Tour bike selection requires adjustments in requirements and expectations!Selecting a Touring Motor Scooter or Standard Motorcycle
Tour Bike Selection Basics
The fundamental differences between touring on a true Touring Motorcycle or choosing to tour on a motor scooter or smaller motorcycle, sometimes referred to as a Standard Motorcycle, involves a few modifications of requirements and rider expectations.
Size and Speed Requirements
Size does matter in tour bike selection. If your requirements are to go two-up and carry all the gear need for camping and travelling for extended periods of time, then size really does matter.
If you plan to tour one rider to a bike and are considering a more modest touring distance and time frame, then the standard motorcycle or motor scooter will do quite well.
Regarding speed, it boils down to a safety question if you plan on travelling on major highways, freeways, or expressways. A bike with a minimum of 400ccs to 650ccs will usually allow you to travel with the traffic, and ensuring that you don't get run over!
From a size standpoint, maneuverability, especially for riders of smaller stature, is a key consideration. This is especially true when the bike is loaded for extended traveling.
Economic Requirements
The size of your wallet will have a lot to do with your choices in selecting your ride for touring. With a price tag in excess of $20K, the large touring bikes are simply out of the reach of many folks. Even if you buy used, the initial price can be off putting.
Cost of maintenance, insurance, fuel, accessories, and replacements parts (like tires) is a real plus when operating a standard bike or scooter.
Selection Criteria Summary
Candidates for Tour Bike Selection
1) Maxi-scooters -
2) Smaller motorcycles (Standard Motorcycles) -
Obviously there are many more manufacturers and models of scooters and standard motorcycles that are not listed here. There are many bikes that will fit the general criteria outlined above.
Remember, as with all things, there are exceptions to every rule. These are only very high-level suggestions for tour bike selection that you may choose to start with in your search for the perfect touring scooter or standard motorcycle. As the wise man must of said..."hey, the best bike to go touring on is the I already have in my garage!" Gosh, ya think?
And don't forget to look into getting a bike for your lady! The American Motorcyclist Association has registered almost 300K female motorcycle owners, and growing. This appears to be more than a passing fad don't you think?
Bring a friend
Should you be in the market for one of these types of bikes, it is great advice to do your own research and also seek out the counsel of others in your club or others than know bikes to assist you in making the best choice. New or used, the types of bikes were are talking about here a reasonably priced and plentiful, so you can take your time, look over the lot, and put your money down. Have fun!
We can't call the topic of tour bike selection complete until we touch at least on more base. Electric scooters are being used more and more as gas prices climb. Click on the link above and this page will give you some idea of the world of electric scooterdom.
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