Hi all I have what may seem a strange request and would appreciate any feedback from you at all. I have a motorcycle license for 10 years but never a bike of my own. I have rented bikes every year for 5 days or so and probably ran up about 12,000 km on 2 wheels over the last decade. It's time to finally buy a bike and a ducati has been my dream for the past 25 or so years! I have clocked up these kilometers on a variety of bikes, from Yamaha xj6, Yamaha tracer 9, to BMW r1250 GSA. I have tested a variety of bikes including Yamaha R6 Bmw r nine t - which I loved. BMW s1000r (didn't like) Ducati streetfighter 848 Ducati Multistrada 1200s which I also loved. Ducati monsters. Ducati 848. I am pondering the streetfighter v4s or multistrada v4s as my first bike, but have the following concerns. I am 5'7 170cm tall with 32 leg and none of the bikes have given me trouble apart from the BMW GS which I toured for 5 days racking up 2000km and dropped 3 times in embarrassing low speed situations, I think that bike was a little too heavy/tall and fully loaded went Down pretty quickly. I have my heart set on the new streetfighter but this bike will have to do it all for me, I have access to a car when needed but would like the streetfighter to be my primary mode of transport. The multistrada v4s appeals as it seems much more practical for day to day use but the weight/bulk height do put me off and I haven't seen the streetfighter but I think once I see it it may be descision made! I don't think the power will be an issue as I have ridden powerful bikes before and I am fairly conservative with power but I do like low down grunt and love the boxer engines for that and nearly bought the BMW R nine T. I am planning to ride both multistrada v4s and streetfighter v4s and possibly the multistrada 950s if this is possible but was just wondering given the above information what any of you would advise. Thanks for reading!
Welcome Bert, You say that you like the grunt of the boxer engine, also that the bike needs to be your primary form of transport, but you dropped the GS because of its height/weight,....have you considered one of these ? BMW R1250r Exclusive.... a massively underrated bike imo 135 bhp and about 103 lbs/ ft of torque, it’s really a wolf in sheep’s clothing, this bike is stealthy fast, under the radar sort of thing and a fully specced one with all the bells and whistles will cost about £15.5k Also has the advantage of shaft drive if you’re going to be using it every day, personally I think this is the best boxer engined bike that BMW make, people buy GS’s and then fit lowering kits to them cos they are short arses and the bike just looks stupid, like it’s broken in half when all along this is the bike they should have bought.. If you really can’t live without a Ducati the 950 Multistrada gets a good review and also I think that the new 950 Monster is looking pretty good. Nice problem to have though, let us know how you get on
Welcome Bert, @PerryL was going through similar recently and is well-equipped to clearly advise you on which one to buy.
Hi yes I have considered the BMW R1250r but it is somewhat lacking in the sex appeal stakes! I think it would be a great bike but I am a little young (40) for that!
Don't ask me for I know nothing! My choice (that changes according to wind direction) is KTM Duke R, Aprilia RS660, or Ducati Supersport. I would prefer a twin to a four (or even a Husky single) and this is just a fun bike and so no other considerations matter. I have a Ducati ST3 and ST2. The ST2 will go in part-ex and I'll probably keep the ST3 as my tourer, although for the small tours that I plan on doing, any of those bikes will do. If I look at buying new, then the Supersport looks too expensive, but I'll go and look to make a final decision. The Aprilia is the cheapest but the KTM has got the best suspension and brakes. The KTM Duke R price is not crazy and price matters not to Ducati who seem not to care about market size. Although I'll talk to the dealer, as Ducati seem to like advertising at crazy prices, but the reality of selling something can wake them up in my experience, although, the pandemic and Suez blockage, could turn things on their head!
I can see where your coming from thinking that the R1250 r is not cool enough, taking looks aside it would be a great allrounder and give you everything you need? Not sure how suitable a V4 Streetfighter would be as an everyday ride really I suppose you can use anything if you get along with it , your money your choice, I quite like the look of the new monster, pity it’s lacking cruise control though. Let us know what you decide on eventually
Do you want sports bike or utility tourer? Imho Multi is the best of both worlds and 32 seam is plenty.
Greetings! Don't buy anything that doesn't make you want to look over your shoulder as you walk away from it.
Welcome to the forum! You have quite a range of different bikes on your list. I have ridden a Nine T and V4 Streetfighter. I found the Nine T slow and agricultural. Fun if you can afford a lazy bike as part of a collection, but not a bike I'd personally want as my only bike. I'm 5'6", so a bit shorter, but found the V4 SF too tall, especially with the very awkward side stand (I'm sure others will say it's not a problem for them, but that was my experience). However, I do see Ducati have now released a lowered seat, so that might help, but I wouldn''t be dropping £20K without trying that. It is undoubtedly very quick, and a very, very different proposition to the Nine T, which you said you enjoyed. I have a 959 which I love, but I am currently test riding bikes to replace my Street Triple 675 (itself highly recommended), and have tried the new Speed Triple 1200 RS and absolutely loved it. I've had 3 Monsters in the past, and in my [controversial] opinion, this is the 1200 RS is pretty close to being the Monster that Ducati should be making now. Let us know what you decide!
Multi or monster newbie While we wait for your decision could we have a picture of your rubbish bins we like them and it keeps me happy welcome into our mad house
Welcome Bert, good luck with your decision. Quite a range of different bikes on your list. I'd also question the choice of SF for an everyday ride. I suppose it depends on that ride... Is this a commute or just recreational?
Welcome. Try a KTM 1290 Super Duke GT and a BMW R1250RS. They were my choices last time I bought. They're both not as tall as a GS or Multistrada.
I run an r1200r as a daily commuter. Hail rain and snow through the salt and grit etc. I give it absolutely zero maintenance bar a service every Christmas. I don't even wash it. It's a perfect commuter bike. Beware the petrol gauge is all.
I went from a Pani to a V4s Streetfighter and can’t rate the bike highly enough. You can put on a onepiece and blat around a track, or do as I did today and put on Kevlar jeans and a rucksack to grab something from the Shops. This weekend I’ve done 250 miles on it and wished I’d done 250 more. It’s great in traffic and will by comparison rip your arms when you ride it like you’ve stole it.
Monster 1200, MTS 950, or Superduke 1290. The KTM is a pussycat tbh. All the talk about them being a beast is a laugh.
