2up motorbike suggestions.

I sold the 1973 Honda CB500. I still have the Monster as my daily, which now has factory Ducati rack and hard cases. (Think Multistrada but mounted to my Monster). And the Ducati seems to be perfect for my daily commute, which is a mix of 4 lane and city streets.

But......

Isn't there always one of those B words?

My wife and I want to start going on trips together. We'll be doing mostly backroads, a little interstate, and probably camping most of the time. Imagine a 3-4 day weeekend where you go for a ride with your better half, but go to see the sights and not necessarily get pampered. The most off-road we will probably do is getting down a gravel road to get to a secluded campsite. While the Duc is great for how I use it, she doesn't feel comfortable on it, and I can tell a difference in the added weight both on take off and braking with her aboard.

I started looking at motorbikes that were well suited for 2up multi-day trips that involve lots of road time and some gravel. What that means is I didn't think things like BMW GS type bikes, cruisers, or full GT bikes (Goldwing, BMW K series, etc) would work.

Basic things I thought we needed were at least a confortable seat for the passenger, good road manners, power to handle 2up plus gear, and reliability.

Things I thought might work:

V-Strom 1000

Kawaskai Concours (up to 06)

BMW RT

Honda ST1300 or 1100

SupereTenere ...

By the end of the northern US "riding season" I could have around $4k to spend on a 2up bike. This would also be with me keeping the Duc. So what should I be looking at? And what should I be running from?

octavious wrote: And what should I be running from?

The whole idea?

Lol.

Come on now, a wife who wants to 2up? And is on board for another bike purchase? Either I got lucky, or I'm one heck of a salesmen....

I'm sure anyone of the bikes you've mentioned would do the job perfectly.

You also might consider a 1st gen FZ1.

octavious wrote: Lol. Come on now, a wife who wants to 2up? And is on board for another bike purchase? Either I got lucky, or I'm one heck of a salesmen....

Hmm...4 days in constant physical contact for 8-12 hours (of a non-sexual nature for safety's sake). 3 nights in a 2 man pup tent with SWMBO...

Who thinks that sounds like heaven? I mean what do you do when you need to pass gas?

On to your other question. It looks like you knocked the Goldwing out, but an early model might be worth considering. One would probably be as gravel road worthy as several of the bikes still in the running.

Triumph sprint. Kawasaki concours also popped into my head quickly - stripped down older gold wing?

You'll always feel the extra weight.

That said, the reason something like a BMW R1150GS is so popular is because their really good at this sort of thing. Mind you, those things are tall so if you're vertically challenged they're not that great.

BMW RTs are great if you need the weather protection. I've actually just put a deposit on a fairing-free GL1000 (first generation GoldWing) because getting stuck behind a BMW fairing in the desert isn't all that pleasant. I'm actually planning to sell my low mileage but cosmetically challenged BMW K1100LT for about half your budget probably in ththe next month or two...

octavious wrote: I started looking at motorbikes that were well suited for 2up multi-day trips that involve lots of road time and some gravel. What that means is I didn't think things like BMW GS type bikes, cruisers, or full GT bikes (Goldwing, BMW K series, etc) would work.

Right. Cause touring bikes are obviously bad at...touring.

Cue the rolling of eyes.

Buy my Goldwing: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/open-classifieds/which-one-of-you-weirdos-wants-to-buy-my-goldwing/118553/page1/#post2070268

Trans_Maro wrote: Buy my Goldwing: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/open-classifieds/which-one-of-you-weirdos-wants-to-buy-my-goldwing/118553/page1/#post2070268

I was trying to be a little more subtle...

In reply to secretariata:

Subtle never works here.

In reply to Trans_Maro:

What is this oil/filter gauge?

The little green indicator is driven off of the odometer.

As the miles increase, the indicator switches to yellow and finally to red when your oil change interval is up.

You reset it by pushing the ignition key into the little slot below the odometer and it resets the oil change indicator.

It's nothing fancy, just a mileage based reminder.

Boxhead- I thought about a naked wing and she liked the seat on one we looked at. I wasn't really looking K series because of the price and size, but yours is a 90s model right? Flying brick? Shoot me some pics if so? The K series I saw were the newer big K1200-1600LT and they look HUGE!

My initial thoughts on as shying away from a lot of the full fairing bikes was because of the gravel road part of the equation, and then also not wanting to be behind a full fairing on a hot and humid southern day in the south.

Also, our trips will be mostly backroads and state highways, so I'm thinking we won't need a full on touring bike.

As far as height I'm 5'11" and the only dualsport type bike I've been on was a first gen KLR and it felt tall. From what I've read the GS 1150 and 1200 series are also tall and top heavy.

Even though I'd like you buy my Goldwing(best tourer ever) I think your best bet would be the V-Strom or the ST1100. Prices for good ones aren't bad, easy to handle w/topcase and sides, and comfortable for the passenger. An early connie , while awesome on pavement, doesn't do nearly as well on gravel. Now if you really want to please SWMBO, try a Silerwing 600 or Burgman(05 and up) 650. Before laughing, try one. Very surprising road manners and decent for occassional gravel work.Plenty of power for two-up touring and highway use too, at prices that won't break the bank.

