Lighting the flame

[Motoproponent]

I recently returned from a road trip around southern California on the SMT. I had a little time to do some thinking on the way back home. I have been lusting after the 1290 Superduke GT since I demo'd one a few months ago. As I get my finances in order to pull the trigger on a $22,000 purchase this last trip gave ma a bit of pause. Not for how good is was, but for what went wrong.



With two days of riding yet to do to get home, someone backed into my bike and pushed it over onto the left side, breaking the kickstand, twisting the fork a RCH, and breaking the left side turn signal and mirror. The rest of the trip as I was resting my bike on various pillars, walls, bollards, and fences every time I wanted to dismount I imagined doing it with the SDGT. I think it would have been a lot more hassle. I think it would have been a much more expensive repair, and I wonder if the GT would have still been able to get me 700 miles home with my luggage and all.



This bike has taken my all over California, Nevada, and Utah. Several times to Oregon and back and even round trip to Chicago. Also on all manner of roads from no speed limit freeways (Montana), to mountain goat trails, to desert washes and fire roads. I think I'll keep the SMT another 70000 miles. I mean it's paid for and 22K will buy a lot gas and hotel rooms.

[Motoproponent]

Basically I've come to realize that for the way I ride a motorcycle, the SMT does it best.

[Muppet]

I think I'll keep the SMT another 70000 miles. I mean it's paid for and 22K will buy a lot gas and hotel rooms.

That. That line right there. Speaks volumes. Fantastic. Do it.

[Joe990roma]

I had my motorcycle stolen which I found 3 days later close to my home, kids broke the steering lock and pushed it away, I've never been so happy when I found it. Now I have a SMT and the old bike. And the 1 before that

[Gimlet]

I was going to sell my SMT to fund an 1190 Adv. But I can't really afford the upgrade right now and after picking the SMT for my first ride of the year I've decided to keep it. I've got a Ducati Streetfighter and I'm going to sell that instead.
I've spent a fortune in engine tuning and suspension upgrades for the SF but the SMT has always felt more of a keeper. The Duc goes like holy shit but pound for pound the SMT is just as much fun, it doesn't have eye-watering servicing costs and when it does need something done it doesn't cost £1000 a time to have it sitting under a sheet for three months at a specialist Ducati workshop.

The SMT feels like a faithful friend. They respond to being ridden and maintained, they're not throw-away bikes and ownership is undemanding, and smiles per mile are up there with anything. The effortless agility of the chassis and the good-natured eagerness of the engine is a combination I haven't found anywhere else.
Got mine running perfectly, the suspension is set up perfectly and I've found the perfect tyres. It stays.

[ogden]

I was going to sell my SMT to fund an 1190 Adv. But I can't really afford the upgrade right now

I couldn't afford an upgrade either. Then I noticed Lloyds were lending up to 25 grand at 3.4%. Did the loan application on my phone while sitting at the dealer, and had the money in my account before the sales bod had finished printing the invoice!