A question for the Sportsbike owners.

[tricky]

After hooning round Donnington on one of Ron Haslam's CBR600RR's yesterday, the lure of the darkside is getting ever stronger.

However, I have started to a bit of touring on the SV which I really enjoy and would like to be able to do this still on any future bike I purchase.

So has anyone done any serious touring on a sports bike ?

How much discomfort am I likely to be in after say 300 miles in one day ?

I am 5' 8" and I thought the riding position on the CBR600 was ok. (I was expecting it to be more extreme)

[scooby2102]

tricky, honestly dont think there can be much difference between the basic riding position on the SV compared with full blown sportsbikes

afterall, Nick Sanders done his 20 day world tour stint thingy on an R1

might be wrong though ref the comfort factor on other bikes but the SV seems ok to me

[Balky001]

I've done over 300 miles in a day on my GSXR600 K2 and it was fine - more comfortable than the SV as the seat it wider. Double bubble screen helps. I'm not sure I'd want to do it now with my Harris rearsets as you get knee cramp but standard pegs easy - I found the CBR600RR's riding position more extreme than the GSXR

[Marshall]

Id much much much much prefere to do 300 miles on the SV compaired to my mates R6. Infact i think id rather do 400 miles on the SV than 50 miles on the R6.

[fizzwheel]

tricky, honestly dont think there can be much difference between the basic riding position on the SV compared with full blown sportsbikes


From what I've found theres a huge difference between the SV and my GSXR. Its much more wristy, The seat is higher so you sit right over the front of the bike and also the pegs are higher.

Its comfortable, its just comfortable in a different way. When I first got it I found the weight on my wrists was uncomfortable. Now I'm used to it I dont really notice it. Unless I'm riding slowly or round town.

[tricky]

Bear in mind chaps, I ride a naked SV so any sportsbike will be a big change for me.

[mysteryjimbo]

How much discomfort am I likely to be in after say 300 miles in one day ?

I am 5' 8" and I thought the riding position on the CBR600 was ok. (I was expecting it to be more extreme)

Most i've done 800 miles on my SRAD and it has quite a severe riding angle. Quite comfortable as long as you take regular 15 minute breaks.

[Biker Biggles]

Go for a ZX9R.Slightly less extreme than all the others and a nice wide comfy seat.
With the addition of a tankbag to lean on you can ride it all daY

[wyrdness]

afterall, Nick Sanders done his 20 day world tour stint thingy on an R1

I think that he was more interested in speed and breaking records than comfort.

[Carsick]

afterall, Nick Sanders done his 20 day world tour stint thingy on an R1

I think that he was more interested in speed and breaking records than comfort.
Not to mention that he's a bit of a nutter.

[Flamin_Squirrel]

tricky, honestly dont think there can be much difference between the basic riding position on the SV compared with full blown sportsbikes

Not true. I've a 03 ZX-6R which is about as extreme as they come and it's a big difference.

Saying that I did 300 miles on mine the first day I got it (albeit mostly motorway) and I managed ok.

[Scoobs]

I'll be doing the South goes North ride on the 16th - 18th June and it will probably be a 1,000 mile weekend. I will let you know how I get on after that. I ride a CBR600RR (usually) :roll:

[Toypop]

Depends on the precise model of sports bikes as some are poles apart. Also the precise shape and size of the rider and the types of roads you are using - the faster the less painful.

When I first got mine I couldn't even do 30 miles. Not joking or exaggerating or being a wimp, I couldn't operate the clutch after about 20 miles and I wouldn't be able to ride for couple of days after.

Got used to it though and can now stretch to just under 100 miles if its long fast roads with little gear changes. Problem with mine is that the clutch lever can't be twisted down enough.

[A-jay]

Speak to Mburnstead he's just been touring round europe on his R6.

http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.php?t=38700

[Dicky Ticker]

Tricky, You have been tempted by the darkside,but remember it has many options. If you want to do touring and comfort is an issue look at,and test ride some of the alternatives which have a "tourer" bias
i.e Aprilla sp,Honda VFR or Triumph ST ,All of them are quick bikes for local riding
on the back lanes but very very capable of long journeys or touring

Go out and organise yourself some test rides and then decide whether you want an out and out sports bike or a 1000cc sports tourer. I can assure you the comfort thing is important after a week of 3-400 mile days

[tricky]

I suppose the CBR600F is th obvious choice , although I'm interested to know how Scoobs gets on, on a longer ride on his RR.

Also having read a few road tests is seems the Daytona 650 is ok as a tourer. Ed perhaps you could comment on this ?

[amarko5]

how about something in the middle ground like VFR or Triumph Sprint ETC ETC

[GregK2]

I suppose the CBR600F is th obvious choice , although I'm interested to know how Scoobs gets on, on a longer ride on his RR.

Also having read a few road tests is seems the Daytona 650 is ok as a tourer. Ed perhaps you could comment on this ?

I've got a CBR600F, after trading in my SV650S, and I'm finding the CBR just as comfy over long distances.

[Sid Squid]

I've done some lengthy trips on my ZX6. Did an 830 mile day on it once - no less, or more, comfortable than an faired SV, obviously it's a very different riding position to a naked though.

[tricky]

Did an 830 mile day on it once

:shock: :notworthy:

That is impressive (most I've ever done in one day is 460)how long did that take you ?

[Warren]

After hooning round Donnington on one of Ron Haslam's CBR600RR's yesterday, the lure of the darkside is getting ever stronger.

However, I have started to a bit of touring on the SV which I really enjoy and would like to be able to do this still on any future bike I purchase.

So has anyone done any serious touring on a sports bike ?

How much discomfort am I likely to be in after say 300 miles in one day ?

I am 5' 8" and I thought the riding position on the CBR600 was ok. (I was expecting it to be more extreme)

what about the CBR600F ?

[Ed]

No probs on the Trumpet

[mburnstead]

After hooning round Donnington on one of Ron Haslam's CBR600RR's yesterday, the lure of the darkside is getting ever stronger.

However, I have started to a bit of touring on the SV which I really enjoy and would like to be able to do this still on any future bike I purchase.

So has anyone done any serious touring on a sports bike ?

How much discomfort am I likely to be in after say 300 miles in one day ?

I am 5' 8" and I thought the riding position on the CBR600 was ok. (I was expecting it to be more extreme)

I'm a couple of inches taller than you but have just done over 3000 miles in two weeks round Europe on an '04 spec R6.

The R6 in particular has a slightly more upright position than some supersports, and I think the SV (curvy, faired) I had before was actually a longer reach to the bars. On the other hand, the pegs are a good deal higher and I did suffer from aching knees on this trip, more so than when I took the bike (R6 again) to Morocco the year before.

All in all I find it pretty comfortable on long trips; you can back off the damping to soften the suspension a bit, and the extra weight of all the luggage (two full panniers, a tent across the pillion seat, and a tankbag) makes the ride much softer than an R6 you might try at a dealers or mates house. I've fitted a double-bubble screen but apart from that it's all standard.

Certainly it's do-able... but if you're prone to knee pain, or lower back pain, then you might find it quite hard work at first. The wrist pain issue isn't a problem when touring, as generally you're not working the levers constantly and the wind lifts you up a little and takes some of the weight.

[jambo]

Happy with my 2001 ZX6R, tank range is good (get 160+ miles to reserve as sooon as you get out of town) Riding position's ok for me (over 6ft) though a little more crampd than a tourer bike it suits me, think nothing of doing 200 miles in a day and would be quite happy putting more on but don't often have to, I use it for commuting in london 5 days a week.


In short diferent sports bikes are diferent, as are different riders, try a few and see what you think :wink:

[Jelster]

I moved from a K4 GSXR 600 to a 2003 FireBlade because the Gixer was causing me a few problems with my back (I've suffered with back problems for a while and the GSXR just made it worse). The FireBlade has slightly lower pegs and the seat is further forward so you stretch less. I've done 13 hour (600 mile) days without a problem.

The seat's a bit hard though....

.