Ready for a bike now

[DebK]

Whether I sell the Dragster 180 now or later, I'm now in a position to buy my first bike.

I'm looking at a 1999 Ducati 400SS on the weekend at Motomart. Sounds like the bike for me at the moment.

Like my Dragster 180, I want an Italian bike that's different than the rest and looks & sounds great. I asked Andrew in this forum (who owns one) and he can't fault them. With the carbon muffler on it it also sounds great.

Any opinions on the 400SS? Am I making a mistake?

[White trash]

Good on ya, Deb.

Real bikes are the way to go. As to a 400SS, depends on wether you're after performance or a Ducati.

I know alot of people would tire of the lack of grunt really quickly but others couldn't give a toss. Mostly they choose Harleys though....(couldn't resist)

Get what the heart desires.

[Monsterbishi]

It's more than enough for a first real bike, you'll love it...

Only reservation I have over non-jap bikes is parts pricing and availability.

[Skunk]

Nice. :2thumbsup

[Dodgyiti]

I think the only draw back with the smaller CC Dukes, and Guzzi's for that matter is RESALE
The little ones drop faster than the big 'ones.
But if the 4hundi does all you expect from a bike, and you 'recon you will keep it and do heaps of kays, then why not.

[muzz]

Take the 400 for a ride then take a 600 for a spin feel the differenance.
I think it's a good choose. :niceone:Got to :love: duc's.
My girl (mez) just got her full licence and has taken mine to work a couple of times cant get her off it :argh: so i guess i'll be buying a new one :laugh:
Go with your heart :msn-wink:

[Motu]

That thing will be absolutly hopeless in the gravel Deb,you can't get dirt tyres for that size rim and there is no steering lock - if you try and back it into a corner you'll end up pointing the other way.Useless suspension too,too hard and no travel,dump the steering damper too,you need quick response on gravel,as you well know.

Actualy I reckon you'd be better off with a Gas Gas 400 Motard,nice little bike with a low seat height and an attitude.

[Paul in NZ]

The 400cc bikes will most likely be an import with all the usual import issues.

Apart from that, it's your penny, spend it where you like... If you like red and can afford the sunglasses, go for it.

Paul N

[DebK]

Just called Motomart and Todd there advised has only done 11,000kms, is extremely tidy and sounds great.

At only $6,500 asking price I don't really care about resale value.

Heading to Motomart on Saturday morning to go buy it!

How am I going to sleep between now and then ;)

Many many thanks for the advice guys. I do want it, you only live once, we have no children, I think we may have sold the rally car, lifes all good.

Buy, buy, buy. I want more toys! Thinking jet boat next.

Is this my early mid-life crisis as I approach age 37 in June? Ha!

[StoneChucker]

Thats so good to hear Deb, I reckon if you want it, buy it :rockon:
And, you know that you'll be expected to come on rides with us now. I don't think I've ever seen you on the road :unsure:

Enjoy it, and post some pics when you can?
Dave.

[Paul in NZ]

Just called Motomart and Todd there advised has only done 11,000kms, is extremely tidy and sounds great.

At only $6,500 asking price I don't really care about resale value.

Heading to Motomart on Saturday morning to go buy it!

How am I going to sleep between now and then ;)

Many many thanks for the advice guys. I do want it, you only live once, we have no children, I think we may have sold the rally car, lifes all good.

Buy, buy, buy. I want more toys! Thinking jet boat next.

Is this my early mid-life crisis as I approach age 37 in June? Ha!

Yup! All thats very good but low miles means it has sat around for a LONG time at some stage in it's life! At a minimum I would caution you at least ask them.

Have they serviced the carbs ie stripped them out and cleaned everything.

Is there a service history? If not, demand a full change of all fluids and filters including the brake fluid.

When were the belts last changed. If they don't know, negotiate a price to do that as a part of the deal.

How fresh is the battery and have they checked the charging system. The regulator / rectifier on those things are renown for going pop.

How old are the tyres. They might have a ton of tread but could be 5 years old if it has sat around and got all hard. Again, if they don't know negotiate.

You probably know all that stuff, just being anal.

Paul N

[Pwalo]

Yup! All thats very good but low miles means it has sat around for a LONG time at some stage in it's life! At a minimum I would caution you at least ask them.

Have they serviced the carbs ie stripped them out and cleaned everything.

Is there a service history? If not, demand a full change of all fluids and filters including the brake fluid.

