A reader named Joe Salz recently sent me the following email.
I ride a 2005 Honda ST1300 ABS, which has provided 94,000 miles of trouble-free riding pleasure. But it is 20 years old, and I would like a new replacement. Unfortunately, Honda quit making the ST1300 in 2013.
I would settle for a Yamaha FJR1300ES, but Yamaha quit building this model in 2024. The Triumph Trophy was a nice rig, but the last one rolled off the production line in 2017. The Kawasaki Concours 14 emphasized the sport side of sport-touring, but it was dropped in 2022.
Among machines currently in production, the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ and GX+ claim to be sport-touring machines, but their chain drive and tiny windscreens make them nonstarters for me.
If one desires true two-up capacity, shaft drive, integrated luggage, cruise control, heated grips, and a decently sized electrically adjustable windscreen in a machine that is not so big that it needs a reverse gear, there is but one lone survivor: BMW’s R 1300 RT.
What the heck happened?
Joe’s email arrived as we were preparing a review of the R 1300 RT for Rider‘s November issue. In addition to the RT, BMW also makes the K 1600 GT, which meets the criteria he lists above. But Joe’s larger point – the death of the open-class sport-tourer – is valid.
For Rider’s May 2013 issue, I participated in and wrote a sport-touring comparison test of the BMW R 1200 RT, BMW K 1600 GT, Kawasaki Concours 14, Triumph Trophy SE, and Yamaha FJR1300 (as seen in the photos). The ST1300 was absent because it had already been cut from Honda’s lineup. Only the BMW RT and GT are still in production.
We’ve always been fans of big sport-tourers. Of the 35 bikes we’ve selected as Motorcycle of the Year since 1990, 12 have been sport-tourers, and eight were open-classers.
Open-class sport-tourers fell victim to the juggernaut of open-class adventure bikes, which offer less wind protection but as much power, technology, and comfort with the added bonus of off-road capability. But not everyone wants an adventure bike with a tall seat, a 19-inch front wheel, and 90/10 tires.
Today’s sport-tourers tend to be based on sportbike or adventure bike platforms: Honda NT1100 DCT, Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ and GSX-S1000GX+, Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX and Versys 1100 SE LT, and Yamaha Tracer 9. All are powerful, sophisticated, highly capable machines (three have been MOTY), but they fail to check some of the boxes on Joe’s (and other people’s) list. Most put more emphasis on sport than touring, especially when it comes to passenger accommodations.
As good as BMW’s RT and GT models are, we miss the variety of open-class sport-tourers, with different brands offering unique engine configurations, styling, and character. Sport-touring isn’t dead, but the segment has undergone a paradigm shift. Is it better or worse? Let us know what you think – drop us a line at rider@ridermagazine.com.
See all of Rider‘s sport-tourer motorcycle reviews
“true two-up capacity, shaft drive, integrated luggage, cruise control, heated grips, and a decently sized electrically adjustable windscreen in a machine that is not so big that it needs a reverse gear” = Moto Guzzi V100 Mandelo with factory optional bags.
I still have my Moto Guzzi Norge and I would like to see more future sport tours come back with the shaft drive. Especially when riding in rain and different weather conditions I still think the shaft drive is the way to go.
Amen Shad! There is currently not a replacement for our beloved Moto Guzzi Norge. Mine happens to be a 2013 with 72000 miles. Although it’s had its share of niggling problems (ie, oil leaks etc.) It still serves me well. Capable, comfortable & good in the twisties all while still looking stylish.
What about the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT?
That being said I totally agree with you 😥
No mention of the SuperDuke GT – the apex predator of ST bikes.
Because the implication is that we’re talking about bikes that can be ridden without the omnipresent concern of whether or not you’ll actually make it home.
If you don’t mind siting on a hot rocket all day.
Well…there is the Moto Guzzi Mandello. I would categorise that bike as a sport touring bike, meeting most of your criteria.
The V100 Mandello S is an excellent sport tourer that is mostly overlooked by the motorcycling press! Rider magazine included!
I own one and it’s been equipped with the side bags, top case and a large CalSci windscreen and it is a great motorcycle!
I have a 2002 triumph 955i ,i love it best bike i have ever had and i have had a lot
Classic styling ,smooth yet powerul, handles the twisties with ease, and well designed fairing. Rain what rain .
