You may of read elsewhere that I have decided to buy a new bike to "compensate" me for the injuries that I've suffered. I can't even get on a pushbike ATM, but things should get better. If my sol comes good then I will be able to afford a new bike. I just need to overcome three hurdles: 1) be able to get in and off a bike, 2) get the DVLA to restore my license, and 3) get my case resolved (which will probably mean taking Hastings Insurance to court). After extensive internet research on my backside, the choice comes down to Ducati Supersport S; Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel; and KTM 790 Adventure. Weight is a factor because although I do a lot of physio, I am not very strong any more (my female physio instructor is stronger than me - and probably weighs half my weight!) and that is something that I'll need to see how it goes. The main use of the bike will be touring (i'll get the hard panniers for the Ducati) and fun. No commuting and track days very unlikely (I can't afford any more crashes!). On paper, the Ducati Supersport S seems right - providing it feels light. I would buy brand new or nearly new. Anyone think that the Guzzi or KTM would be a better choice?
Pick the new to us, 2017 S up weekend after next. Carole and I use bluetooth comms when we ride together and all I can hear during the test ride is giggles and her going weeeeee as she discoveres the quick shifter/blipper for the first time. Spent about an hour out, maybe 30 miles and she bought it without hesitation when we got back to the dealers. Andy
The Guzzi and KTM might be better suited for touring/ long distances, although the only true way of getting to the bottom of this conundrum would be to test ride each one and get a feel for each bikes individual character Either way good luck.
My Supersport is a fantastic touring machine. I have the hard panniers from the ST range with detachable rack. Very happy doing 10 to 12 hours a day in the seat. Only problem is that after a triple heart bypass my endurance is down to about 90 minutes on the bike. Have just bought a heavier but more comfortable BMW R1250RS as a replacement. Still have both bikes at the moment. The BMW is a bit more comfortable, but has cruise control which allows you to rest both arms. The quick shifter on the BMW is also better than the more sports orientated one on the Ducati. I did a 10 hour ride on the BMW the day after I bought it, not sure that I could do that on the Ducati at the moment. There is a huge price difference between the two, but I buy my bikes cash so it is not an ongoing cost to change and the servicing seems to be much cheaper on the BMW.
BMW were in my radar but I thought that the R1250RS would be too heavy. But you must think that it is OK as you bought one?
Great touring bike, surprisingly comfy travelling to destination, remove all the luggage and have fun on the back roads.
I’d hold off for a mo, there’s five announcements coming from Ducati each week starting in November. Likely one of them is the facelift Supersport with colour dash. If you want new then that maybe worth a look, if you like the current shape then likely they’ll be offering incentives to shift old stock when the new ones announced. I’m thinking there’ll also announce the new Monster which loses the trellis and the Diavel Lamborghini edition.
Just had another check on BMW's website. It ticks all of the boxes. My mate who will tour with me is into his BMWs - he hates chain drive! When I get mobile again, I will go and have a look at one and see if I can manage it - first of all, I'll just ask to wheel it about and if that goes weil, then I'll ask for a test ride.
Happy with the current Supersport S but I dunno when I'll be in a position to buy. My solicitor has put me at the bottom of the pile as we wait to see what DVLA do. I may have to start a complaint procedure but as I can't ride a bike ATM anyway, I am in no hurry. I think that I could drive a car right now but as I haven't got one then I am not really in a hurry to get one, or my driving license back. In the new year, provided that the money is not a problem then I am very tempted to get an electric bicycle first.
The rack is one piece and is bolted to the bike in four places, so it is removed when not touring. The panniers just fit on and come off as usual with one key turn.
I guess that it is about 25 kgs heavier than the SS, but the weight is very low down and feels more secure when moving it about. I am about 5'9" with short legs but after the heart op and the sternum cut, I can move either bike around quite easily. I lost 5.5 kgs off the BMW with a new end can, www.doinator.pl, probably the cheapest end can that I have ever bought, and nice quality.
I’ve just toured on my Super Sport (non S) it’s a great bike, I have after market panniers, quick shifter and heated grips. I love the thing. It’s light, comfortable and fast enough for me.
Part of the fun of buying will be to visit dealers and have a look (and ask to try moving the bike about to see how the weight lies)!
On a run around on my tour I was getting around 150 before fill ups, joining around locally it’s about 120 miles
Unless it has changed since my big accident, they have 3 yrs to drag out the billing hours on both sides before being forced to either settle or move into the courts. My claim ran to a week before the 3 yr limit and ended up being around 30% of what had been promised all through the delay period. As I had already been given several small interim payments to prevent me losing my house etc, the final lump sum ended up being just over 1/7th of the initial guidance from my solicitors. Ultimately they will delay for as long as they can make money from your case, regardless of your needs.
I've got zero expectations. My concentration is just on the things that I can control - like recovering, losing weight, and being mobile enough to fix my bikes! I am not going to waste any of my precious brain power in worrying about things that I cannot control. I realise that the whole thing will be a feast for solicitors but as I'm not paying and can't influence things, then I will not worry. I am guessing that insurance companies know that if they string things out and go really slooooooooooooow, then many people give up. I won't and it plays into my hands as I have had real life proof that things can crop up over time - like the denial of DVLA to restore my driving license - and that plays into my hands as it increases my claim. My sol only takes on cases that she believes are simple to win yet she seems to spend most weeks in court. The impression that I get is that an insurance company would rather go to court rather than admit that the sky is blue - as many would think that this is pathetic and would want to go back to living a normal life and so give up. I won't. My expectation is that as the claim is big and the legal fees huge, this one will end up in court to defy the statute of limitations. My attitude is to just sit back and enjoy the ride!
Mine fitted with the oem pannier rack, not too ugly, can live with it. OEM panniers were free when I purchased the bike on a Ducati promotion, seem to be on offer about twice a year , so worth looking out for if thinking of buying.
