Thinking about a new bike...

[SF_STRS]

I’ve got a 2018 street triple rs that I love but I think it’s about time to try something different. The triumph is fast, nimble, handles like a dream and has amazing breaks. It’s exciting and fun to ride BUT like everything in life it has it’s faults. I’m 6-1 and it’s too small for me & on top of the fact that the ergonomics are aggressive and I love it when I’m blasting down the road on Sunday morning but after a 5 hour ride my body is toast for the rest of the day. The bike is so small that there is nothing to redirect the air flow around your body... I’ve killed more insects riding this bike, you wouldn’t believe how much dead shit is stuck to my chest, shoulders, arms and helmet after my weekend rides. It drives me crazy.

So my thoughts are turning to my next bike. I live in SF and don’t have room for multiple bikes so I need a do it all machine. I’m thinking about an adventure
bike or a sport touring bike. I want something fast and exciting for my Sunday morning rides but I also want to be able to throw my wife on the back and head up into the mountains for a weekend camping trip or a trip to Lake Tahoe. I want more opportunities to be on my bike than just a morning escape.

I’m thinking about a KTM Superadventure S, a BMW R1250GS or maybe a Ducati Multistrada 1260 and a couple of possible options would be the new Honda Africa Twin or the new Trimuph Tiger 900.

I Haven’t had a chance to ride any of these bikes yet so I’d love some input from current owners. Is there anything that you really love or hate about your bike? How was your dealership experience? Is there anything i should know before I put some cash down on one of the bikes.

The BMW looks like it can do everything and it’s priced that way too. I’ve been checking BMW website and the GS never seems to go on sale or offer cash back ever. Are they that good? Sometimes I look at the GS and I like all of its odd German design... other times I think it’s ugly as shit. I know it has plenty of power but does it feel sporty? It looks more like a gentleman’s bike.

I know the Ducati is the most thrilling on a good road surface but I’m not sure I’d want to load it up and ride it down a gravel road to a campsite. Or take it out In bad weather or a bumpy mountain road. I know they have Enduro but it doesn’t do it for me.

Maybe the KTM is the blend of the beemer and the duc. A big powerful engine like Ducati and the all around ability of the BMW. I’ve spotted some good deals online for leftover Superadventure S... maybe it all boils down the best deal I can find.

Any thoughts?

 

[duck_rider]

I don't know why the Ducati wouldn't be as good as the others down a dirt road. The suspension is basically the same spec as the others and don't all of these bikes come with the same tires?

All of these models have similar level electronics too, so it'd really be the same as the others.

 

[dittoalex]

KTM 790 Adventure S

 

[davidji]

At least in normal times you can demo all the bikes on your list except the Honda. They'll all do what you want. See if you can ride them and figure out which one you want to do it on.

I don't know why the Ducati wouldn't be as good as the others down a dirt road. The suspension is basically the same spec as the others and don't all of these bikes come with the same tires?

Because the model he's interested in is the only street bike with 17" wheels on his list. I'm sure we've all ridden street bikes on dirt roads, but it doesn't mean they're the best tool for the task.

 

[atoyf]

1250gsa not a single bad thing i can tell about this engineering beauty !!

 

[Gary856]

Maybe the KTM is the blend of the beemer and the duc. A big powerful engine like Ducati and the all around ability of the BMW. I’ve spotted some good deals online for leftover Superadventure S... maybe it all boils down the best deal I can find.

That's one way to look at it, yet it's over simplified. Some random thoughts:

- While a 19" front tire handles very well and handles rough pavement better, a 17" front feels tangibly more crisp in side-to-side transition, when ridden back to back.

- Ducati and KTM depreciate much quicker than the GS.

- The Multistrada is not small, but it's relatively lean and compact among the three.

- The GS is a lot bulkier dimensionally and visually. It has a bunch of very unique and interesting design features, if you like that sort of thing. To me the telelever/paralever suspension, the boxer engine, and the shaft drive are all design features that set the GS apart. It's also the most comfortable bike for long rides.

- I do also love KTM bikes, the way they handle, feel and look, so there, it's not easy to choose among the three.

 

[Beanzy]

How about this 2019 model with 23515 on the odometer?

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcd/d/san-francisco-bmw-r1250-gs-black-storm/7133004048.html

 

[LachlanD]

Africa twin or the new Tenere 700, both are super comfy and you can take em anywhere

 

[ScottRNelson]

I don't know why the Ducati wouldn't be as good as the others down a dirt road. The suspension is basically the same spec as the others and don't all of these bikes come with the same tires?

All of these models have similar level electronics too, so it'd really be the same as the others.

Ducati wins the Mint 400 Hooligan Class. "Slightly modified", of course. :laughing

How about a KTM 1090 Adventure R? The one I had still had way more power than I needed. A genuine go anywhere bike that is great for long distances. The only reason I traded mine in on a 790R was to lose about 50 pounds and get a lower center of gravity for even better dirt capabilities.

 

[eddiecycles]

We have a prepped Africa Twin DCT available on the sales floor. I could possibly get you a test ride on it. Give me a call if you are still interested.

Eddie

 

[fubar929]

I’m thinking about a KTM Superadventure S, a BMW R1250GS or maybe a Ducati Multistrada 1260 and a couple of possible options would be the new Honda Africa Twin or the new Trimuph Tiger 900.

