2009 Sport-Touring Shootout IV

[Jimm]

Triumph Sprint ST, FJR1300, Kawasaki Concours 14 and BMW K1300GT. The FJR comes in second but probably 3rd if they tested the new Concours 14. Good read otherwise, especially on the BMW.

https://www.motorcycle-usa.com/12/5007/Moto...hootout-IV.aspx

 

[JamesW]

Triumph Sprint ST, FJR1300, Kawasaki Concours 14 and BMW K1300GT. The FJR comes in second but probably 3rd if they tested the new Concours 14. Good read otherwise, especially on the BMW.

https://www.motorcycle-usa.com/12/5007/Moto...hootout-IV.aspx

Nice reading, thank you. For the price and the scarcity of logistical support I would skip the Beemer and stick with my FJR . After 38 years of riding experience I cannot come close to utilizing all The Yamaha has to offer in the performance department. I had occasion to follow a Sprint,ridden two up no less, on a ride through central Or., at speed, and worked a bit to keep them in sight. Very smooth rider on a capable bike.

 

[blkredlinedrvr]

Read the article and watched that video a few days ago and I have to say I'm not surprised. Kawa has a little catching up to do to build up a customer base for that bike which Yamaha started 5 years prior to them coming out with the C14. Beemer made a nice bike but like a lot of their bikes are expensive. I owned a R1150R it was a sweet bike but I bought it used so I didn't have to pay the premium for a new one. You wont find me paying for a new one, for the price and performance difference the Japanese bikes are a better deal.

IMO the Sprint was simply outclassed in that category as it seems to be more sport than touring. But that's a personal pref.

 

[Bounce]

Triumph Sprint ST, FJR1300, Kawasaki Concours 14 and BMW K1300GT. The FJR comes in second but probably 3rd if they tested the new Concours 14. Good read otherwise, especially on the BMW.

https://www.motorcycle-usa.com/12/5007/Moto...hootout-IV.aspx

at the first, they mention that the C14 updates were taken into consideration during the write up after they got an eval prior to going to press.

 

[doctorJ]

I don't follow the BMW bikes much now, but has there been much internet buzz about rear drive problems on the new K1300GT? I know BMW never acknowledges any problems--ever, but just wondered if the design or materials have been changed or outsourced or whatever. I wouldn't mind a used 1300GT some day, but no dealer within about 130 mi. is a problem and no tipover protection would make for very expensive tupperware replacements for those typical drops in the driveway from stupid people tricks etc.

doctorj

 

[FJRBluesman]

Interesting reading, good shoot out article. Bottom line, most of those will do the job so to speak. The Beemer is a price premium though.

My bottom line:

I wouldn't be selling my bike and buying the number one bike just from this. This changes year to year and rider to rider, sooooo. The FeeJ delivers the goods, great bang for the buck.

 

[Hudson]

Given how much farkling goes on with any of these (except maybe the BMW), it would be very interesting to compare the BMW with the FJR and, say, $3k worth of farkles, such as:

1. GPS Suspension upgrade with Penske shocks

2. PCIII and autotune

3. Remus pipes

4. tire upgrade to PR2

5. A few comfort farkles like a Heli triple clamp, windshield, etc.

Given that most of us paid less than MSRP for our rides, this would put the FJR about $15.5k, still a bargain, and I suspect the comments on power and handling would favor the FJR. Still, for bike that has not been modified substantively in almost 4 years to come in second against a new competitor says a lot about how much Yamaha got right.

Now, wonder how much the VFR and its ST brother will shake things up...

 

[wheatonFJR]

I came away from that article wanting to test tour the Triumph Sprint-ST.

Griff? Are you hearing me? Griff?

 

[rfespinosa]

I don't follow the BMW bikes much now, but has there been much internet buzz about rear drive problems on the new K1300GT? I know BMW never acknowledges any problems--ever, but just wondered if the design or materials have been changed or outsourced or whatever. I wouldn't mind a used 1300GT some day, but no dealer within about 130 mi. is a problem and no tipover protection would make for very expensive tupperware replacements for those typical drops in the driveway from stupid people tricks etc.
doctorj

Rear drive stories appear to be less frequent in the new K bikes post 2005, specially the current models appear to be ok.

BMW continues to deny any engineering problems on their bikes, the BIG problem now is a stalling problem that seems to be worst on the US K1300S, less of a problem on the K1300 GT, and not a problem at all on the European models. Very mysterious. But it seems real and emotions run high on the BMW forum iBMW.