In reply to octavious:

Yes, mine's a Flying Brick. One like this, just imagine the color somewhat faded (not a pic of my bike, just the same model and color):

IME for touring comfort you basically need a touring bike. One thing I like about most BMWs is that they're well balanced, but as you said especially the GSs are top heavy. The K1100 not so much.

A nice ST1100 isn't something to be sneezed at either, but they're not getting any easier to find and some maintenance jobs (timing belt and carb balance) are a little involved. Plus they are top heavy as well, but that disappears as soon as you get going.

I'm a bit biased as in "I like BMWs and even if I sell the K I have another one", but if you have the patience I'd go look for an R100S:

They're not that sought after, you get some minimal wind protection and compared to an R90S, they can still be had cheap. Plus they don't drink like it's going out of fashion like the R90 with the Dell'Ortos does.

The main issue with full touring bike or not is that there isn't that much in between anymore. You either get a big boat of a touring capable bike if you want the comfort, or you get something smaller that doesn't give you the all day comfort at least I want. That's why I put a deposit down on a 37 year old bike with an intent to use it almost daily in the summer.

Yamaha FJ should be mentioned as well. Less fairing you say? Moto guzzi California or Jackal.

Triumph Tiger!

Octavious, not sure how helpful this is, but I have a Monster almost exactly like yours (IIRC) and I agree it is not the ideal bike for two-up riding. Unfortunately for me, if I did anther bike it be a replacement for the Monster instead of in addition to.

My top candidate would be an FJR1300. I haven't actually ridden one, but everything I read leads me to believe that this is the right bike for me. Other bikes I considered are the ST1100, but I have determined they are just too old and too complicated, and the nice ones are priced up with decent FJR's anyhow. ST1300's, for whatever reason, just don't interest me.

A couple of summers ago my friend and I rented R1200RT's, and while being cool bikes they were just complicated enough (electronic adjusted suspension, etc.) that I was glad not to have to maintain the thing. I have heard that their predecessor, the R1150RT may have all the good without the extra complications, but I haven't really looked into them.

On that note, you might consider basically the entire BMW range (until the recent supersport stuff) as basically touring bikes by American standards. I know they offer (or offered) the R (and maybe K?) bike range in everything from a naked bikes to fully dressed tourers, so you might be able to find the right bike just by researching which model is which.

A lot of people trade in the full fairing BMW super tourers for the ADV bikes these days.

My '07 R1200GS Adv has no problem with hauling two people and all their camping gear. With one rider and no bags it's a lot of fun in the twisties, a track day or on anything up to ATV trails with just a tire change. The only problem is - they are expensive and hold their value. My '07 with 30k on it is still going for $9-10k.

I think the 1L V-Strom and Versys are the favorite cheaper alternative over the BMW/KTM/Tenere based on what shows up at the gas station near the state park forest roads covered in dirt with camping gear. Lots of plates from far away too. People ride them cross-country all the time.

Also agree on the FJ1300. It's a highway bomber.

I have no real input on bike choice here other than that I want a Super Tenere for some reason, but if you're not already a member over at ADVrider you should sign up so you can browse the classifieds over there.

In reply to Huckleberry:

That is why I suggested the Tiger. Mine was $3k in near mint condition with 40K miles. I similar GS from 04 would double that, at least. The Tiger is a direct competitor in that market, even if a little more sport and a little less comfort oriented.

In reply to singleslammer:

I wouldn't disagree - but the only thing I know about them is the 1200 explorer models had a wonderful engine when it wasn't being rebuilt for head failures. I'm not sure if those issues extend to the 800 or 1050 models.

It scared me away when I was shopping in '14. I did really like the sound/handling of the 800 though.

Thanks guys.

Tiger should have been on my original list. I like those, but I do worry about reliability and parts repalcement with those. FJR as well.

BMW while over complicated does seem to have a huge aftermarket and parts network.

Honda, is well, Honda. Possibly more to the boring side but at least any time I walk to it I know it will crank and be ready to go.

After Boxheads post I gave the older BMWs another look. Holy shnikes! It's like trying to figure out all those personalized license plates when you look at the BMW designators. R, RS, RT, RTR, RTP, LT, KLt, RLT, I don't know if I am looking at bikes or monograms anymore...

Some of the older BMWs do fit the bill but then I find myself going 2004-7 Suzuki vs 1993-4 BMW. I've seen 1k V-storms for $2900-3k which is the same price I see for the older BMWs. It's hard not to factor the age and parts prices vs the newer cheaper at that point.

Thankfully, there is no rush so I can look and (hopefully) ride some of these options.

I am on ADV, mostly a follower ready cause I don't have much to contribute. Just like here. Lol.

In reply to octavious:

I read you rode off the road the other day.

(now who's stalking whom MUWAhahahah!)