Most people who buy $20K ADV bikes never ride them off-road. It's easy to see why: one tip-over or low-speed drop and you've scratched $1000+ worth of plastics... plus the tank. For a more street-oriented steed you should look at the BMW R1250RT, the KTM Super Duke GT, and the Kawasaki Ninja 1000. Add the Ninja H2 SX SE if you have the cash. If you're planning to do a lot of 2-up riding or long-distance touring throw the Yamaha FJR1300 into the mix, too.

Of the bikes mentioned, I owned a Multistrada 1200S and briefly considered the KTM. The Super Adventure was just way too tall for me. I could comfortably handle the Multistrada but the SA was too tall for my comfort. The Multistrada was a great bike, but I sold mine in pretty short order. The mid-range torque dip I hated has been fixed by the 1260, but the wind buffeting around the helmet and wide handlebars which make lane-splitting a tight squeeze haven't. After selling the Multistrada, I bought a Ducati Supersport S which is the best all-around bike I've ever owned...

 

[mrmarklin]

For the type of riding you have been doing on your current ride, get a sport tourer.

BMW has never been cheap, but you get what you pay for.:thumbup

 

[senpai71]

Kawasaki Versys 1000.

I was in your exact position - I used to ride a Triumph Sprint ST - great sport-tourer (emphasis on the 'sport'), but the low position messed with my back and hips on long rides.

So three years ago, I rented a Versys 650 from Dubbelju (RIP )and after one ride, bought a slightly used (~5000-mile) 2015 Versys 1000 (site unseen and unridden by me) from an auction in Philadelphia.

Never been happier. I still ride the Triumph from time to time, when I need to 'flex', but the Versys has been incredible for long multi-day rides - comfortable, plenty of pick-up, fast if needed (allegedly 120mph+, but I'm not saying ) and CHEAP - my used one was about $9K all-in. In 2018, they upped the new price from $13K to $18K, but as the only new stuff was some added electronics, I don't think it's worth it. If you look around, you can find some great examples of 2017's with pretty low mileage for sub-$10K.

 

[NoTraffic]

As an owner of a BMW R1200RT - it being my first BMW, all I can say is yes, they are that good.

The build quality and materials in general have been chosen to last the lifetime of the bike. The one negative is that they are very refined, some like a bike to have it's little quirks, I cannot fault the RT at all (nor a GS when I rented one).

The upside to the BMW is that it's resale value is very good and there are plenty of aficionados that will help you along the way during your ownership.

When considering between a sports tourer and an adv. bike, I would not only consider where you will be riding it but what kind of environment abuses the bike might take. Living in SF, the RT is great for long distance but I would hate to ride it around stop/go city traffic because of its sheer weight and size. I'd be better off with a lightweight ADV bike that can take a tip over and I can add beefier engine guards for a cheaper price.

Take that into consideration as well.

 

[SF_STRS]

Thanks for all of the replies,

I’d probably very happy to own any one these bikes, they are all killer bikes and great in their own way. One great test ride and someone willing workout a good price could sway me...

The Multistrada would be amazing to ride for 85% of the things I’d like to do but I’d have to give up on any thoughts mild off road riding /backwoods camping. It’s too pretty to risk flopping it over in loose sand, or scratching it packing up a bunch of gear. I’m sure it’s thrilling to ride everywhere else.

I like both the KTM 790 S and the Tenere 700 but not 2 up riding.

Beanzy - yes I saw that listing and if I was ready to pull the trigger right now that’s probably the bike I’d buy. ... I need to hold tight for a little while longer and see how the economy recovers after this covid headache.

Kawasaki Versys 1000 & Ninja 1000 I’ve read good things about both of these bikes but never had a chance to ride either.

 

[twowheelsplease]

an s1000xr, either current gen or older gen will be as fast as anything out there on public roads and will handle goat trails and light off road with comfort, tires will dictate what you are able to do. I have done many fire roads on an XR, the older gen would be better here with some engine protection you can drop that bike and it wont mind it much as long as its light off road duty, same would be true for a multi though. all of these big bikes are heavy so you need to get a decent tire to have traction in dirt which will suck on pavement if you ride at a decent pace, esp 2 up.

For real off road - I doubt you want to do it 2 up but if you do a ktm 790 would be a good place to start.

 

[D408]

Ever thought about grabbing any of the bikes above and a beater klr650 or DR650 for those occasional dirt trips? I rode my DR650 down to Big sur to camp over the weekend. I love having knobby tires for exploring, but can't imagine doing any kind of daily highway commuting with them on.

 

[Cafe Racer]

KTM 1090R Adventure
I bought this bike for the some of the same reasons. The main reason was some offroad touring. And secondly my wife wants to do some weekend rides up or down the coast.

I just did a 530 mile day loop to the other side of the Sierras and back to SF. Felt great afterward. But that certainly would not be reflective of everybody.

 

[JohnEPA]

I had a Ninja 1000. Great bike. Fast, comfortable and reliable.

 

[ScottRNelson]

KTM 1090R Adventure

Yep. I really loved mine and if I did less off road riding, I'm sure that I would still have it. I thought that it was an excellent bike for long distances. And it's one of the best adventure bikes off road when you occasionally find the need to get into the dirt a little bit.