Second bike - which one?

Hi Guys,

I have just relocated from Dubai to Japan and I have decided that I would like a bike for the street (essentially covering everything else than the track) as I already have a 15R which I use exclusively for the track.

I have always been a sports bike rider and was initially considering just to get a new or used Panigale (1199/1299/V4) for the street. However, even an old Panigale is quite costly here and I therefore decided to look (try) around first and see what else is in the market before making up my mind. I read the post about what everyone has as a second bike with great interest and that gave some inspiration.

Please note that the following observations of bikes tried are only based on a single test ride, completely subjective and not meant as criticism of each bike as I got a very limited impression only (a few hours max). I believe all the bikes are great and have each their advantages. I am merely looking for a bit of inspiration from you guys.

So far, I have tried out the following bikes:

- Monster 1200 R - Fun bike, great engine and power, but not sure I would enjoy it on a longer ride. Feels small (great for city) and not sure how it is in the country side. Love the overall design except for the exhaust.

- XDiavel - Great power and fun to sit feet-forward. Somehow like the whole cruiser concept, - but quite a ship to move around in the city and not much agility. When riding along it is very fine, but can feel I easily get impatient and miss the overall power to weight ratio of a super bike.

- BMW 1000RR - Super smooth engine and seem very reliable - almost to the extend that I find it lacking a bit of character and "personality". This is how I imagine it must be to ride a electric bike. No issue with the headlights but the color combination lacks a bit and overall lines of the design is (IMHO) far behind Ducati.

- KTM 1290 SD - Fun engine and very nice upright sitting position - I understand the bike is very popular due to its power, but for me personally, it lacks a bit on the design side and have a somewhat plastic feeling to it. Found it to be quite a big machine as well, but that might of course have its advantages if compared to the concerns for the Monster 1200R.

In the end I might just go safe and settle for another Panigale. However, would very much appreciate a bit of brainstorming and sharing of experience before just going ahead

Thank you guys

none of the above... Triumph 765RS

Have a look / test ride a Multistrada.. you'll be surprised at how well they ride.

I'm new here but I thought I would give you my opinion. You should try the Tuono V4 Factory, I have one at the minute but I need to scratch the Panigale itch so I'm trading it in for a 1299. Superb machine for the road.

You should go with Tuono V4 or SDR. Tuono is great machine and you can run it on the track. I found SDR better for street riding.m and the riding position is a little bit more upright. Why I prefer it for the street.

My vote is the s1000rr. I have 3 bikes and that's the one that gets ridden the most. Maybe not my most lustworthy bike...but dare I say the best bike for the money and the most complete all around package. Bmw just created a great bike.

husqvarna 701

Streetfighter S or Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP

gnance said:

My vote is the s1000rr. I have 3 bikes and that's the one that gets ridden the most. Maybe not my most lustworthy bike...but dare I say the best bike for the money and the most complete all around package. Bmw just created a great bike.

Click to expand...

I agree. I have the 2016 S1000RR. Nothing against the 2017, it's just down on power from the exhaust. From what I understand it "floats" over bumps compared to mine. I prefer it to my 2017 R1M. Bang for buck it isn't even close.

I spent 11 years in Japan. You need a bike with outstanding brakes, which the S1000RR has. It rains a lot there, like for weeks at a time, so you'll need something that does everything well. Again, the S1000RR.

I picked up a V4S in June, but it isn't broken in yet.

San

get another Panigale, as you will then have a rolling parts source should you need it for the track bike....

or at least that was my 'Man Maths'

Hello everyone,

Thank you very much for all your input. Highly appreciated and good for reflection.

Obviously lots of opinions and it depends on what you want out of the bike. I have three bikes. The 1199, Superduke GT and BMW 1600 GT. People ask me all the time which bike is my favorite or how I decide which bike to ride. None of them are my favorite because they all service a different purpose.

The Superduke gets ridden the most often because every Saturday I ride 300-350 miles. I can ride it all day comfortably and still have most of the street performance of the Ducati. I own the 1600 because I do a 3500-4000 mile trip every year, and occasionally my wife rides on back.

I've also had a BMW S1000R that was the bike I replaced with the Superduke. I think either one of those would be a good choice as a street bike and compliment the Panigale

jjsC6 said:

Obviously lots of opinions and it depends on what you want out of the bike. I have three bikes. The 1199, Superduke GT and BMW 1600 GT. People ask me all the time which bike is my favorite or how I decide which bike to ride. None of them are my favorite because they all service a different purpose.

The Superduke gets ridden the most often because every Saturday I ride 300-350 miles. I can ride it all day comfortably and still have most of the street performance of the Ducati. I own the 1600 because I do a 3500-4000 mile trip every year, and occasionally my wife rides on back.

I've also had a BMW S1000R that was the bike I replaced with the Superduke. I think either one of those would be a good choice as a street bike and compliment the Panigale

Click to expand...

Where in/around Houston do you do your 300-350 mile rides? I've seen a black GT around Brazos Bend.

BenF04 said:

Have a look / test ride a Multistrada.. you'll be surprised at how well they ride.

Click to expand...

Agreed, if I wanted a street bike to do everything on that would be the one, love that bike!

I can't ride bikes sitting straight up, kills my back. That said I bought a gsxr1000r. Extremely easy to ride in any condition. Smooth, comfy, easy to ride fast too. I rarely touch the 1299 anymore.

The gent who mentioned the Multistrada has my vote. The 1299/1199 just requires too much effort to ride in a non track setting. But if you go 1299 try to get a S model if possible. wheels and OHLINS are nice options...

Anything that could also sport knobbies

CSV4 said:

Where in/around Houston do you do your 300-350 mile rides? I've seen a black GT around Brazos Bend.

Click to expand...

We ride every different direction out on the country roads. My 1600GT is black, and I ride that way many times. I ride the 1600 every 3-4 weeks usually early on Sunday mornings. I ride the Ducati out there a lot on Sunday mornings early as well.

I'm not into riding with groups, so you pretty much always see me riding alone.