Two-up Touring Bikes - NO HARLEYS

No Cruise? No problem: http://www.tuneboy.com.au/Cruise_Control.html

Ugly? Don't worry, it grows on you. Don't like the way it looks? Easy fix, the acceleration will make you cry. It's harder to see the bike that way.
My first Duc:

I think the Diavel is just OK looking and I hated the idea of it when it was first introduced, but it's the bike I want most right now, after test riding one.

While you're looking at the Multistrada, you might want to see the new Aprilia Caponord. It has cruise control, is $5K cheaper than the Duc. The dealer network is even sparser than Ducati, but in my experience, you won't need one often. I just went to the Capo after a few years on an FJR, and like the weight reduction. Lots of fun choices out there

I haven't read all the posts in this thread so this is probably 205, but,,,

when I read the OP, the first thing that jumped to my mind was ST1300. There are still some NOS bikes available. Mine had a Corbin saddle. Mrs. B was comfy on it, and I am reasonably certain she is the most hard to please passenger in the world.

We also had a GL1500 once upon a time, and she liked that.

We have "test sat" on several bikes. She has given her seal off approval to the Star Venture and the Victory Vision.

I think the Trophy 1200 looks like a winner. If I was looking for a touring rig, the Triumph dealer would be my first stop.

As for the multistrada - I can understand the enthusiasm. Great looking bike and great performance. I doubt your lady will like it much, though - but since you have an EG in the garage, you can always use that as your passenger hauler.

Looks like you found the one that gives you wood ! That's what it's all about. That's why I bought my new Road King. One look at the amber whiskey and silver in the sunlight, and I was hooked.

Mattbastard - have to agree with your comments on the Vision. I have ridden them twice. Just 20-25 minute escorted test rides when the Victory demo tour came to town. But that was enough to know that bike rides like a dream. I have yet to talk to anybody who has ridden one who didn't agree it rides like a dream. Looks? That's something else. I don't think it looks too bad. The only feedback I gave Victory was the saddlebags need to be larger. I didn't seriously consider it because I actually like looking at steel (when done right) as opposed to plastic. The only plastic covered bike I ever thought looked good were the 1996-2004 BMW RT's.

How comfortable was the wife on the multi?

She was surprised how high she was sitting in relation to me. Obviously, since the bike was brand new, the seat was kind of stiff, but I think it will break in over time. We had discussed that any bike short of a Goldwing or K1600GTL would be as comfortable as the Harley, so there was no surprise there. Like I said, we didn't take a test ride, so all of the impressions were from sitting in the showroom. She did feel more secure with the saddle bags and trunk to lean against. She is a great passenger, so she will adapt well I'm sure. That configuration was a major plus in bikes I was looking for.

We will take a test ride once the financial situation pans out just to be sure, but this is not planned as being our primary touring bike...but we'll see how well the Skyhook actually works for two-up comfort.

John

Bump.

Have you purchased the MTS GT bike? Do tell.

surprising, no love for the big viffer?

The Sport-Touring spectrum is pretty broad & comfort areas are extremely subjective. Braking, acceleration, & handling can be established with hard numbers, but bold statements about what is or is not comfortable are just so much hot air. Nobody can define comfort for another rider (or passenger)... so I'd just like to offer some very general advice.

If a particular bike seems to be too "sport" oriented in terms of ergonomics, the fixes are fairly cheap & easy, even for those of us who are not master mechanics. Especially major branded bikes often have after market seats, bars, pegs, etc. that can solve many of the ergo/comfort problems. Bikes which are too far on the "touring" end of the curve are much more difficult to move in the "sport" direction. It takes real skill & money to shorten a wheelbase, change basic steering geometry, or lose a lot of weight from a bike that's too long, heavy or unresponsive. (I'm guessing that's why you are correctly looking for a 2nd bike, instead of trying to make your EG shorter, lighter, & sportier)

As of yet, I have not purchased anything new. As I said, my purchase is contingent on selling my '74 Corvette. I have someone that is very interested, but I haven't seen any cash yet...you know how that goes.

Anyway, I am continuing to research and shop. I did have an opportunity to ride an FJR1300ES, and was pretty impressed. The FJR appeals to my practical side because it is basically bomb-proof...but where is the passion in that? The Multistrada is still way up there on my list, and the 2015 addresses some of the issues I have with the current model, although I still think the current bike is absolutely beautiful. I went and looked at the Triumph Trophy a few weeks ago, and liked what I saw, and the things I have read about it. The new BMW RS is interesting too, as well as the S1000XR.

Ultimately, it will probably come down to what I have my eye on when the car sells. I really am not in a huge rush since winter is knocking on the door. In addition, the price we have agreed to is better than I am likely to get from most other buyers, so I will give him every opportunity to come up with the money and but it.

I appreciate all the suggestions! Thanks everyone.

John

I tried to like it, but the styling just does not do anything for me. I'm sure it is very capable, but it is not a bike that I would ever want to go to the garage just to look at it.

John

You might be surprised. My wife always loved the Road Glide, E-Glide and Road Kings but over time she's said the Ulysses, S3T and Road Glide were her favorites and most comfortable, in that order.

BTW, that multistrada is one beautiful motorcycle. I'm planning a test ride next spring too...

That would be my pick you didn't go with an ADV style bike. I liked it best off the sport touring bikes I've ridden. But I'd like to try the new Triumph Sport Touring bike.

I sold my Aprilia Futura to step up one size in a ST bike when i got my girlfriend and settled on a 2007 FJR. Although it doesn't have the cool factor(for me anyhow) of an Italian bike i have to say i love it. On a recent trip of the BRP, Deals Gap ect with the 2 of us(350 combined pounds of meat) , loaded saddle bags and a top box that i think it handled as good fully loaded as it did riding solo empty. Truely amazing the speeds we did the good roads on without a single.... OH FUCK I ALMOST BLEW THAT TURN!

Great pictures of how so many of the sport touring bikes fail at two up riding for any distance. That rear seat is not designed for comfort, especially all day comfort. In fact it might well be more comfortable if she were to sit on it facing backwards. The riding position of the passenger is anything but connected to either the bike or the rider.

Yeah, can you just imagine...

I am in my upper 50's and my wife just turned 50. I can't do the racer crouch for too long anymore. I want something that goes around corners well and has more get-up-and-go...not looking lor something on the sport bike end of the Sport Touring spectrum.

The FJR is definitely still on my list, but may well be as sporting, ergonometry-wise, as I am willing to go. With past wrist injuries, I am not likely to be able to bear much weight on my wrists for much time.

Most of the bikes I am looking at tend toward more upright seating for that very reason.

John

I have an FJR and the Honda VFR pictured here would be too "sport" seating position for me and the wife. Too much bend in the knees for her and she's sitting too high up.

Nice bike and not saying it's bad, but not for us....

yet, that is exactly what the OP asked for. he said NOT a touring bike.

Each individual will differ in what constitutes comfort, performance, etc. My ex loved the GS, my wife now, not so much. The ex hated Harleys, the wife now, not so much. My wife now hated the Tiger as well, so I am down to the 2013 RGU which she does pretty well on (she has back issues).

Both of them LOVED the Wing...

I may end up with a Wing too, but will have to replace the seat before I can ride it around the block. Am worried I'll crash playing with all of the damn controls as well...

Going to wait until HD releases another standard RGU, then ride all of them again, and let her pick her favorite. Later on I'll get another used adv bike to play on solo. Good luck with whatever you decide on.