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Viability as occasional long distance tourer?

4680 Views 1 Reply 2 Participants Last post by  anotheronetoday
OK so:

I bought a 2018 R6 this past Summer, and while it's a lot of fun for a very specific purpose, it is also rough on my knees and wrists and really not much fun outside of ~hour of riding. I don't intend to get rid of it, but want something I can ride around town at a calmer pace and do some distance on.

For reference I've done some light interstate multi day touring on a Honda CBR 500R and found it to be perfectly fine riding 3 hours a day with the relatively upright position.

I'm going to do some more serious touring this coming Summer, probably from NY to NC. I'm hesitant to buy a dedicated touring bike because I don't tour regularly enough. However, the only naked bike I've ridden has been a MT-09 at a Yamaha ride event, so I don't have much experience with these types of bikes.

What's got me interested in the Duke 790 is:
-Great value.
-Amazing electronics package w/ lean sensitive ABS and TC.
-Lightweight.
-Powerful.
-Relatively upright and neutral riding position should be less physically stressful, especially vs a SS bike.
-Has a ton of "power parts" that should allow it to pseudo tour. Luggage, windscreens, USB power outlet, TPMS etc. seem to all be good additions.
-Can ride it hard and fast in the twisties and comfortably around town when I'm not touring, which would be most of the time.

Concerns:
-No cruise control. Could use a cramp buster probably, but not ideal.
-Engine possibly buzzy (causing numb hands on very long rides).
-Naked bike even with windscreen might be rough at 70-85 MPH highway for many hours at a time.

Can anyone shine some light on my concerns, esp. regarding engine buzz on handlebars/foot pegs, comfort of the seat, wind buffeting at higher speeds, and ergos? Anyone else think the bike could effectively be used to do a week long tour every once in a while?

Other contenders are Ninja 1000 and the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT, but those are much more touring dedicated and wouldn't be much fun outside that role.
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OK so:

Concerns:
-No cruise control. Could use a cramp buster probably, but not ideal.
-Engine possibly buzzy (causing numb hands on very long rides).
-Naked bike even with windscreen might be rough at 70-85 MPH highway for many hours at a time.

Can anyone shine some light on my concerns, esp. regarding engine buzz on handlebars/foot pegs, comfort of the seat, wind buffeting at higher speeds, and ergos? Anyone else think the bike could effectively be used to do a week long tour every once in a while?

Other contenders are Ninja 1000 and the Yamaha Tracer 900 GT, but those are much more touring dedicated and wouldn't be much fun outside that role.
Let me try and address your concerns
Lack of cruise on the Duke I agree is a pain, the new 790 adventure bike does have cruise, The longest rideout I have done is 8 hours only stopping for fuel and a leak.I try and avoid the big open roads when riding he 790 so the lack of cruise put up with. I use my 1290R which does have cruise.
Engine buzzing vibrations, this is the smoothest twin I have ever ridden and I have never experienced any vibration related discomfort on this machine so I would so do not worry.
Riding at 70-85mph, well any naked bike as we know at these speeds for long distances can become tiring with wind blast. their are screens available, but if this is your major again I would say consider the adventure version.

The +20mm ergo seat double the riding hours I can do in comfort, it reduced my knee ache and bum burn significantly. a must for long hours in the saddle
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