blast.
- Honda VFR Interceptor: Took it for a long weekend trip. Surprisingly awesome!
But then I tried out the Yamaha FJR1300. This thing is a beast! It’s built for long distances, super comfortable, and still handles pretty well in the corners. I spent a whole week riding this one, putting it through its paces on highways, backroads, you name it. I did long rides and short rides and this one was always comfortable.
- Yamaha FJR1300: Spent a week on this one. Seriously impressive.
So, after all that riding, what’s the verdict? Well, for me, it came down to the Yamaha FJR1300 and the Honda VFR Interceptor. They both felt great, just in different ways. The FJR1300 is amazing to ride and is very comfortable. If you want to travel in comfort, that’s the one to get. It just eats up the miles, and you feel great after a long day in the saddle. If you’re looking for something a bit more nimble and fun, the Interceptor is your bike.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the “best” sport touring motorcycle is the one that fits you best. It’s all about your riding style, your budget, and what you want out of a bike. This whole experience taught me to just get out there and ride! Don’t be afraid to try different bikes, even ones you might not expect. And hey, if you see me out on the road on my FJR, give me a wave!
