Sport-Tourer Spotter's Guide
SPORT-TOURER SPOTTER'S GUIDE
Just as it’s hard to tell the players without a scorecard, it’s difficult to tell the sport-tourers without their saddlebags. We here at Cycle World have just one criterion for determining what is a sport-touring motorcycle, and it is this: Hard luggage must be available from the manufacturer. We don’t care whether it’s original equipment, an option or an accessory, just as long as we have someplace to stash our somethings when we go somewhere. But sometimes, just exactly which machines meet that solitary requirement gets lost in a maze of factory brochures, accessory catalogs and wishful thinking.
Because 2002 is shaping up as the Year of the SportTourer, we thought it prudent to present a thumbnail guide to the sport-touring marketplace. In the interest of brevity, however, we purposely omitted those machines covered elsewhere in this issue, as well as those that inhabit the edges of the category, such as earthy adventure-tourers and foo-foo luxo-tourers. So grab your overnight bag and tag along as we check in with the contenders.
Brian Catterson
Aprilia RST1000 Futura
If George Jetson were into motorcycles, this would be his ride. Looking like some sort of Sixties vision of the future, the Futura’s controversial styling leaves onlookers with mixed emotions. But there’s no hemming and hawing over the performance of the Futura’s RSV Millederived 998cc V-Twin engine, which was stout enough to earn the Italian machine Best Sport-Touring honors in Cycle World's 2001 Ten Best Bikes competition. Will it repeat in 2002? Don’t bet against it.
BMW K1200RS
The Germans arguably created the sport-touring motorcycle, and have been refining the concept ever since. The K1200RS is the four-cylinder variant, powered by BMW’s unique laydown longitudinal inline K-motor, said to produce 130 horsepower.
The early-release 2002 model is already in dealerships, boasting a new upper fairing and integrated anti-lock brakes. Big and bulbous, the K12 is best suited for cruising at very high speeds over very long distances. That’s the point, isn’t it?
BMW R1150RS
Latest evolution of the R100RS that ushered in fully faired sport-touring bikes more than two decades ago, the eight-year-old R1100RS finally receives some muchdeserved modifications for 2002. As evidenced by its new name, the R1150RS benefits from the new 1130cc engine (up from 1085cc) that graces the rest of BMW’s Boxer-Twin line, replete with six-speed transmission. Also notable are the Evo servo-assisted front disc brakes with optional linked Integral ABS.
Have bags, will travel-fast!
Ducati ST2/ST4
You’ve read about the ST4s, here are Ducati’s other two sport-tourers. Introduced in 1998, the ST2 is powered by a fuelinjected, liquidcooled, 944cc version of the venerable twovalve, sohc 900SS engine, renowned for its eminently usable power. The ST4 debuted one year later, boasting the higher-revving, higher-horsepower, four-valve, dohc V-Twin from the 916 Superbike. Both emphasize the sport side of the sport-touring equation, as Italian bikes should.
Honda ST1100
Honda has no fewer than three sporttourers for 2002. You can read about the new ST1300
and VFR800 VTEC elsewhere in this issue. The remaining model is the 10-year-old ST1100, a past Ten Best Bikes winner that in decidedly un-Honda fashion is staying in the lineup in the face of its “replacement” coming online. The longitudinal V-Four-powered machine is available in two versions, standard and with ABS II, which combines anti-lock and linked brakes with traction control.
Kawasaki ZZR1200
You could call the new ZZR1200 a warmed over ZX-11 and not be too far off the mark. After all, the ZZR is based on the same platform as the one-time King of Speed. But to do so would be to overlook the many changes aimed at making the ZZR an exceptional sporttourer. Among these are the grunty 1164cc four-cylinder engine from the ZRX1200, more comfortable ergonomics, a larger gas tank and a new fairing that’s more aerodynamic and modern-looking. Givi saddlebags are optional.
Kawasaki Concours
They don’t get much longer in the tooth than the “new-for-1986” Concours, but old Snaggletooth is still a worthy sport-tourer, backed by one of the most enthusiastic owner’s clubs anywhere. Ridden in the company of more contemporary motorcycles, the Ninja 1000-powered machine feels dated, but if you never rode anything newer, you probably wouldn’t find anything to complain about. You certainly can’t fault the price, because at $8199, the Concours costs roughly half as much as its more expensive competition.
Triumph Trophy 1200
Before there was the Yamaha FJR1300, there was the Triumph Trophy 1200, a roomy, stable sport-tourer with a Saturn rocket engine stuffed inside its fairing. Seriously, this 1180cc Four packs so much thrust, shifting is largely optional, and power-wheelies are par for the course, even two-up with luggage! Largely unchanged since its 1996 makeover, the Trophy returns for 2002 in two new color schemes, Azure Blue and Emerald Green.
Triumph Sprint ST
Voted Best Sport-Touring Bike of 1999, the Sprint ST receives the new, third-generation 955cc engine for 2002. Rated at 120 horsepower, this 12-valve, dohc Triple features shrink-wrapped, die-cast cases that help shave 5.5 pounds from the engine alone. A new airbox, fuel-injection system and exhaust boost the Sprint’s already commodious midrange power. And like Ducati’s sport-tourers, the Triumph’s muffler pivots up for sport riding, and down to accommodate the standard saddlebags.
Yamaha FJR1300
Behold the forbidden fruit of Japan. For some reason that defies all logic, Yamaha USA won’t be bringing this potent new 1298cc Four stateside this coming year. Having flogged the bike on a recent tour of the Alps, all we can say is, that’s a real shame.
The FJR picks up where its vaunted predecessor, the FJ1200, left off, combining the most potent engine in its class with a comfy upright seating position that’s perfect for triple-digit sightseeing. Oh well, there’s always 2003...
