Kawasaki Concours Forum
Riding => It's not a Concours - other Bikes => Topic started by: lather on September 24, 2012, 05:09:44 PM
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I enjoyed that other thread comparing the two since it looks like I will be going to an RT next year.
Actually the wife and I are planning an Edelweiss tour and the only choices that look suitable for two up riding are the RT and the Ducati Multistrada. I am all for the Multistrada but the wife apparently is familar enough with Ducatis to be convinced they are mostly torture racks. She has ridden passenger on a friends RT and knows they are very comfy.
So has any of you ridden a Multistrada two up and care to comment on the comfort factor? I am confident the Duc blows the RT away in every other category so I am only curious about comfort.
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I enjoyed that other thread comparing the two since it looks like I will be going to an RT next year.
Actually the wife and I are planning an Edelweiss tour and the only choices that look suitable for two up riding are the RT and the Ducati Multistrada. I am all for the Multistrada but the wife apparently is familar enough with Ducatis to be convinced they are mostly torture racks. She has ridden passenger on a friends RT and knows they are very comfy.
So has any of you ridden a Multistrada two up and care to comment on the comfort factor? I am confident the Duc blows the RT away in every other category so I am only curious about comfort.
I am the much maligned new C14 owner called out for having the audacity to state some of the virtues I saw in my RT. First of all, I think you will really like the RT, though it may take you some miles before you really start to gel with it. You will find that the 2010+ boxer is quite powerful, and much smoother than you might expect. The handling and stability of the RT might really surprise you as well.
As for your trip the temptation to go with the Multi would be on my mind as well. However, it is not at all the two-up bike the RT is, and nor does it have the weather protection you might want. If it were just me, I'd go for the Multi just to try it but if mamma ain't happy...ain't nobody happy.
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I recently rode a Multistrada 1200S Touring, and was quite impressed with it. It doesn't have nearly the comfort for touring that the RT does (Ie: no heated seat, no cruise control..maybe changing for 2013?, wind protection is lacking, rain protection lacking, etc.) but it's a great bike. And the motor is contagious.. to me, it made the C14 feel underpowered.
It's hard to beat the R1200RT for an all around bike, including sport riding, and touring. If I hadn't rode the RT extensively before getting on the Multistrada, I'd probably buy a Multistrada. But candidly, the RT has spoiled me, and I think it would be difficult to go to a Multistrada without really missing the RT.
The Multistrada is a great bike, but for two up touring, you can't beat an RT.
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I am the much maligned new C14 owner called out for having the audacity to state some of the virtues I saw in my RT.
Much maligned? That's a bit of a stretch isn't it?
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Much maligned? That's a bit of a stretch isn't it?
I don't know Jim... He was taking quite a beating for a new C14 rider... Make It So... :rotflmao:
Another vote for the RT...
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I'd say things have been quite tame. Go to a BMW forum and proclaim how much better the 14 is. And while yer at it, tell em ya bought an RT due to financial reasoning ;D (Like, I won the lottery so I bought the expensive one)
In all fairness here, once he has more miles and the required smiles riding gets ya he'll either come around, or he will sell the 14 in favor of an FJR ;) ;) ;) He will hold his COG membership in good standing and become a mod for the "Other" forum 8)
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I'd say things have been quite tame. Go to a BMW forum and proclaim how much better the 14 is.
I like the way you think Chet! Please provide link to BMW forum, I feel like being a troll on a BMW site tonight... ;) :stirpot:
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I like the way you think Chet! Please provide link to BMW forum, I feel like being a troll on a BMW site tonight... ;) :stirpot:
But, but, we came for the bike and stay for the people :o
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I like the way you think Chet! Please provide link to BMW forum, I feel like being a troll on a BMW site tonight... ;) :stirpot:
You may not get quite the reaction that you're hoping for
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=736320&Searchpage=4&Main=66348 (http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=736320&Searchpage=4&Main=66348)
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You may not get quite the reaction that you're hoping for
http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=736320&Searchpage=4&Main=66348 (http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=736320&Searchpage=4&Main=66348)
:o
Wow, I just read through that thread, are they all that nice over there on that forum?? ??? :loco:
No bashing at all, just a bunch of (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/sdklwww.gif)... :-\
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:o
Wow, I just read through that thread, are they all that nice over there on that forum?? ??? :loco:
No bashing at all, just a bunch of (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/sdklwww.gif)... :-\
Well, it is well known that Beemer riders are the best dressed ATGATT crowd on the road ;)
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Wow, I just read through that thread, are they all that nice over there on that forum??
