Opinions Please For Touring !

GSXR without a doubt, no substitute for a fairing for distance IMO. I've done plenty of long trips on GSX-R's and never found any issue at all. Most have a decent sized pillion seat which is good for luggage too.

 

Ask yourself if you did a 200mile U.K. trip on both to which you can live with?

 

Mr. Sandi and I did a 2000 mile trip with two friends one of whom was on a Suzuki GSXR-1000. He was absolutely miserable for nearly all of the trip. No windshield. Precious little way to change position. His wrists were killing him. We still tease him about being "Advil Man". I've not ridden either model but based on his whining, I'd suggest you ride the Speed Twin with a windshield fitted to it.

 

As someone who has toured extensively on sport/sport tourers and naked , I'd go for naked with a screen any day.
Did 11,500 km Perth to Darwin Australia on my 2008 America. Towed a two man pop up camper , and had No comfort or "Wind" issues. Sports bike you have limited options for comfortable "positioning" . Your wrists , ankles and knees are going to feel it.
Throw in a hard as a plank seat Butt Too ...


cheers capt

 

Everyone's different, I don't think wind protection is essential. Last year I done a tour round the Pico's in northern Spain and the Pyrenees and France. We done the trip on a Superduke and a Speed Triple. For me comfort is a bigger priority that a screen. I wouldn't like to be doing back to back 300 mile days on a race rep! We also covered almost the full length of France in one day in monsoon weather, no problem for for the naked bikes I thought. A fairing wouldn't have made it any more pleasant. That's my opinion of course, I find screens annoying because of the horrible wind noise they make.

 

Are you sure you can't afford a third bike? You could pick up a Honda VFR750 or 800 for £1500 - £2000. One of those would do the job. You could probably sell it and get your money back after the trip if you wanted to.

 

What sort of mileages are you planning on doing per day on what type of roads?
If 300+ mile days most of the time on mainly Autoroute/Motorway then take the GSXR.
Otherwise I'd take the Speed Twin (possibly with a screen of some sort), it handles and goes well enough to enjoy the faster twisty bits, without being uncomfortable when just poodling along enjoying the sights.

 

gsxr long trip you want fairing

 

gsxr long trip you want fairing

 

I would say Speed Twin, for the more neutral riding position.

I did two tours last year between lockdowns, one 800 miles other 1100 miles on a Scrambler 1200 XC, no screen was no big deal, motorways, a and b roads, 75mph with the occasional overtaking burst, all good. I'm decrepit and can say not a twinge or ache.

 

That's too far per day, trust me. I've done it to death. I'd take the Triumph and slow down. You might even see something . I've had VFRs, but similar money might get you a ZZR1200. Far better all round. Enjoy your trip however you finish up doing it

 

I agree with @Smilinjack 300 to 400 miles per day every day is no fun when you are touring. You need to think more carefully about your route and what you are going to get out of the trip. Blasting for 300 to 400 miles is not in my mind a fun ride. For me I would be taking the speed twin, which for me is a much better option for touring. Which ever bike you take make sure you plan well to get the best from your trip..

 

I agree with @Smilinjack and @Wessa. If you want to do that kind of mileage you might as well stay at home and just blast up and down the A1/M1 each day for a week or so, you won't notice the difference, especially if the weather is nice. 100/150 miles a day on your Street Twin, take your time, comfy, see your surroundings, avoid motorways, stop for refreshments in nice villages etc that's the way to enjoy it more.

 

I'm with @Wessa and @Smilinjack, @Carl556. I especially agree with Wessa about thinking about your route and what you'd like out of your trip. My hubby and I have done numerous long trips and we've tended to plan some short mileage days, some moderate, and a couple of long days....all dependent on our planned trip route. When there's lots to see or a destination that we'd like to really check out, we plan on a short mileage. That not only means more time to poke around but we also aren't a tired and raggedy from a long day on the road. On the other end of the continuum, if we're going through an area that has less to stop and look at or if we need to get someplace in more of a hurry for whatever reason (we try to NOT do this, though), then we'll put in more miles. We've had trips where we did as little at 75 miles in a day and as many as 400-500 and everything in between. So it depends.

As I said, overall I'm in agreement with the suggestions of Wessa and Smilinjack. Mr. Sandi's and my motto is that of many bikers, "It's about the journey, not the destination".

 

@Carl556 @300-400 miles per day you might as well do several track days somewhere ugly in the Uk or just work for a Busy courier company as you won’t even notice any scenery. Touring isn’t really that sort of race on a day by day adventure. Enjoy your street twin and smoke it slowly. You’ll connect with your surroundings and bring back ‘good’ memories.

 

Trident, as per avatar - plus panniers etc. Done thousands of miles including 500 mile days 'sur le continent' and in the UK two up in all weathers - horizontal rain on Rannoch Moor and 100 deg fahrenheit in central/southern France with just a handlebar fairing. Autoroute, motorway, A roads, B roads, twisty little roads with passing places and grassy fields at Highland shows. Now running the bike with no screen and it will probably stay that way.
But at the end of the day it is YOUR choice, and yours alone. Enjoy.