[overcoil]

what new bike would you use to go from Maryland to Arizona and back.

BMW Adventure bike could be priced in the mid-twenties.

Ducati multi-Strada could be priced high-teens.

I'm a little guy didn't really want a 800 pound Harley.

Curious your choice and how you would spend your money.

[Mason Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

what new bike would you use to go from Maryland to Arizona and back.

BMW Adventure bike could be priced in the mid-twenties.

Ducati multi-Strada could be priced high-teens.

I'm a little guy didn't really want a 800 pound Harley.

Curious your choice and how you would spend your money.

I have ridden for years. You want a touring bike. If you are trained properly, a heavy bike is no problem with low speed maneuvering, and the weight will provide you with more stability at speed.

How much experience do you have? Are you licensed, taken a MSF course?

[fiveohwblow]

Certainly a grom. Will provide the longest entertainment with that distance in mind.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

I have ridden for years. You want a touring bike. If you are trained properly, a heavy bike is no problem with low speed maneuvering, and the weight will provide you with more stability at speed.

How much experience do you have? Are you licensed, taken a MSF course?

!3 years since MSF and license, ridden dirt and sport bikes. I've bought an old bike and rebuilt the engine.

looked at sport tourers and adventure and would consider anything.

450 (dry weigh)t to 600 pound bike with 100 pounds of gear is my preferred max.

I just don't want a 800+ pound bike. I thought about a big Harley, didn't want any $40,000 versions and not sure I want to spend $27,000 and parking it at night outside in a hotel parking lots.

But thats why I'm interested in opinions and particular bikes.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

Certainly a grom. Will provide the longest entertainment with that distance in mind.

I would consider some small bikes, I'd do a Grom one way or head out and dump it if things got to ridiculous and take a train back home.

But a 380 kTM was a small bike I definitely would attempt.

[macadamia9]

In 2013, I bought a 2012 BMW R1200GS Adventure with less than 3k miles and it had the aluminum side boxes. I lived in Southern California at the time and the bike was near Raleigh, NC. I flew there, bought the bike, and rode to Jacksonville Beach, FL. I spent the night there, then proceeded to ride an iron butt ride called the CC50. This stands for cross country in less than 50 hours. I rode from Jacksonville Beach, FL to Mission Beach in San Diego, CA in 47 hours, 45 minutes.

I rode that bike for almost 40k miles before I sold i in 2015. I rode almost every day. In fact, from 2013 to 2014, I only put two tanks of gas in my 1999 BMW 323i convertible!

I love BMW bikes. I've owned 3 and still have the first one I bought in 2010. I'm partial to BMW, but the other brands you have named are good as well. One thing to look at to maybe help your search is to call the dealerships and talk to the service manager. Ask them how much it costs to do an oil change, valve adjustment, service interval service, tire change / tire mounting, etc. While you may be able to do all of these yourself (as I did except for the tires), how much the dealership charges for the service and the parts for said service are very telling as to which may be a better deal. When I was looking back in the early 2000s, I was looking at Ducati, but found their service prices were very high, compared to the Aprilia, which was sold at the same dealership. I ended up buying a 2003 Aprilia Futura instead of the Ducati Monster I was looking at.

Good luck in your search, and keep the rubber side down!

First photo: camping at Panamint just outside of Death Valley
Second photo: my Idaho plate - 2 wheel SUV

[HFW003]

For that type of ride I would definitely pick the Multi Strada, I’m biased though!

There’s nothing at all wrong with the R1200’s, great bike for that type of ride.

Have fun!

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by macadamia9

In 2013, I bought a 2012 BMW R1200GS Adventure with less than 3k miles and it had the aluminum side boxes. I lived in Southern California at the time and the bike was near Raleigh, NC. I flew there, bought the bike, and rode to Jacksonville Beach, FL. I spent the night there, then proceeded to ride an iron butt ride called the CC50. This stands for cross country in less than 50 hours. I rode from Jacksonville Beach, FL to Mission Beach in San Diego, CA in 47 hours, 45 minutes.

I rode that bike for almost 40k miles before I sold i in 2015. I rode almost every day. In fact, from 2013 to 2014, I only put two tanks of gas in my 1999 BMW 323i convertible!

I love BMW bikes. I've owned 3 and still have the first one I bought in 2010. I'm partial to BMW, but the other brands you have named are good as well. One thing to look at to maybe help your search is to call the dealerships and talk to the service manager. Ask them how much it costs to do an oil change, valve adjustment, service interval service, tire change / tire mounting, etc. While you may be able to do all of these yourself (as I did except for the tires), how much the dealership charges for the service and the parts for said service are very telling as to which may be a better deal. When I was looking back in the early 2000s, I was looking at Ducati, but found their service prices were very high, compared to the Aprilia, which was sold at the same dealership. I ended up buying a 2003 Aprilia Futura instead of the Ducati Monster I was looking at.

Good luck in your search, and keep the rubber side down!

First photo: camping at Panamint just outside of Death Valley
Second photo: my Idaho plate - 2 wheel SUV

excellent info, have been researching the GS. Recently they had a Hayes caliper leaking recall. (one of the larger K's had a water pump issue ). 600mile first service, then it was 6000mile valve adjustment (recently a soft cam metal wear issue). I like the 2021's and in comparison to Africa Twin the BMW's wight down low and capability is very tempting. I want to buy new and I'm balking on the price, one model that starts at $18.xxx may still be too expensive for me.

Very good photos.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by HFW003

For that type of ride I would definitely pick the Multi Strada, I’m biased though!

There’s nothing at all wrong with the R1200’s, great bike for that type of ride.

Have fun!

started researching the R1250RT, price is high but I find them very comfortable.

I need to browse some forums on the Multi Strada and read about cross country rides with them.

