So after my Monster was written off, if I was to get another Ducati, then it would be a Multistrada. Assuming that my leg ever gets better, than I was leaning towards a Kawasaki 650 Versys because I thought that it would be more manageable, but looking up the seat heights of a 950 Multistrada and a Versys 650, then they are both 840mm. I always thought that I would struggle with a Multistrada because of the height. Although Riders did give me a loaner back in about 2006 when my Monster was serviced, and I didn't have any problems with it, I have got this idea that Multistradas are tall bikes. Does anybody find that is the case - I'm about 5'11 so not short?
I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam... no problems with my 2017 1200 DVT In terms of "ease" though, GS carries its weight lower
With the Low Seat Accessory, the seat height drops to 820mm, https://www.ducati.com/gb/en/bikes/multistrada/multistrada-950. Issue, if there was one, solved. Andy
I’m 5ft 6 and ride a 2013 1200 PP with low seat They are a tall motorcycle but if I manage at my height you should have no problems
I'm 5'10'' on a 1260S with seat in low position. Can easily flat foot, lots of confidence, no tip toes!
Bought a 950S this year, slightly high for me - 30ish inside leg. Fitted a 820mm low (supplied at discount from Glasgow Ducati) and was fine. Got the original 840mm seat resculpted to remove some of the slope at the rear and flatten the pan while removing some height, am very pleased with the result.
Thanks for all the replies. I knew there was a low seat option that I would try, probably, but I didn't want to rely on it totally. As 5'10" people can get on with it, then I doubt if a Multistrada would be a problem. I will be buying new clothing anyway (as most was destroyed by cutting it off me, or incinerated as it was covered in my blood) and I will make sure that trousers are not too tight. Just remembered that I used to give blood. It was a fair amount as they had given me badges before I went on to platelets (counts double). I got all the blood back in one night!
I have a 32" inside leg and my 2015 MS is tall, can get both feet on the floor on balls of my feet. I sat on the new 1260 and that is way lower than my bike. I had both feet flat on the ground.
In my experience, flexibility will be the issue. For whatever reason and GSs included, the passenger seat pad is 3 or 4 inches higher making it difficult to get your boot over the passenger seat, mounting a horse style. Seen quite a few riders mount “Ministry of Silly Walks” style sort taking it in your stride. Andy
I find it funny how people think that their height will make a bike feel tall or not. What really matters i leg length. My wife and me are both around 5'10" but I have legs that are 4 inches shorter than her. I would love a Multistrada but have decided that my next bike will probably be a BMW. I tell people that I am 6'2" with short legs fitted.
Dainese D-Explorer is very comfy and genre-appropriate for an adventure sports bike. A* Corozal boots go up the insides of the legs and the new D-Explorer comes with CE level 2 PPE.
Just had a quick look on sportsbikeshop.co.uk. Yes, the Dainese looks promising. Dunno if the Dainese shop is still there in Old Market, Bristol, but if it is, then I could pay a visit.
It's not just the height but how it spreads your legs, a tall narow seat is worth 3cm over a flat wide of the same hieght, if my hyper evo is anything to go by, I'm a 27" inside leg & manage fine. I had a Ktm 690smc even taller but razor narrow, not the most comfy but made it managable for a shortarse...
Making progress but not fast enough for me! I go swimming every week and cycle every day (up to 15 mins now!) on an exercise bike that the other insurance co bought for me. I hobbled round to the Surgery today because they had my medical notes for me to send to my solicitor. I was going to scan them and email but they are massive! I posted them because I couldn't scan as it would not be acceptable, apparently legally. They weigh just about a kilogram (0,936)! No wonder I had Doctors in hospital who went to read my notes and I never saw them again! Good thing is that I am planning my next trip that will be to Poland. My family want me to go by train but when I investigated, it doesn't look much fun. I have to get across London for the Eurostar and then across Paris to get a Russian train that goes to Moscow, via Poland. Or I can just use a bike to go where I want to (Krakow). I've decided against a Kwacker and will stick with my Ducatis. If I do get another one, then it will be a Multistrada!
From one of my favorite TV programmes as a kid "Patience gtasshopper"! Ha ha -do you recognise it? Swimming is great exercise and I bet its doing you a world of good. Whats with the hobbling? Are you walking with a cane or a limp or what? Poland on a Multi eh? Sounds like a worthy ambition. I haven't been to Poland for a longtime, and I'm sure much has changed. I found the people were really friendly but the food back then was less than ideal!
I've been lent an electric scooter thing. I don't use a stick inside the house but I use it to go out. It was the one given to me at hospital when I started practising stairs. I had to stop using a crutches, so this is what I took when I left hospital. I lose the walking stick quite regularly because I forget where I left it. The other day when I wanted to go to the shop and I could not find it at all, I was going to go out without it. But I didn't as I slowly realised that would of been stupid! I found the stick in the place were I had left it which was supposed to be the place that I earmarked to always leave it so that i wouldn't keep losing it!
