Originally Posted By: tuonoboy
BMW R1100RTs and R1200RTs feel a bit slow compared to the four cylinder bikes above. Nice handling though. A little expensive too. Great wind protection. I think of it as a smaller Gold Wing more than a true sport tourer. Plenty of BMW quirks; some guys like that and some don't.
I loved my R1100RT. Used ones in fine shape are easy to find, and could fit a budget better than a new Concours or ST. Heated grips, power windscreen, ABS, shaft drive. The boxer engine is a proven design, and low maintenance. You may never ride another bike with as much built in character as a boxer BMW. I also second the VStrom as a capable sport tour mount. Accessories galore including great Givi bags. Dont overlook it's brother the SV650 and the SV1100. Both torquey V twins, the 650 has plenty of meat to move luggage and your typical 210 pound guy in leathers around. The 1100 gives you more pilot room with a good bar/peg relationship. A decent blast from the past was my 1100 Katana. I had a 92. It was comfy even 2 up with a Corbin gunfighter and lady seat. The in line four was typical.. meaning buzzy, but was simple to maintain being air/oil cooled. I pumped the hollow handlebars full of silicone, put on a Corbin seat, had a magnetic tank bag and a duffle bag as a passenger and rode from St. Louis, MO to Asheville, NC via Deals Gap taking the Blue Ridge from Cherokee. It was comfy the whole 8 days I was gone, and returned nearly 50 MPG. Those were the good old days.
Good luck, and if you haven't done it, take the MSF safety course.
PS, as an afterthought, I just met a man over Memorial day at the state park we were camping at. Originally from London,, now from NJ. He was "sport touring" from there to wherever on his yearly vacation from work and wife. On the road for 8 days at that point, he was working his way west on a Vespa 150 scooter with an extra gallon of fuel in an aluminum external tank, luggage racks added to the front and rear, and all his gear. Tent, bag, some snacks, clothes, cell, water. Everything was organized, and secure, with an obvious amount of thought and planning. He was getting about 60 MPG loaded, and it was apparent he was having a blast. Dont overlook the new maxi scooters is my point. Aprilia has the 250 SportCity, and the Scarabeo line goes to 500cc. My best friend at work has a new Yamaha T-Max. I have ridden long distances before, and would not hesitate a second to hop on either my current Aprilia Sportcity, or his T-Max, and take off anywhere.