The pillion bike?

[Echo3Niner]

First, hello, I'm new to this forum.

Second, I'm not an "adventure rider", I'm actually a sprint rider (short trips). I grew up on dirt bikes (amateur MX) and graduated to road racing bikes (amateur roadracer). However, as I've aged, my wife and I would like to do some weekend rides, and the Daytona isn't what my wife thinks of as comfy. She did ride the Interceptor, and enjoyed it, but she's kinda tall (5'8"+), with long legs, and the leg room (or lack there of) made her legs hurt after more than an hour or so in the saddle.

So, in the search for a bike that she will enjoy sitting on first and foremost, and that I'll enjoy riding, I found this forum.

Now, to the point: I have been looking at various second bikes, for our longer trips, and have several we've been considering:

1. Triumph Thunderbird Storm (with comfy seat).
2. Triumph Sprint GT (with comfy seat) [since the ST is no longer sold in the US].
3. Ducati Diavel Carbon Red (with comfy seat).
4. Triumph Tiger 1050 (with comfy seat).
5. Ducati Multistrada S Touring (with comfy seat).
6. Forthcoming rumored Aprilia Tuareg 1200.
7. Forthcoming Motus MST.
8. etc.

It is much of this research that kept bringing me to this site, so thought I'd finally join instead of lurking, and get opinions directly from the members.

I need a bike that handles, and would like to keep it +/- 500 lbs. I would also like 100+BHP at the rear wheel. I'd like something different than an ST, basically because it would not be as good as my Daytona, but I would want to ride it that way, so I'd prefer something different.

I want all that, and a comfy seat for her, plus lots of leg room for her too... Not asking too much am I?

At this point the Multistrada is in the lead, but frankly it's ugly (if they'd just get rid of that duckbill snorkel on the front), and really tall, I'm only 5'9"+ with a 30" inseam...

Anywho, there you go, have at it!

[Echo3Niner]

I forgot to mention; I'm not a fan of Japanese (anymore) or German bikes (as you may have guessed from my list), as I don't feel they have any soul... More like sewing machines...

[cug]

Giving my wife's opinion (we do test a lot of bikes, at least sitting on them, often test riding):

Originally Posted by Echo3Niner

1. Triumph Thunderbird Storm (with comfy seat).

She doesn't like it.

2. Triumph Sprint GT (with comfy seat) [since the ST is no longer sold in the US].

I don't like it. Too much lean, too heavy steering with pillion.

3. Ducati Diavel Carbon Red (with comfy seat).

That's a joke, right? I wouldn't be allowed in the bedroom anymore if I had to compensate with that thing ...

4. Triumph Tiger 1050 (with comfy seat).

Pillion seat going too high. Not uncomfortable though.

5. Ducati Multistrada S Touring (with comfy seat).

Best of this list.

6. Forthcoming rumored Aprilia Tuareg 1200.
7. Forthcoming Motus MST.
8. etc.

Of course no idea.

I'm only 5'9"+ with a 30" inseam...

The Multi is the best of your list, but it's high as you mention. I'm okay on it with my 34" inseam, my wife liked it.

But in the end: she likes my GS most. Likes it even more than an RT and much more than a GSA and more than a Goldwing. Doesn't help you though ...

[Cat0020]

Tried them all, out of all the Euro, American, Japanese machines, the wife insist that Burgman 650 is the best, large seating area, backrest, car rear tire for large contact patch and ride comfort, large capacity of undersea storage, 1/2 the weight of a Goldwing, just as capable.

[Juggernot]

Took the wife for q ride on the Tiger 955i. She ordered me to buy it.

[anonny]

My wife likes the pillion of the 1200 Multistrada much more than the 1200 GS.

[cug]

Originally Posted by anonny

My wife likes the pillion of the 1200 Multistrada much more than the 1200 GS.

Other way around here. We did a direct comparison one day. But - it all comes down in what you (or your wife) personally likes.

[olie]

Based on my wife criteria...
If European, the RT is the choice.
If Japanese, C14 w/ extended pegs.

Based on my criteria, the RT engine is not my cup of tea. Definitively it will be very hard to beat a C14...

[DC2wheels]

'09 Concours C-14
-passenger peg extenders
-Sargent seat
-"Eurocut" windscreen

(so I REALLY tried to make it comfortable for both of us)

I never got to like the bike and after I traded it in SWMBO admitted that she never liked it either- she never felt comfortable.

IMHO- (and I know I am bucking the tide here) the C-14 is fast but big and HEAVY.

So, for the OP- from all I have read, think MULTISTRADA

[Echo3Niner]

Originally Posted by tc2wheel

Tried them all, out of all the Euro, American, Japanese machines, the wife insist that Burgman 650 is the best, large seating area, backrest, car rear tire for large contact patch and ride comfort, large capacity of undersea storage, 1/2 the weight of a Goldwing, just as capable.

Hahahaha, thanks, but you must've missed the part where I said: "I need a bike that handles, and would like to keep it +/- 500 lbs. I would also like 100+BHP at the rear wheel."

[Echo3Niner]

Originally Posted by olie

Based on my wife criteria...
If European, the RT is the choice.
If Japanese, C14 w/ extended pegs.

Based on my criteria, the RT engine is not my cup of tea. Definitively it will be very hard to beat a C14...

Originally Posted by jstrasser

'09 Concours C-14
-passenger peg extenders
-Sargent seat
-"Eurocut" windscreen

(so I REALLY tried to make it comfortable for both of us)

I never got to like the bike and after I traded it in SWMBO admitted that she never liked it either- she never felt comfortable.

IMHO- (and I know I am bucking the tide here) the C-14 is fast but big and HEAVY.

So, for the OP- from all I have read, think MULTISTRADA

We have looked at the Connie, but if I was gonna go with a straight ST, I'd go with the Sprint; more character.

[Echo3Niner]

Originally Posted by Echo3Niner

3. Ducati Diavel Carbon Red (with comfy seat).

Originally Posted by cug

That's a joke, right? I wouldn't be allowed in the bedroom anymore if I had to compensate with that thing ...

Actually, according to some of the Diavel's forums, it can be fairly comfy for the pillion...

[Juggernot]

Hey jarhead, have ridden the T-bird yet? I would highly suggest riding the Tiger 800 if you have a dealer close. Very impressed with both bikes.

[cug]

Originally Posted by Echo3Niner

Actually, according to some of the Diavel's forums, it can be fairly comfy for the pillion...

Compared to a Monster?

[Echo3Niner]

Originally Posted by Juggernot

Hey jarhead, have ridden the T-bird yet? I would highly suggest riding the Tiger 800 if you have a dealer close. Very impressed with both bikes.

I have not; taking my Daytona up for some maintenance soon though, so will probably try to get a test ride of either or both if I can.