1st post here. Short background, I have been riding 30 years (am 46), mostly sportbikes until the last 6 years on BMW "sport touring" models (R1100RS and currently an R1150RS). 70% of my riding is of the local/back road/"sporting" type (around NorCal), 30% is longer solo trips--1 to 3 week "sport-tours" around western US, Mexico, Canada, etc.
The R1150RS has been great for the longer sport-touring trips, less so for back road sport rides as it's a little heavy and down on power for me, and the handling isn't outstanding. I've made a lot of modifications, and it's ok, just not stellar. I'm searching for the elusive sport-tourer that is light and with enough power and handling to be great on backroad day-rides, and comfortable and with enough range and luggage capacity for week long or longer trips. A twin is a must for me, don't want an FJR or similar in-line engine. The Duc ST3/ST4s and Triumph ST are contenders, but each have their compromises as well. The new BMW R1200ST is also nice, but still not "ideal" for me.
I've always liked the SV1000/S, and am wondering what it would take to make it a great sport tourer? I searched this forum, didn't find anything obvious, but I'm sure someone has done this. What I'm thinking in terms of modifications to get there--assuming a new/'05 SV1000S--are along the lines of:
- higher bars (Helibars, risers, SV1000 tubular bars...?)
- lower pegs (off of SV1000?)--I'm 6'1", want to be fairly comfortable on 500 mile days
- reworked seat (I have a Sargent on my R1150RS, so something similar)
- taller windshield
- lower fairing maybe? Does it help with wind/weather protection?
- upgraded suspension--what's the ticket? I have Ohlins on my RS, made a great difference.
- soft bags, but are there hard sidebag options for the SV1000S? The BMW side cases are great, would be interesting if their mounting system could be retrofitted. Are there any hard side cases available?
- larger or enlarged tank--anyone done this? 200-230 miles/tank is nice for longer trips, less than 150 might be a pain, any ideas?
- additional driving lights (I have 2 sets of PIAA's on my RS), Escort mount, etc, should be pretty easy to add if the charging system allows.
Any ideas on this? My ideal would be a light, powerful, nice handling back road "sport" twin that could have bags thrown on and a few accessories attached for a 5000 mile solo trip. And under $11k total cost. Thoughts?
The R1150RS has been great for the longer sport-touring trips, less so for back road sport rides as it's a little heavy and down on power for me, and the handling isn't outstanding. I've made a lot of modifications, and it's ok, just not stellar. I'm searching for the elusive sport-tourer that is light and with enough power and handling to be great on backroad day-rides, and comfortable and with enough range and luggage capacity for week long or longer trips. A twin is a must for me, don't want an FJR or similar in-line engine. The Duc ST3/ST4s and Triumph ST are contenders, but each have their compromises as well. The new BMW R1200ST is also nice, but still not "ideal" for me.
I've always liked the SV1000/S, and am wondering what it would take to make it a great sport tourer? I searched this forum, didn't find anything obvious, but I'm sure someone has done this. What I'm thinking in terms of modifications to get there--assuming a new/'05 SV1000S--are along the lines of:
- higher bars (Helibars, risers, SV1000 tubular bars...?)
- lower pegs (off of SV1000?)--I'm 6'1", want to be fairly comfortable on 500 mile days
- reworked seat (I have a Sargent on my R1150RS, so something similar)
- taller windshield
- lower fairing maybe? Does it help with wind/weather protection?
- upgraded suspension--what's the ticket? I have Ohlins on my RS, made a great difference.
- soft bags, but are there hard sidebag options for the SV1000S? The BMW side cases are great, would be interesting if their mounting system could be retrofitted. Are there any hard side cases available?
- larger or enlarged tank--anyone done this? 200-230 miles/tank is nice for longer trips, less than 150 might be a pain, any ideas?
- additional driving lights (I have 2 sets of PIAA's on my RS), Escort mount, etc, should be pretty easy to add if the charging system allows.
Any ideas on this? My ideal would be a light, powerful, nice handling back road "sport" twin that could have bags thrown on and a few accessories attached for a 5000 mile solo trip. And under $11k total cost. Thoughts?