1200 DVT Am I Mad? I’m Thinking Of Selling My Multi For A Non-ducati.

My first choice would be Yamaha Tenere 700...I was puzzled when tested one, road and off road.
Followed by KTM 890R
Although at 5'7"ish was struggling a bit with the seat height.
Third option keep the Multi and buy a new/used KTM 690Enduro/Husky 701..more than capable on the road(motard like fun) and very competent off-road on Mitas EF-09/E-12 tyres.

Cannot even compare these to a 1290/GS/Multi....30-40kg is a huge difference when having to lift up the bike or having to push out from a ditch.

 

Maybe wait and see what the new Desert X is like. I can't wait to see how it looks! Hoping it'll be a Tenere 700 and KTM 890 competitor, with a bit of Cagiva Elefant nostalgia thrown in for good measure.

 

IIRC from my 4x4 days when I was a youngster, General Wades Road, (the military road) is in fact the only "off roading" you can actually get away with driving on up here, that is however 25 year old info! I think that it is marked as an unpaved right of way so the local cooncil cold be breaking the law by restricting access.

 

I green laned for years on a KTM450EXC, and believe me after you've dropped it a few times and it's covered in probably 20kg of mud it starts to be hard work, and that's relatively light compared to something like a Multi etc.

Honestly I wouldn't even consider a Ducati off road in any sense, not because they are not capable but in the event of an off the bill for parts alone would be eye watering.

One light off and you'll snap a lever off, probably indicators and damage your can, let alone bodywork..... there's probably £500 instantly, whereas the plastics on my KTM just bend, aftermarket levers are £10, exhaust is high up out of the way etc.

 

I tried all the big adventure bikes and bought a gen 1 Africa Twin when it came out because it hit the sweet spot for me of mainly road riding including some long tours (mainly solo but occasionally two-up with the Mrs) and some light green-laning and off road. I still have it and it is the bike I use most often, despite having tried the newer smaller bikes like the Tenere and the KTM 7/890. They are better off road but I found them too limited for extensive road use. Try a gen 1 Africa Twin … there are lots of used bargains out there … or the latest model if you want the latest gizmos and don’t mind a bit of extra weight.

 

I was going to tag you on this as I know you and that bike have had some adventures!

 

The AT seems to be well-loved by those that have had them. They're a nice looking thing and sound lovely too.

 

How strong are you? If you’re strong, get a GS, if you think you’ll be dropping it a lot but want something that’ll do touring, have a look at the KTM 790 or 890R. I had a couple of test rides on the Tenere before I bought mine, and it was dull in comparison. And the KTM will be easier to pick up than the yam, as the tanks stick out at the bottom. The KTM is designed to be dropped, with cheap parts available.

 

I have a 2017 GS. I have dropped it, and picked it back up on a gravel track. Superb motorcycle and I will probably buy another (3rd) GS. Best do it all out there.
Not a bike I take on anything more than a dirt road and wanting to do more serious tracks, would go for something much lighter and more compact. It is a road bike imo.

 

just how often are you likely to go off road, and is that just on unmade trails, or something more severe ?
If its just once in a while and only on unmade roads and trails, personally I wouldnt bother changing the bike.
I might consider changing the tyres, and if you don't have much off road experience definitely do some training.

If you are likely to do some of the more open green lanes on a more regular basis, I would definitely change stuff on the bike.
It doesnt really matter what big bike you are riding, you will drop it at some point if it is wet/slippy. Plan for these events, consider fitting folding gear and brake levers, enduro foot pegs, and carry spare brake and clutch levers. Also look at bark busters, crash bars and case protectors.
Also practice picking the bike up in your drive / garden. You will soon decide if you want to be doing that, or even whether you can realistically do it in full riding gear.

