Sub 220kg bike for 2 + luggage

Davey B

Davey B

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I have to accept that periodically I'm going to lose a chunk of weight and fitness in a short period of time (2-4 weeks) and then take many weeks/months gaining both weight and fitness again....I've just been thru this and the 250kg Aftica Twin feels bloody daunting. I quite fancy a change anyway so what's out there I've not considered? I've thought of the KTM 890, Husqvarna Norden, Transalp 750 and Suzuki 800 (I know Arsey rates them) I don't need huge BHP...I've been quite happy with the sub 100 on the AT for nearly 7 years.
 
Oh....and considered the Tracer 9GT and Triumph Tiger 900 GT
 
Triumph Tiger 900. I have the Rally Pro. Allegedly it is fractionally under 200kg dry and 220ish wet weight. It does tour very well. I’ve toured Scotland twice, the French Alps, Norway and many day rides. It’s taking me to Ireland four weeks on Friday and to the Alps again in August.
Under 100bhp but much lighter than my old S10 so the slight drop in bhp isn’t noticeable. Some moan about vibration through the bars and pegs, I’ve not noticed any. Apparently it’ll Bluetooth to my phone, I don’t do that. It has turn by turn routing, it’s crap. All the rest is good. I’ll be keeping it a while.
 
I suspect the 660 will be a tad too small. I'm 6ft and about 14st...wife is 5ft 7 and about 9st...plus maybe 3-4 stone of luggage....or 85-90kg + 62kg + 25kg
I need a day in the big city looking at what they have, there's a Triumph/Harley dealer, a BMW one, Suzuki, Husq, Indian, Kawasaki, Ducati, Honda and Ktm...so pretty well covered. (The big thing is the wifes comfort...all based on how cramped her legs are...I take a tape measure and get odd looks from staff..who presumably don't do much 2 up riding. If the Mrs didn't pillion, I'd seldom go out)
 
I have recently added the MT07 Tracer GT to my list of bikes to look at when the RS gets too heavy. With the luggage it tips the scales at 202kg. The base MT07 bike is just over 180kg.
No idea whether it is suited to 2 up work.
 
Davey B said:
The big thing is the wifes comfort...all based on how cramped her legs are...I take a tape measure and get odd looks from staff..who presumably don't do much 2 up riding. If the Mrs didn't pillion, I'd seldom go out
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I fully get that, pillion comfort is primary when I buy a bike, like yourself I do a lot of 2 up riding
 
My Tiger 900 Rally Pro is quite happy 2 up and provides a great pillion perch. The latest 2024 model (GT and Rally) has a bit more power, refinement and economy (and extended valve check intervals).
 
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Before you put ANY money into anything from the KTM stable - check out the Face book page -
KTM failed camshafts - there are DOZENS of them have failed at low Milages . KTM seem to walking away from its responsibilities .
 
Davey B said:
(The big thing is the wifes comfort...all based on how cramped her legs are...I take a tape measure and get odd looks from staff..who presumably don't do much 2 up riding. If the Mrs didn't pillion, I'd seldom go out)
Click to expand...
Same problem here. Almost all my riding is 2 up. My K1100LT is spacious but just too heavy, my R100GS is fine but long in the tooth. My inseam is 34/35” which has always been the problem + I’m 100kg and wife is tall and 65kg. Anything less than 1000cc is just physically too small. Not bothered about HP or even luggage carrying capability but a suitable bike at around 220kg would be a godsend.
 
I'd looked (online) at a T7 (and had one for 5 days in Portugal a couple of years ago) I figure it would be more of a struggle 2 up, loaded and I'd likely need to do work on the suspension from the off.
Never really looked at a Guzzi...I shall do so. (y)
 
I would say have a look at the Mt 09 Yamaha ; under 200kilos; very manageable; 117bhp or so; just have a custom seat for the Mrs and away you go.
 
Cheers. The MT-09 just wouldn't work...the seat to peg would mean her knees are at too acute an angle...so she'd be punching me in the ribs and calling me names (I don't mind the bruises but hate being called nasty things) and we'd struggle fitting a top box which we have on all the time (Ugly as f### but bloody useful)
 
Maybe an odd choice but have you looked at a T Max 560 ? They are very popular in `Europe , easy to push about and with a top box and rear seat pad comfortable 2 up . They are quick to. I love mine and use it every day . On a trip to Wales it was fabulous, electric screen up heated seat on , and it’s fast and comfortable . Under seat storage is good and pillion comfort good . Worth a look as a bit left field
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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