Member Contributer St. Stephen Posted May 21 Author Member Contributer Posted May 21 So. New tires on the Multistrada. Sold the RC-51. $5800 USD sitting in the bank to be used for, well, you know. Making progress. Sweeper has suggested a version of the Triumph 660: Sweet bike. Triumph claims about 80hp and about 455 lbs wet. That triple is something I've thought about for quite a while (in the Daytona). The sound of that engine is lovely--I've spent some time on the heels of one. Starts around $9700. And then there's the Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. It's a (modern) twin. But claimed 105hp and 400 lbs. With upgraded suspension and all the bells and whistles. Costs more, ~$11,600. Hmmm 1 Quote
Member Contributer Lorne Posted May 22 Member Contributer Posted May 22 Hmm, the Triumph holds an extra half-gallon of fuel but the Tuono is a bit lighter and shorter wheelbase. But aren't they both pretty similar to your Multi ? Both of 'em are good looking bikes. Quote
Sweeper Posted May 22 Posted May 22 The ergos on the Tiger660 or 800 are way more old man friendly than the Ape. Less cool for sure but more all day comfort. There are a lot of Tiger660 leftovers for closer to $7k floating around. If you were closer, I'd put you on mine for a test ride. 1 Quote
TimC Posted May 22 Posted May 22 10 minutes ago, Sweeper said: The ergos on the Tiger660 or 800 are way more old man friendly than the Ape. Less cool for sure but more all day comfort. There are a lot of Tiger660 leftovers for closer to $7k floating around. If you were closer, I'd put you on mine for a test ride. Agree on the ergonomics of the Aprilia. Upper body forward lean is sporty but okay. But the footpegs are in a very sportbike-like position. Way too high for this old man, lol. Also, I don't know if things have radically improved, but when the Aprilia 660s starting coming out, I was hearing rumors of quality issues and lack of parts availability. Quote
Sweeper Posted May 22 Posted May 22 Most of the used Tiger660's you see are for sale because someone is moving to a bigger bike for touring. It's a comfortable sport bike but not a great touring bike. Quote
Member Contributer St. Stephen Posted May 22 Author Member Contributer Posted May 22 16 hours ago, Lorne said: Hmm, the Triumph holds an extra half-gallon of fuel but the Tuono is a bit lighter and shorter wheelbase. But aren't they both pretty similar to your Multi ? Both of 'em are good looking bikes. The Multistrada is a bigger bike (taller, longer wheelbase, high COG) and about 80lbs heavier. Not much when comparing 900lb HD's but significant if under 500lbs. The Ducati is my overnight-and-longer travel bike. I'm really looking to downsize (literally) and the Tuono's (claimed, I know...) 400lbs is an important feature for me. It also has premium suspension standard, and other bells and whistles. We''l see how the ergos are. 2 Quote
Member Contributer Dutchy Posted May 23 Member Contributer Posted May 23 Nuttin' wrong with a SP2 if you're a hard MF'r..... 2 Quote
Member Contributer St. Stephen Posted May 23 Author Member Contributer Posted May 23 4 hours ago, Dutchy said: Nuttin' wrong with a SP2 if you're a hard MF'r..... Amen Dutchy! That was me. I did 1000 miles in 2.5 days on my RC-51 aka SP2 about eight years ago, blasting through the northern Sierra with the norcal VFRD gang. But no longer. Gotta keep my elbows above my knees. Quote
Sweeper Posted May 24 Posted May 24 I'm pretty sure Leon's picture is in the dictionary under HardMF. 1 1 Quote
Member Contributer St. Stephen Posted May 29 Author Member Contributer Posted May 29 Well, new tires, a sunny day, time to head out. After some back roads I was heading south on 1 and right after a quick pass of a slower vehicle a guy in a red Honda S2000 (that's a car) passed me. I kept my distance but followed him for the next ~15 miles. A number of vehicles were nice enough to pull over for us, and a number got passed anyway. Not saying any double yellows were crossed. In fact, I'm just not saying. He was faster in the 1st gear turns, I was faster when it was faster, so to speak. He headed inland on a back road, waved to say what fun! I waved back. 2 Quote
Member Contributer Lorne Posted May 31 Member Contributer Posted May 31 On 5/29/2025 at 4:44 PM, St. Stephen said: He headed inland on a back road, waved to say what fun! I waved back. (almost) Any ride on PCH is fun, but it's even better when you cross paths with a like-minded rider/driver and share the joy. 1 Quote
Member Contributer RC1237V Posted June 19 Member Contributer Posted June 19 I think you're looking for the KTM 890-SMT version - too bad they are bankrupt, and the cam issue that has plagued those engines, otherwise that thing is like a box of frogs! I rode the old 990 SMT, what a hoot! Comfy, fun, and fast as F through the twisties. Too bad KTM couldn't pull it off... Oh well, keep looking... 1 Quote
