As we previously said, Sport Tourers have grown in popularity in recent years as manufacturers blur the lines between what exactly constitutes one, from committed mile-eaters to others who still enjoy a winding back lane, to those who add in a dose of go-anywhere capability. It means that, regardless of your needs, schedule, or efficiency expectations, there are a plethora of high-quality solutions available right now. We’ve already discussed the ‘large’ Sport Tourers, so what about the smaller sub-1000cc Sport Tourers? What are the best deals, and what do you get for your money? The Yamaha Tracer 9 and long-distance-based 7 GT will be available in 2020, and Triumph will introduce the Tiger 850 Sport. Here are our top sub-1000cc sports tourers, in price order, to assist you in making your choice.
Top Ten Best Sport Tourers of 2021 – Top Rated
CF Moto 650 GT (£5,799)
Although Chinese brands are well-known in the scooter and low-displacement motorcycle markets, there are still only a few choices for those seeking more power. CFMoto, on the other hand, is arguably the most compelling of all the marques making inroads west.
CFMoto, which is closely affiliated with KTM, benefits from its reliable and modern liquid-cooled engines, validated cycle parts, and styling influenced by Kiska Design (who also designs KTMs), as well as several larger bikes ranging from 250 to 650cc.
The GT tourer, which is also CF’s flagship, is the most important of its three 650cc offerings, including the naked NK and adventure MT. It’s also a respectable sports-tourist – within justification. It has a nice appearance, is well-made, convenient, and has adequate facilities, such as a color screen, two power outlets, a manually adjustable screen, and LED lighting. It also has good handling and braking.
Honda CB 500 X (£6119)
The crossover Honda CB500X is arguably the best affordable urban adventure tourer out there if your budget is under £7,000 and you want a motorcycle that will rough it up a little when appropriate but will mostly just look the part. It debuted in 2013 as the adventure-style version of Honda’s all-new, A2-targeted CB500 series, alongside the CB500F roadster and CBR500R sports, all three powered by a new, 47bhp parallel-twin in a budget, but capable and novice-friendly chassis.
They were also hugely successful because they were right on the 47bhp cap while being quiet, sensitive twins when most competitors had less powerful, single-cylinder engines. The X is the largest and most spacious of the three, and it was most recently revamped in 2019 with a styling redesign to match Honda’s Africa Twin and more prominent front wheel.
Kawasaki Versys 650 (£7549)
The Kawasaki Versys has always straddled the grades, making it a versatile motorcycle for those looking for simplicity but not specific enough to look for anything more specific.
Nonetheless, since its introduction in 2006, the adventure/sport hybrid has proved to be one of the motorcycles’ best-value all-rounders and has become a common attraction for Kawasaki. It had roomier, more upright adventure type ergonomics, plenty of weather safety and practicality, was a good handler with street tires and wheels, and the 650 twin was an established performer. It was based on the punchy, affordable ER-6 parallel-twin model.
Suzuki V-Strom 650 (£7699)
The Versys (above) is a decent value, but the evergreen Suzuki V-Strom 650 ‘adventure tourer,’ which was so popular on its launch in 2004 that it spawned a loyal consumer base that swears by it today, may take the title of ‘best value.’
The V-Strom is still enjoyable and flexible today, thanks to the SV’s 645cc V-twin and the upright, roomy adventure type frame, making it a genuine versatile sports-tourer comparatively low price.
The V-Strom received a complete overhaul in 2011 and debuted in 2016 with 71bhp, plenty of versatility, great, real-world proportions, and a remarkably fine-handling frame. And, while it lacks the finesse, facilities, and glitz of more luxurious competitors, it’s realistic and simple to live with, and there are some great discounts available right now.
Yamaha Tracer 7 (£7,947)
The motorcycle changed our perceptions of what a middleweight budget all-rounder might be. The Tracer 700 has been a sales success for Yamaha in Europe since it was first unveiled in 2016 as a half-faired, roomier, more functional version of the roadster equivalent, particularly after the new generation model was released in 2019 to bring it right up to date. The Yamaha Tracer 7 is a smooth and polished flight, with consistency and handling that is sharper than the Versys or V-Strom, thanks to Yamaha’s updated single-digit nomenclature, which debuted on the recently unveiled Tracer 9.
