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2004 Sport Touring Shootout Photo Gallery
We went the distance and hit the twisties on the latest sport touring bikes from Honda, Kawasaki and Yamaha. Now read 4,000 words to learn about your next 20,000 mile motorcycle. See which bike came out on top in our
2004 Sport Touring Shootout
.
Sport-Touring Comparo - The Orient Expresses
2004 - Kawasaki ZZR1200
2004 - Kawasaki ZZR1200
We were a little dissapointed with the amount of wind protection available on the ZZR.
Removing the hardware from the ZZR exposed the unsightly bridgework.
The oval light theme on the ZZR is a real love-hate styling issue.
2004 - Kawasaki ZZR1200
2004 - Kawasaki ZZR1200
2004 - Yamaha FJR1300
2004 - Yamaha FJR1300
2004 - Yamaha FJR1300
The FJR was not the most powerful nor was it the weakest of the bunch, pumping out a meaty 122.5 hp @ 7000 rpm and a stompin' 80 lb-ft. @ 5,900 rpm.
2004 - Yamaha FJR1300
2004 - Yamaha FJR1300
While not as busy as the ST dash, the Yamaha FJR1300 dash porvides nearly as much useful info.
2004 - Yamaha FJR1300
The FJR is an attractive machine with its matching hardbags while maintaining its good looks for those solo tours when they aren't needed.
The ST boasts a swing-out handle which made maneuvering the 678-pound brute a touch easier.
2004 - Honda ST1300
2004 - Honda ST1300
2004 - Honda ST1300
2004 - Honda ST1300
2004 - Honda ST1300
The Honda ST1300 instrument cluster offers just about every piece of data you could hope for.
2004 - Honda ST1300
The electric adjustable windscreenon the ST makes on the fly adjustments a available at the push of a button.
2004 - Yamaha FJR1300
A jaunt up the coast of California was just what the MCUSA test crew needed to decipher which of this trio is the best sport-touring machine.
The FJR's wind protection doesn't quite match that of Honda, but is considerably better than the Zizzer.
Yamaha has built one stout sport-tourer in the FJR. It can keep up with a ZZR on a twisty road while providing nearly the comfort of the ST1300.
Yamaha's FJR1300 In-Line 4-Cylider makes a smooth 122.5 hp @ 7000 rpm and 80 lb-ft. @ 5,900 rpm.
The FJR looks good with the hardbags, but more importantly it dresses up nicely when it's time for sport duty.
2004 - Yamaha FJR1300
The FJR1300 received an electrically adjustable windshield and optional ABS in the 2004 model year, matching its Honda competition.
An electrically adjustable windhield is one of the highlights of the ST, offering up exceptional coverage even at its lowest position.
V-4 engine produces a peak of 82.8 lb-ft of torque at a relatively low 5000 rpm, giving plenty of grunt for pulling around luggage and a passenger.
The V-4-powered ST boasts a swing-out handle to aid in getting the 678-pound brute onto its centerstand. Linked braking and optional ABS works transparently.
The Honda ST1300 provides a great ride on the highway or the backroads.
The Honda ST1300 offers up three position adjustability for riders of varying heights.
The ST1300 impressed us with its serene accommodations.
The Honda ST1300 has clean lines and is very user-friendly.
Capacious bags make the Honda ST1300 sport-tourer a worthy long distance machine.
The Honda ST1300 is the comfy cruiser thanks to a thickly padded seat and plenty of pilot wind protection.
The ZX-11 inspired ZZR is the sportiest of the bunch and that includes the riding position.
The ZZR has gorgeous paint and a sleek profile that is somewhat spoiled by its squinty-alien headlight arrangement.
Unfortunately, Kawasaki's sport-tourer is a torture rack compared to its two competitors.
Don't forget the sport in the ZZR1200 touring genes, this bike excels on the open road.
All three bikes made a legitimate claim to the sport-touring title.
The ZZR stomps the competition when it comes to outright muscle thanks to a ZX-11 inspired engine with a 112cc overbore.
2004 - Kawasaki ZZR1200
The 2004 - Kawasaki ZZR1200 enters the fray for 2004, boasting a ZX-11 inspired motor.
