Which bike to buy?

[Michael Smith]

Hi.

My first bike was a Norton Commando 1974 M2A. I spent a lot of money doing it up, thinking it would be more reliable - duh. I love the look of Nortons and Cafe racers in general.

I'm wanting to buy another bike. I like the styling of the Ducati Sport 1000 (2007 onwards models). I also like some Harley Davidson's. The Lowriders apeal to me more.

I am not a speed freak, but, do appreciate power and handling. I like the raw sound of some HD's. The Ducati Sports sound good with Zard or Termingoni exhausts.

Can people give me a run down on these two bikes in terms of reliablity and maintenance cost - and any other helpful points.

Thanks.

[Hitcher]

Buy an Aprilia Shiver.

[Michael Smith]

Why an Aprilla?

[jim.cox]

I am not a speed freak, but, do appreciate power and handling..


Well that rules out a Hardley then :)

[Michael Smith]

Havn't ridden a Harley - do they really handle that bad?

[jim.cox]

Havn't ridden a Harley - do they really handle that bad?

Yup

Until you upgrade the suspension and brakes they are awful

But the Twin Cam engine aint <b>too</B> bad , as is the V Rod

Try one and see for yourself

[Michael Smith]

Whats a ball-park figure on suspension and brake upgrade?

[Horse]

Whats a ball-park figure on suspension and brake upgrade?

Ignore the FUD. Harley-bashing is de rigeur on KB, and considered a sign of taste and maturity, generally by people possessing neither.

Just go test-ride a few somethings that you like the look of. If you like the way it looks, and you like the way it feels, buy it.

[2wheeldrifter]

Go for the Duc.... just an honest unbiased opinion!:rolleyes:

[Dean]

Buy what puts a smile on your face when you twist the wrist in a fashion you prefer. When you find undiscovered twists and turns chasing a speed demon that entices you at every bend and lures your greatest desires through a 40kph corner and marry that beauty in the vanishing point.

Youngbiker16

[98tls]

Ignore the FUD. Harley-bashing is de rigeur on KB, and considered a sign of taste and maturity, generally by people possessing neither.

Just go test-ride a few somethings that you like the look of. If you like the way it looks, and you like the way it feels, buy it. What he said, its that simple.Dont just go for a trip round the block on whatever you test ride take it for the day and ride the wheels off it before making a decision on what to part with the hard earned for.

[Maha]

Buy what puts a smile on your face when you twist the wrist in a fashion you prefer. When you find undiscovered twists and turns chasing a speed demon that entices you at every bend and lures your greatest desires through a 40kph corner and marry that beauty in the vanishing point.

Youngbiker16

I was never that good at cryptic stuff....what the hell are you on about?

[Dean]

I was never that good at cryptic stuff....what the hell are you on about?

Just keep on reading it and then you will realise its about the joys of riding.

[Hiflyer]

Son, someday when you grow up you will understand, we will have that talk someday, you cant ride a motorcycle until you know what riding is all about..

hahahaha "son" haha wat an old wise man you are.

were you the guy with gold or frankinsence? (sp?)

[balans]

Just keep on reading it and then you will realise its about the joys of riding.

Says the 16 year old with a GN250 to the adult with a CB1300

[98tls]

I was never that good at cryptic stuff....what the hell are you on about? First erection,big fat chick with curves and strong thighs.Dunno why he would marry it.:doh:

[Dean]

hahahaha "son" haha wat an old wise man you are.

were you the guy with gold or frankinsence? (sp?)


Says the 16 year old with a GN250 to the adult with a CB1300

Im everyones uncle or grandad :bleh:
My gn250 is my chariot , i conquer roads and bikes and i storm the beaches of normandy 80kph at a time on redline.

[Dean]

First erection,big fat chick with curves and strong thighs.Dunno why he would marry it.:doh:

Buy what strives for excellence, buy what every man would like to put there leg over (besides jessica alba), buy what forgives but does not forget

FOR EVERYTHING BUY A GN250

[98tls]

Im everyone's uncle or grandad :bleh:
My gn250 is my chariot , i conquer roads and bikes and i storm the beaches of normandy 80kph at a time on redline. Must say i admire your enthusiasm.:msn-wink:

[Hiflyer]

Im everyones uncle or grandad :bleh:
My gn250 is my chariot , i conquer roads and bikes and i storm the beaches of normandy 80kph at a time on redline.

by conquer roads you mean going so slow you dont need counter steering?

but anyway, once you can own GN250's :zzzz:(or anybody for that matter) on a CB1300 i reckon itd probly be best not to make jokes like that

[Dean]

by conquer roads you mean going so slow you dont need counter steering?

but anyway, once you can own GN250's :zzzz:(or anybody for that matter) on a CB1300 i reckon itd probly be best not to make jokes like that
98tls and hiflyer
The true king , is the man that sees no boundaries no limitations,no fear, my gn250 sees nothing but road as i eat up the tarmac as if it was my breakfast.
As you know im only joking i couldnt beat a cb1300 in 1st gear lol

[mikeey01]

Hi.

