It depends on what your purposes are.
I have a second bike for my wife to ride (another Monster) because my Monster is not a good choice for carrying a passenger very far.
I have third, fourth, and fifth bikes because I have a hobby/interest in vintage scooters.
I am contemplating a sixth bike for touring two-up.

Others may have second bikes due to interests in antique bikes, or dirt biking, or touring, or racing/track use. Lots of reasons. The Monster is a very versatile bike, and can serve well as an only bike, but it isn't the best at absolutely everything, and a dedicated bike for a specific purpose may still be desired.

PhilB

 

You use the second monster as a two up or just for her to ride in her own?

 

It's primary purpose is that we each ride our own -- hers is not any better at carrying passengers than mine is. I don't mind carrying a passenger, and the Monster doesn't mind carrying a passenger, but the passenger (or at least certain parts thereof) does mind, after a bit.

We have, at times, when one or the other of our bikes is somewhere else, ridden either hers or mine two-up, but the limit on that is not much more than 100 miles. Each on our own, we can do 200 or 300 miles comfortably. Me on my own, I can do 500 to 600 in a day pretty easily, and up to 900 if I need to, but she is not as experienced in long-distance riding (and doesn't aspire to be).

I'm looking at sport-touring bikes that could do well for longer trips two-up. I've only tested about half of my list of contenders, but the current leader in the reasonably-priced category is the Moto-Guzzi Norge. (In the unlimited category, I'd already have a MOTUS in the garage, and not be looking any more.)

PhilB

 

@Radracer6
I concur with @philb above that the Monster is very versatile but it's also nice to have some complementary bikes.
My M1200R is paired up with a 959 Panigale. If I could afford and convince the wife for a third ride, it would be a Multistrada.
The wife rides a CBR300R. No pillion for me. I invite you to check out the photos in my garage.

 

Who here has a second bike other than the monster 1200? Which one and why?

It's a good question but one where you are the only one to really know.
For me, the Monster is like a "Sport Cruiser" middle of the spectrum, bad-ass and can do everything but is not a specialist.
The Pani is at the pure racebike side of that spectrum. A touring bike would be at the other end.
Your complementary bike should reflect the preference of the type of riding you're going to use the most.
That's my 2c.

 

I have found my Monster to be remarkably versatile and competent at a wide range of tasks. I expected it to be good at regular transport, and at sporting rides. I did not expect it to be good for traveling, but it has turned out to be fine for that (for one person) -- I've been to 35 states on it so far, plus parts of Canada and Mexico. It's not much for dirt, but I've done dirt roads, fire roads, and camping on it (including a few miles of sandy wash streambed once; that wasn't a lot of fun). It has been reliable and very durable, with reasonable maintenance. I've been very pleased overall, and thus have kept it as my main bike for quite a long time. The one thing it is short of, is passenger capacity.

PhilB

 

I've got quite a few second bikes. Too many to bother to list, but they fill my garage and a barn. I try to keep 8 running and legal at all times along with 2 dirt bikes, a truck, a van, and a Fiat.

Some days I wake up and want a mean and nasty 1000cc liquid cooled Monster, some days I want an air cooled Sport Classic, once in a while I like to ride my vintage Euro bikes around, and then most of the time I like to ride a 125cc not street legal in any State race bike wherever I go.

 

My insurance broker is asking what's that Caferacermike's contact so he can retire early.

 

He's in the US so he's probably paying less than you are for 1 bike in Ontario!

 

I also have a 2012 Pikes Peak Multistrada. I am impressed with the 1200R for being close to the Multi on comfort. My rides consist mostly of 200 - 500 mile day rides in the mountains. On rough roads, carrying cargo, or two up the Multi is better suited. However it's 60 lbs heavier and can't match the acceleration, braking, and cornering of the 1200R. Both bikes get a lot of compliments for looks and performance.

 

I got this before the monster, love both of them and they are actually different enough to be nice complements. Initially it was a decision between them and I found a lightly used 9T for a good price first but then later on I found a monster w/ termi's lightly used for a great price so now I have both.

 

My four babes... why four? I'm crazy, that's all.

 

triumph bonneville makes for a great second bike. super easy to ride and good for when you want to see the scenery.
the bench seat is great for passengers. insurance is cheap. excellent in the rain. bullet proof.
every loves my bonnie.

 

I buy a new bike every few years but I can never seem to find time to sell any of them. I like them all.

 

Currently I have a 2006 CBR 1000RR, M1100 evo, and a '15 CB500X for touring.

I try to keep my stable down to 3. Having more makes me feel like I'm wasting the bike and the money I pay to insure it. If I could, I'd only own 1 fun, reliable, beautiful bike, but I found that 1 bike can only meet 2 of my 3 requirements, so I have to own 3 bikes to meet all combinations: reliable, practical (passenger friendly, panniers, cost efficient, and comfortable), and sexy. My CBR is sexy and reliable but not practical; my Monster is sexy and more practical than the CBR but unreliable; my X is practical and reliable but NOT SEXY.

