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New Touring/2-Up Bike

Zero issues with my Multistrada over 36,000km and I adored that bike. With the Duc/Givi topbox it was excellent 2-up. I will very likely buy another one and would recommend one wholeheartedly. A low-mileage 1260 would be a great garage addition if you want a 2nd bike and not looking to fork out for a new one.
Desmo service was $800 every 30,000km at Kens and that's not terrible imo.
 
Old news but just bought a k1600. If my wife said she was never going to get on a bike again, the v4s would have been very high on my list of bikes to own. The want is strong for that one. Good thing my garage is already full. Keeps my marriage intact.☺️
 
I forgot about the Tracers. I absolutely love that motor! But it would depend on rider/passenger seat comfort. Does it have cruise or heated grips?
Does the V Strom now come with cruise and heated grips? Last time I looked at them they were still fairly basic bikes.
The GSXS1000GT and Ninja 1000sx are a bit too sporty than what I’m after.
I have a GT...its not really a great choice for 2 up riding, you'd be much better off with something like the FJR. IMO the Tracer is like a sporty fun bike that happens to also come with side cases and an OK windshield for longer rides. Cross country, nope. Yes to the heated grips and cruise. The new Tracers have electronically adjustable suspension which IMO is just a gimmick to keep up with the competition and something else to go wrong. But I'm slightly old school. The 2019 and 2020 models had an inadequate rear suspension for 2 riders.
 
I just bought a Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro.
There are good things and bad things about it, but it meets your criteria, and is priced less than the Multi.
 
Really 428 lb wet ?? :eek: nah dry weight ....nice size tank on it 20L - nice balance of features.
My concern would be pillion comfort.
 
I have a 2019 Tracer GT, coming from an ST1100. For long distance, all day touring you're never going to beat an ST1100, ST1300 or FJR, in particular if you have an RDL seat. FJR has shaft drive, great fairing protection when raining, good reliability, good dealer network and and there are FJR specific forums to support you. Of the 3 bikes you mentioned, this is the one I'd pick.

The Tracer is about 500 lb. vs. the ST's 750, huge difference. The Tracer is not a 2 up touring bike. Mine works for me because of some upgrades, including a Terry Adcox seat, FJR bags vs. the small OEM ones and larger windshield. Snarling beast of a motor, in particular compared to the old ST I had. The new Tracer 9 GT price is up substantially from the last version, so the gap between it and the FJR is actually pretty small IMO.

There are lots of almost new, low mileage FJRs out there. Look for one that the seller has accessorized with things you'll probably be buying anyway and you can save a bundle. My Tracer PO spend about $2,200 on accessories and I paid roughly $200 more than a stock GT when I purchased it based on comparables. Incidentally, the PO traded the Tracer in for an FJR.
Don't overlook the Kawasaki Concours, extremely comfortable for both rider and passenger and more speed than you'll ever legally need.
 
Don't overlook the Kawasaki Concours, extremely comfortable for both rider and passenger and more speed than you'll ever legally need.
OP wants fancy electronics and modern gadgets, unfortunately the connie is a bike from 2000
 
OP wants fancy electronics and modern gadgets, unfortunately the connie is a bike from 2000

even the newer Concours 14?


1254x858_Kawasaki_Concours_14.jpg
 
even the newer Concours 14?


1254x858_Kawasaki_Concours_14.jpg
pretty sure even the new ones

I think you get abs and TC and thats all.
Which is fine for a budget bike or used one...but for 20k thats a no bueno
 
Haven’t looked into BMW’s much so I don’t know very much about them.
Maybe I should have clarified though, the wife doesn’t come touring with me, she just comes along for the odd ride here and there. This will mainly be a solo touring bike or when I don’t feel like riding the sport bike. I still want something that she will be comfortable on, but I think the touring comfort takes precedence over passenger comfort.
Desmo valves are gone on the new Multi. Service intervals are amazing. I’d say quality on Ducatis has much improved overall.
 
Goldwing is way too big and a bit too boring for what I’m after. Even though this will be mainly a touring bike, I still want to have a bit of fun with it!

As for reliability, has Ducati improved at all? I really like the new Multistrada’s but I just don’t think they’d be quite as good as a Japanese bike. Also, is maintenance with them still ridiculous?
No. New Ducatis are 30,000km between major service intervals. Know several people who have done cross country commutes without issue.
 
Also OP is a baller, in case you missed the memo. 👊🏼
He’s a baller for sure…
Unless you consider his nickname.. Bip…. I’ll let you figure it out. Hehehe.
 
Of all the bikes I’ve owned, and that’s a decent amount, the most comfortable bikes according to my wife are the Suzuki V Strom and FJR1300, in that order.
It's a big reason I have kept my VStrom too - my wife is so comfortable on it. I would have thought the big Versys would be more comfortable though, but haven't actually sat on one myself to really know.

That said, for you, I vote RT or Multistrada
 
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It's a big reason I have kept my VStrom too - my wife is so comfortable on it. I would have thought the big Versys would be more comfortable though, but haven't actually sat on one myself to really know.

That said, for you, I vote RT or Multistrada

Since I’ve had the Versys we’ve only been out a couple of times on it. She’s comfortable on it but she hasn’t been on it all day yet.
This summer we’re doing an east coast trip and will have the Versys in the toy hauler camper. We’re going to use that for getting around once we’re out there, so she’ll definitely know by the end of it whether it’s better than the V Strom.

I don’t know where you are, but if you’re interested in going for a test ride on the Versys and you’re out this way, you’re more than welcome to.
 

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