Second bike suggestions for European tour

[ikarus]

I have a 2014 Multistrada 1200S Touring, with some modifications. For touring and exploring, I love it. It's also great for the morning commute and long trips.

Next year, I'm planning a motorbike trip to Europe. Last year, we rode from Miami to Washington DC on hire bikes (expensive, and the Honda ST1300 was not really that satisfying), so this time we'll do things a bit differently. I'd love to ship my bike over, but it's a hassle. The alternative is to buy something in Europe and ship it back (if I like it enough). I can buy ex-VAT under the UK Government's Personal Export Scheme, provided I can persuade the dealer to fill in the forms.

So, the question is, what to buy and from whom? I don't want to just buy another Multistrada (though it is tempting, the 2015 version doesn't seem that much of a step up from my 2014 bike), and frankly I'd like something different and a bit more stylish than what I have (the Multistrada's looks can be a little ... challenging); so that rules out the KTM 1290 Adventure R and both the BMW R1200GS and the S1000XR.

I hired a R nine T in San Francisco last week, and it's a very nice bike - the air cooled 1200 engine (from the previous GS) is also very nice, but after 7 hours in the saddle, and quite a bit of it in traffic, my forearm was feeling the pain of the heavy clutch, my knees were suffering from the high footpegs and the saddle had turned into an instrument of torture (in true BMW style).

So, I'm open to ideas and suggestions. We're thinking of a month or so, France, Switzerland, Italy, relaxed exploring - I'll need panniers (though they don't have to be big). Current candidates are:

• Ariel Ace - hmm, challenging looks and mighty expensive. That said, Ariel are being very helpful and the reviews do seem very encouraging.

• Monster 1200S (White Stripe, maybe?)

• Diavel Carbon with the ceramic pipes

• KTM Super Duke R - not sure if it comes with panniers, and the paint work is ... loud. Not at all taken by the styling.

I spend too much time looking at Bike Exif, admiring the custom nakeds - the Deus R nine T (Heinrich Manoeuvre) looks amazing, but well out of reach at AUD80,000! After the trip, I want something fun, single seat and stylish I can ride to work and have as a nice complement to the Multistrada.

Any thoughts and advice welcome. Also, a good Ducati dealer who will help with the VAT would be great (I am favouring the Monster, it has to be said). Weird styling of the Ace aside, Ariel have also been really cooperative.

Cheers
John

[ikarus]

Thinking better options may be the new BMW R1200R (optioned for touring) or the Monster - to be honest, being a Multistrada rider, the Monster is appealing.

Further research suggests that buying in Europe may be easier - pay the VAT, and get a refund on export. The issue remains finding a good, and cooperative dealer. Anyone recommend a helpful Ducati dealer?

[Wedg1e]

ikarus said:

Next year, I'm planning a motorbike trip to Europe. Last year, we rode from Miami to Washington DC on hire bikes (expensive, and the Honda ST1300 was not really that satisfying),


Cheers
John

I'm guessing the ST1300 wasn't satisfying because you sat on lots of long straight Yankee roads...? I doubt there's a bike on the planet that would be THAT satisfying under the same circumstances. Maybe if you'd thrown it at some twisty roads you'd have been more impressed

[ikarus]

Wedg1e said:

I'm guessing the ST1300 wasn't satisfying because you sat on lots of long straight Yankee roads...? I doubt there's a bike on the planet that would be THAT satisfying under the same circumstances. Maybe if you'd thrown it at some twisty roads you'd have been more impressed

Fair assumption, but not really accurate. We didn't cross the Mid-West, we went up the east; so, places like the Blue Ridge Parkway and any hills or coast with corners was the priority.

Thanks for the helpful advice, though ...

[tvrolet]

I'd have to say look at an Indian Chief...but I guess I'm the local Indian fan-boy round here. But they're way cheaper in the US than in Europe. Just did 1000 miles round Scotland and one of the other guys was on a BMW R1200 sometingorother with all the touring gear. It could just be a difference in riding styles, but the twister the going got the more the Indian pulled out a lead. In a similar trip last year it was easily on pace cross country with a GTR 1300.

A different riding style to most; a bit marmite I guess. But it eats the miles in some comfort at a reasonable pace. And it sounds nice, to me at least.

[ikarus]

tvrolet said:

I'd have to say look at an Indian Chief...but I guess I'm the local Indian fan-boy round here. But they're way cheaper in the US than in Europe. Just did 1000 miles round Scotland and one of the other guys was on a BMW R1200 sometingorother with all the touring gear. It could just be a difference in riding styles, but the twister the going got the more the Indian pulled out a lead. In a similar trip last year it was easily on pace cross country with a GTR 1300.

A different riding style to most; a bit marmite I guess. But it eats the miles in some comfort at a reasonable pace. And it sounds nice, to me at least.

Like one of these?



Weighs 370kg dry ... not quite what I had in mind for twisting around the Alps, but I agree it is a nice looking bike (in a very US sort of way). According to the local dealer, they are fabulous to ride, and way better made than Harleys.

[tvrolet]

ikarus said:

tvrolet said:

I'd have to say look at an Indian Chief...but I guess I'm the local Indian fan-boy round here. But they're way cheaper in the US than in Europe. Just did 1000 miles round Scotland and one of the other guys was on a BMW R1200 sometingorother with all the touring gear. It could just be a difference in riding styles, but the twister the going got the more the Indian pulled out a lead. In a similar trip last year it was easily on pace cross country with a GTR 1300.

A different riding style to most; a bit marmite I guess. But it eats the miles in some comfort at a reasonable pace. And it sounds nice, to me at least.

Like one of these?



Weighs 370kg dry ... not quite what I had in mind for testing around the Alps, but I agree it is a nice looking bike (in a very US sort of way). According tot he local dealer, they are fabulous to ride, and way better made than Harleys.

Yea, but I prefer the Vintage with just the screen and soft bags. Sure it's no lightweight but there's a certain satisfaction in hustling them through the twisties. Very different to a sportsbike but quite rewarding none the less. Even loaded the centre of gravity is very low and the wide bars make them surprisingly agile for such a long wheelbase bike.

[ikarus]

Don't get me wrong, if it has two wheels, it has to be better than the alternative, and I do hear very good things about these new Indians. There's a lot of snobbery in motorcycling, which I don't buy into. But, I think this might be a bit big and heavy for what we have in mind.

[Tim85]

I'd say the diavel. They seem very very popular on the mainland and defibitly have that wow factor with that 230/240 rear tyre whatever it is. But I can't help feel like itl just be dissapointing compared to your multistrada. I couldn't think of a more perfect bike for touring than the strada. If I was you and you were looking to bring it back as a second bike to compliment the multistrada I'd look at proper naked bikes and take a hit on the comfort slightly whilst touring so that you have a bike that's suitably different when you get it back home.

The monster or street fighter are both beautiful bikes. I'm guessing sportsbikes are a no as there's none in your mind already.

I'm not sure of budget but guessing it's not too much of an is sure if your looking at ariels. On the quirky side Bimota tesi 3d's are as quirky as they come with full brembo/ohlins/oz wheels for that bling factor and a Ducati twin you'll be familier with. I doubt you'd get a bike thatl turn more heads with that funky steering and I'm sure Bimota would do some sort of soft pannier. And at 25k UK moneys they're probably not that far off a well specced multi strada.
Good luck on your planning sounds like a lot of people's dream!

Edited by Tim85 on Tuesday 26th May 08:39

[ikarus]

Tim85 said:

I'd say the diavel. They seem very very popular on the mainland and defibitly have that wow factor with that 230/240 rear tyre whatever it is. But I can't help feel like itl just be dissapointing compared to your multistrada. I couldn't think of a more perfect bike for touring than the strada. If I was you and you were looking to bring it back as a second bike to compliment the multistrada I'd look at proper naked bikes and take a hit on the comfort slightly whilst touring so that you have a bike that's suitably different when you get it back home.

The monster or street fighter are both beautiful bikes. I'm guessing sportsbikes are a no as there's none in your mind already.

I'm not sure of budget but guessing it's not too much of an is sure if your looking at ariels. On the quirky side Bimota tesi 3d's are as quirky as they come with full brembo/ohlins/oz wheels for that bling factor and a Ducati twin you'll be familier with. I doubt you'd get a bike thatl turn more heads with that funky steering and I'm sure Bimota would do some sort of soft pannier. And at 25k UK moneys they're probably not that far off a well specced multi strada.
Good luck on your planning sounds like a lot of people's dream!

Edited by Tim85 on Tuesday 26th May 08:39

Thanks Tim - will look at the Bimota as well.