When were the belts last changed. If they don't know, negotiate a price to do that as a part of the deal.

How fresh is the battery and have they checked the charging system. The regulator / rectifier on those things are renown for going pop.

How old are the tyres. They might have a ton of tread but could be 5 years old if it has sat around and got all hard. Again, if they don't know negotiate.

You probably know all that stuff, just being anal.

Paul N

Second those thoughts. Especially the tires and cam belts. Other than that take the wee beastie for a blat and see what you think. Might feel a bit strange after the scoot.

Paul S

[DebK]

Thanks also to Jim & Paul. I have just emailed a list of questions off to Motomart based on your advice guys.

Your advice has been absolutely invaluable and I now know not to charge on in like a bull at a gate. I am an impulse buyer!

Will report back on Saturday.

[merv]

Good on ya Deb, we'll see you on the next run then?

[et al]

FYI - we have an 400SS in the family (my son's), is a great little bike and in fact he is actually thinking about selling it at the moment. It is a 1998, full fairing with 23,000ks, he has owned it for just over 2 years. Let me know
if you are interested - even if you just want to have a look at it and take it for a test ride so that you can compare it with the one at MotoMart.

[XTC]

FYI - we have an 400SS in the family (my son's), is a great little bike and in fact he is actually thinking about selling it at the moment. It is a 1998, full fairing with 23,000ks, he has owned it for just over 2 years. Let me know
if you are interested - even if you just want to have a look at it and take it for a test ride so that you can compare it with the one at MotoMart.

Can I take the 996 for a test ride??? :)

[DebK]

Visiting RoadSafe site today to get next LTSA "shortcut to bigger balls" course dates :)

Will sit full license on the scoot then (hopefully) sell the scoot. Will be VERY hard to keep off the Ducati (if I get this one) until then though.

I'm all geared up to be safe on a bike so no money needed to spend here.

[DebK]

That thing will be absolutly hopeless in the gravel Deb,you can't get dirt tyres for that size rim and there is no steering lock - if you try and back it into a corner you'll end up pointing the other way.Useless suspension too,too hard and no travel,dump the steering damper too,you need quick response on gravel,as you well know.

Actualy I reckon you'd be better off with a Gas Gas 400 Motard,nice little bike with a low seat height and an attitude.
Ah, now you're talking. Would actually like a 2 wheel quad for blatting around on the gravel. That may come next.

At 5'10" a low seat isn't too much of an issue. Sat on my brothers HD a week ago and disliked the "squat" kind of stance when static.

[Paul in NZ]

Thanks also to Jim & Paul. I have just emailed a list of questions off to Motomart based on your advice guys.
.

Ah crap! Another bike shop I'm no longer welcome at... :rolleyes:

Hang on... They never welcomed me... Especially when I went in with a Moto Guzzi tee shirt on. :laugh:

Paul N

[merv]

Many many thanks for the advice guys. I do want it, you only live once, we have no children, I think we may have sold the rally car, lifes all good.


Does this mean you are quitting rallying or is a new car on the horizon too? Or is that you see all the fun us bikers are having and realised its a better thing to be doing instead. Get a dirt bike too as Motu mentioned, after rallying you will love that.

[DebK]

Does this mean you are quitting rallying or is a new car on the horizon too? Or is that you see all the fun us bikers are having and realised its a better thing to be doing instead. Get a dirt bike too as Motu mentioned, after rallying you will love that.
Quiting National Level rallying. Now too bloody expensive for the average/medium income, even with sponsorship. Club level rallying is me from here on but not in a 4WD anymore. Will get a RWD sometime next year and go have more relaxed & cheaper fun with like-minded competitors. Like any form of sport, rallying at the top level can be very bureaucratic, bitchy and a blackhole $-wise. That's not to say I haven't enjoyed what we did, just not the sport it used to be to me.

Dirtbike or quadbike - either one really but like the idea of a 2-wheel drive quad.

[White trash]

Quiting National Level rallying. Now too bloody expensive for the average/medium income, even with sponsorship. Club level rallying is me from here on but not in a 4WD anymore. Will get a RWD sometime next year and go have more relaxed & cheaper fun with like-minded competitors. Like any form of sport, rallying at the top level can be very bureaucratic, bitchy and a blackhole $-wise. That's not to say I haven't enjoyed what we did, just not the sport it used to be to me.

Dirtbike or quadbike - either one really but like the idea of a 2-wheel drive quad.

