The consumer's top 10 sports tourers

HERE are your top 10 sports tourers, as voted for by you.

We've taken all the sports tourers from our huge database with five reviews or more, then averaged out owners' detailed ratings on the engine, brakes, handling, comfort and build to bring you the consumer's top 10. The higher the score, the more highly rated the bike.

Remember, this list is created using your reviews and ratings.

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10. Honda VFR800 VTEC (2005 - present): 4.35/5

Early models (2001 onwards) suffered a hiccup as the engine transitioned from two-valve to four-valve operation. Honda released their new-and-improved model in 2005, the new bike removed the last remaining objection from the naysayers, and the VFR's reputation is now as bulletproof as the engine. 

Owners love its deceptively quick and durable 107bhp V4 engine, 220-mile tank range, saddle comfort, bright headlights and practical touches such as the centre stand and grab rail. Handling is neutral and with linked ABS brakes, stopping is a sure affair. 

9. BMW K1300S (2009 - present): 4.38/5

At 254kgs wet, the K1300S is no flyweight. However, BMW has tilted the engine forward slightly to lower the centre of mass and make the weight more manageable. Although slightly more reserved than its competition – Suzuki’s Hayabusa and Kawasaki’s ZZR1400 – the Beemer is still a missile. Its 175hp and 103lb.ft of torque will keep up with almost anything on the road. The gearbox can be loud and vibey and watch out for bolts corroding over the winter months. 

8. Honda VFR750 RC36 (1990 - 1997): 4.39/5

The RC36 has all the plus points of the venerable Veefers - over-engineered and built to last, cross-country comfort, and a 100hp torquey V4 motor. With its gear-driven cams, single-sided swingarm and wider 17-inch wheels, it left the 80s firmly behind. However, weighing in dry at 210kg, the RC36 is heavy by modern standards meaning it will gulp petrol when pushed hard.

7. Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (1998 - 2003): 4.40/5

Using a Thundercat derived engine, the Fazer has a perfectly-carburated rush to its 12,500rpm redline, where it puts out a chirpy 95hp. Although the Fazer has budget suspension and looks that divide opinion, it's so much more than the sum of it's parts. Their popularity demonstrates how capable they are as an all-rounder, and they offer an interesting alternative to the Hornet, Bandit and SV650 clan.

6. Honda VFR800Fi (1997 - 2001): 4.41/5 

Forget the pipe-and-slippers image, Honda's RC45-based 781cc fuel-injected VFR has taken the term 'all-rounder' to a new level. With its 108hp V4 engine, it does absolutely everything and does it well.

If there's any bike that can showcase Honda's design philosophy, it's the VFR. On the market since 1986, the V4-engined sports-tourer has always been able to boast class-leading performance, reliability, comfort, and user-friendly character. The only downsides are the Norman Normal looks and you can have issues if you neglect the chain-adjusting hub in the swingarm. That can all be sorted though by coating the surface of the hub in a bit of Copaslip.

5. Kawasaki ZZR1400 (2006 - 2011): 4.423/5

Want to go everywhere at 150mph? Well, the ZZR1400 will do that for you. But you don't have to go everywhere and have the Guinnness Book of Records crew following you around; the ZZR1400 will cruise, commute and play like the best sportsbikes. It's sharper than the Hayabusa in almost every aspect, but it lacks the very bottom end grunt of the Suzuki. A great package for two-up touring, but just watch the rate at which it gets through tyres...

4. Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird (1996 - 2008): 4.425/5

The CBR1100XX Super Blackbird is a speed monster capable of 178 mph. At its launch in 1996, it was the fastest bike in the world, a crown it held for two years. 

With its clean flowing lines, the XX looks remarkably fresh even today, and its 1,137cc inline-four makes a silky 133-137bhp and 78-80 lb-ft of torque. High quality and reliability added to decent fuel economy and comfort have given the ‘Bird a rock-solid reputation as a sports-tourer par excellence. Ever since its production run ceased in 2007, there has been a vocal legion of ‘bring-it-back’ proponents, and clean used bikes are much sought after.

3. BMW F800ST (2006 - 2012): 4.43/5

Other than slightly uninspiring looks and some owners finding false neutrals, there really isn’t much wrong with BMW’s middleweight tourer. The 798cc parallel-twin provides 85hp and strong mid-range pull. Spot-on fuelling means you can stroke it along at a good pace on either long motorways or windy B-roads. The F800ST comes with luggage racks and a centre-stand, but ABS is optional.

=1. Honda VFR1200F (2010 - present): 4.6/5

Joint in first place with the DCT version of the same model, Honda's VFR1200F weighs 267kg, but paddling the bike round with your feet, you'd swear it was 40kg lighter than it actually is. Both the seat and waist of the bike are incredibly narrow. The VFR comes with ABS as standard and shaft-drive as opposed to a chain, it's quintessentially sports tourer other than the small tank range. We only got 150 miles out of the 19L tank before the fuel light came on.

=1. Honda VFR1200F DCT (2010 - present): 4.6/5

Featuring everything that the standard model has - apart from a clutch lever and foot gear-shifter - this model gets dual-clutch transmission. DCT uses an independent clutch for odd and even gears. The first clutch manages gears 1, 3 and 5, while the second clutch manages gears 2,4 and 6. It's light and compact, adding only 10kg to the total weight of the bike. Impressive. 

The £1000 additional cost of DCT is an absolute bargain when you consider the technology involved, but if you’re perfectly happy with what you’re used to, it doesn’t make any sense to plump for DCT. It’s for the technology must-haves, those with the first flatscreen TV, ice-making fridge, and obviously those without a left leg.