Ive never owned any of the bikes listed, however Ive had a VFR800, VFR1200, and Triumph Trophy SE. All are pretty good bikes. The trophy had cruise and electronic suspension. The VFR1200 was way more sport than tour. If I had the money I would probably buy an H2 SX SE+. But I have to say that my 2020 Aprilia Tuono Factory is a really good "sport tourer". The only complaint on that bike is the seat. Its hard. I have thrown saddlebags and a dry bag on it and ridden for hours. Electronic suspension, cruise control, TC, ABS, all the electronics you could ever have. Except a damn fuel gauge. The 2021+ Tuono is a better tourer as you can get a taller screen and factory bags from Aprilia. If I had to choose from your list I would probably choose the Multi V4.
VFR 1200 was absolutely awesome. It sold very poorly over here because it was considered a Supersport bike, which it wasn't really. I'd really love to have one. I think Honda made an adventure-type bike with that engine also : The VFR 1200 Crosstourer. I've never seen one of those on the streets.
I followed a dude on a VFR12, in NC. It was amazing to see him hustle such a pig through the mountains. Since then, he’s done AK-20’s, had the 8983 reworked for him, new pads, and tires. He said the bike has been transformed. Should be even harder to keep up with him, next time I ride with him. The VFR12X was not brought to the states; only the VFR8X.
The 12x was brought here to the states but sold even worse than the F. My Uncle has one. There have been a few pop up on Cycle Trader too. Stock my 12F made 155 whp. I did the Don Ghul flash, Akrapovic exhaust, and it made 171. Then I sent off my forks to Jamie Daugherty and put an Ohlins rear shock on it. It as amazing. I wish I still had it. I did a couple track days on it too.
My mistake; I got that backwards. I meant the VFR8X wasn’t brought to the states. I sat on a VFR12X, but, it was just so heavy, big, and looked like a single piece of plastic. Ugh! The VFR8X is what so many 800 owners claim they want. But, with Honda’s pricing strategies, I can’t see them selling, either.
I'm biased, but can't believe the XR's not getting more love. I've got a 2016 with tune, full akra, yada yada, and this thing hauls the fucking mail. Got my rearsets delivered today and about to install them...........yeah, it buzzes a bit and makes the mirrors are fairly useless at 5K RPMs, but it's a motorcycle. Handles great for its size, and cracking open that throttle always brings a smile.
it's an '07. No "bad" years really... some minor upgrades in 06 (gen 2) and again in '13 (gen 3). I'd have preferred blue, but the red is nice.
I wouldn't put the GT in the 'sport' touring segment. The Super Adventure S if you're going KTM is a much better option. My GT is more of a 'hyper' tourer between the SDR and XR/Multi V4 from a performance standpoint.
I have a 2016 R1200RT, I love it! It is great for commuting, two-up, and touring. Living in Vermont the heated seat is nice. I have never had it on the track and don't think I ever will but I assume the RS would be better for that. I have never ridden an RS but I am sure it is nice, probably can't go wrong with either of them.
20'NK1 I picked up in March of this year. PO had put just 6k miles on it. He also had installed a Puig screen, angled valve stems and Kaw comfort seat and heated grips. I've racked up over 6K miles since the purchases and can say the bike is great at munching up miles and great in the mountains.
I have the ES version, I love it. Its awesome for touring when you get to some state with crappy roads.
Have you ever sat on a Hayabusa? Busa with hard bags is a damn comfy machine that will eat up some miles.
I had an 06 Sprint ST that I really liked, but it had too many nagging issues and was a bit of a problem child. Would enjoy another if I could find a well sorted one, and, well, didn't live in an oven.. LOL!!!
Young guy that helps us out a few days a week just bought one exactly like that with 6600 miles for $3900! I couldn't believe it. The regulator did shit the bed 150 miles after he got it though. May be on to something!
Could have also been the silly high price tag, the disappointing weight, and less than 5 gallon fuel tank on what was supposed to travel.
I beat the hell out of an '08 model for 80+k miles. They've never had much value in the used market, but they're pretty good horses. And CHEAP to insure! Yeah, they put the regulator in a bad place early in that generation Sprint ST. Fortunately there's a Triumph cabling part that can be used to convert to a MOSFET regulator. It's supposed to be for the 1050 Speed Triple, but works just fine for the Sprint ST. Ask me how I know? lol