Give me a sports tourer anytime. So called adventure bikes are too heavy and cumberson to go off road. Especially bmw’s
The sport touring bike isn’t dead! I believe riders find that special bike that they hang onto well into the second or third iteration, and then struggle with finding an alternative replacement. Canceling the Triumph Trophy, again, was a big mistake. That said, the BMW K1600 series is perhaps the finest tourer out there. I own a Triumph Explorer 1200 XCX, which has been an excellent on-off road tourer, but I just purchased a new BMW K1600 B just for the open road. Oh, and yes it has a reverse gear, which I enjoy.
Sport Tourers are dead. BMW to much money and expensive to maintain. Also the middle weight tourer. Smaller middle weight bikes with a decent windscreen snd luggage. The last true contender was Honda CTX1300. Of course they only sold for 1 year. Now you must buy a Adventure bike or a very pricey HD or Indian.
They manufacture what was selling well and what they perceive will sell through the next cycle.
No mention of the BMW RS??? WTF
That would be my choice but the gas tank size is pitiful for touring in the U.S.
I get a true 55 mpg on my 1250RS times 4.7 gal = 255 miles. With a margin for safety and maybe less if riding two up that is still 200 miles. Far from pitiful.
The BMW R1250RS with shad bags is the best. Add the tank bag and maybe a waterproof bag on the rear seat: that’s what I ride. 2022 Exclusive R1250RS.
The Adventure Touring large displacement bike have replaced the Sport Touring category for many people.
Last Fall I picked up one of the last new, 2024 FJR1300 available in the US. I was looking for something as close as possible to the 09 Concours14 that I rode across the US and Canada, packed with tent, sleeping bag, etc. The FJR was an absolutely great purchase. The sport tourer will rise again as all things are cyclical. 😉
I’m holding my breath for an electric, but an electric FJR probably won’t be worth buying in my lifetime.
In fact, the way politics are going I wouldn’t be able to find enough charging infrastructure to make an oyster run to the beach and back from Portland metro
The older sport tourers had a lot to love. A few modern updates like ride modes and TC would enhance the safety. Optional auto clutch or DCT could be helpful for older, like me. Just keep the shaft drive, for less maintenance.
All I know is I have a 2018 BMW R 1200 RT and it is the best bike I’ve ever ridden. Mic drop. It’s just so dialed in on every level. I’ve never had any problems with it beyond having to change out some spark plugs everything else has been tires, brake pads and fluids. She always starts right up performs fantastic low speed, high speed. It’s just an exceptional bike. I have to admit, though it is disturbing that this category has fallen on hard times every other bike I was shopping for at the time and comparing to the BMW is no longer in production.
You dropped the mic but kept talking.
My 2019 FJR es satisfies me just fine.
You are spot on that pure sport tour pickings are slim these days. I’m on my third BMW RT because there are very few shaft drive bikes that offer tour comfort with curve carving capabilities. Drop the bags off of my RT and let the spirited times roll. My first sport tour I created from a1980 GS1000G Suzuki which I believe was their first year for shaft drive. I added Krasuer side cases and a Sillouette shield for a tour capable performance machine. The market is full of dual sport and adventure offerings today. Give us more pure sport tour bikes!
Hah! I crossed the country on an ’80 850G with a huge Vetter fairing and soft bags, with a college book backpack rigged as a tank bag. Loyal to Suzuki, mainly, ever since. Cheated once with a BMW R80/7, that I rode from thr Rockies into Mexico. I laugh now at the the minimal HP I somehow managed to endure. Hint: Lots of excellent $6-7k used bikes if there’s not a suitable $20k new bike.
I have a Honda st1300 with 125,000 on it the only bike that I would consider replacing it with is the Yamaha for the new bike are not shaft drive and have to have power windshield plus I love Honda’s v4 I wish they would bring it back with a few up grades
Multistrada?
I’d agree the V4S makes a fine sport touring ride but it doesn’t meet the article’s requirements of being shaft drive.
I own a Burgundy 1993 ZX-11, & imho, one of the 1st “Sport Touters” of merit. I used to do up 600-700 mile days, like having breakfast, & still had stamina to carve some corners & do a lil celebrating that night….Ahhhh, the good ole days
I have owned just about all the bikes now discontinued and two 1600GTs. The BMWs are now out for me because in retirement I just can’t justify the price, especially now that they are over $30k.
I currently have a 2023 Tiger 1200 GT Adventure for touring. I also have a 2025 Ninja 1100 SX SE, but I don’t consider that class of sport touring a good 4,000 mile trip bike.
I want shaft drive, a lower height than my Tiger, and tire sizes that do not demand compromised tire selection of the Tiger. I also want a factory center stand.
I would compromise and go chain drive, and might compromise on the centerstand, but what I really want is for manufacturers to give us what we want. I know a lot of people who feel the same way.
