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[Steve Cole]

I think Touring is whatever you make it. In general I think people want to have there cake and eat it too but that's not going to happen and we all know it. So now comes the time for you to figure out what your willing to live with and that has to be some level of a comprise in the overall picture of things. In the younger days it was get on whatever I owned and let's go, now days it's pick the right thing for the ride I intend to go on. Touring means let's go out on the road for many days and enjoy ourselves. I am not interested in racing from point A to B but it had damn well not break down on me! So call me old but the Touring HD bikes are big an heavy and have added many comforts, the Dyna Softail lineup not so much. Those are smaller and lighter typically and do not ride as nice for day after day out riding.

[Eagle Eye]

Heck, I remember when Honda came out with the 750, a buddy immediately took off for a cross country trip, because it was so big. In 1971 that was a huge motor.  The ultimate touring bike!  How time changes things.

It's just a description of the manufacturers intention building the bikes and a classification. That's all.

Touring on a Vespa scooter would be tough, but doable.

As for those who think windshields are for sissies - at 63 I like my comfort and ride in most every weather condition permitting. Try that without one. 



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[Twolanerider]

Very long time ago I had an FXRD for a couple of years.  Rode the hell out of.  Very definitely a "touring" bike though many would laugh at the comparative capabilities today.  Thought it was ugly as sin but loved that bike.  Still not sure why I ever got rid of the few FXR bikes I ever had.  All were great riding bikes.

[Dr.D]

Dr. D has stated that "touring" begins at 250 miles in a day, that seems like a good place to start, although guys like Jesse have that much in before lunch.  When you leave home on the bike for more than a night, you are "touring" regardless of what you put between your legs. That said, we HD owners have an obsession with blurring the lines between "show, street, sport, touring, performance" and every other classification of motorcycle usage. Of course, that is the beauty of the product, we can "Frankenbike" them into (almost) anything we want.

OWL

Blurring the lines? Well put mr. Owl.

250 is the mimimun i'll even start mine up for but 500 in a day gets to be a bit long. Also it is not just the miles but more the seat time, road conditions and total effort level that may even involve matters of stress and strain and temperature extremes. 250 miles on the twisties when it's in the mid 90's is quite taxing.

Yes Steve I wanted all the power but settled for a more quiet set up with mild low range power. I still have not got my bike tuned with the D
X-pipe on yet.

Touring without a windshield?? No way. I have even resorted to using a 3/4 helmet on the Dyna because I am tired of the bugs hurting my face. 350 miles on the Dyna is a little more than plenty.

I rode the Honda 750 Four when they first came out. Man were they the big bikes. My how things change.

[Trapperdog]

Theres a kid on one of our local motorcycle forums that's ridden an 8HP scooter from San Jose Ca. to the arctic circle and back....twice (second time was on a 12HP scooter)
I have a friend who's ridden a Honda 305 dream from Panama to Wisconsin
I've ridden a Honda 350 and a Sporty damn near across the US and back.
It's all relative to an era and ones age

[Rooster]

Touring bike:

That is a yuppy touring bike. Funny how the media refers bicycle riders as BIKER'S

[AMEDD_SFC]

As for those who think windshields are for sissies - at 63 I like my comfort and ride in most every weather condition permitting. Try that without one. 

I thought windshields were for sissies - when I was 18 !  Now I know better.   

I also have firm beliefs what makes a touring bike.  After several 800+ mile trips to Colorado and other parts on everything from my Fat Boy to a Street Glide, I couldn't be happier with my Ultra.

I really love the Road Kings, esp. the CVOs.  But, I wanted a purpose-built bike made for gobbling up the miles.  Next yea or two I'll have to get a RK for around town.

Best Regards,

Mark

[Dr.D]

With no windshield, forward foot controls, no bags and a style seat the CVO Fatbob is not a touring bike. I can just imagine flipping a coin to see wether I would take the Limited or the Fatbob on a three day 1000 mike trip.

[AMEDD_SFC]

With no windshield, forward foot controls, no bags and a style seat the CVO Fatbob is not a touring bike. I can just imagine flipping a coin to see wether I would take the Limited or the Fatbob on a three day 1000 mike trip.

Reminds me of one of my brother's and my biennial trips.  2k on a rented Fat Bob.  100% agree - not a touring bike! (even with the windshield)

Cheers,

Mark

[HUBBARD]

When I was just a boy, hanging around the "Harley Shop", we used to laugh and smirk and say, "Look at 'dem Ol' Farts, ridin' 'nem Dressers!"  Just thankful I lived long enough to be an "Ol' Fart ridin' a Dresser.  To me, a "Touring Bike", is a Dresser.  Later--HUBBARD

[Dr.D]

Reminds me of one of my brother's and my biennial trips.  2k on a rented Fat Bob.  100% agree - not a touring bike! (even with the windshield)

Cheers,

Mark

I admire guys that tour on the Softails. They are more resilient than me.

When I was just a boy, hanging around the "Harley Shop", we used to laugh and smirk and say, "Look at 'dem Ol' Farts, ridin' 'nem Dressers!"  Just thankful I lived long enough to be an "Ol' Fart ridin' a Dresser.  To me, a "Touring Bike", is a Dresser.  Later--HUBBARD

I was a bit ashamed to be going full "Geezer Glide" till I rode it on the first long day. Old guys are smarter than they appeared. A dresser is a proper touring bike from the frame on up to the radio.

[springsure88]

I remember doing 600 mile (1000 kilometres) days on a XS360 Yamaha as a teenager and enjoying it. I have also done a few 250 mile rides on my 77 XLCR recently and that is also a blast even if it isn't that comfortable. I had to drop my CVO Limited off for its first service yesterday. The dealer is 100 miles away and they have given me a Switchback to ride home while they get through the service and attend to the recall. The Switchback isn't a bad bike but it certainly isn't close to being a touring bike in comparison to the Limited. The buffeting from the screen is annoying, the speedo is too low to see without taking your eyes off the road and the standard exhaust is almost silent making it hard to guess revs and gears without a tacho. It also felt like a toy after the FLH. So you can tour on anything I guess but a Limited is by far the best bike for travelling for me anyway.

[Jswerve]

Dr. D has stated that "touring" begins at 250 miles in a day, that seems like a good place to start, although guys like Jesse have that much in before lunch.  When you leave home on the bike for more than a night, you are "touring" regardless of what you put between your legs. That said, we HD owners have an obsession with blurring the lines between "show, street, sport, touring, performance" and every other classification of motorcycle usage. Of course, that is the beauty of the product, we can "Frankenbike" them into (almost) anything we want.

OWL

Thanks John lol.  I really prefer a 250-350 mile day I find you can really do a lot of sight seeing. Unfortunately we have to throw those 600-700 days in there and I'm glad I can do both on my bike comfortably (at least when it's running).

Great points by all.

Jesse

[Rooster]

Touring is anywhere but IN town. That is where you ride your bar hopper

[MIKEYTEE]

Well my old Road Glide will get it's chance to be a touring bike again next week as I take an unexpected trip to New England. She say's she's ready to get on the road.
Gee it seems like I just made this trip last year.
Mike