I did get a chuckle out of this:
Ah, jeez. You went and got the blue one. THAT'S the one with all the problems!!!!!! You're screwed.
This was kinda amusing too:
Pro's ...The saddle. The C14 had the best OE saddle I ever used.
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I enjoyed that other thread comparing the two since it looks like I will be going to an RT next year.
Actually the wife and I are planning an Edelweiss tour and the only choices that look suitable for two up riding are the RT and the Ducati Multistrada. I am all for the Multistrada but the wife apparently is familar enough with Ducatis to be convinced they are mostly torture racks. She has ridden passenger on a friends RT and knows they are very comfy.
So has any of you ridden a Multistrada two up and care to comment on the comfort factor? I am confident the Duc blows the RT away in every other category so I am only curious about comfort.
lather,
I owned an RT before going to the C14, and a friend of mine owns a Multistrada that I drove a few hundred miles. I'd go for an RT if I were to tour 2 up, no question. The Multistrada is even more character-oriented bike, for the lack of a better term. Wind protection is nowhere near the RT and comfort for both driver and passenger is just not there.
When you tour with the Duc, you're compromising. On the sporty side, it's just too tall. I commend the effort of Ducati for putting together such nice bike, but for touring is simply not good.
The RT is also not so bad in the twisties. Here in the Alps I have been overtaken by some RT on the outside while going at the top of my abilities, whatever that is. They always had Italian numberplates though, and they tend to be less safety-oriented ;)
Hell, come to think of it, I was on a spirited drive with some friends on the back roads of Bolzano when a HD Road King, throwing sparks all over the place, overtook as. He was local and we couldn't catch up :banghead:
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- Rider : 50%
- Bike : 10%
- Balls : 40%
.
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Thanks for the replies, gents. I'm going with the RT.
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Hopefully you'll hang around here as well. I've enjoyed your posts.
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Hopefully you'll hang around here as well. I've enjoyed your posts.
Thanks Chief but I'm not going anywhere. Except to Europe, where I'll be RENTING an RT. I plan to put another 85,000 on my C14 back in the good ole USA.
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You will enjoy the comforts and added rain protection. I wonder if connie will be like a puppy dog when ya return?
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Thanks Chief but I'm not going anywhere. Except to Europe, where I'll be RENTING an RT. I plan to put another 85,000 on my C14 back in the good ole USA.
Hey, lather, where in Europe? I'm in Munich. Any close to your target destination? Maybe I can help you organizing something. Let me know.
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Hey, lather, where in Europe? I'm in Munich. Any close to your target destination? Maybe I can help you organizing something. Let me know.
Thanks for the kind offer. We will be flying in to Munich and then to Erding and Edelweiss headquarters? We are planning to do one of their tours. We may fly in a day early and spend a day in Munich. We are still in planning stage, the tour will be summer 2013 but you have to choose the motorcycle when you book the tour.
(http://www.edelweissbike.com/UserFiles/edelweissbike/Touren/BestOfEurope/best-of-europe-12.JPG)
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Thanks Chief but I'm not going anywhere. Except to Europe, where I'll be RENTING an RT. I plan to put another 85,000 on my C14 back in the good ole USA.
Well, that's a relief.
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I just rode an 1100RT for 6000k in Europe. Even though it was an older model, I found it very comfortable, handled well, and just enough power. I think it could use one more gear. In the switchbacks, first was often too low and second too high. At the top end on the Autobahn, it was working pretty hard at 150KPH, but still OK. The steering with the paralever setup is a little funny. Very well behaved, but took a fair amount of pressure on low speed tight turns. It was wearing PR3's and that was outstanding all the way around.
All that said....and not to take anything away from tour operators.....but I would just rent and ride. Unless you really want to pay the thousands of dollars for guidance, it could easily be done on your own. The difference will cover your airfare. Fuel prices were a bit of hit, paying somewhere around 8-9 dollars per gallon. Makes our current $4 look pretty good here.
Thats enough......don't want to take the thread completely off track.
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I couldn't agree more with 2fast. Lather, if you want we can work out a tour for you. I have done the areas you show many, many times and have better suggestions. I can help you organize the route, the hotels, the lot. It's not really a generous offer, I just enjoy the hell out of planning rides and I might do it first miself just for QC ;)
If you don't mind, PM me the page of this operator in Erding (by the way, I go for brunch on Sundays sometimes there) and I'll look into them.
