I now ride Ducati Monster 796, but considering replace it with longer range and bags for long touring.
I test rode Ducati Hyperstrada and Moto Guzzi V7 Stone. HS is nimble and fast with ABS/DTC(traction control)/side bags.
V7 is gentle with comfortable/heartwarming vibelation and driveshaft instead of chain.
(because of price gap, I can add as many bags as I want on V7)
Main objectives are touring(300 miles per day) mainly on freeway and a bit of local winding road(1% on flat dirt)
I have thought for a week but no conclusion.
I think Tiger 800 with top case instead of Sprint. The weight is the neck for me.(210kg/463lb dry)
(HS-399lb, V7-394lb)
I tested and liked the triple engine though
I ride a V7 Stone and would say it's "The most fun city bike I've ever rode" and I've rode a lot of bikes from 125cc to big ol' 110 cubic inch ones. On twisty roads it's awesome and it rewards being pushed hard and loves high RPM use. On the highway it's perfectly fine and will do 85mph easily (I haven't been faster). I would get a DART windscreen for it if you are touring and take a look into the $200 gel seat option as well. Touring bags are available; in fact, I have one V7 Stone rider from Germany who tours on it posting in my blog: viewtopic.php?f=32&t=46164&start=160 and you can see his setup and writeup.
The Moto Guzzi is a bike you can easily fall in love with.
I can't fit on Ducati's so I've never rode one of those. (6'4" tall). Ducati makes some nice bikes, but the dry clutch would drive me nuts and the Ducati Hyperstrada seat (to me) doesn't look that comfortable for a 300+ mile ride and I'd get some serious sore butt.
I'd like to add as I've been thinking about Ducati is...
Ducati, I feel, is loosing it's street bike focus and more and more concentrating it's models on track use versus road use. If you take a look at their technology packages, engine (dry clutch) power curves and style/ride focus it is a growing concern. Now I'm not saying Ducati isn't a good street bike, the Monster series is still the most street focused, but Ducati is becoming more home on the track rather than the street. Track technology is awesome, but it does bring with it high maintenance costs, greater maintenance intervals other than valves*, lower reliability and high part replacement costs. I'd hate to be on tour when something high-tech goes wrong with a Ducati.
The Moto Guzzi on the other hand is a much simpler bike. Heck, there isn't many other new bikes as simple today at the V7 series in mechanical nature.
So what bike would I want myself for touring on? The Guzzi hands down even though it doesn't have the technology or power. But then again, I prefer the "less is more route" and "KISS approach" but that's just me.
* I'm happy to say Ducati has increased Maintenance service intervals, which used to be very low to 12-15,000 km (9,000 mi)/12 months and Valve clearance checks 24-30,000 km (18,000 mi) on some of their bikes.
I tell you what Hiro I am a Buell guy 1125 CR and I am giving the Kawasaki Verseys a hard look as I am also looking for a more adventure orientated machine but the Tiger 8 is a dead sexy little beast!!!
Back when I was a kid of 70 I was doing my 400-500 mile freeway days on a bike like this:
Given a choice between the Hyperstrada and Stone I'd go with the lower seat height Guzzi, about same size and weight as my CB400T first bike years ago but with a little more motor.
I've done a couple of 500-700 mile days on my Z750. Upgrade the seat and the windshield and I guarantee that ironbutt rides wouldn't be a problem on it.
Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
