Diff between Sport-Touring, Adventure, Sport, etc.

[Freebooter]

Hello all,
I have a question: I am very new to this kind of bike. I have had cruiser types my whole life. In fact I had two Triumph 750s in the '70s, a Honda 750Four and another Triumph 750 in the '80s, nothing in the '90s but a Kawa Vulcan 800s Classic in the early 2000s, and all of 2014 a '79 Triumph 750. Tired of the same old things I wanted something new. My buddy rides a BMW very similar to a SupTen and at first I thought it was the ugliest thing I had ever seen. But it grew on me. Then I got to thinking it was one cool ass bad ass looking MOchine and had to have one or something similar (I almost bought a Ducati). In May of 2015 I got a Yamaha FJ-09 and then in Dec traded it in for my present SupTen.

So, these bikes are new to me as is all the new terminology. So can someone tell me what the difference is between an Adventure Bike, a Sport-Touring bike, Sport Bike, etc.?
Thanks
FB

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Sport bike: Most require you to be stretched out over the tank to grab the bars. This puts strain on your writs and back. They are usually quick throttle response, highly maneuverable in the twisty sections of paved roads, and generally fast. They rarely have any ability to carry much of anything besides the rider and brave (blissfully ignorant) passengers. Riding a few hours on a sport bike can be hellishly uncomfortable. They have strong appeal to young riders due to low cost and fast speeds.

Sport Touring: When your back and wrists can't take it any more, the sport touring bike allows you to shed some of that pressure with a more upright seating position than a sport bike. They are still very quick, but not a zippy as a sport bike. Usually heavier and ride comfortably on the paved roads all day long. Usually outfitted with luggage that allows you to carry lots of stuff for long trips. They have strong appeal to former sport bike riders who have outgrown the limitations of comfort and tired of the physical pain caused by a sport bike. They usually have good passenger accommodations.

Adventure bike: Neutral upright seating position allowing for maximum comfort. Not usually as quick as bikes with "sport" in the title, although there are some that challenge that notion. An adventure bike is competent on both pavement and off pavement environments, which sets it apart from all "sport" related bikes. Usually has a bigger front tire to allow better crossing of bumpy terrain. This is a compromise setup for riding through the twisties. Still very fun, but not as automatic steering as a sport bike in the twisties. Adventure bikes have strong appeal to those who rode dirt bikes in their past and really loved it. The can do all roads, dirt, gravel, paved and are comfortable to ride many thousands of miles in great comfort. They are compromise do it all bikes that usually have excellent passenger accommodations.

 

[Freebooter]

Thanks very much DirtDad. So what you are referring to as a Sports bike I call crotch rockets. I have ridden them and hate them with a passion. As you said my hands and wrists hurt from all my big upper body weight leaning on them, along with my back and my privates went numb from leaning forward and sitting on them. LOL! But now the other two. What does the Yamaha FJ09 and the Yamaha Super Ternere fall under? Sounds like both of the latter two you mentioned. I have laid bikes down on sandy and gravel roads before and don't like that either. Busted my ass good one time and slung my ass a winding. I am a street rider, traveler, tourer. I have no intention of riding dirt and off road. I enjoy the highways. LOL!

I am indeed looking forward to a trip one day more than a couple of hours away. I have three piece Givi luggage and am planning a trip to Spartanburg, SC one day soon and I am thinking seriously of making a trip to either Maryland or Texas around June.
FB
Alabama

 

[TheHelios]

 

[Juan]

Excellent summary given by Dirt Dad.

 

[ArkieTenere]

Yep.... I like Dirt Dads explanation... except not all Tenere owners are EXC dirt riders!! Lol.

I like Helios chart also... although it's missing Dual Sport.
I see a pic of one but no defining title. And although some are indeed simply dirt bikes with lights/tags, they are usually modded to take on more of a 50/50 role.

 

[ace50]

I like how the chart has crossover area's cause some bikes have multiple roles, but I didn't know 'scrambler' was even a category.

 

[decooney]

... traded it in for my present SupTen.

You will be able to answer the question for yourself repeatedly the longer you own the Tenere or any ADV bike for that matter. Way more versatile in that you can ride the bike in new & different places you would have never considered taking your prior bikes to before. Now it can be done confidently and comfortably. The bike makes you want to seek out old potholed backroads and places that open a whole new chapter of motorcycle riding and places to explore.

 

[Buelligan]

Sport bike: Most require you to be stretched out over the tank to grab the bars. This puts strain on your writs and back. They are usually quick throttle response, highly maneuverable in the twisty sections of paved roads, and generally fast. They rarely have any ability to carry much of anything besides the rider and brave (blissfully ignorant) passengers. Riding a few hours on a sport bike can be hellishly uncomfortable. They have strong appeal to young riders due to low cost and fast speeds.

Sport Touring: When your back and wrists can't take it any more, the sport touring bike allows you to shed some of that pressure with a more upright seating position than a sport bike. They are still very quick, Some are very comparable to a sport bike, and handle very well in the curves, Usually heavier and ride comfortably on the paved roads all day long. Usually outfitted with luggage that allows you to carry lots of stuff for long trips. They have strong appeal to sport bike riders who wish to have more comfort and want to carry more gear, and a passenger. They usually have good passenger accommodations.

Adventure bike: Neutral upright seating position allowing for maximum comfort. Not usually as quick as bikes with "sport" in the title, although there are some that challenge that notion. An adventure bike is competent on both pavement and off pavement environments, which sets it apart from all "sport" related bikes. Usually has a bigger front tire to allow better crossing of bumpy terrain. This is a compromise setup for riding through the twisties, Still very fun, but not as automatic steering as a sport bike in the twisties. Adventure bikes have strong appeal to those who rode dirt bikes in their past and really loved it. The can do all roads, dirt, gravel, paved and are comfortable to ride many thousands of miles in great comfort. They are compromise do it all bikes that usually have excellent passenger accommodations.

Pretty much spot on, since I have one of each, I can say the Tenere is the closest to a do it all bike, that I've ever owned. I am surprised at how well it handles the curves when it has a great set of sticky tires, and just as impressed at the offroad abilities when I have a good set of knobbies mounted. I've also used it as a cross country touring bike, while pulling a trailer, and am still impressed at just how well this bike can do it all, and look good doing it. ::26:: ::001::

 

[AVGeek]

I like how the chart has crossover area's cause some bikes have multiple roles, but I didn't know 'scrambler' was even a category.

Where they put the scrambler is what I would have categorized as a dual sport...

 

[Pterodactyl]

An illustrative example of the differences:

Sport Bike Cost = $10-12,000

Sport Touring Bike Cost = $15-18,000

Adventure Bike Cost = $15-18,000 (before seemingly mandatory farkeling, which raises the cost to $25-30,000) ::012::

 

[ace50]

Adventure Bike Cost = $15-18,000 (before seemingly mandatory farkeling, which raises the cost to $25-30,000) ::012::

WOW, I feel lucky. Bought new, I have all the farkling to the bike I want done and I'm still under $10.5K! ::015::

 

[itlives]

WOW, I feel lucky. Bought new, I have all the farkling to the bike I want done and I'm still under $10.5K! ::015::

Me too -except I didn't buy new.