Just one thing: I'm riding to Sorrento and the south of Italy tomorrow for a week, but I'll check from time to time. So don't worry if I don't answer immediately.
EDIT: I just looked into their page. They seem good, but again, just rent the bike and organize your own tour. They charge about 3000 euros for a 9 days tour. BMW-Motorrad (www.bike-travel-service.de (http://www.bike-travel-service.de)) rents an RT for 1055 euros a week with 2100 km free. And there are cheaper options. And nice hotel double rooms can be had in Europe for 80 euros or less a night. Do the math.
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Ah, it's just for a limited rental period in Europe, mostly in Germany...
Pheeewww... I thought you were about to BUY a BMW :cannon:
:)
Anyway...
If you're looking for comfort the RT is far better than the Multi, no doubts.
But...
If you're planning to test the "NO SPEED LIMITS" German autobahns I'd go for the Multi! ;)
Performances are way better than the RT: don't forget that the Ducati's engine derives from the Superbike! :D
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If you're planning to test the "NO SPEED LIMITS" German autobahns I'd go for the Multi! ;)
Performances are way better than the RT: don't forget that the Ducati's engine derives from the Superbike! :D
Definitely, but if the RT is perfectly capable of keeping up with the Autobahn traffic (it will eventually reach 230 kph/140 mph), unless he wants to have a burst. Then, I can organize a "test drive" with a ZX-14R from my dealer :chugbeer:
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Then, I can organize a "test drive" with a ZX-14R from my dealer :chugbeer:
That would be the "ultimate" ride! :D
I truly and deeply envy you! >:(
:chugbeer:
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I couldn't agree more with 2fast. Lather, if you want we can work out a tour for you. I have done the areas you show many, many times and have better suggestions. I can help you organize the route, the hotels, the lot. It's not really a generous offer, I just enjoy the hell out of planning rides and I might do it first miself just for QC ;)
If you don't mind, PM me the page of this operator in Erding (by the way, I go for brunch on Sundays sometimes there) and I'll look into them.
Just one thing: I'm riding to Sorrento and the south of Italy tomorrow for a week, but I'll check from time to time. So don't worry if I don't answer immediately.
EDIT: I just looked into their page. They seem good, but again, just rent the bike and organize your own tour. They charge about 3000 euros for a 9 days tour. BMW-Motorrad (www.bike-travel-service.de (http://www.bike-travel-service.de)) rents an RT for 1055 euros a week with 2100 km free. And there are cheaper options. And nice hotel double rooms can be had in Europe for 80 euros or less a night. Do the math.
I really do appreciate your generous offer Martin, but the wife and I are going to splurge and do the pro tour. The Edelweiss tour offers some features that are important to us, including a group of other like minded riders to enjoy the trip with. I am hoping to convince some riding friends to join us, if not we look forward to meeting some new friends. Also the tour includes a chase van that carries our luggage - very important to my lovely wife who always like to be well dressed. ::)
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Sorry to venture O.T. a little, but, would a trip such as this require a little language course in German, or do the locals understand english enough that it's not anything to be concerned with?
By the way, I'd go with the RT also.... :) Mama will appreciate the comfort level vs. the Duc!
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My experience with language was that it was pretty easy. I speak English only, and found that most people in the hospitality industry speak enough English to help us get what we need. Learning a few polite phrases will help a little bit, hello, thank you, etc.
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Sorry to venture O.T. a little, but, would a trip such as this require a little language course in German, or do the locals understand english enough that it's not anything to be concerned with?
My experience with language was that it was pretty easy. I speak English only, and found that most people in the hospitality industry speak enough English to help us get what we need. Learning a few polite phrases will help a little bit, hello, thank you, etc.
no worries on the English knowledge in Germany. Most people in Europe are forced to learn languages since most neighbours speak something else, and English is very popular. Germans have the habit of avoiding doing something if they can't do it perfectly (even when they can speak rather good English), so it wouldn't be a bad idea to start says "sorry, my German is not good" in German, and then proceed with your inquiry in English, or something like that. Humor, politeness, etc., does not represent any value here. Efficiency and rules are much more important. Keep it in mind.
@Lather, I agree that if the group is important for you, and a van is carrying your luggage, then that's the way to go. In any case, if I can assist you with something, let me know.