Best touring/all rounder.

[Catteeclan]

Mandi's struggling with the weight and size of the Honda. It's lowered as much as the bike allows, (although I now see there's a fitting that allows the spring to sit further up the shock), but with her failing joints she has a hard time getting on, off and paddling it around. It is bloody heavy. She's already looking at a commuter bike but wants to keep the CBF, I'd rather she got one bike for all as we're tight on space and might have to part with one of mine.

So what's out there which is already low, light and can take luggage.

[busabeast]

Get her a busa, they aren't that heavy because all the weight is down low and being long distributes the weight well

[Saul]

2 hours ago, Catteeclan said:

Mandi's struggling with the weight and size of the Honda. It's lowered as much as the bike allows, (although I now see there's a fitting that allows the spring to sit further up the shock), but with her failing joints she has a hard time getting on, off and paddling it around. It is bloody heavy. She's already looking at a commuter bike but wants to keep the CBF, I'd rather she got one bike for all as we're tight on space and might have to part with one of mine.

So what's out there which is already low, light and can take luggage.

I am biased and I know Mandi has a honda, but what about a CB500F or even a CB750 Hornet.  Both around 185 kg can be lowered and very good on fuel for commuting especially the CB500.  Got 3 piece luggage for my Hornet from SW Motech, perfectly usable.    Plenty of touring screens available for both bikes.     Or what about a CBR650, not much lighter but a fair bit smaller than a CBF1000.  

 

[Pedro]

It’s not light, but the weight is really down low as the engine is tilting forward, it’s nice enough on fuel if you don’t cruise faster than the speed limit on motorways and very good on fuel on country roads, plus for carrying clothes for a weekend you don’t need any more space than the front trunk.

The engine doesn’t have a lot to give but it’s nice for covering distance smoothly and is nice for a thrash, although it’s not going to win any races. It’s so practical with the front trunk space, that you’ll use it for a quick trip to the shops, also tall enough to carry wine bottles. 

 

 

If being low and practical is important, I rate them highly. Having said all that, Sofia was quite happy to have her Speed Triple back after riding one of these to Italy and back 

[Pedro]

Depending on the trip, the fact that you put some of the luggage weight straight "into" the bike makes that that extra weight affects it less. 

I forgot to say, one thing I really don't like about it is that you have to lift the passenger seat to fuel it up. It's not an issue unless you carry stuff on that seat, in which case it's annoying.

[Saul]

5 hours ago, Pedro said:

It’s so practical with the front trunk space, that you’ll use it for a quick trip to the shops, also tall enough to carry wine bottles. 

 

There is much that could be said about that last point, I will only say that you do add colour to this place and a different perspective 

[Pedro]

7 minutes ago, Saul said:

There is much that could be said about that last point, I will only say that you do add colour to this place and a different perspective 

I meant it's good and practical for a quick trip for groceries. 

[Buckster]

Harley of course.