The size of the dealer network will probably never improve, not enough sales volume.

I have seen K1200 GT's with sliders and actually witnessed one tip over in a parking lot with essentially no damage to the bike.

Ron

 

[blkredlinedrvr]

and not a problem at all on the European models.

Those Germans are getting back at us for WWI and II lol.

 

[Crash Cash]

I know BMW never acknowledges any problems--ever

And that's why I'll never buy a BMW. For that price, you need some love from the factory, and that ain't it. Ducati (and Yamaha, after prodding) have no problem going "oops, we screwed that up! here's a fix" and Ducati has a smaller dealer base than BMW does, so that's no excuse.

I have no idea why the Triumph was in there... it's not a touring bike.

 

[designeraccd]

Having had way to many bikes since 1964, I have to say that for my "tastes" my '06 FJR is overall the BEST bike I've ever owned. Not quite perfect: inadequate wind protection, so-so saddle and on my '06 (but NOT my '03) the trans is less than slick shifting. Despite the 3 knits, still a GR8 bike and having had 4 BMWs over the years...I'll stick with my FJR! DFO

 

[jjsC6]

I know BMW never acknowledges any problems--ever

And that's why I'll never buy a BMW. For that price, you need some love from the factory, and that ain't it. Ducati (and Yamaha, after prodding) have no problem going "oops, we screwed that up! here's a fix" and Ducati has a smaller dealer base than BMW does, so that's no excuse.

I have no idea why the Triumph was in there... it's not a touring bike.

Ducati has a lot of practice. My friend has a 2009 1198S. It is waiting on a new Radiator from Italy right now. So far in 9 months, three recalls and one other warranty repair for a well known problem. For a bike that cost double what a comparable bike from Japan sells for! :blink:

 

[Crash Cash]

So now... what's the definition of "sport-tourer" nowadays? A friend and I were discussing this thread and decided it was "any bike with bags that wasn't a Goldwing or a Harley." :rofl: We couldn't come up with any counterexamples.

 

[griff]

I came away from that article wanting to test tour the Triumph Sprint-ST.
Griff? Are you hearing me? Griff?

Just heard you. You're welcome to ride my Sprint any time. Remember mine is a 2000 (955), so I don't know how it stacks up against the new Sprints (1050). Maybe I'll bring it over to the wrenching Sunday.

 

[Attila]

So now... what's the definition of "sport-tourer" nowadays? A friend and I were discussing this thread and decided it was "any bike with bags that wasn't a Goldwing or a Harley." :rofl: We couldn't come up with any counterexamples.

For me a so called sport touring bike needs shaft drive and handlebars that doesn't require me to be in the push up position and at least a range of 200 miles.

I have a friend that has a Honda Blackbird with custom hard bags and a trunk which looks totally bogus on the Blackbird but to him it's a sport tourer even though the wind protection is practically nil and the riding position is almost as radical as a Busa.

You could I suppose mount bags on an R-1 but damn few would or could ride it from St. Louis to California without serious medical attention. h34r: You don't see many crotch rockets on the Interstate in the middle of Kansas headed for Colorado but FJR's are quite common along with Gold Wings pulling trailers and hauling fat women eating crackers and of course a smattering of Harleys sputtering along at 80 mph with the riders woman perched proudly on the back sipping Pepsi-Cola and reading the National Enquirer.

In all due respect, if you have to ask what a sport tourer is you are not into sport touring and anyone who would ride an R-1 or Blackbird from St. Louis to California should be interned for the profoundly insane :yahoo: .

You asked for counter examples and now you have them.

 

[Imp]

of course a smattering of Harleys sputtering along at 80 mph with the riders woman perched proudly on the back sipping Pepsi-Cola and reading the National Enquirer.

They can read?

 

[terp84alum]

Before I even clicked on the link, I was thinking why in the world would they put the Sprint in the comparison. Then you read the article and pretty much the testers were thinking the same thing. Nice bike but not in the same riding class as the other 3. I like the Tiger better than the Sprint anyway. It is even more upright so a Tiger with bags would probably have competed better than the Sprint because the ergonomics are better. JMO

 

[Hawkerplt]

My Nephew bought a 09 Triumph Sprint ST. He loves the bike!! It has great looks, plenty of power, handles great, ample range and with soft luggage on the back seat and a tank bag, has all the storage he needs. I've ridden it several times and it's a hoot!! All we did was add a throttlemeister. I'm happy to see the bike in the shootout. It deserves to be there.