Riding a big bike on trails is a challenge, and some love it for that reason.
I've ridden my 1200 multi acroos some of the unmade passes in the Alps with full luggage and a pillion. It can be done, and is a laugh, but obviously won't be done at the same pace as solo on a proper off road bike.
I've never owned a GS but have ridden one for 2 weeks on a south africa trip through Lesotho, 80% off road, I have no doubt I could have done everything on a multi that I did on the GS (dropped it twice, 1st day and last day). We met another group that were mainly on Ktm 1190 Adventures. They went all the same places we did.
I should add that the GS's all had battle scars after the trip, from bent wheel rims, dented exhausts, and cracked headlights to seperated fork legs on a few of them.
If I was to change from the multi for something more off road focused it wouldnt be to a GS. They are heavier, and still break. I wouldnt buy the triumph either as its still essentially designed as a road bike. It would probably be a ktm as parts are cheap and they are designed for purpose. An 1190 adventure is great but still big.

If you don't want the challenge of humping a big bike about (or even a medium weight bike) go for a lighter smaller CC bike, but you will lose the practicality of riding big distances.
The 690 enduro or 790 adventure would probably be my choice. The africa twin and yam are both good alternatives.
If you want even more off road focus go smaller still. I have a ktm exc-f 350 which is a trully superb bike, but no way would I want to ride it from surrey to scotland and its got crap tank range too.

Decide what you want to do, how challenging it is, and how often. That will help you narrow your choice.
If you don't have an off road riding background I would suggest spending money on training before you do anything else. Maybe join your local TRF (Trail Riders Federation) too, so you can ride and practice local.
You might just decide to stick with what you have and buy a 2nd bike for getting muddy

Hope that helps

 

Started watching Himalaya calling on Prime. They are using tenere, and fully kitted takes to to tango (lift the bike)

Worth a look amd start planning your next off road and on road trip

 

Going back to my previous post and subsequent comments it's reminded me of a few things...

Take spare levers, I had a small bag fastened to my front mudguard with numerous spares, you might need to consider inner tubes also, tyre levers, tools etc etc, I've had my KTM balanced on rocks under the sump guard changing tubes for example.

Likewise, I had straps across the front and back of the bike to help lift it up after dropping it, one time I had come off and twisted the forks in the yokes, got the spanners out, slackened the yokes, wedged the front wheel between and farm gate and gate post, straightened the front end, retightened and off I went for the rest of the day.

Lastly and something that I haven't seen mentioned so far I don't think, how tall are you, what's your inside leg like? If you are end up on some big ascents/descents you'll be going up/down over rocks and you will lose your balance and put your foot down into nothing as the ground clearance will be more than riding on the flat, I've witnessed someone do this, fall off the bike and roll off the side of the path around a 20 foot drop into a freezing cold stream, luckily they were wearing full protective gear and the bike didn't follow them down. Had to end the day at that point as the cold weather and being soaking wet we had to get them back to the van, get the heating on and crack open the flask to warm them up.

I saved similar many times and also lost a few in the process, the bigger you are the better and the lighter the bike help massively.

 

yes

 

Can’t personally understand why anyone would want to take a road bike green laneing, spend that extra cash and buy a bike designed for green laneing, you will enjoy it so much more

 

Great if you have green lanes on your doorstep or are willing to transport your bike by van/trailer but you wouldn't want to ride that bike for many miles on the road, having raced enduro's and ridden green lanes for many years, they don't make good road bikes.

 

Very true but road bikes don’t make good off road bikes… Horses for courses, also you will need deep pockets dropping a road bike

 

I faced the very same issue earlier this uear. I sold my 2916 MTS Touring which was fly equipped, kitted out & awesome. MISTAKE!!!!!!

I bought a 2021 T700 , fittrd it out and love it. It works great on road and "green lanes" as you csll them howcer I missed the crsp outta not having my Multistrada so I ended up buying a 2919 Multistrada Tour with only 5000 milr6s on it.

Since the T700 is so cheap & I bought the MTS for the right price, I'm in very good shape financially. I reccomend you hang onto the Multistrada ( great bike but wheels, weight, bulk, etc make it a handfull off pavement occasionally. The T700 is pwrfecy for the 80/20 use & does 1 000 mile road yrips quite well.