First bike? Yes I have experience

Hi all, I have what may seem a strange request and would appreciate any feedback from you at all.
I have a motorcycle license for 10 years but never a bike of my own.

I have rented bikes every year for 5 days or so and probably ran up about 12,000 km on 2 wheels over the last decade.

It's time to finally buy a bike and a ducati has been my dream for the past 25 or so years! I have clocked up these kilometers on a variety of bikes, from Yamaha xj6, Yamaha tracer 9, to BMW r1250 GSA.

I have tested a variety of bikes including
Yamaha R6
Bmw r nine t - which I loved.
BMW s1000r (didn't like)
Ducati streetfighter 848
Ducati Multistrada 1200s which I also loved.
Ducati monsters.
Ducati 848.

I am pondering the streetfighter v4s or multistrada v4s as my first bike, but have the following concerns.

I am 5'7 170cm tall with 32 leg and none of the bikes have given me trouble apart from the BMW GS which I toured for 5 days racking up 2000km and dropped 3 times in embarrassing low speed situations, I think that bike was a little too heavy/tall and fully loaded went Down pretty quickly.
I have my heart set on the new streetfighter but this bike will have to do it all for me, I have access to a car when needed but would like the streetfighter to be my primary mode of transport.
The multistrada v4s appeals as it seems much more practical for day to day use but the weight/bulk height do put me off and I haven't seen the streetfighter but I think once I see it it may be descision made!

I don't think the power will be an issue as I have ridden powerful bikes before and I am fairly conservative with power but I do like low down grunt and love the boxer engines for that and nearly bought the BMW R nine T.

I am planning to ride both multistrada v4s and streetfighter v4s and possibly the multistrada 950s if this is possible but was just wondering given the above information what any of you would advise. Thanks for reading!

I can't believe no one has responded yet with, "Learning to fly - Space Shuttle - why not?" which is the usual chatter for "my first bike" questions ahahaaa
So I just want to point out one of your statements, "and dropped 3 times in embarrassing low speed situations..." If you drop a Ducati it's going to be expensive. It's going to be expensive if you don't drop it as well, but a lot less expensive ha haa.
Height weight, inseam... I know small Asian girls that rail V-Storms and Ducati Monsters around in traffic & racetracks. If you become skilled and agile, a lot of bikes can be set up for you. But seems your size isn't the issue.

So let's talk about that boxer engine. Seems so clever, on paper. When you lean a little though, which one tends to do riding, the engine bangs on the ground because it sticks so far out to the sides. It's 1940's romantic ..... If you start to ride well and have fun it'll become a pain in the ... or you just stay slow and delicate. Ok forget that it's not on the list, just to say.

The Street Fighter is an all-around bike, the concept is around city hooliganism. Super maneuverable and all that. Comfortable all day low speeds but maybe not 3 hours of highway - no windshield! Would be exhausting.

The Multistrada is adventure / off road / climb mountains / cross Africa kind of a bike, 7h hours on the highway no problem! The V4 is indeed enormous. So everyday in traffic... I don't know. It is exquisitely balanced meaning it really doesn't feel heavy at all unless you tip over and then you will feel 400&whatever pounds. Good luck picking that up. It is one of the most fun bikes I have ridden for sure.

"power will be an issue" Power is always an issue ;P Either too much or not enough. Any of these will be more power than you know what to do with for years of learning.
But it's your neck if your throttle wrist is untrained. So get training! Study and practice for real, don't just ride and try to figure it out. We are all learning every time we ride our entire lives. You never ever stop learning cycling.

Every-day, Do-everything I'd go with the Streetfighter. The V4 IMHO, is way easier to ride than the V2, that said it's F*KING FAST.

Hi thanks for the detailed reply, it's much appreciated. The multistrada and the BMW GS weigh the same I believe and picking up the GS was no fun but I managed to do it 3 times!

If I am honest those 3 times I dropped the bike were due to me trying to navigate using a phone GPS which got me all confused and lost on very narrow Portuguese small streets built for horses that I'd never ridden on before. My lack of experience was shown but I think it was an unusual set of circumstances.

I am pretty well trained with regards to my throttle hand so not too concerned there. I guess buying something cheaper more practical makes sense but after 10 years with a motorcycle license and more than 25 wanting a bike I feel like fulfilling my dream.

The question is why havent you purchased a bike in the past?

At this point, I would follow your heart. Get the Streetfighter if that’s what you want.

Paul G said:

The question is why havent you purchased a bike in the past?

Click to expand...

Sadly a variety of reasons. Life, children, health, finances, dissaproving wife, the perfect storm really but I think I am nearly there!

First of all, if you were able to ride through Portugal and survived that says a lot right there hahahaaa. I followed ggl maps more than once to a cliff face. As in, the road just ended with a several hundred foot void into the darkness of night, not signs, no barricade, a cliff. Some of those roads haven't been paved since the Romans built them. Then there's Algarve which is a little slice of heaven.

+1 Ya dude, just get the bike. Life is short. Just be really careful pay attention and really actually study and practice. I suggest if I may, very strongly, practice as in, not just go ride, but do practices from studies. Then yes, also go ride. You'll string all that experience together and it will start to mean something fun for you. Your body has to catch up to your mind.

If you need any more of a nudge: This bike will inspire you. Will lift you up, get you in touch with manly things no one else can know about, but you. This gesture for yourself is part of your very path and growth as a person and that is not what someone else, even a wife, should have an opinion about. These are wings. These are tools to transport you to your next level. Take it as seriously as you can it will be all that. That is the difference between owning the bike and trying it sometimes. "...nearly there" can be forever. I think we all know that one.
Just do it. It'll change who you are.

Joey jo jo said:

Sadly a variety of reasons. Life, children, health, finances, dissaproving wife, the perfect storm really but I think I am nearly there!

Click to expand...

While I was into dirtbikes & snowmobiles, my brother was on streetbikes. When our dad was diagnosed with cancer he went for his bucket list including buying a new Harley, and I planned on buying a streetbike to be able to ride with both of them, but sadly it never happened before my dad passed. I'm happy I was able to ride his baby home & handle break-in for him.
The next year I decided it was something too important to put off, as motorcycles were something that bonded my family as far back as I could remember, and I went and got my first Ducati.
Now my brother & I take at least one week each year (we live in different states now) to spend riding together. Our dad shared that interest with us and it's because of him that we get to do it.

My point is, when you assume there will be time for those things that feel important, something might happen to take that opportunity away. So do it while you can and enjoy those moments.

Vbreeze said:

If you need any more of a nudge: This bike will inspire you. Will lift you up, get you in touch with manly things no one else can know about, but you. This gesture for yourself is part of your very path and growth as a person and that is not what someone else, even a wife, should have an opinion about. These are wings. These are tools to transport you to your next level. Take it as seriously as you can it will be all that. That is the difference between owning the bike and trying it sometimes. "...nearly there" can be forever. I think we all know that one.
Just do it. It'll change who you are.

Click to expand...

This is very inspirational. If I was on the fence about buying a bike this would have me signing the papers.

Life is short. Get the SF. If power is an issue... just add more . It is expensive and thirsty but it is very satisfying. As for the R9T - I have one... it is the most uncomfortable bike in my garage. It is old school ( you know about Noah's ark?) compared to the SF. The SF is a small light bike. Take one for a test ride - easy to ride, great handling, brakes, comfort ( for what it is). Regards.