I've gotten an itch to get a different bike and the MAIN thing driving that is the desire to get something that doesn't have a chain final drive because, while simple, it's just a PITA to me. I went to my favorite dealer with the intention of test riding a GSA (b/c bigger is better) and a Multi Enduro (b/c Ducati). It's raining here in the SE so I don't get to take my normal route but I still hit some curvy roads and some highway. Unfortunately they sold the demo GSA so I didn't get to ride that. I first rode the 2016 Multi Enduro b/c they have them marked down to $16,995 and I like the idea of a bigass fuel tank and it competes with the GSA. Well, for me, the Enduro was just eh. The DVT, at least on that bike, wasn't all that responsive compared to my 2014 and the handling was just too slow probably due to the 19" front wheel. The wind protection was great although the engine heat was more noticeable too. I quickly said, pass on that bike.
Enter the 1260...
So my sales guy basically said, "now ride this" and he rolled their 1260 demo bike over. First let me say this bike was white and it was beautiful (I'm a Ducati must be Red guy). I loved the gold wheels and really which they'd offer those on the Red bike. I think the seat was in the low position b/c I could easily flat foot it at 5'10" with a 32" inseam. I immediately felt at home on the bike and appreciated the 17" front wheel. I did notice that the bike handled what I'd call more calmly but not boring at all. It didn't feel slow at all compared to the Enduro but honestly I didn't feel like I'd be giving up an unreasonable amount of handling either vs. my 2014.
Riding the DVT and 1260 back to back really pointed out the mid-range dead spot on the DVT motor. When riding the DVT, it felt less inspiring to me than my 2014. The 1260 has great, usable power around town and on the highway. I'd like to get some more time on a super curvy road but the rain will likely prevent that this weekend.
The brakes are ridiculously better than those on my 2014 but I'm guessing pretty similar to the DVT bikes.
The DQS (Ducati Quick Shifter) was pleasurable to use up and down. Best performance which shifting up in gears was to have the throttle at a constant opening. If I were twisting the throttle and shifting up, it would do it but it didn't feel right. Down shifting worked extremely well with the throttle closed.
I was also impressed by the SkyHook suspension. It felt more refined and just better overall compared to what is on my 2014. The touring seemed to provide a much more cushy ride without being bouncy (like the Enduro I rode) and the sport seemed to provide a much more athletic ride without being harsh.
I thought the display was nice and crisp and is easy to read. I like how they configured the on screen menu on the 2018 as compared to the 2016, it seemed much more intuitive but that's really a minor thing that takes very little time to adjust to. Both of the newer bikes seem to process riding mode changes quicker than my 2014, seemed to take less time for the button press. One thing I noticed immediately about the display is it seems to be mounted on a cushion as it vibrates/jumps around quite a bit at lower revs. It wasn't an issue for me, just something I noticed pretty early in the test ride.
A couple things I didn't really care for is how quickly the clutch grabbed right when I started to release it (I choked the bike down twice in probably a 15 mile test ride) and secondly when sitting at a light and blipping the throttle, the RPMs would jump up and then it would just die and I'd have to restart the bike.
I'm not sure I'm a buyer right now but I will say I'm very interested and dropping hints to the wife (who isn't super happy about it :|). They do have a great financing rate this month for them. It will be heresy but I do need to test ride a GSA and see what I think of it. Folks I've spoken to that have ridden the GSA and Multi "claim" the GSA is closer to a standard Multi in terms of handling vs. the Enduro Multi and if I can get that in something without chain maintenance, that might be my jam. Call me skeptical, though. For the record, I don't really care about off-road performance. It's really the fuel range and no chain maintenance that intrigue me about the GSA.
The purpose of me sharing is because I was really impressed by the 1260 Multi, not really why my motorcycle choices make no sense...:grin2:
Enter the 1260...
So my sales guy basically said, "now ride this" and he rolled their 1260 demo bike over. First let me say this bike was white and it was beautiful (I'm a Ducati must be Red guy). I loved the gold wheels and really which they'd offer those on the Red bike. I think the seat was in the low position b/c I could easily flat foot it at 5'10" with a 32" inseam. I immediately felt at home on the bike and appreciated the 17" front wheel. I did notice that the bike handled what I'd call more calmly but not boring at all. It didn't feel slow at all compared to the Enduro but honestly I didn't feel like I'd be giving up an unreasonable amount of handling either vs. my 2014.
Riding the DVT and 1260 back to back really pointed out the mid-range dead spot on the DVT motor. When riding the DVT, it felt less inspiring to me than my 2014. The 1260 has great, usable power around town and on the highway. I'd like to get some more time on a super curvy road but the rain will likely prevent that this weekend.
The brakes are ridiculously better than those on my 2014 but I'm guessing pretty similar to the DVT bikes.
The DQS (Ducati Quick Shifter) was pleasurable to use up and down. Best performance which shifting up in gears was to have the throttle at a constant opening. If I were twisting the throttle and shifting up, it would do it but it didn't feel right. Down shifting worked extremely well with the throttle closed.
I was also impressed by the SkyHook suspension. It felt more refined and just better overall compared to what is on my 2014. The touring seemed to provide a much more cushy ride without being bouncy (like the Enduro I rode) and the sport seemed to provide a much more athletic ride without being harsh.
I thought the display was nice and crisp and is easy to read. I like how they configured the on screen menu on the 2018 as compared to the 2016, it seemed much more intuitive but that's really a minor thing that takes very little time to adjust to. Both of the newer bikes seem to process riding mode changes quicker than my 2014, seemed to take less time for the button press. One thing I noticed immediately about the display is it seems to be mounted on a cushion as it vibrates/jumps around quite a bit at lower revs. It wasn't an issue for me, just something I noticed pretty early in the test ride.
A couple things I didn't really care for is how quickly the clutch grabbed right when I started to release it (I choked the bike down twice in probably a 15 mile test ride) and secondly when sitting at a light and blipping the throttle, the RPMs would jump up and then it would just die and I'd have to restart the bike.
I'm not sure I'm a buyer right now but I will say I'm very interested and dropping hints to the wife (who isn't super happy about it :|). They do have a great financing rate this month for them. It will be heresy but I do need to test ride a GSA and see what I think of it. Folks I've spoken to that have ridden the GSA and Multi "claim" the GSA is closer to a standard Multi in terms of handling vs. the Enduro Multi and if I can get that in something without chain maintenance, that might be my jam. Call me skeptical, though. For the record, I don't really care about off-road performance. It's really the fuel range and no chain maintenance that intrigue me about the GSA.
The purpose of me sharing is because I was really impressed by the 1260 Multi, not really why my motorcycle choices make no sense...:grin2: