One bike to do it all--So which one then ?

[MonkeyBusiness]

MattOz said:

Al,
Ducati Multi Strada Pikes Peak edition or alternatively, Chrissie speaks sense!

Who is Chrissie? We are all not on first name terms.

[Silver993tt]

dai1983 said:

Tuono V4?

No tank range.

[Herman Toothrot]

I like my CBR600F a lot, if it had a bit more power / torque higher gearing I'd think about selling the blade and just having it on its own, It appears for some reason, probably emissions that it's replacement the CBR650F has lost power though. I guess the VFR800 is the next closest thing but it's almost 40kg heavier. Honda has altered service intervals now when I had my hornet same bike essentially services were every 4000 miles, this has now been doubled, service only every 8000miles so knocks the running costs down.

[black-k1]

Assuming that by an all rounder you mean on tarmac and not off road then it's going to have to be able to be able to just about keep up with the sports bikes both on the twisties and on the German autobahns, be just about as comfortable as the big tourers or adventure bikes when covering lots of miles for both rider and pillion, have a decent tank range of over 175 miles between fill ups and have good luggage capacity (preferably secure hard luggage) for those Euro jaunts.

That brings it down to:

K1300S, Hayabusa or ZZR1400

Multistrada doesn't quite make the autobahn test and the VFR1200 doesn't quite make the tank range test. I'm not sure what the situation is with regards the 'Busa and hard luggage but I've assumed you can retro fit some without the sub frame falling off.

Those were my exact requirements when I bought my K1300S last year. I ruled out the 'Busa because, great bike though it is, it's fugly! And by that I mean I think it's really really fugly.

I tried the ZZR1400 and it was better than the K1300S at some things but not so good at others but, in the end, it didn't have EAS and that decided it. ESA will change the feel (and handling) of my K1300S from a comfortable if slightly wallowing barge to a taught, go precisely where it's pointed, guided missile, all at the press of a button while on the move. How much more "all rounder" can you get than that?

[Golgarth]

General consensus appears to be ZZR1400 if you want a SPORTS tourer, and the Multistrada if you want a sports TOURER. ZZR looks sporty, Multi looks touring based. ZZR has one HELL of an engine, Multistrada is perfect.

But, if the wife wants a GS I would like to be the first to say "enjoy your GS"........ Happy wife = easy life

[Chipchap]

MonkeyBusiness said:

Who is Chrissie? We are all not on first name terms.

Chrissie is my Fiancee


A

[NotStig]

If you're considering a GS, try a Triumph Tiger Explorer. My mate's just got one after a couple of GS's and a K1300 thingy and he loves it. Comfy riding position and 140bhp triple engine makes for a great ride, apparently.

[moto_traxport]

Your "next / only bike question" is quite similar to my own.

It would be Multistrada vs ZZR1400 vs. VFR800 / 1200.

My personal take is the Multistrada despite the extra wide handlebars not being to my own taste. More appropriate power delivery for road riding than a ZZR1400, comfier pillion (greater legroom). Still looks okay with its panniers fitted. More enjoyable at 80% pace whereas ZZR1400 will make you grow 180mph Devil's horns. Still looks good in the garage unlike a GS that looks like a pile of scaffolding. VFR1200 has questionable looks and has not generally taken to even by people who like such things despite a lovely motor, shaft drive and balance. Haven't looked at the new VFR800 yet - popping into a Honda dealer Tuesday.

[wemorgan]

KTM 990 Supermoto Touring.

[Dodd90]

MattOz said:

Al,

Ducati Multi Strada Pikes Peak edition or alternatively, Chrissie speaks sense!

+1

[CBR JGWRR]

Simple. Take one CBR 1000RR, raise handlebars a couple of inches, replace the passenger pad with a seat and grab bars to attach stuff to, rip the miniature fairings off and replace with nice wide covering items, add one of these fancy electronic packages with switchable riding modes, add cylinder deactivation.

Practicality of a sports tourer, frugalness of a 250, performance of a superbike. In one bike. What more do you really need?

[Andy XRV]

Dodd90 said:

MattOz said:

Al,

Ducati Multi Strada Pikes Peak edition or alternatively, Chrissie speaks sense!

+1

+ 1 although I am slightly biased

black-k1 said:

Multistrada doesn't quite make the autobahn test

That is absolute baloney. I had a K1300s for three years and although I agree it's a great bike it's not a good enough all rounder to beat the Multistrada.

Time for a pic I think

[archie456]

Go and test ride a KTM 1190 adventure, it's a brilliant bike.

[Andy XRV]

archie456 said:

Go and test ride a KTM 1190 adventure, it's a brilliant bike.

I did that, and then bought the Ducati. But as we all know there will never be one bike that does everything and suits everyone because fortunately we are all different.

[black-k1]

Andy XRV said:

black-k1 said:

Multistrada doesn't quite make the autobahn test

That is absolute baloney. I had a K1300s for three years and although I agree it's a great bike it's not a good enough all rounder to beat the Multistrada.

But is that not the point? One mans "all rounder" is another mans sports/tourer/adventure bike.

Rather than just real off a bunch of bike names I gave the criteria I used to decide which all rounder I purchased. For me, the Multistrada didn't make the autobahn test, despite the fact that it's otherwise a great bike. I love V-twins and would have gladly had another V twin to replace my Aprilia Futura but it didn't quite cut the mustard in my all rounder test to replace both my old K1200S and the Futura.

[Baryonyx]

The K1300S must surely be the best bet. Nothing is going to be 'one size fits all' but the BMW is a capable thing. I'd like to think though, if I were in that position that I'd buy an old Hayabusa in that bronze and silver scheme they did.

[feckdeamon]

CBR JGWRR said:

Simple. Take one CBR 1000RR, raise handlebars a couple of inches, replace the passenger pad with a seat and grab bars to attach stuff to, rip the miniature fairings off and replace with nice wide covering items, add one of these fancy electronic packages with switchable riding modes, add cylinder deactivation.

Practicality of a sports tourer, frugalness of a 250, performance of a superbike. In one bike. What more do you really need?

Or just buy a CB1000R? Comfy enough for 500 mile days, plenty go to keep up with sportsbikes, tank range a bit low at 100-120 miles though.

[LordFlathead]

3DP said:

ZZR1400, K1300S, Ducati Multistrada.

Personally finding the ZZR mightily impressive at everything from commuting into the City on Friday, to high speed M-ways, A road scratching and town work. Really is all the bike you'd ever need, but if I had to have just one bike, I would miss the focus of a sports bike when you are really wanting to go 10/10ths or the roads get a bit tighter.

+1

[Silver993tt]

LordFlathead said:

+1

Been there with the ZZR1400 and it doesn't come close to doing it all. Test rode the Multistrada and it sounded like farm machinery plus the build quality wasn't particularly good.

[CBR JGWRR]

feckdeamon said:

Or just buy a CB1000R? Comfy enough for 500 mile days, plenty go to keep up with sportsbikes, tank range a bit low at 100-120 miles though.

Because a Blade is special, an iconic bike, and the CB1000R, capable as it may be, just isn't.

Of course, re-reading what I wrote in the first place would lead to a Blackbird as a better starting point...