BMW’s R1300RS and its forbears offer a low seat high, luggage, shaft drive, cruise control and 200+ mile range while weighing less than 550lbs. with a full tank of gas. Higher bars and larger shields are available for those who want more protection and a more upright seating position.
When it comes to sport riding weight is the enemy. In my opinion the bikes mentioned here are Touring bikes, only sporty when compared with touring cruisers/baggers. The current Goldwing can carve corners as well as most of these, and it’s pretty much the definition of a Touring bike. Old school sport tourers like Ducati’s ST2 and Kawasaki’s Ninja 1000SX were much lighter and better handling, but kept sport bike style fairings and a more relaxed but still sporty riding position. Personally I’d rather see the engine than plastic, and prefer a roomier, more upright riding position for long days in the saddle.
I think BMW’s oilhead GS spearheaded the demise of both sporty open class tourers and traditional sport tourers with comfort close to the former and twisty road performance close to the latter, with weight in between. Add the ability for dirt road exploring and it’s no surprise that road oriented ADVs are one of motorcycling’s most popular categories. If I was in the market for a long distance two up bike today I’d be shopping the R1300GS and Moto Guzzi’s Stelvio.
As you say, “weight is the enemy” and the sport touring class of bikes is much lighter than touring bikes. Consider the Goldwing you reference: I love the new Goldwing; it’s amazing, comfortable, reasonably fast and handles well for its size. But it’s not in the same league as the RT when it comes to handling, in part because it’s 250lbs heavier.
I understand the advantages of an ADV, but as someone who never takes a bike off-road (except my dirt bike), I prefer a shaft-driven, fully faired, powerful but reasonably light sport touring bike. To each his own!
I’ve had 3 kawasaki concours 1986 , 1999 and still ride my2009 . My heart belongs to the big Green.This year i bought a ZX-14R and they claim that this is a “sport tourer” which it really isn’t. If Kawasaki doesn’t reintroduced the Concours again I will just buy another newer year 2019-2022 and be happy.
Congrats on the ZX-14r. I had an ‘08 version and it was the most impressive machine I’ve had in 50 years of riding. It’s definitely not a sport tourer, though, as you stated.
I agree with the statement about the disappearance of sport tourers. I’m 80 years old up until a couple of years ago had a 2015 Goldwing. Nice bike but to heavy for this old man especially after back surgery and knee replacement. I looked for a lighter replacement when I sold it but nothing really fit my needs.
look for a suzuki m50, used obviously. It makes a great grandpa bike, they are scarce.
I did the same. I owned a ‘16 Concours and now I ride a ‘23 ZX14r. And while I agree the ZX14 is not a true cruiser, it makes up for that in raw performance.
I couldn’t agree more! I went from a zx10 to a Concours 1400 and dream of another Concours 14 with active cruise control. I read an article that it was in the works but can’t find anything further. Anybody know if a fly by wire, radar cruise control Concours is in the works??
I own the classic Yamaha FJR1300ES, 2019 edition. It is still a superb sport tourer capable of reliably going from continent to continent.
All it would really need to be put back on the ” cutting edge ” of technology is a digital gauge screen, up-down shifter, additional operating modes, and on the outside, maybe latest tech in cruise control ie. controlled following distances.
The major components, engine, shaft drive, brakes, handling, are all still top notch.
A better seat and a little less weight wouldn’t hurt…..
It’s a beautiful and legendary machine for many reasons….. Keep it going. 👍😁
Hey Joe, I’m contemplating selling my CTX 1300 which replaced the ST1300. It’s got everying except for cruise control. I would try to find one on the used market.
I love the bike and unfortunately having 3 kids under 12 , two of which play competitive sports keep me from putting kms on the bike. It’s only got 22,000kms on it.
In Hindsight I should have bought the FJR1300ES
He’s completely correct. The manufacturers pretend that an adventure bike is a touring bike, yet the seats are tiny. You can’t carry a passenger and you can’t touch the ground on them. Ride a new goldwing and you’ll quickly see how small they are and how nimble they are. And although they’re pretty heavy, they are much more of a sport tour than a real tour bike
I just sold my ’08 BMW K1200GT. What a sweet machine. I rode it coast to coast a few times, North to South also. I KNOW I’ll regret selling it. AND I hope the buyer will enjoy it as much as I did.
Roger you are spot on. I think the K1200/K1300 GT was the epitome of the true sport tourer. Great performance coupled with decent protection from the elements, side and top case capable and shaft drive with nifty electronics to make it highly capable over the road. I think BMW is missing out on not using their fantastic S1000 for an upgraded sport tourer based on this kind of layout.
