Hey all,
Just managed to get on the web after traveling for business and pleasure for 3 weeks. I just happened to be in Toronto this past weekend and the motorcycle show was on. Unfortunately the wife wasn't with me. I managed to see all the bikes on my short list for purchase:
Ducati multi
BMW 1200GS
Suzuki VStrom 650
Honda Varadero (new to me. saw for first time)
Triumph Tiger (once again, new to me)
Liked some features on some, and some on others. Big thing was I got to sit on all and look them over.
I also just got back from the BMW dealership and got a good $ quote from them.
The jury here seems to be split down the middle on how much power I should start with. My brother, who has been riding for several years, echoed the sentiment of some that just cause you have the power doen't mean you need to use it.
I am one to buy items and keep them for years instead of upgrading over the years and losing money. I just bought my Jeep last year and will have it for ever unless it dies on me.
I know it may sound like sacrilage, but I am leaning towards the BMW. I am guessing that for now my riding will be 80% on hard surface, with the occasional jaunt down the logging roads and out of the way spots in NL and north America. Later on I may head to europe, africa and who knows where. I just finished reading a book about a guy who travelled on his BMW around the world and he seemed tobe able to service the bike anywhere.
What is the service like for Ducati's? Are they easy to maintain and find parts for around the globe? What about accessories? Has anyone done any offroading in them?
I spoke with a Ducati owner at the BMW dealer today (he was still wearing his Ducati riding jacket!) and he was trading his Ducati in for a BMW. He even said that if I was considering riding on anything more than a rough road to go for the BMW. Any thoughts?
Wanna buy » Multistrada 1200S for new rider
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helotech
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 12:42 pm
- Location: Canada, Gander NL
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Dangerous Dave
2010 1200S (White)
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:56 pm
- Location: Dallas, Texas
- Contact:
The multi is not a very good off road bike - tire choices and front rim size hold it back. Its a very capable dirt road bike, but deep ruts or sand are a no-no (I tried).
That said, The 1200 GS is a crappy off road bike as well, 550 pounds of top heavy pig. If you really want some off road capability I would look at the 800GS. The triumph 800 tiger looks promising, but who knows.
As far as around the world and off the beaten path, I wouldn't do that on my Multi - its just to complicated and unusual. I wouldn't do that on a new bmw either, for the same basic reasons. If you really want to get off the beaten path, then an older BMW would be a better bet.
All that said, I would buy the bike for the riding you are doing right now, not what you might do sometime in the uncertain future. And for me, I'm all about the multi - wouldn't change it for anything. Now, if next month I was heading to Machu Picchu, I might have a different opinion.
That said, The 1200 GS is a crappy off road bike as well, 550 pounds of top heavy pig. If you really want some off road capability I would look at the 800GS. The triumph 800 tiger looks promising, but who knows.
As far as around the world and off the beaten path, I wouldn't do that on my Multi - its just to complicated and unusual. I wouldn't do that on a new bmw either, for the same basic reasons. If you really want to get off the beaten path, then an older BMW would be a better bet.
All that said, I would buy the bike for the riding you are doing right now, not what you might do sometime in the uncertain future. And for me, I'm all about the multi - wouldn't change it for anything. Now, if next month I was heading to Machu Picchu, I might have a different opinion.
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bradvincent
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:56 am
- Location: USA
**Edit** I just read the date on this post, so my advice doesn't apply, but it might be useful for others reading this forum.
Just wanted to share a different opinion, being a relatively new rider. I've never owned or ridden a Ducati, my only bike is a Suzuki s50 (50 inches = 805cc). I wanted a bigger and faster bike, but everyone told me even the s50 was way too much for a new rider. Less than 1 year later, I feel cramped on such a small frame, can't ride 2-up with my girlfriend (fear issue, but would be better on a bigger bike), wish I could accelerate faster, and limit my turning speed based on how far I can lean without grinding pegs. I know more than I want to about carburetors, and have gained lots of technical and riding knowledge specific to this bike. The HURT report clearly shows experienced riders changing bikes are more likely to get in accidents the first 8 months on the new bike. And I am reading your post because I want to buy a multistrada. Lots of new riders are teenagers with no discipline, no fear and no money - and I think that is who this advice is meant for. That said, I have dropped my bike twice, and I think the V-Strom 650 is a perfect choice if you buy something now before moving up later.
Just wanted to share a different opinion, being a relatively new rider. I've never owned or ridden a Ducati, my only bike is a Suzuki s50 (50 inches = 805cc). I wanted a bigger and faster bike, but everyone told me even the s50 was way too much for a new rider. Less than 1 year later, I feel cramped on such a small frame, can't ride 2-up with my girlfriend (fear issue, but would be better on a bigger bike), wish I could accelerate faster, and limit my turning speed based on how far I can lean without grinding pegs. I know more than I want to about carburetors, and have gained lots of technical and riding knowledge specific to this bike. The HURT report clearly shows experienced riders changing bikes are more likely to get in accidents the first 8 months on the new bike. And I am reading your post because I want to buy a multistrada. Lots of new riders are teenagers with no discipline, no fear and no money - and I think that is who this advice is meant for. That said, I have dropped my bike twice, and I think the V-Strom 650 is a perfect choice if you buy something now before moving up later.