Ahh shit. Glad to hear you're sticking with it though.

Motorsport needs more women at all levels in my oppinion.

Ya know LTZ400s are only $10500 at the mo? :2thumbsup

[Motu]

A 2WD quad will be good,so you can get that big tail out attitude you will have with a rear drive rally car,nothing better than that reeealy loose rear end on gravel,I guess you have experiance in them,I just used to love flying down a straight road sideways setting up the corner.Certainly not as fast as a 4WD rally car,but I bet you will have max fun in it.

As for the bike - go with your heart,it's what it's all about.

[merv]

Are many of those quads street legal other than in farmer exempt class mode or are you stuck with having to find closed roads to ride them on?

Hmmm approaching 37 eh Deb, you are so young compared to us old guys.

[Two Smoker]

Well, with the kind lending of a bike from Andrew, i was prevliged enough to thrash the shit out of the 400SS.... Great bike with very nice and neutral handling. Power is a little bit down, but is still quicker than a CBR250RR (because of the extra torque) Brakes aren't too bad, but i wouldnt call them great... Make sure you have some nice sticky tyres, as sport touring tyres just dont cut it...

They are good for 200kmh if you wait long enough (took me about 5 kms :wacko: ) and get upto 100 pretty briskly...

You will have a blast on it Deb :niceone: and will also LOVE the sound (with aftermarket pipe) But you might get a bit bored with the power quickly... Maybe try a 600SS or a 750SS???

[DebK]

Looked at FOZ's beautiful wee bike, chatted with Lynda, visited other bike shops, scanned the Net...

...but last Saturday I fell in love with a 2003 Kawasaki 636 in Sawyers. Thought about it overnight then realised that for another $2,500 I could have a brand new 2005 ZX-6R.

So today I put a $1,000 deposit on one in Magma Red and it arrives early April. Better to be over than under done, huh ;)

Looking forward to 1/4 mile sprints, Manfield & Taupo circuit open days, cruising over the hill and getting to work in style.

[vifferman]

...but last Saturday I fell in love with a 2003 Kawasaki 636 in Sawyers. Thought about it overnight then realised that for another $2,500 I could have a brand new 2005 ZX-6R.
That's GORGEOUS (said in the best Boston accent).
Congratumalations, Debster! :2thumbsup
Please don't kill yourself on it.:confused:

[XTC]

Sweet.. Got three more cylinders than it needs tho.... :)

[Sparky Bills]

To help me get over that fact that you didnt buy our 400ss, you must let me run the Kwaka in for you! :banana:

Or i would just settle for a quike ride round the block. :niceone:
(thats the palmy loop! :2thumbsup )

Nice machine!
Hope ya enjoy it. :wari:

[Sparky Bills]

Just remember...
The 636 has about 100hp more than the 400ss,
SO BE CAREFULL!!
and dont try to go too fast too soon!
But enjoy.

[loosebruce]

Whoa, bit of a change in direction from the duke but nice all the same, well done deb, ya got yourself a sweet bike there for sure, enjoy :niceone:

[DebK]

Just remember...
The 636 has about 100hp more than the 400ss,
SO BE CAREFULL!!
and dont try to go too fast too soon!
But enjoy.
...and about 120 more hp than the scoot. Went for a blat around the neighbourhood on the scoot last night and remembered what an ill-handling thing it is. Going from that to a performance & handling bike, that by all accounts is only a weapon of mass destruction if you give it some stick, will be much welcomed.

I can hear what most may be thinking... how the hell is she going to handle a 636?! I come from a farming background of hooning around on 2-stroke dirtbikes, go-karts, etc. For the last 12+ years I've also competed in motorsport (rally & circuit). While that doesn't give me absolute bike experience, it does give me speed appreciation, understanding of handling and lines, etc.

Will try not to kill myself too quickly :) But I certainly welcome all your advice & tuition. Jim2 - will email you to go out for a blat the first weekend I have him... oh yes, and I shall have him! The Kwaka, not Jim2.

[Motu]

Excelent deb!! I don't know why girls want a sexy looking bike - I thought it was all about us guys with penis size problems.I have no doubts about you being able to handle it - your competion skills in rallies has given you hazzard awareness skills far beyond even the racers here - I'd say you would be able to scan the road to the next corner and everything to the side in one glance,that's a huge advantage over anyone else on their first sports bike - mind you,some course notes in your ear would kinda help too eh?