WORLD-SHRINKERS ON STEROIDS

Choosing a sports tourer is one of the hardest decisions to make, as the bike must be able to fulfil a huge list of demands. Add a limited budget to the decisions, and it becomes even harder, like trying to eat steak with plastic cutlery. Ideally you want something versatile, fun when you’re faced with challenging mountain roads and the ability to transport you in comfort with pillion and luggage if necessary. Equally the bike needs to be desirable, economic and rewarding to ride as an everyday bike. You also want to smile after any journey and be proud to own it. You can tour on a small capacity bike. I’ve done it in the past, but it wasn’t as enjoyable as it could have been. It’s like going to the cinema, but being forced to sit on a wooden stool, so let’s rule out anything below 600cc. Some newer models like Yamaha’s Tracer 700 or Kawasaki’s Versys 650 are appealing. Three-year-old low mileage examples can be snapped up for just under £5000. Again tempting, but we’re concentrating on