[dhgeyer]

I don't think that short range needs to be a deal killer for touring. I did some touring on my '04 Honda Shadow VLX, which had a tank with less than 3 gallons, and didn't get very good mileage on the highway. I hit reserve one time after 120 miles. That was OK, since the seat was so uncomfortable that I needed the break anyway. From my experience with meeting people on the road, people tour on what they have, and make the necessary accommodations.

My R1200R has a range that I can count on of about 200 miles right now with a 5 gallon tank. People tell me that the mileage will improve significantly when it gets broken in. Bad news (or good news) is that they make those boxer engines so tough that it takes 20,000 miles to really break one in! Also, I haven't had a chance yet to do the kind of riding that maximizes mileage, and the cold weather doesn't help either, so what I'm seeing now (40 - 45 mpg) is worst case in all respects. So I guess it'll get better soon.

If you're really interested in touring, then you do want to look at some of the BMW models, as well as the Kawasaki Concours, Yamaha FJR1300, Honda ST1300 and the Suzuki Vstrom (which does not come set up for touring, so you'd have to buy some more stuff to go on it).

One good thing about BMW is that the company, and the user culture, is very much geared to serious riding and touring. The forums reflect this, as do the local clubs and the BMWMOA publications.