Ya, I have a gen 1 Multi and have ridden a gen 2 a few times. Love it but its different from the gen 1 or my XC. We watched the CO BDR vid last night at BMW of Denver - I will ride it on the XC but would never take a Multi on that route. However, a Multi would be fantastic for a roadtrip to Canada via twisty back roads!
Plenty of videos on Youtube about tire changing techniques. For your specific bike, I recommend you buy a factory service manual. It's invaluable for machine-specific items.
I have an XC, of course, and have ridden both the Explorer and the Multistrada 1200. The Explorer is an awesome bike. The weight definitely disappears once you're rolling. Terrific-handling bike, very confidence-inspiring in the twisties. Hugely fun, and yet it immediately made me feel like I could just point it at the horizon and keep going for hundreds of miles in great comfort. I've ridden an R1200GSA as well, and could definitely understand why people buy those for long-haul touring, but when I got off the Explorer, I immediately said, "When I finally do that ride to Alaska, I have GOT to budget for one of these!" The Multi... well, I didn't like it much. The ergos were wrong, the whole thing is too cramped, and the windshield felt like it was inches in front of my face. I felt like if I braked too hard my nose would slam into its upper edge. Basically, the bike felt like it was designed for a rider 3/4 my size, which I'm sure it was. But I also have to admit, I'm just not a Ducati guy. Their bikes are beautiful (well, most of them, not including the Multi) and I want to like them, but I've just never been impressed with any of the Ducatis I've test-ridden with the exception of the Sport Classic 1000. --mark
The Multistrada is a direct competitor to my 1050. With 17" wheels, it's basically a tall sportbike; not an ADV bike by any stretch. Relax the geometry around a 19" front wheel and it'd be in a different demographic. Ducati could capture a larger market, if they'd simplify their bikes and get dirtier.
Your unexpected stone will be flung from the bike in front of you. Those same stones are the reason you buy a headlamp and radiator protectors. SWmotech, covers the filter completely and has room behind to remove said filter. Sorted.
The altrider unit is very nice, but the quality comes at steep price. How hard would it be snap a shot of one on a tiger for them? I agree, idiots.
Your paying 10 + grand for a bike. Whats a couple hundred to save thousands more in engine repairs? I wont even ride a bike off road without one.
Ah, that must be why I never have the worry! Seriously, though, I do believe in protection on the bike; I have a headlight guard, rad guard, and the Triumph aluminum sump guard. I don't worry about a rock denting my oil filter, though.
The flints we get on the chalk downs won't dent your oil filter, they will go straight through it. I had one pierce the coolant filter on my Ford tractor once, and I lost half the coolant in the middle of nowhere before I noticed the temperature rising. No coolant pressure is one thing, no oil pressure is something completely different. Having said that I have the Triumph guard, on mine :eek1
I think the cheap, slip on plastic ones are the way to go. Funny, I had one on my street only Honda CBF, but you never see them on any of the "Adventure" bikes. :huh
I've got Hepco Becker Jr. side cases on my 800 and my wife says there's not enough space between the bags and the passenger pegs. Is there such a thing as a passenger peg lowing kit? I looked around but didn't find one. I was going to try the HB Xplorer or Alu-Standard but they look like they'd have the same problem.
It is a lot more than that. We are talking thousands in farkles all together. If I can get a skidplate for $163 that works well instead of paying twice that, why wouldn't I? Trying to buy accessories for all three bikes, snowmobiles, my truck, firearms, and all the other hobbies I have can really be challenging. Especially with a family. I try to save money where I can. I have bashed the hell out of my stock skidplate so far and it has held up well, but I wish it had a little more side coverage, so that is why I am asking about he moose unit. I seem to get that same response quite a bit, when asking questions like this. "Oh don't be so cheap, just buy it, don't you know I would never ride MY bike without one?" It isn't about being cheap, it is about asking questions and weighing my options, rather than buying the most expensive piece on the market with the best marketing. I know you ride your bike hard, as we have talked before. I would normally value your opinion, I just think you missed where I was coming from this time around.
I hear ya. Apologies if I came off wrong. I probably shouldn't have quoted you. I do think the triumph skid is good too. I think I'm going to upgrade from the Triumph to Altrider this spring. I also think the riveted ones are asking for problems. I just don't think they can be trusted. I know how it is to have lots of toys. I guess it would be better to say... to not have a skid at all is not smart. On a side note, A friend of mine and I plan to race (race term used loosely here, more like try to finish) the Baja 500. We are having a problem getting a bike sponsor. We might end up riding my Tiger. We may get a chance to see if it will finish in one piece! I have the Ohlins rear installed, we will have the forks done if we do end up riding it. Everything else will basically stay on the bike. stay tuned!
Thanks, You guys can follow us at Road2Baja.com if you want. Were getting closer to the race so it will have more and more action as we get closer. Its basically just a blog. We haven't done much with it but we are trying to get it moving now.
There are quite a bit of Triumph gatherings throughout the year. Triumph just started getting back to popularity over the last 5 years here in the states so the community will continue to grow. That being said, I like mixed bike gatherings better.