Do you have Ducati ownership stories to share ? I've read their new stuff has longer service intervals.

[HFW003]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Do you have Ducati ownership stories to share ? I've read their new stuff has longer service intervals.

Lots but only performance bikes, sorry.

I find dirt scary!

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

started researching the R1250RT, price is high but I find them very comfortable.

I need to browse some forums on the Multi Strada and read about cross country rides with them.

Do you have Ducati ownership stories to share ? I've read their new stuff has longer service intervals.

I have tons of Ducati stories but they're also related to their Superbikes. But Ducati does use the same engine in their Superbikes on other models. Things may have improved with their quality these days but here are a list of things I've had to deal with on my 2009 848:

Horizontal head gaasket
Clutch master cylinder
Immobilizer antenna
Bad turn signal LEDs on right mirror
Radiator (design flaw which Ducati fixed the next model year)
Plastic fuel tank deformation

And currently have it apart waiting on a new voltage regulator which is also a recognized issue for pretty much all Ducati bikes of this era.

But yes, the service intervals have been extended such as doing the timing belt and valve service.

I haven't ridden a Multistrada. Have been hearing from others that it's a great ride. I have done a short ride on a GS. I can see the appeal with them. As big as the 1200GS was that I rode, it didn't feel big once I got going. It wasn't that bad for me to handle at a stop as I'm 6'5". My friend that practically threw me on the bike because he wanted me to experience a GS isn't that tall either. I would say maybe 5'10.

[zx10guy]

Oh and not sure if this is even an option....BMW scooter.

I have a 2016 C650 Sport bought used. BMW doesn't make the Sport any more just the GT. The differences between the Sport and the GT are: Sport is 25lbs lighter, doesn't have the full foot boards that extend back to the passenger, no blind spot detection, no electrically adjustable windscreen, no back rest for the rider/driver, and a different underseat storage configuration.

I have to say after putting some miles on it absolutely love it. Very relaxed ride. The GT would probably be even more so with the adjustable back rest. The thing handles great. I've had it leaned over twice far enough to scrape the ground clearance feelers. The inverted forks and rear suspension setup gives visual hints that BMW spent time on the suspension setup. Gets great gas mileage. Been averaging around 50 MPG although it does take premium. Has all the tech goodies such as ABS and traction control. There are two glove box areas up front where one has a 12V accessory outlet and is lockable with the steering lock. Heated grips and heated seats (driver/passenger individually adjustable).

There is a luggage rack option and a top hard case that goes on top. I don't know if there are side cases you can add to at least the GT. There are none that I'm aware of for the Sport.

I've had it up to 90MPH without issue. BMW states top end is 110MPH. The only gripe I have is the front brakes are a bit weak even though they're dual disk with dual piston calipers. I tend to have to use the rear brake often. The trans is a CVT. Launching off the line is a bit slow but once you get going it's great to not have to think about shifting.

[j0oftheworld]

Something with a proper wind screen for sure!

[Efthreeoh]

So just to qualify my opinion, since my mid 20's, I've done a lot of 9-day and 16-day tours and have ridden from the East Coast to the Rockies 3 times, 2-up with my wife. Other tours have been to Nova Scotia, Florida to New Orleans back to Virginia, just to name a few. I've toured on a 1990 CBR 1000, 1994 Concours, and a lot on my trusty 1999 Honda Valkyrie Interstate. I've been riding motorcycles since I've been 13.

Going solo, as I suspect you are, helps not require a full-dress tourer. But age and riding shape will affect your comfort. 22 - 32 years old, heck, you can take anything you want. 40 years old you'll want a larger displacement bike. You'll want a full, waterproof, 3-bag lockable luggage system and a windscreen. Maryland to AZ is a long ride. Bike choice depends a lot on where you are going to ride (adventure tour vs. road vs. Interstate), and how many miles per day you intend to ride.

100 pounds of luggage? LOL. Like what? Take my advice and take half the clothes you think you need, take one day off and wash your clothes mid trip. Looking back on my road trips, even as a young man, I wish I had a full-dress tourer. You spend 99% of the time rolling, so weight doesn't matter much, and more mass means a larger, less stressed engine and a bike that handles road shock and vibration better. And remember this, the more cylinders the better.

[fastboatster]

Idk, if I needed to get from MD to AZ and back I'd get an used r1200rt. if we talk about something brand new, I would look at kawi concours 14 or honda vfr1200

[W///]

Nothing to add here but I've got so much respect for you guys that do these long trips. I'm planning to do a cross country road trip and back in my Z4M Roadster, which in comparison to riding a motorcycle will be like driving a Rolls Royce.

[chassis]

On this site there can be only one answer - BMW K1600GTL.

[QM]

How about the new Honda Goldwing? Built in GPS and Apple CarPlay. I've been meaning to test ride one for a while. They frequently have 4k discounts on last year models.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by chassis

On this site there can be only one answer - BMW K1600GTL.

OP states he doesn't want an 800 pound motorcycle

[Efthreeoh]

The trick to a tour of this magnitude is a bike that supports your overnight recovery time. Overnight recovery is a function of your riding shape and overnight resting facilities. Riding shape is a function of age, health, and riding conditioning.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

OP states he doesn't want an 800 pound motorcycle

I understand. For a thousands of miles trip I would go with the largest, heaviest and most comfortable vehicle possible, whether it had two or four wheels.

More mass = more better for ride comfort. Universal law that is never broken.

[MVEED3]

Originally Posted by fastboatster

Idk, if I needed to get from MD to AZ and back I'd get an used r1200rt. if we talk about something brand new, I would look at kawi concours 14 or honda vfr1200

+1 for the VFR. I'd want the most reliable platform traversing through some of those states. Comfort is secondary but included.