[cesarb]

Originally Posted by KarlG

I have a K1200S and rides like your buddies did on their Beemers (400-500 miles)are no big deal BUT awesome ride report on a Duc SBK! The 1098 sure must have been the looker of the bunch by far. Those freaking GS need to fill every other day LMAO. I demo's one at Max's and it was just filled and the display read something like 458 miles to empty. Ugly brute though.

Hi Karl (I think you are also on Vics site (i-bmw.com)?
I had an '05 and '06 K1200S so I agree with you about 400-500 mile rides and actually more on these bikes. Loved the '06 bumblebee but when the 1098 came out, it was just too tempting and I have always lusted for a Ducati 916.
The thing that amazes me with our bikes is that I do not feel the need to raise the bars!
I had my seat modified by Butt Buffer in PA but will have the stock cover replaced with something nicer.
I regret not using this seat for the trip. Instead, I used the neoprene racing seat which was OK (even in the rain) but not plush enough, ha ha ha.
By the way, this neoprene racing seat did not soak up as much water as i expected it to. I guess the material is quite dense. The bike was sitting out in the parking lot for about 20-30 mins. while we had breakfast and it was not soggy at all. Cool.

[Armoredsquid]

Originally Posted by cesarb

Thanks. The rack is super simple to install (20-30 minutes for both brackets to mount)
They use one of the holes for the passenger footpeg and the bolt for the exhaust clamp is replaced with a different bolt. You can take the rack off completely and just leave that special exhaust clamp bolt for your next trip. Its hardly noticed.
Ventura says not to mount the rack the way I did (although they show it mounted this way in their website). They recommend having the rack/bag mounted facing back but I did not like it so far back there.

thanks. I like it because it doesn't stick out like saddle bags and keeps the bike narrow. I'm gonna get one.

[KarlG]

Originally Posted by cesarb

Hi Karl (I think you are also on Vics site (i-bmw.com)?
I had an '05 and '06 K1200S so I agree with you about 400-500 mile rides and actually more on these bikes. Loved the '06 bumblebee but when the 1098 came out, it was just too tempting and I have always lusted for a Ducati 916.
The thing that amazes me with our bikes is that I do not feel the need to raise the bars!
I had my seat modified by Butt Buffer in PA but will have the stock cover replaced with something nicer.
I regret not using this seat for the trip. Instead, I used the neoprene racing seat which was OK (even in the rain) but not plush enough, ha ha ha.
By the way, this neoprene racing seat did not soak up as much water as i expected it to. I guess the material is quite dense. The bike was sitting out in the parking lot for about 20-30 mins. while we had breakfast and it was not soggy at all. Cool.

Yeah, I'm the same name on both sites and have ridden with and partied with Vic. I have the '05 Bee, I think the first Max got, I pre ordered. Still have it. Like you, I wanted a Duc and was seriously looking at a 999S, but the dealer was a complete dick with a shitty service dept so sadly passed. He was fired by DNA and a new dealer opened up and got the 1098S. Absolutely love it. As an aside, my high strung Italian has had fewer issues and costs less to service than the venerable Beemer.

[cesarb]

Originally Posted by KarlG

Yeah, I'm the same name on both sites and have ridden with and partied with Vic. I have the '05 Bee, I think the first Max got, I pre ordered. Still have it. Like you, I wanted a Duc and was seriously looking at a 999S, but the dealer was a complete dick with a shitty service dept so sadly passed. He was fired by DNA and a new dealer opened up and got the 1098S. Absolutely love it. As an aside, my high strung Italian has had fewer issues and costs less to service than the venerable Beemer.

small world indeed. My bumble bee only had the banjo bolt recall, that's it. Some regret here about getting rid of it but am totally happy with the Duc, which only gave me one problem with the VR recall. That's it.

[KarlG]

I'm pretty sure there has been 2 recalls on the K1200S, some had ring immobilizer issues so three. My 2008 1098s had the sprocket recall and VR. I don't really count recalls toward a vehicle as long as it effects a potential problem and is picked up quickly.

The K1200S excels at covering bad roads quickly and comfortably and long trips. Love your trip, but when I head out to similar, I definitely take my K bike, and also use it for two up, short day rides. It's a great complimentary bike to the 1098S which I use exclusively one up for day rides on back roads with curves and hopefully track soon.

I'm waiting to see what Ducati has up it's sleeve for November 2010 and hoping for something like a sport tourer with the 1098 or 1198 engine which might be a K1200 replacement for me..

[cesarb]

Originally Posted by KarlG

I'm pretty sure there has been 2 recalls on the K1200S, some had ring immobilizer issues so three. My 2008 1098s had the sprocket recall and VR. I don't really count recalls toward a vehicle as long as it effects a potential problem and is picked up quickly.

The K1200S excels at covering bad roads quickly and comfortably and long trips. Love your trip, but when I head out to similar, I definitely take my K bike, and also use it for two up, short day rides. It's a great complimentary bike to the 1098S which I use exclusively one up for day rides on back roads with curves and hopefully track soon.

I'm waiting to see what Ducati has up it's sleeve for November 2010 and hoping for something like a sport tourer with the 1098 or 1198 engine which might be a K1200 replacement for me..

The Multistrada is due for an update and since they got rid of their ST's, we might just have a nice 1098 or 1198 powered sport tourer. I wold love it and as you mentioned, would be a nice complimentary bike for longer trips.
You know they already make 5 or 6 gal tanks for our 1098's and Ducati Toronto even equips (mounting bracket and all) our bike with the Multistrada hard cases for a pricey $1500 installed. $100 or so less if shipped. I was tempted and called them but The Ventura rack system was cheaper and did the job nicely.