Right now I'm riding a 2007 Street Glide after spending most my life on dirt bikes and sport bikes. I've taken a number of long trips - thousand miles or so in 3-5 days type stuff. I find the bike uncomfortable. I still have a stock seat but added a back rest which helped a good deal. My dilemma is...it's time for a new bike. I'm curious to hear opinions of those who have ridden HD touring bikes, Japanese/Euro touring bikes, and especially the Japenese/Euro enduro/adventure bikes such as BMW 1200gs, Duc Multistrada, Triump Tiger. My main concern is comfort on long trips. Thanks.

My buddy has a Tiger.....

 

I have a Speedmaster....  the more I ride, the more comfortable I get

 

 

My buddy loves his Tiger... 

 

Seat comfort takes times....

 

I sent my seat to

 

http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php

 

he can make any seat, better

 

BMW's and Duc's are nice..... but the Triumph line is the best bang for your buck....

Not sure how old you are, but in my younger days, I have ridden a Gold Wing (4 cyl version) from NJ to Nova Scotia, and on other trips, NJ to Jacksonville FL (a one day drive)

 

Good wind protection seems to be the key,

then

A comfortable riding position.

 

If I had the time to ride more, I would be testing one of the new 6 cyl BMW bikes.

They look sweet, and have a nice fit for me.

I ride a 2006 Electraglide.  Upgraded to a Mustang seat and made a huge difference over stock on long trips.  You want real comfort...  get a GoldWing.  I want one now, but really cant justify it considering my ride fits my needs just fine.  Rather save the $$ for toys we all discuss here. 

Though I have a Street Glide myself, I feel you pain brother! 

They can be uncomfortable in the stock form (windshield too low, seat isn't set right, ect.)

helping you choose a new bike is not easy because we all like different rides, features, looks. ect.

 

If your going to stay with HD - Road Glides are way more comfy that Streets (but I personally don't like the look)

and Road Kings are very nice rides but lack that total protection of the front fairing.

 

I have had 37 bikes through my life and the one bike I would take on a cross country trip would be the GoldWing.

Say what you want about Honda, but it is hands down the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden (including the BMW K1600).

 

In the end, like anything else - it's a matter of taste (eye appeal) and comfort (there is a seat for every ass)

 

Good Luck!

Check out the Victorys.

I recently sold my FLHX and I had put a lot of new parts on it. I think Harley has a gel seat that will make a big difference. You can also go into Harley and have them look at your riding position and they will adjust your pegs and make recommendations for you on how to make it more comfortable. I had also swapped out bars on my SG and made it more comfortable for my riding style, as much as I loved my SG I would not want to make a 1k trip on it

 

I think you find that some of the import bikes maybe more comfortable for 1k plus rides. YMMV

Electra Glide or just get yourself a Mustang seat.

 

 

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Typos courtesy Apple...

Thanks guys, all good info to take into account.

The previous owner of the bike I just bought had the stock seat modified by this guy:

 

http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php

 

I gotta say, it's the most comfy stock sportbike-type seat I've had.

My 2 cents.

When you buy a car you can adjust the steering wheel, seats, windshield wiper speed, temperature and a lot of other things. Bikes generally come one way, and to find the one that is perfect for you would be a tough find. Be prepared to buy after market pegs, bars or seat to make it fit you.

 

Watch out for people who highly recommend one brand or another that would not ride any other brand and never have. A good portion of BMW and Harley riders fall into this class. Do not use the internet for brand specific bikes, they all think their brand is the only one you should ride. Use the touring or sport touring sites. Then there are the people who say that their bike is the best they ever owned until the next year when they buy a new one, and then That is the best bike they ever owned. Some people have a tough time after spending 15-20K saying the bike sucks.

 

As for me, I'm retired and travel X-country by bike most every year, have done it 8 times and can't wait till next year to do it again. First time was on a BMW K1100RS ( rear end went after 175K) now riding a 2008 concours 1400 which is more comfortable, but a whole lot heavier. Good luck finding the one that fits you. 

 

If your going to stay with HD - Road Glides are way more comfy that Streets (but I personally don't like the look)

and Road Kings are very nice rides but lack that total protection of the front fairing.

