Sports Tourer of the year

[Bikeaholic]

Anybody see the Sport Tourer comparison on Men & Motors recently? For our cousins not resident in the UK, Men & Motors is a TV channel dedicated to motoring until around 11pm when its all about tits and half naked ladies (so I'm told).

They compared various so called Sports Tourers and came up with the following results. Number 1 being considered the one with the highest mark.

1. Honda VFR VTECH
2. Honda Blackbird
3. Suzuki Hyabusa
4.
5.
6.Futura
7.Yamaha FJR
8.
9.Ducati ST4
10.Triumph Sprint

My memory is a bit hazy, (I blame the TV programs after 11pm) so can anyone fill in the rest?

Ps. There is going to be a repeat of the prog. on 20. Jan 20:30

[mikeh501]

I'm pretty sure the Futura was 5th not 6th. Cant remember the rest

[Dan]

Looking at the list, it sort of doesn't matter to me personally. Of all the bikes available today, I'd STILL pick the Futura for reasons already mentioned.

[Bikeaholic]

Mike, I think you may be right so looks like I'm gonna have to watch it again.

Dan, I don't normally take much notice of Bike rankings either but am totally bemused at the choice of bikes included for a Sports Tourer ranking. I've ridden the Hyabusa and used to own a Blackbird but overall for me it was and still is the Futura, why else would I buy two of them in the space of 2 years.

[Dan]

Yup, if mine met an untimely end, I'd buy another.

[Ricky J]

Did anyone see the Givi hard bags avail-
able for the new VFR? Good God Almighty,
those things are freakin' W-I-D-E on the
back! You'd need a car with flashers and
a WIDE LOAD sign to follow you...

[buck000]

Re: VFR bags, I'm not crazy about the looks with the racks on and bags off, either:

<img src="http://home.attbi.com/~huskyfans/VFR/VFR_Saddlebags/SaddleBag_Bracket.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

The owner is okay with only taking 10 mins to remove the racks, less if he doesn't want the rear footpegs....8o

I guess I'm just saying I like the RST's design better. :p

Re: Sport Tourer of the year, here's an interesting quote from John Burns over at motorcycle.com, where he was panning the BMW K1200GT:

<blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>If I were you I would hold off on this K-bike. Do yourself a favor and have a ride on an FJR1300 if it's a powerful four-cylinder touring bike you want.If you need a BMW, try on an R1150RT. Sample an Aprilia Futura; I lobbied for it to be Motorcycle of the Year when I was at Motorcyclist a few years ago, and my opinion of that bike hasn't changed.[/quote]

Who am I to argue with Mr. Burns?
Paul, sitting smugly on a Friday morning
'01 Flame Red

[Dan]

I agree, Paul. No one will ever change my opinion that the Futura is *the best* combo now available of sport, tour, ergos, reliability, 2-up comfort; has the best bag system....

[Bikeaholic]

I've done the decent thing and watched the program again. I've even recorded it in case I'm in need of a good laugh. One thing puzzles me though, they mention a kerb weight of 190Kg. for the futura. Would that be the weight after you hit the kerb having been spat off the thing, drained all the fluids and scraped off all the paint.

Top 10 Sports-Tourer of 2002 as rated by 3 bike journalists.

10 Triumph Sprint (58%)
9 Suzuki GSX750F (66%)
8 BMW K1200RS (74%)
7 Yamaha FJR1300 (75%)
6 Ducati ST4 (76%)
5 Aprilia Futura (77%)
4 Kawasaki ZZR1200 (80%)
3 Suzuki Hyabusa (85%)
2 Honda Blackbird (86%)
1 Honda VFR VTech (87%)

From this list I have actually either owned, test ridden or borrowed the BMW, Futura, Hyabusa, Blackbird, ZZR (1100) and VFR (750).

And guess what I've been riding for the last 2 years.

[Dan]

Buck000: "I guess I'm just saying I like the RST's design better. "

I don't care what the VFR owners say... or the bike mags... the RST's design is far better integrated, with or without the bags. Many Japanese bikes currently offered perform well and give good test numbers but fall short of the RST in this regard. Take a look at the Yamaha FJR as an example; it's very busy particularly at the rear like the VFR-- it looks like the footpegs, subframe and bags and their mounts are afterthoughts.

Worst thing about the VFR though- at least in my opinion is the high and rearset rider footpegs. Also, of course, the RST has a much more comfy seat.

Now, I have not ridden the VFR but want to, just to see for myself. Bottom line is that a small company like Aprilia is at a disadvantage getting bike mag reviews against a company like Honda-- just as Honda can dominate MotoGP by steamrolling the series with it's cash, $$$ dominates publishing as well. The fact that Aprilia comes so close in the ratings speaks volumes.

[BossBob2]

A mate has just dropped by to tell me that there was a program on sky last night ...well 1 am ish .. .and the Futura came 3rd behind the VFR and A N Other
He reckoned it got a rave review
Anyone else see it??

True or false...
Is he taking the pi$$ ?

Rab

[Bikeaholic]

Sorry Rab, didn't see it cos just couldn't tear myself away from the wet t-hirt competition on the other channell.

You're back home then, or are you on a sicky.

[BossBob2]

Home again
Two trips back to back with only a few days to prepare inbetween.
Can't complain tho' its how I earn my living
Gotta pay for the new toy somehow

Rab