Member Contributer St. Stephen Posted June 19 Author Member Contributer Posted June 19 15 hours ago, RC1237V said: I think you're looking for the KTM 890-SMT version - too bad they are bankrupt, and the cam issue that has plagued those engines, otherwise that thing is like a box of frogs! I rode the old 990 SMT, what a hoot! Comfy, fun, and fast as F through the twisties. Too bad KTM couldn't pull it off... Oh well, keep looking... Yeah, always tempted by those KTM's! Almost bought the SD GT but ended up with the Multistrada. Eight years later I'm happy I did, but I probably would have been happy with the SD too. Or maybe have lost my license? We were in San Diego Friday and I finally got to see a 2026 Tuono 660 Factory in person. I like it. Also, I have to recommend GPCycles in San Diego, might be the best motorcycle dealership in the state. More to follow... Quote
Member Contributer St. Stephen Posted July 10 Author Member Contributer Posted July 10 Ride the new bike home Saturday! 5 Quote
Member Contributer Lorne Posted July 11 Member Contributer Posted July 11 2 hours ago, St. Stephen said: Ride the new bike home Saturday! Good choice, and a much prettier bike than the KTM 890. More serious than the Trident 660 - was a Street Triple R ever in the cards? Or perhaps a Brutale RR? Quote
Member Contributer St. Stephen Posted July 11 Author Member Contributer Posted July 11 27 minutes ago, Lorne said: Good choice, and a much prettier bike than the KTM 890. More serious than the Trident 660 - was a Street Triple R ever in the cards? Or perhaps a Brutale RR? Street Triple? Yes. If you asked me a couple of years ago what my next bike would be, the Daytona or almost any Triumph w that great three cylinder engine would have been my answer. Brutale, well, not seriously considered but maybe I should have looked at it more closely. Don't worry, I'll go on and on about the new bike ad nauseam once I actually ride it, but for $11.5 new it's got a lot. More to follow. 1 Quote
Member Contributer St. Stephen Posted July 13 Author Member Contributer Posted July 13 Well, I guess I have chugged the Italian Koolaid. Based on a 40 mile ride home today, starting in Dogpatch, all the way through urban SF to the GG bridge, and then home, I really like this bike. More to follow...of course. 5 Quote
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted July 13 Member Contributer Posted July 13 On 7/10/2025 at 7:16 PM, St. Stephen said: Street Triple? Yes. If you asked me a couple of years ago what my next bike would be, the Daytona or almost any Triumph w that great three cylinder engine would have been my answer. Brutale, well, not seriously considered but maybe I should have looked at it more closely. Don't worry, I'll go on and on about the new bike ad nauseam once I actually ride it, but for $11.5 new it's got a lot. More to follow. That is a lot of bike for that price! Congrats. 2 Quote
Member Contributer FromMaine Posted July 13 Member Contributer Posted July 13 3 hours ago, St. Stephen said: Well, I guess I have chugged the Italian Koolaid. Based on a 40 mile ride home today, starting in Dogpatch, all the way through urban SF to the GG bridge, and then home, I really like this bike. More to follow...of course. Yep, you chugged it alright. Then asked for seconds..............🍾😄 Congratulations, looks like a fun ride! 1 Quote
Member Contributer St. Stephen Posted July 14 Author Member Contributer Posted July 14 It turns out that you can have a whole lot of fun on a new bike while still staying within the parameters of "Running In" the motorcycle, as Aprilia calls it in the manual. It's all about corner speed. Every time I exited a corner I felt I had entered too slow. Haven't touched the suspension yet, just getting used to the menus and acquiring a baseline feeling. My last three new bikes were the Multistrada (2017), 7th gen (2010), and 6th gen (2002). Those familiar with VFR's will note that I purchased the last two the very first model year. Some comparisons will follow. Anyway, at ~400lbs this bike is incredibly nimble. Geared so low! I never used 5th or 6th on the RC-51 except for track days, and rarely hit 6th on the Ducati, but with this bike I start looking for 7th! PCH today: 3 Quote
Member Contributer FromMaine Posted July 14 Member Contributer Posted July 14 Just looked at the specs. Olins front and back, Brembos,, 5 riding modes, traction, wheelie and launch control., quick shifter, braided brake lines, engine maps, brakes and cornering control, same hp as a vfr and 55 lb lighter......... As vfrcapn noted, that is a lot of bike for the money. 1 Quote
Member Contributer DrErgal Posted July 14 Member Contributer Posted July 14 On 7/13/2025 at 2:31 AM, St. Stephen said: Well, I guess I have chugged the Italian Koolaid. It's well known: Italians do it better 😎 😆 2 Quote
Member Contributer Captain 80s Posted July 14 Member Contributer Posted July 14 Very cool. Congrats dude. Gonna have a great summer. 1 Quote
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