Hi All, Following on from me winning back my PPI Claim from the bank, I am now faced with a nice dilema for a change. My wife has earmarked some of the cash for a new car and can think about a new bike if I choose. Currently I have a S Touring with the additional top box. It is the 2011 model with the Ohlins Suspension and has just hit 7.5k miles (service has been done) and I am the second owner. I have only owned it a couple of months now and the only thing I would consider swapping it with is another Multi. So I am thinking of swapping it already for a GT for only two reasons at the moment. Firstly I would be the only owner and secondly I have the full two year warranty. The plan is for next year to have some serious touring holidays so I dare say the extra carrying capacity will be handy. I love the S Touring, particularly the riding position and the feeling of riding in a commanding position which coming from a previously owned GSXR you can understand. Now I have not sat on the GT yet (local dealer does not have one in stock) so all I know, or don't as the case may be is what I have read and spoken to the dealer about. My understanding is: Skyhook Suspension - How does this compare to the Ohlins? I know it works differently but in terms of feedback? 20mm Higher Bars - I like the position of the current bike. Does the positioning feel less 'brutal' and more BMW? Comfort Seats? - Seat height the same just comfier or do you feel like you are sitting differently? Tyres - Comes with Angel ST's. Are they any good or junk them for PR3's which I currently have. I think the rest is self explanatory. Protection Bars, Different Lights, Taller Screen ect. I know the answers are probably 'go a ride one' but I just thought I would ask the questions and see if anyone had any feedback good or bad to offer. My biggest issue is 'should I spend the additional 5k on a new one' or keep the Touring....which I do think is a fantastic bike. Before anyone posts harsh comments like 'spoiled shite' or 'you got nothing better to waste money on' ect, I have just lost my mother in law a month ago and my father in law has in the last two weeks been given about 8 weeks to live with in-operable brain tumors so my house is not a fun place to be right now. Life is too short and clearly you can't take it with you when you die so enjoy it while you can! But I am still wresting with the decision of whether I should or shouldn't so looking for a voice of reason. Thanks Fitz.
I had a long trial and put 1700 miles on a brand new GT over the Summer. The economy, brakes and lights are a good improvement and of course the Skyhook doesn't dive under braking which is nice. Riding position was great for touring. It is a noticeably heavier bike than my 1200 ABS (I have removed the CAT, pillion pegs) even with all the luggage off and the seat was higher (maybe because the Skyhook didn't sag?). You'll be fine with the Angel GT tyres. I would rate them as a better tyre than the standard Scorpions but not as confident in the wet as the PR3. Also unknown how well they keep their profile after a few thousand miles. I had a couple of small slides but made pretty good pace in the wet and right to the edge in the dry. I would certainly check the other models to make sure the GT offers the best package for you. Happy hunting.
Brakes and lights are better, slow speed its a lot smoother (twin spark head) and it pulls a lot better, seat is not as comfortable as my 2010 but this may improve with time, panniers project quite a long way. Overall its quite an improvement on the 2010 but its still early days and i'm getting a little frustrated at keeping the revs below 6k.
I made a few observations on the differences I noted between the 2011 and 2103 in case useful! http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f6/2013-spain-11487/
Should have mentioned Skyhook, Front end is a lot firmer and when you hit a bump you don't get bounced out of the seat, as it hasn't rained yet I don't know how the tyres perform but will probably change to PR3's.
Going to do a couple of hundred today I might put the airhawk on first, or do I just grimace and bear it.
Thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated. Not made a decision just yet as PPI money has not arrived in account. I am still 50/50 as to whether I should keep the 2011 Touring which I think is a great bike or whether to splash out and get a new GT to be the first owner and have the warranty with all the extra bits that go with it. Maybe I need to sort the new car for HWMBO first...haha.
For what it's worth, I'd maybe just space out your enjoyment a little. You're loving the bike you've got, so why not carry on riding that little 'wave' for a bit longer and when you REALLY fancy a change in 12 months time, you'll have a clearer idea of exactly what you want and the money in the bank to go do it. Hopefully, unless the Mrs gets extravagant with her car choice. In which case speed is of the essence. Get yourself down the dealer.
Hookey, thanks so much for your post. You do speak some sense even if I don't like it but the real reason for the thanks is for the laugh your post gave me (you have no idea how needed that was) because the wife wants a C Class Merc from what I can make out!
I'm pleased I raised a smile at a difficult time. Like I said, speed may be of the essence....:smile:
