I started riding motorcycles when I was 14, which was a long time ago. In fact, it was probably long before most of you were born. Now that I'm facing the slippery slope of life, I'm thinking I should buy a Ducati. Frankly, I have always been scared of the breed. After owning an number of Italian cars, I have always thought that I need an Eyetalian motorcycle like I need a kidney stone. Just looking at a Duck, it seems as if you can see parts falling off while the bike is standing still. But the Grim Reaper waits for nobody and all that. So what whataya you think? Which one should I buy? I'd love a 916, but... Did you get the part about me being old? So, should I buy a Munster? If so, which one? Curious in Texas
Dale I rode a bike at 17. Didn't have one for many years, bought a 998. Great bike. Fun to ride. For about 30 minutes. Then, knees, wrists, neck ache. Bought an s4rs Ducati. Fabulous bike. No pains. Philip
in your description you forgot to add legendary and stunning but yes...a committed riding position for sure. bar risers can help some but still...pretty racy riding position. with all of my years racing supersport and superbike, I found the 888 and 916 the quintessential bikes for me to own for the street. choosing any great duke is a high class problem good luck in scratching the itch!!
Too many choices. Get one for each day of the week: Monday: 888 Tuesday: Monster Wednesday: 998 Thursday: Panigale . . . And so on, you get the picture. No matter what you choose, good luck - DO IT!
Dale you and I are a lot alike. You're taller but I am better looking. Duc sport bikes were great 20 years and a number of pounds ago. A client left me one for a while a couple of years ago and all I could think about when on it was "when can I get off?". Get a Monster or a Multistrada. Go ride both and see what you think.
Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm old and fat (but better looking than RifleDriver). Thus, getting a 916 is like looking at a 17-year old jail bait in a miniskirt, ain't gonna happen. Actually, I'm old enough to start putting together a bucket list and one item is having a motorcycle with world-class suspension and handling. It can be Japanese or Eyetalian, doesn't matter. The point is I should buy a new Triumph and be done with it. But, for just once, I'd love to have the best on two wheels. Dale
Dale, I sold my last one because it was no longer comfortable to ride. Fat old guys shouldn't have them, we aren't the proper shape. Get a 1200 S BMW. Fits better almost as fast. BTW I started riding in 1958. You? Art
Go vintage. 900 SS or even a Moto Guzzi Lemans. I was even eyeballing Harley's answer to sportsbikes in the XLCR in that everyone likes this bike; Sport Bike guys, vintage guys, AND Harley guys. Can't lose and a killer investment.
The shop fixing my ST3 brake lever, and State Inspection, said: "You know, we have an ST4 in back, they guy left it we fixed it... and he NEVER picked it up.." I tried to buy it, it was red. But the ST3/4 is the only Ducati (I am aware) with an upright riding position. My ST3sABS actually has the top suspension system, and as noted ABS brakes.....
I am a Harley guy and have some time on an XLCR. No one that has ridden one likes them unless he is a real Sportster Kool Aid drinker and I used to have a Sportster. Thought I liked it too until I sobered up. Doesn't handle, doesn't stop and doesn't go. In fact all it really did was look good in a very retro way. The XR1000 is kind of cool but an XLCR is just an XL with plastic stuff. If you want to look at it, fine but if you want to ride, like I said, I'm a Harley guy and that is at the bottom of my list.
This is a good choice Dale but no one goes to meet their maker saying "Gee I wish I had bought that BMW". Great bike but ride the 2 Ducs too. Hell Dale, with your money buy all 3. I'll ride one of the others when we hit the road.
After riding Japanese bikes, street and dirt, since 1969, I bought a 2007 Ducati Sport Classic 1000 Biposto a couple of years ago and love it. The air-cooled L-2 sounds and looks great and is a blast to ride.
Option A= The confy, Diavel (best on my back) Option B= The broad choice, Monster (not my cup of tea, but....) Option C= The cool, Sport 1000 whith handlebar (much better on my wrists) Option D= Hypermotard or Streetfighter Option E= Any other Duc, plus Tylenol. I own a few and no big deal on maintenance, basically batteries are my nightmare, even on maintainer it goes bad, but happen the same to my Harley, so... Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've owned 5 Sportsters of varying vintage, and it's definitely not for everyone. I don't like cushy rides, I prefer something more jarring - same with the cars I drive...FWIW. Modern Sportster is rubber mounted engine, so a hell of a lot smoother in terms of ride. With respect to stop, go, handing, it's definitely not a sport bike. If you are looking at a Ducati Monster, you aren't cross shopping a Sportster IMHO.
I had one go bad on a maintainer, I thought I was crazy...what's the cause??? Dale the new Monster 821 intros this Saturday. I asked Bob Lunsford if they were throwing a big party, they said: "No a small one, that's a beginners Ducati.."
I did put a GT1000 top steering plate and Rizoma bars on my SC1000 which reduce wrist strain and transformed the comfort and the increased leverage turned it into a wheelie hooligan cafe' bike. .
