[Ducati] Two up riding (was holiday cheer)

[Bruce Bellm]

I'm roughly your height and weight and rode a R100RS for 16 yrs. Most of my 
riding buddies have BMW's so I get to sample them all. I currently ride and 
solo tour on a 998 but when touring 2-up it's my Triumph Sprint RS that we 
take. This is a greatly underated bike. Awesome motor, nice handling once 
it's dialed in and very comfortable. IMHO, it's a much better ride than any 
of the boxers I've ridden. You will be amazed at the power and smoothness of 
that triple. The only downside is it's not very exciting compared to a Duc 
twin. On the other hand, it may be the best "bang for the buck" sport tourer 
out there.

bruce19
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Abramson" <desmo900 at optonline.net>
To: <ducati at ducati.net>
Sent: Sunday, December 24, 2006 9:25 AM
Subject: [Ducati] Two up riding (was holiday cheer)


My comment on my probably NOT getting a 1098 (at least not right away...  ) 
kindled some responses about what some of you use for two-up duty. I think 
this is a perfect opportunity to use the 'consumer reports' feature of the 
list to ask for the opinions of the who ride with their SO. (On the same 
bike). For comparison, I am 5'10" 170 lbs and my wife is 5'10" 150 lbs. (I 
don't know if I'm authorized to post info on her weight for public display, 
but hey, she doesn't see this list. ;>)  I think I can coin a new term for 
the type of riding I would likely do with my wife- Short Touring. Sounds 
like sport, but implies relatively limited distance riding, maybe 300 mi. 
days-we will likely not be going for any iron butt stuff. So my ideal kama 
sutra ride will not be a Gold Wind, or the like. I would however, (thanks, 
Andy) entertain feedback on a big Harley. It is a V twin, after all, and the 
Road King really was a pleasure to cruise on. I called it a Cop Bike-all 
black, hard bags, big clear windscreen. We borrowed my buddies set of open 
face helmets (that was weird........), and at 70 mph on the highway, we 
could carry on a conversation at pretty much normal speaking levels. the 
bike was very neutral steering, and as long as you remembered that there is 
a bunch of weight under you when braking, stopping was no trouble at all. 
And the bike transformed my mind as far as how I viewed a maybe slower pace 
created by traffic at any given moment. There was very little of the sense 
of urgency that prevails sometimes when on a sportbike and you feel the need 
to lick up the pace of the ride. On the Road King, whatever speed you were 
going was just right at that moment in time. And like the Duc, torque is 
always at the ready, whatever the gear. You got good looks from people on 
the road (just like the Duc), you got good looks from the cops(not like the 
Duc). Personally, I would prefer something a little more sporty. I have 
always thought that a beemer boxer would be very cool, although I have never 
ridden one. Or a VFR750, an ST (thanks, Steve). Maybe something I haven't 
considered yet. Although it was refreshing in a different way, I don't know 
if I really want to have half helmets slung over our heads. I would prefer 
to be in my cheek muncher, and maybe get some non-obtrusive intercoms. 
(Feedback on intercoms also?......) So let's hear from y'all. Even those of 
you who don't usually post. Here's an easy way to get your feet wet. Come on 
in, the water's fine!


Steve*****

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