 

I have had 37 bikes through my life and the one bike I would take on a cross country trip would be the GoldWing.

 

The Road Glide has grown on me a bit but they dropped it for 2014. I think they may be reconfiguring it for water cooled in 2015?

 

The previous owner of the bike I just bought had the stock seat modified by this guy:

 

http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php

 

I gotta say, it's the most comfy stock sportbike-type seat I've had.

I've looked into possibly modifying or replacing it. The video on the bottom of that page has an awesome version of Metallica's One in it!

 

My 2 cents.

When you buy a car you can adjust the steering wheel, seats, windshield wiper speed, temperature and a lot of other things. Bikes generally come one way, and to find the one that is perfect for you would be a tough find. Be prepared to buy after market pegs, bars or seat to make it fit you.

 

Watch out for people who highly recommend one brand or another that would not ride any other brand and never have. A good portion of BMW and Harley riders fall into this class. Do not use the internet for brand specific bikes, they all think their brand is the only one you should ride. Use the touring or sport touring sites. Then there are the people who say that their bike is the best they ever owned until the next year when they buy a new one, and then That is the best bike they ever owned. Some people have a tough time after spending 15-20K saying the bike sucks.

 

As for me, I'm retired and travel X-country by bike most every year, have done it 8 times and can't wait till next year to do it again. First time was on a BMW K1100RS ( rear end went after 175K) now riding a 2008 concours 1400 which is more comfortable, but a whole lot heavier. Good luck finding the one that fits you. 

Agreed, the backrest and highway pegs helped a good deal. I think perhaps adjusting or replacing the handlebars would help also. There is the possibility that after some test rides I will keep the FLHX because it's a cool around town bike and I love it and add an adventure bike like the Tiger or a true long distance bike like the Goldwing.

Two words.

 

 

Gold Wing.

 

Ride one for a bit, then you'll see what I mean.

Nothing wrong with two bikes. I have the concours for over 100 miles and a KLR650 for under 100 miles.

I have a vtx 1300 with a mustang seat and it makes a world of difference. I would suggest an electra glide with aftermarket seat OR if you are willing to drift outside the HD clan, Victory makes some awesome bikes for long travels.

Mike

I'm not into big bikes

Vstrom 650 you can't beat the upright

Seating position eats up the miles

Have about 65000 miles on mine and no issues

Have not even checked the valves

Did some long trips on it

The longest was to Florida via Alabama in 6 days

Mid winter right after a blizzard

Barely made it out of my driveway

Try a Victory at one of their open houses.  It's like an ultra refined HD and way more comfortable. Rolling Fast in Lebannon, NJ is having an open house this weekend and you get lots of saddle time.  Also, if they have the model you like in stock, they will let you take it out for looong demo rides on your own any time. Their number is 908236-9000.

You won't regret it.

I considered a Victory at one time. Use to be a dealer not far from me.

They shut down for unknown reasons. The next closest at the time was NY...

I looked at it this way. If I have to search high and low for a dealer, it's not worth it.

They are far apart it seems.

 

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Typos courtesy Apple...

I have a BMW and a Triumph.  I wanted a Harley early on, then I rode one.  Uncomfortable with forward controls and next to no suspension travel did a number on my back.   And it was way too slow.  I find that motorcycles with an upright seating position work best for me.  I've had the saddle on the BMW rebuilt by Rick Mayer and it made a big difference.   

Right now I'm riding a 2007 Street Glide after spending most my life on dirt bikes and sport bikes. I've taken a number of long trips - thousand miles or so in 3-5 days type stuff. I find the bike uncomfortable. I still have a stock seat but added a back rest which helped a good deal. My dilemma is...it's time for a new bike. I'm curious to hear opinions of those who have ridden HD touring bikes, Japanese/Euro touring bikes, and especially the Japenese/Euro enduro/adventure bikes such as BMW 1200gs, Duc Multistrada, Triump Tiger. My main concern is comfort on long trips. Thanks.

Triumph Sprint GT or find a left-over ST (lighter than GT). Three guys I ride with have them. They have going and long tours to Barber Racetrack, Ohio, and Texas on them.

 

If you are looking to upgrade your seat, try this guy: http://greatdaytoride.com/Home_Page.php