With a new name comes a fresh trim, with the GT adding panniers, a high screen, and a comfortable seat to the mix. The Yamaha Tracer 7 is the class leader if you want the best of both worlds.
Triumph Tiger 850 Sport (£9,300)
The Triumph Tiger 850 Sport, a newcomer for 2021, has been trimmed and slimmed down from its adventure-focused 900cc sibling to a more road-oriented kit.
Although it uses the same 888cc triple as the Tiger 900 XR, it’s been detuned and down-specced to corner a more affordable market. It produces 84bhp (down from the 900’s 94), has two rider modes, an adjustable keyboard, and even a full-color TFT screen. It costs £9,300, which is £200 less than the previous 900, and it guarantees plenty of capability, durability, and practicality for an attractive price.
Honda VFR 800 F (£9,999)
If you like Honda’s original V4 VFR and are tempted by the resurrected 2014 edition, there’s another Sport Tourer you can look. The first edition, released in 2011, was essentially an ‘adventure sport’ version of the new VFR800 (i.e., more upright, adventure-style riding stance with matching bodywork).
The edition, with its oddball styling, wasn’t a hit, but now that it’s been restyled and updated for 2015, it’s a Sports Tourer worth considering. The V4 is as fantastic as it has always been, with outstanding ergonomics and comfort (including an adjustable seat). It can lack riding modes and the new bling, but it has a flexible screen, heated grips, and a refinement and sense of solidity that few bikes can equal.
Yamaha Tracer 9 GT (£11,197)
If we deem the Yamaha Tracer 7 to be the best Sports Tourer overall, the Yamaha Tracer 900 is a close second for the time being.
The updated ‘9′ follows closely behind the new Yamaha MT-09 and features a new 889cc engine that boosts power from 113 to 117bhp, as well as a new, lighter Deltabox frame.
We can’t rate it until we have a chance to try it, but the outgoing Tracer 900 is always a good choice, and there are sure to be some fantastic offers available right now.
Ducati Multistrada 950 (£11,995)
There was a period when Ducati insisted that a cheaper, more “entry-level” version of its advanced and powerful “adventure sports” motorcycle, the Multistrada 1200, would never be produced. When the Multistrada 950 was released in 2017 (a whopping seven years after the first 1200, mind you), everything changed.
The latest ‘junior’ MTS was still brisk, fine-handling, sophisticated, and powerful – all the stuff you expect from a sports-tourer – despite having a lower spec (twin swingarm) and less capacity (113bhp from the 937 Hypermotard unit compared to 160 from the by then 1260).
MV Agusta Turismo Veloce (€13,990 – £12,563)
What does MV Agusta do for a sports-tourer? Yeah, the Italian exotica legend has done so for years, with the Turismo Veloce (Italian for “touring speed”) first being released in 2015, though it has mainly gone unnoticed since then.
The Turismo Veloce is built in an ‘adventure sport’ theme, with an upright riding position and the appearance of an adventure bike, so it looks a little like an ‘MV Multistrada’ if you squint. However, since it is an MV, it is driven by the sublime, strong, and raucous 110bhp 800cc triple used in the F3 800, 800 Brutale, and 800 Dragster.
Top Ten Best Sport Tourers of 2021 – Top List
| Sr. # | Top Ten Best Sport Tourers of 2021 | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CF Moto 650 GT | £5,799 |
| 2 | Honda CB 500 X | £6119 |
| 3 | Kawasaki Versys 650 | £7549 |
| 4 | Suzuki V-Strom 650 | £7699 |
| 5 | Yamaha Tracer 7 | £7,947 |
| 6 | Triumph Tiger 850 Sport | £9,300 |
| 7 | Honda VFR 800 F | £9,999 |
| 8 | Yamaha Tracer 9 GT | £11,197 |
| 9 | Ducati Multistrada 950 | £11,995 |
| 10 | MV Agusta Turismo Veloce | €13,990 – £12,563 |
Conclusion
In the end, Team Bikes Catalog would love to say that our list includes the best and Top Ten Best Sport Tourers of 2021 up to 1000cc. These motorcycles are very popular due to their versatile riding features and powerful engine. The seating position and handlebars make sure that rider will have maximum control over the ride.
