I don't know if it will be interesting to anyone but anyway I thought I'd post on here after reading the section about the newly announced Multistrada 950. I decided to start a new thread because it is about more than just that bike. So, I currently own a Monster 821 Stripe which will be coming up to 2 years old next Spring and time feels right to change to a new bike. I chose the Monster because it is a bike that reminds me of bikes from my youth when bikes had 2 wheels, an engine, seat and tank. It is plenty powerful enough for the road and actually for me is quite comfortable enough to run along at reasonably sensible speeds for the duration of a tank of fuel. I always enjoy getting back on it no matter what other model in our range I have been trying from Panigale R to XDiavel to Multistrada to Scrambler or Hypermotard. But what to change to? Well, I have the privilege of knowing what is coming years in advance and therefore a long time to consider. My shortlist has boiled down to these most likely contenders which are all around the same price but offer distinctly different propositions: - Monster 1200 std. Pros - the 2017 bike would give the "don't take life too seriously", every-day ability of my current Monster, but would add the 150HP 1200 engine, at a not too unreasonable price. The "R" is undoubtedly special but I don't want to stretch to that level of seriousness. Cons - I don't gain much practicality or variety vs current bike. - Supersport. Pros - I've always liked Sports bikes and the Supersport delivers some of that vibe while also not being crazy-fast for the road, all wrapped up in a package that I expect to be slightly better at distance and slightly better for a pillion. Cons - I'm not sure but it might feel too much like a compromise somewhere between the bike above and the bike below. Or maybe the perfect balance? - Multistrada 950. Pros - I love the 1200 to ride, it's genuine ability to cover mileage on any kind of road, swiftly and capably is wonderful. But again, it seems a little too unnecessary to have all that capability and not use it enough. So the 950 engine will surely be enough, will improve pillion capability and feel much more justified than the 1200. I also think it is particularly handsome with those wheels. Cons. Maybe it loses some of the light-heartedness of the Monster that encourages you to get on the bike for short jaunts etc. I'll make my decision based on riding them once they arrive in the Spring when my pre-conceptions will be confirmed or proved inaccurate! Maybe I'll update this post once that appraisal has happened? Tim
Well put, I think a LOT of people are keen on the supersport, I especially like the fact you can get it with Ohlins because I've always hated the fact that the 'smaller' bikes never have an option for the top shelf components (848 S, 899 S) U get the picture.... I'll probably try a Supersport next year, I can't give up sportsbikes but I'm struggling with them being so focussed so it might work well. I'll try a cafe racer scrambler also if anyone has a demo but I would want slightly more refined suspension as it was one of my dislikes of the standard icon Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Taking into account staff discount, consider the 2017 Superleggera. I'm liking the new Supersport. It's now available with the Superleggera aftermarket pipes. There's a great dealer in Northern Ireland, give them a call when you're ready to buy.
Im just not sure on the supersport, it feels to me at least, a sportsbike for people who dont like sportsbikes, I guess for a single bike garage its all things to all men (and women!) i hope it works out to be a compromise that works, I think if i wanted the riding position to be less focused i would choose the monster over the ss, when i climb aboard a sportsbike i want it to be focused and i dont expect out and out comfort as that is the nature of the beast...avinh said that i can happily empty a full tank on my pani without any cramps or aches! As Tim mentions, the proof is in the pudding and i look forward to give it a test ride, maybe my opinion will be blown out of the water.
Interesting post Tim. I've been through the same process over the past year. We can chat about it at the NEC when I see you and you have 5 mins.
1200 Multistrada. Does all the touring stuff, commuting etc but still has a super fast revvy engine with loads of grunt, sportys handling and all the bells and whistles. I have been genuinely surprised at how good my 2016 bike is after trading up from the 2013 MTS. Its a big step forward.
The new 1200S looks great and sounds like they've sorted the oversights from the last model (gear indicator, room for feet). 1200R is only bike that has seriously tempted me away from the 1299 but the new 1200S looks to be the R's equal on paper. Go for the Ever Red Warranty too Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Get a Paul Smart replica. Probably more fun than the latest models, cooler and a better investment. Unless you know they're bringing out a new one, of course...
I always find it interesting to hear people say that they bought a specific bike for touring or doing long distance rides. You can tour on just about any road bike. I've ridden all over Europe on my bikes and they've all been naked bikes (Kawasaki ZRX1100 & ZRX1200, Monster 1100 & 1100evo, Streetfighter 848). I've toured with friends riding R1, CBR600, Rocket III, Sprint 1050, VFR, ZZR1100, GS1150. None of us has ever been jealous of someone else's bike because it was a more practical bike. They can all do 500-600 miles in a day if you want to. You can strap luggage to all of them. So you can tour on them. To be honest the Sprint had useless panniers and drank oil, and the GS was slow on motorways/dual carriageways, so sometimes things aren't quite what you think they'll be. My advice Tim is to get the bike you enjoy riding the most. Don't worry about whether it'll be good for touring or if it's practical. If you enjoy riding it you'll find ways around its impracticalities and because you enjoy riding it you'll have the most fun when you do tour on it.
I have always had sports tourers, countless blackbirds, zzr11's and a zz 14. After 6 months of the zz14 I had largely become dissillusioned with 180mph bikes and their slow speed heavy weight. I had never had a true sports bike being that I am 6ft 3 and 18 stone, thought I would never fit on one let alone be comfortable on one. When I decided to change the Z, I did look at the gixxa 1000 and 750. The 1000 was just simply too much as it was like the sports tourers, top top speed and always felt lazy but the gixa 750 (k7) was one of the most engaging, perfectly balanced and smiles per miles bike I have ever ridden. It was that bike that I felt showed me bigger is not always better but better is better, and so as long as the smaller one has all the right needs satisfied then it is the right bike for me.
I've always had 1000's,gone now and pic up my hypermotard sp next week,can't wait for the change in riding style.
