What bike would you most like for touring?

[GoldOxide_imp]

It is so easy to swing at HD. I recently recall an episode late in Season 2 of "Yellowstone", lead character by Kevin Costner where a pickup rams a line of HDs on a Montana back road. In the context of the story scene, it was predictable and a little satisfying. However, on closer inspection, the destroyed bikes appeared to Japanese cruisers (I think anyway). Nevertheless, the message was delivered to the viewer.

If we live long enough to see the death of the everyday obnoxious, rattlin' HD, we may actually miss them because for better or for worse, it is a part of our riding fabric.

[VLJ_imp]

I'll never miss HD. They were never part of my riding anything, other than my disdain.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I'll never miss HD. They were never part of my riding anything, other than my disdain.

(+1) Never owned one, but ridden them. They are not comfortable and not agile. Nevertheless, they are a part of the global riding fabric.

[bigsheep_imp]

I do short tours on the CB1100 every summer I've had it. The biggest one was where I went to Tail of the Dragon from Hamilton, Ontario and back in 4 days. No interstates until day 4 when I just had to get home. I'll do longer tours when the kids get a bit bigger.

The bike that keeps jumping out at me is the KTM 1290 Duke GT. Digital cruise control for long stretches of highway, comfortable, heated seat/grips, amazing handling, extra large gas tank/range and power that can rival sport bikes, while not paying through the nose for insurance. I haven't ridden it, but I've ridden the 790 duke and could easily imagine the 1290. I'm not in love with the looks is the biggest drawback, but it's just so dang good I may not even care.

[Mitch_imp]

Hello and Belated Happy New Year!

Here are two of my favorite touring bikes.
2011 BMW K1600 GT
2000 BMW K1200 RS

[peterbaron]

Nice riding, Mitch

[GoldOxide_imp]

Hello and Belated Happy New Year!

Here are two of my favorite touring bikes.
2011 BMW K1600 GT
2000 BMW K1200 RS

If you had to pick one between the said two, which would you choose?

[LongRanger_imp]

Interesting. I never considered a K1200RS to be a “touring bike.” Its cousin, the K1200LT, certainly.

[Billie_imp]

I'll never miss HD. They were never part of my riding anything, other than my disdain.

Kind of an idiotic thing to say, never understood why someone would bash another motorcycle brand, how in the world can you have disdain for another manufacturer, yours apparently is a very uninformed comment.

Own a 2014 CB1100 and like it a lot, great little bike.

But my current touring bike is a 2020 Harley Davidson Low Rider, prior to this bike I toured on a Road King. This Low Rider on last summers trip even without a windshield was smooth as butter on the super slab, longest day was 883 miles from Grand Rapids, MI to Mitchell, SD, piece of cake.
I can pop some bags and a windshield on her if I want and she'll take me anywhere I want in comfort.

Its a great bike with plenty of power, am very happy with it.

I'll never miss HD. They were never part of my riding anything, other than my disdain.

(+1) Never owned one, but ridden them. They are not comfortable and not agile. Nevertheless, they are a part of the global riding fabric.

(+1) Never owned one, but ridden them. They are not comfortable and not agile. Nevertheless, they are a part of the global riding fabric.
OK I have to call BS on this. Maybe some aren't as agile as others, but to lay a blanket statement out there saying they are uncomfortable is ridiculous.
I have been touring on Harleys for years with many 600 mile plus days, set the cruise, kick back and let the miles roll by.
Oh, and when was the last time you had a van full of Italian tourists pull up by you at a scenic turnout so they can take pictures of your Honda?

[GoldOxide_imp]

I'll never miss HD. They were never part of my riding anything, other than my disdain.

Kind of an idiotic thing to say, never understood why someone would bash another motorcycle brand, how in the world can you have disdain for another manufacturer, yours apparently is a very uninformed comment.

Own a 2014 CB1100 and like it a lot, great little bike.

But my current touring bike is a 2020 Harley Davidson Low Rider, prior to this bike I toured on a Road King. This Low Rider on last summers trip even without a windshield was smooth as butter on the super slab, longest day was 883 miles from Grand Rapids, MI to Mitchell, SD, piece of cake.
I can pop some bags and a windshield on her if I want and she'll take me anywhere I want in comfort.

Its a great bike with plenty of power, am very happy with it.

I'll never miss HD. They were never part of my riding anything, other than my disdain.

(+1) Never owned one, but ridden them. They are not comfortable and not agile. Nevertheless, they are a part of the global riding fabric.

(+1) Never owned one, but ridden them. They are not comfortable and not agile. Nevertheless, they are a part of the global riding fabric.
OK I have to call BS on this. Maybe some aren't as agile as others, but to lay a blanket statement out there saying they are uncomfortable is ridiculous.
I have been touring on Harleys for years with many 600 mile plus days, set the cruise, kick back and let the miles roll by.
Oh, and when was the last time you had a van full of Italian tourists pull up by you at a scenic turnout so they can take pictures of your Honda?

I remember a time I switched bikes with a hardcore HD rider. Our bikes were essentially stock and I rode an Aprilia. I think he laughed when he mounted the Italian. Anyway, we started up on an empty rural backroad and suddenly he screamed by me on my Aprilia. Long story short, the HD almost blew up and I actually couldn't make-up ground on him. I thought I left HD metal behind, but I didn't, but it was not smooth.

In the end we got our bikes back and he remarked with lips moving, but no words coming out. I laughed so hard. He said he had no idea how fast a bike can be and so smooth. I responded, " ... my keys buddy - back, now".

Good times.