A Pillion - Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro Vs KTM 1290 Super Duke R

I am relatively new to the motorbike world, but with the little time that I have spent on the back of a bike as a pillion I have started to understand why so many people pick this mode of transport over others. There is something special about being on a bike with nothing stopping you from feeling part of the world around you. You’re immersed in the smells, the air, the people and animals around you. There’s no barrier between man, machine, animal and nature. So whether it was pottering around on the 1290 Super Duke R or joining my bike loving boyfriend on a four day, 1361km ride through NSW on the Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro it was enlightening to say the least.

The Ducati for someone who is a relatively new pillion like myself, was one of the most comfortable bikes to ride on for both long distance and locally. Once you leave the city of Sydney the roads tend to become bumpier and rougher, some even fade into dirt roads. As a passenger it can be tough not to bump into the man or woman in charge at the front every now and then. The bike felt smooth and steady but I soon discovered the physically awkward truth that you very often shift forward and backwards without any control as an effect of changing gears. You have to find comfortable ways to support yourself so you don’t constantly fall forward or feel like you’re going to be sucked off the back. No one told me sitting on the back of the bike was going to be like a forty minute abdominal workout. I learnt that all on my own but once I figured out my own way of dealing with it, it became part of the charm. I also felt like I was on the verge of a six pack so that was an added bonus. The seat and pillion handles felt like they were designed for comfort and ease and the addition of the boxes on either side also helped me adapt and relax during the 400km stints each day.

In comparison, back in Sydney sitting in the garage looking all perfect and shiny was the KTM. The perfect bike to get to and from places with relative ease in traffic. Riding around on the back of the KTM felt more like a rodeo rather than anything else. This was heavily influenced by the relatively higher foot pegs, lack of handles at the back and the singular leather strap between your legs which was suppose to keep you steady. To my surprise the strap was better than I thought but still was tough to get use to. The main difference here was that the forward and backwards movement on the KTM was not as severe as the Ducati but the strap didn’t make me feel as steady as the Ducati’s handle bars and therefore found myself unintentionally creeping forward during the journey. Nevertheless the bike is definitely enjoyable to be on but the strap made this newbie on the back feel a little more nervous than usual.

Both the Ducati and KTM performed extremely well over the many bumps we encountered on Sydney roads and glided over the rare patches of smooth tarmac. The KTM constantly felt and sounded like it was roaring to go whereas the Ducati looked and acted mean but only when you wanted it to. When going through some faster, longer corners, fully loaded with luggage and I, you could feel the Ducati wallowing like a boat. As a passenger you had to be well aware not to panic when this happened. At times the Ducati wasn’t as smooth around corners with two people as the KTM which felt like it was is it’s element but once we changed the suspension to make it harder it made it a lot more enjoyable to be on the back of. In perspective it couldn’t have been more comfortable if we tried and the pain you felt in your gluteus maxims at the end of the day was more or less from sitting for several hours rather than an uncomfortable bike.

Overall, comparing the KTM to the Ducati Multistrada is like comparing a bull to a majestic stallion. One likes to get going real quick, real fast and you better hold on for dear life, the other can take you places and make you feel secure but also get going and make you feel as free as ever. Both equally enjoyable to ride on the back of but the Ducati Multistrada is just that extra bit more enjoyable and exciting for the passenger especially over longer distances.

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