revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Ok so the situation is this… For whatever reason you have roughly £15k to spend on a new bike (could push that £2k maybe but no more)… It must be one single bike, and it must do a variety of things…

-Be fun to ride
-Be comfortable (for normal sized people not midgets!) 2 up multi day touring
-Be capable on tight, twisty UK back roads
-Have a genuine 200 mile tank range
-Doesn’t need to be brand new, but at least 12 months manufacturer warranty left ideally.

So what you thinking…?

Background… I’ve spent the last 4yrs on KTM 1290 Super Adventures and though I’ve loved them, I don’t love the KTM dealer network (and it has continually got worse) and I’m considering calling time on KTM and moving elsewhere as a result… I’ve got 2 bikes I can P/X or sell privately that should net me a combined £15-17k in total…

Basically the existence of low mileage, 2-3yr old Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally’s for the £15-17k price mark has got me thinking… But then so has the new Multistrada V2S which is significantly lighter than the previous model, so probably more fun/agile solo on the twisties, but also worried if it would be enough when 2up (me and the GF are 190kg combined, then any luggage on top).

Keen to hear anyone else’s thoughts… Obviously I don’t need to change, I still love the KTM… But the remaining 2yr warranty is barely worth the paper it’s (not) written on and the dealer network is a joke these days! Also the GF doesn’t find it particularly spacious or comfy on the back, I had a GS shortly 4yrs ago (god that bike was dull!) and she much preferred the pillion comfort on that…

What would you buy?

Atherton A150

Looks like you need a Multistrada to me, but I dunno which flavour.

In harshness, it feels like the last 5 years before i stopped riding. Chasing 'something' to give that little 'something' to recapture how I felt back in the day, that spark, the edge, the WOW..... Simple answer was... Stop chasing it, it's gone. Move on from the motorbike fixing things

Sorry.

Get rid of GF, increase budget and remove limitations.....

GPz900R, KZ1000-J3 & a GPz750Turbo.

ZRX61 wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:31 pm GPz900R, KZ1000-J3 & a GPz750Turbo.

And plenty left over for breakdown cover

If the multi v4 and V2 are options on the table, then the tiger 1200 and 900 are worth a look.

I test rode the V2 last year and was really impressed, it really is a lovely bit of kit. But I think the familiarity of the tiger took over when I rode that a few weeks later.

Priller RSV4 Tuono.
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/r ... no-v4-2021

You've said it, best bike for pillion comfort is the GS. Personally I think they go plenty well enough, bit of a heavy lump but they all are. What about that noew honda adventure big thing or the suzuki equivalent or the big versys. I'm sure a big 4 will wind up just a nice as a 2.

Plenty of options tbf.

Yorick wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:34 pm

ZRX61 wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:31 pm GPz900R, KZ1000-J3 & a GPz750Turbo.

And plenty left over for breakdown cover

Old carb bikes? If you're going touring on it (UK or Continental Europe)You'll probably also have trouble with the emissions police.
I'd be booking a demo on one those Ducati Multistrada's.

Bustaspoke wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 4:32 pm

Yorick wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:34 pm

ZRX61 wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:31 pm GPz900R, KZ1000-J3 & a GPz750Turbo.

And plenty left over for breakdown cover

Old carb bikes? If you're going touring on it (UK or Continental Europe)You'll probably also have trouble with the emissions police.
I'd be booking a demo on one those Ducati Multistrada's.

750 Turbo has the same DFI as the GPz1100's.

Yorick wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:34 pm

ZRX61 wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:31 pm GPz900R, KZ1000-J3 & a GPz750Turbo.

And plenty left over for breakdown cover

Last time I had a Kaw break down on me was when a '76 900 blew the main fuse.... outside my garage door, 40 years ago.

ZRX61 wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:31 pm GPz900R, KZ1000-J3 & a GPz750Turbo.

Can’t count, can’t read… Excellent answer!

Skub wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 4:05 pm Priller RSV4 Tuono.
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/r ... no-v4-2021

Had one at the same time as I had the GS back in 2022…

Awesome bike, but fits none of the criteria I’m looking for other than being huge fun to ride!

Taff wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:48 pm If the multi v4 and V2 are options on the table, then the tiger 1200 and 900 are worth a look.

I test rode the V2 last year and was really impressed, it really is a lovely bit of kit. But I think the familiarity of the tiger took over when I rode that a few weeks later.

Demoed a 1200 Tiger a few years ago… Liked the comfort and the chassis, HATED the engine! Vibes like a Kango Hammer, it’s a terrible design that T-Plane crank, and that’s coming from someone who’s had 4 KTM LC8 V-Twin engined bikes (and various other V-Twins) that aren’t known for being the smoothest… A 45min demo ride on it gave me carpal tunnel in my right elbow!

Ditchfinder wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 2:59 pm Get rid of GF, increase budget and remove limitations.....

She’s going nowhere. Best thing to ever happen to me! She’s also a very good pillion and I strangely like the challenge of 2 up riding too… At some point I can see me getting a Goldwing or similar and doing a big several month tour with her… But not yet.

Besides I’m only just about to go back into work now after nearly a year out, if she hadn’t supported me financially at times this last year I’d have had to sell the KTM already too!

weeksy wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 2:26 pm In harshness, it feels like the last 5 years before i stopped riding. Chasing 'something' to give that little 'something' to recapture how I felt back in the day, that spark, the edge, the WOW..... Simple answer was... Stop chasing it, it's gone. Move on from the motorbike fixing things

Sorry.

Not really, the KTM gives me what I want in ride feel and excitement, I’m just really pissed off with the brand, the dealers and the lack of support for even their most loyal of customers! When mine broke last year under warranty, it took 6 weeks to fix, and they tried to blame me for the fault (stator fried, told me I’d filled the bike with diesel though!!!)… And there isn’t a dealer I’d trust within 100 miles of me now… I’m 2 miles from a Ducati dealer and I know all the staff there well…

That and my GF, who I really quite like, has never been comfortable on the back of any KTM I’ve owned… But I am not buying another horrendous GS! I’d definitely give up motorbikes before riding another one of those soul destroyingly boring machines…

mboy wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 5:34 pm

ZRX61 wrote: Mon Feb 16, 2026 3:31 pm GPz900R, KZ1000-J3 & a GPz750Turbo.

Can’t count, can’t read… Excellent answer!

They'd all be new to me & would cost less than £15K combined.. & none of them would need a warranty.

What about a Stelvio or a V100 Mandello?

Bit of a step down in BHP for you tho'