Thinking about a new bike
Discussion
Got a Tiger 1050 at the moment and it's great (though thr snatchy throttle is driving me mad). Got a mixture of commuting and longer distance mountain rides so wondering what to go for.
Have a budget of around $13,000 to $15,000 (yes I am in the USA) and looking at options. Thinking about a Honda Africa Twin or Ducati Multistrada 950. Had a Tiger 800 and Explorer 1200 in the past, but feel Triumph are focusing on retro too much these days.
I am in California and it's sunny for 240 days of the year so wet weather isnt too much of a problem. Also commute (filtering is legal in California) so no wide ass tourers. But has to be practical, fun, quick (I am no sport rider so super bikes are out) and I love torque.
So what does everyone think? Honda or Ducati? Or am I missing something?
Have a budget of around $13,000 to $15,000 (yes I am in the USA) and looking at options. Thinking about a Honda Africa Twin or Ducati Multistrada 950. Had a Tiger 800 and Explorer 1200 in the past, but feel Triumph are focusing on retro too much these days.
I am in California and it's sunny for 240 days of the year so wet weather isnt too much of a problem. Also commute (filtering is legal in California) so no wide ass tourers. But has to be practical, fun, quick (I am no sport rider so super bikes are out) and I love torque.
So what does everyone think? Honda or Ducati? Or am I missing something?
The only thing I would say is ride the Multi, its wider then Del Boy on a night out with Boycey .... (check youtube if that makes no sense)
With the Cali roads I suspect you'll be ok but if heading ina nd out of downtown SF might get a little tight but nothing too nad, a narrow straffic splitting whippet it is not .....
I'd still have one over the Honda as I'm a fanboy .....
With the Cali roads I suspect you'll be ok but if heading ina nd out of downtown SF might get a little tight but nothing too nad, a narrow straffic splitting whippet it is not .....
I'd still have one over the Honda as I'm a fanboy .....
sjtscott said:
So why wouldn't a Speed or Street Triple suffice as a replacement?
Good question as they are great bikes. But I am 6'5" tall and act as an excellent sail or wind barrier! While rain isnt necessarily too much of a concern, wind is. Oh and I look like a bit of a muppet riding such petite bikes. They are great and have ridden a speed when my Triumph was in for a service - it was an absolute hooligan. But very low and had me really leant forward, which isnt comfortable for me. dibblecorse said:
The only thing I would say is ride the Multi, its wider then Del Boy on a night out with Boycey .... (check youtube if that makes no sense)
With the Cali roads I suspect you'll be ok but if heading ina nd out of downtown SF might get a little tight but nothing too nad, a narrow straffic splitting whippet it is not .....
I'd still have one over the Honda as I'm a fanboy .....
Really? The Multi is that wide? Must admit that I stop by a local Triumph dealer (actually just got fired by Triumph and replaced - another reason to be cautious on a Triumph at the moment - with little support and dealer coverage here, it would be a challenge) and they are also a BMW one - while I do like the GS, and its a great bike, they are wide as a wide thing, especially in Adventure trim. Just cant do it to myself, I would be a wreck... is the Multi thinner than a GS? I hope so!With the Cali roads I suspect you'll be ok but if heading ina nd out of downtown SF might get a little tight but nothing too nad, a narrow straffic splitting whippet it is not .....
I'd still have one over the Honda as I'm a fanboy .....
Thankfully I am not commuting to SF but to Redwood city. Not the most challenging to get to, but freeways are an unavoidable aspect of the journey and hence will need to do filtering - which isnt as bad on Californian roads as its legal and they are wider than the UK. But it could be 10-15 miles of lane splitting at times and thats not going to be fun on something that is wide.
TwoStrokeNut said:
How about the Tracer 900 as suggested?
Maybe with a custom seat if you need it raised a little.
Now, I am struggling here - is this the MT-09 in the USA? Was on a group ride with a chap who had the naked triple Yamaha and he had nothing but great things to say about it! Sounded great too. Though due to currency issues, Japanese bikes are as expensive as European ones here. Shame, but the MT-09 is $10,699 motorcycle before accessories and options. Still a bit of a bargain, but not a steal.Maybe with a custom seat if you need it raised a little.
The Tracer (or whatever it's called over there) is very much a head over heart choice so it depends on your mindset and why you're buying the bike. For me I'm still not convinced by it but there's no denying it's epic value for money, but for no rational reason at all the more expensive and less powerful Africa Twin just appeals in a way the Tracer doesn't.
I was also suggested a KTM 1090 Adventure which I've looked at now (albeit not managed to ride) and it does look like a good option as long as you can buy them in the USA and the dealer backup is OK.
I was also suggested a KTM 1090 Adventure which I've looked at now (albeit not managed to ride) and it does look like a good option as long as you can buy them in the USA and the dealer backup is OK.
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