 

Currently I have a 2006 CBR 1000RR, M1100 evo, and a '15 CB500X for touring.

... my Monster is sexy and more practical than the CBR but unreliable ...

Why is your M1100 unreliable? There's no inherent reason for that, if it's been maintained decently.

PhilB

 

@1UglyBastard
I agree!
As for your X being practical and reliable: I see a joke in that comment but will not elaborate. :angel

 

HAHAHA! don't forget "NOT SEXY!"

 

My M1200R is my second bike. My first is in my sig--HD Nightrod Special. While I am very happy with the HD, I wanted something a little sportier and that turned better. I, originally, was looking at a 1199 Panigale S but found it very uncomfortable. So I got the monster.

 

Beside the monster, I have a 750 super sport, and a triumph Sprint ST. Thinking about adding a 748 to the garage too.

 

Experiences on the 750SS? I adore my 900SS. In fact I think it is hands down the best motorcycle I've ever owned and I've owned over 200.

I can ride it all day as aggressively as I like and I feel great at the end of the day. Headed out in the morning on a 400 mile group ride and I opted to take my Paul Smart, and I've been regretting that decision for the last 3 hours. I'd like to hear about your 750, please.

 

2008 cbr600rr has become my track bike and bike my girlfriend rides when we go out. Currently I'm making it more comfortable for her so we can ride from LA to Laguna seca for WSBK.

 

My 2nd is a 2015 Road King for riding with my Wife. It's a hoot to ride as well.

 

Anyone ridden the old ducati superbike 749. I love the look from those years and have seen them around for fairly cheap. Thinking second might be a sportbike either the old ducati 749 or a Yamaha r6

 

An R6 can generally be had for not much money and can provide a lot of grins per mile. Yamaha guys have mentioned quite a few times that the R6 is preferred to the R1 for general street duty. The R1 becomes more of a task to ride whereas the smaller R6 is more nimble and can be taken to the edge more. The R1 shines on the track.

Older GSXR750's can be had for very short money and really bridge the gap between a 600 and 1000cc bike.

The 749 is of course a very nice ride, and as you mentioned, are being unloaded now at prices that get you thinking about wanting to abuse one. I've seen, heard, around my local dealership that the coolant tanks tend to vibrate a lot which causes them to crack easily. Another complaint was that batteries were barely sufficient. I rode for several years alongside a couple of motojournalists and the wife had a 749. She used that bike to ride around the country and into Mexico for about a decade. I don't have any idea as to the maintenance it required or how often it broke down. I only know it was quick, light, nimble, still looked great and that they seemed to like it enough to put about 150,000 miles on it before I lost touch with them.

 

Use an FZ-09 to commute and buzz around and my '13 M1100 Diesel as a weekender.

 

My Monster is my 2nd bike. It's also my toy and my platform for spending my hard earned cash on upgrades and trinkets.
First things to go were the stock mirrors for some Rizoma Reverse Retro bar end mirrors.
Next were the rear footpegs for an Evotech blanking plate and rear exhaust hanger. Luckily some of the 1200 R stuff fits the new 1200 S. Yayy!
Now I'm looking at the Termi slip-on (without cat) and an Ohlins steering damper with Dukabike brackets.

Love this thing so far. Compared to my old Hyper 11 SP it's as much fun with and a lot more power... ;-) :devil

 

I currently have four motorcycle The Monster 1200s is for street riding. The Panigale 1199R is for track days. The BMW 800 GS for when I need to cary a bunch of crap and a CRF450R for the MX track. I try to ride them all at least once a week when I'm home. I've been riding 28 years and love it. I would have a couple more if I had the room.

 

I currently have four motorcycle ...

Four are a really good basis...

 

Second bike currently on the street is 81 Honda CB750k cafe. Good for buzzing around town and parking between cars [yes it keep getting knocked over but that is part of its charm, btw, anyone got a tank for sale?].

Third bike is the [future, when restored] Sundays only/show-type ride - one of the rare black/white 92 900ss. It needs a full refresh, and god it is gorgeous. Not afraid to take it for longer rides, but def no need to thrash around the city on it.

 

I have a few. 2014 Pani 1199R, 2016 Monster 1200R, 2015 HD Street Glide, 2004 Bourget Low Blow, 2007 Monster 800S2, 2007 Yamaha R1... those are the ones I ride, anyway.

 

There was 4, 1200 Monster, Triumph Scrambler, Ducati Scrambler and the SD 900 Darmah.



Down to the two at the moment, the Darmah because it was the first Ducati I bought in 1989 (not this one but an '82 in the same colour scheme) and the Monster because it's enough for me; had a 1098 StreetFighter, it was too much, Monster is just right...