I own and love my 1995 BMW R1100RS. It has over 200,000 kms on the clock and still runs perfectly. It’s so easy to maintain. IMHO this is the real sports tourer. The RT was the outright tourer version.
the BMW R1300RS will be a great Sport Touring bike with out the weight and with the performance. Four corners here we come.
We Love our 2009 Yamaha FJR-1300A. Been to Yellowstone, Blue-ridge parkway, the four corners, ect!
Reluctanty, she’s for sale. Health reasons.
New everything…
Just acquired a ‘07 BMW K1200GT, seems to be everything that Roger mentioned; I’ll let you know!
The last vehicle I bought new was my 2007 FJR 1300. I will likely own that puppy till the day I die. I love its performance. Probably 1/3-1/2 of the 29K miles on it were at triple digits, getting to where I wanted to go and enjoy the scenery.
First, I’d test ride the BMW RT just to see if it checked all the boxes. But if it’s too much money (and it is) then if I were him, I’d just look for another, lower milage ST1300. Plenty of them still around.
Honda VFR800ABS is what you missed. I have the 2013 version with antilock brakes, OEM hard bags and bag liners, and an OEM topcase and bag liner. Great solid bike to put a ton of miles on.
I traded in my 2015 GS for a 2023 Moto Guzzi Mandello V-100 S two years ago. It has the full OEM luggage package. I’m 75 with age-appropriate knees. I could no longer stand on the pegs so adventure riding was over. Although the Guzzi doesn’t have the refinement of the GS, it doesn’t seem to matter. Long live the Sport Touring bikes.
I own, and love my ’21 Concours 14 which I bought used in ’22.
It’s been trouble free, comfortable and powerful. I hope it lasts many years, as I would have no idea what I would replace it with. Cross that bridge when I get there.
The bike hardly mentioned and long forgotten, with shaft drive, V-twin, amazing luggage space, low seat, hydraulic lifters (virtually maintenance free), 650lbs, legendary reliability but unfortunately wrapped in plastic, is Honda’s PC800. I have a 1995 with a mere 26,000 on the odo. Rode it thru everything but ice and snow. Weather & wind protection is phenomenal. A sport tourer forgotten but loved those of us that still have this solid beauty.
When the FJR1300 was discontinued in the States starting in 2025, that was the end of true Sport Touring machines in the USA, IMO. Yes, BMW still has some great Sport Touring machines available, and I thank them for still offering them in the USA, but they are out of my price range, plus I’ve always been a Japanese motorcycle rider. I had planned on buying a new FJR1300 in 2025 after selling my 1985 Honda V65 Sabre (loved that bike, but was getting more and more difficult to find parts for it), but as luck would have it, 2025 was the year Yamaha decided to pull the plug on it in the States (still available in Canada; why there and not here?) Anyway, no money from me will be going into the new motorcycle market, so Yamaha, you lost a sale from this longterm rider. I am considering buying a used FJR1300, so if that happens Yamaha will get some money from me for parts, service, etc. I really wish there would be a revival of true Sport Touring motorcycles from Japanese manufacturers, and no, I don’t consider adventure bikes modified to be more street oriented to be Sport Tourers. Thanks everybody for the interesting comments here. Glad to see there are others who share my thoughts on the extinction of Sport Touring motorcycles.
I have had an RT and currently have a 2014 K1600GT along with a R1250RS and a HD Dyna Wide Glide. Of all the bikes I have owned since 1987, the BMW K1600GT is the only one I would replace with a brand new one.
Besides off-road capability, I really fail to see the appeal of Adventure bikes over a (to me anyway) much nicer looking sport touring bike with better rain and wind protection. I’m looking to replace my 2010 BMW R1200RT and the only thing I see besides the RS and the new $30K weird-looking RT is the Mandello, which is a hoot to ride, but no other choices? Given all the aging sport bike riders out there, and the desire to lock stuff on your bike, travel, or run errands, I really can’t believe there aren’t more people that want sporty bikes with bags and comfort.
lots of interesting and on point comments. Like the Guzzi bikes skipped over in the article what about the Honda VFR1200 pretty much the epitome of sport touring I’d say. Long time Concours rider, 88 ZG1000 A3 owned since new, 400,000kms, stock, unfortunately currently my garage Queen as the fuel tank is badly rusted 🙁 I now ride a 19 RV200 L9, Suzuki Van Van, BIG difference!!