I posted this here as its not really about any other bike. Ive had several Ducatis, all from new. I loved them all, there's something special about them. But I need a new bike and there's nothing they make that fits the bill any more. As you get older you tend to shrink a bit. My Monster 1200S has a seat height of 820mm, it's as high as I want to go. I'm dead keen on a new V2S Streetfighter but its seat height is 837mm, with no lower seat option. So sadly I've placed a deposit on Hornet 1000SP. So sad to go.
Have heard good things about it, James. Rode with someone on the 750 last year and he loved it. If you are 84 as your profile states and still ‘at it’, hats off sir.
Nope I'm not, perhaps a slight exaggeration. I'm 77. I'm now seriously thinking of a Street Triple RS. I must get something a bit lighter and the Hornet isn't.
I have done extensive research on bike weight, as it is now very important to me after my injuries from being knocked off. Ducati win every time - except the the Multistrada. Not sure about seat height, though, as I'm OK with that. The only mistake I made was to buy an official "comfort" seat for my KTM. What I did not realise is this just makes the bike mad taller, making it near impossible for an average guy to put their feet down at a stop. That seat was junked and I put back the original - that is absolutely fine!
Bike weight has become one of the major factors in my bikes. Lightness is far preferable to me than bhp. I will never buy a heavy bike again. "I use the max power of a bike maybe 10% of the time, I enjoy all the lightness every minute I ride" - I read this somewhere and it sums up my attitude. But we will see what I think in a few months time after switching to a little bike!
Buy one. You will not be disappointed. I bought mine 12 months ago as a ten-month-old used bike. It came with pretty much every accessory Triumph specify, including the tail pack and 24 month warranty upgrade. Heated grips, TPMS, cruise control, connectivity pack…check, check, check, check. Awesome bike. If I were ordering new, I’d have opted for Cosmic Yellow over the Carnival Red. It’s the only change I’d have made. Here it is in France last year.
How about the Monster 937 ? They’re light with a lowish seat height and they do a lowering kit. I reckon my SP with full Termi and DYMAG wheels weighs about 175 kgs. You really notice the difference and moving it around the garage, down the drive etc is so easy compared to the Multi.
I bought a KTM 390 Duke. It's light but still more than quick enough for UK roads. I am not sure I want to px it when I buy my Ducati. If space wasn't an issue then I'd keep it as well. My insurance stipulates that bikes must be garaged overnight and I lack space.
Same age as you James! Do try a 765! Had my R for 5 years and just upgraded to an RS. Superb bike in all respects other than the new display which in my view is not as good as previous model. As road tests all say, nimble, good suspension, more than enough power, sufficient torque, reasonably comfortable (for old gits) and easy to move around the garage.
Yes, I'd recommend you take a 765RS for a test ride and see if it suits you. Here's mine... it's a great allrounder and always puts a smile on my face.
Me too - loved my MTS V4s 2023 , but it’s a bit too much bike tbh . Put a deposit on a Moto Guzzi Mandello v100s - hope I don’t regret it , but don’t need 180bhp tbh .
Another vote for the Monster SP, my running in service was due to be done last week but for various reasons it’s now this Saturday…I’m trying to resist letting her off the leash but she’s feeling naughtier than i thought (that’s a phrase that unfortunately I’ve not uttered that many times in my 51yrs!), and was keeping up with some of the early naughties litre bikes yesterday…not that we were pushing it too much Can’t wait for Saturdays ride home!
Aye James Garnor, I'm a year behind you but the shortening affliction is similar, these modern behemoths ought to come with oxygen masks to compensate for the thin air above 800+mm and platform soled Cuban heeled boots to reach terra firma, thank the Lord for the 916 - 748 and original 900 Monster. With near 40 bikes available in the fleet the go - to is a 1955 250 BSA C12 or 1966 250 Royal Enfield Continental GT, both do everything a motorcyclist needs without rampant depreciation and the constant need to borrow Delinia or Tardozzi's Lenovo.