My first bike was a Norton Commando 1974 M2A. I spent a lot of money doing it up, thinking it would be more reliable - duh. I love the look of Nortons and Cafe racers in general.

I'm wanting to buy another bike. I like the styling of the Ducati Sport 1000 (2007 onwards models). I also like some Harley Davidson's. The Lowriders apeal to me more.

I am not a speed freak, but, do appreciate power and handling. I like the raw sound of some HD's. The Ducati Sports sound good with Zard or Termingoni exhausts.

Can people give me a run down on these two bikes in terms of reliablity and maintenance cost - and any other helpful points.

Thanks.




Ducati and only Ducati!
Trust me you won't be disappointed!

Italian bikes are about emotion.

If you want the fastest, sharpest, trickest bike on the planet, buy Japanese and follow the crowd.

But if you want a bike to stir you deep inside every time you open the garage door,
a bike you will spend hours cleaning just for the sake of it,
a bike that will make you shudder every time you hit the starter button and grin like an idiot behind a dark visor on the open road, there is none better.

[popelli]

Hi.

My first bike was a Norton Commando 1974 M2A. I spent a lot of money doing it up, thinking it would be more reliable - duh. I love the look of Nortons and Cafe racers in general.

I'm wanting to buy another bike. I like the styling of the Ducati Sport 1000 (2007 onwards models). I also like some Harley Davidson's. The Lowriders apeal to me more.

I am not a speed freak, but, do appreciate power and handling. I like the raw sound of some HD's. The Ducati Sports sound good with Zard or Termingoni exhausts.

Can people give me a run down on these two bikes in terms of reliablity and maintenance cost - and any other helpful points.

Thanks.


I own both a ducati and a couple of harleys

They are both great bikes, however if I had to have only 1 bike it would be the Harley

1200 sportster is possibly the best compromise if you want a harley for power and handling, the handling is not up there with ducatis but is more than adecuate for general riding and streets ahead of the dyna

Power wise the ducati feels slightly gutless comparecd to the harley, it has to be revved like a jappa to perform, in terms of hp at 8000 revs its impressive, however in terms of torque at normal road speeds it has less power than a harley - have had bikes on a dyno and it comfirmed what I already knew

[98tls]

Ducati and only Ducati!
Trust me you won't be disappointed! I did and was.750 Sport,piece of shit with the rear cylinder stuck on backwards and a car carburettor stuck on in the V,90SS what can i say but the biggest pile of shit.Shame really considering there great start.:banana:Glad to see the later offerings improved.

[mikeey01]

I own both a ducati and a couple of harleys

They are both great bikes, however if I had to have only 1 bike it would be the Harley

1200 sportster is possibly the best compromise if you want a harley for power and handling, the handling is not up there with ducatis but is more than adecuate for general riding and streets ahead of the dyna

Power wise the ducati feels slightly gutless comparecd to the harley, it has to be revved like a jappa to perform, in terms of hp at 8000 revs its impressive, however in terms of torque at normal road speeds it has less power than a harley - have had bikes on a dyno and it comfirmed what I already knew

So are your making a comparision and based this result on a 2 valve 900ss and a 1200cc Hardley? not being rude just asking out of interest.

[mikeey01]

I did and was.750 Sport,piece of shit with the rear cylinder stuck on backwards and a car carburettor stuck on in the V,90SS what can i say but the biggest pile of shit.Shame really considering there great start.Glad to see the later offerings improved.

comparision against modern or what was out at the time, VFR, GSXR etc

[98tls]

comparision against modern or what was out at the time, VFR, GSXR etc You can compare both of them to a shithouse seat if you like mate the shithouse seat still comes out the better ride.Shitboxes both built in Ducatis "lets try and re-establish ourselves era" in the late 80s.Dont get me wrong i love Ducs and was lucky enough to grow up with an old man that owned some very nice 860s and 900SSs but the 2 i mentioned earlier were nothing but dismal.

[Hiflyer]

yea my uncle has a 696 monster and an 848.

the 848 is a beaut to look at and to ride, but of course gets owned by 1000's and keeps up with the GSXR 750 but is noting special (dont burn me im just quoting my uncle haha) but he says the monster is a dream to ride and sounds evenbetter.

i myself can only compare my hyobag to the monster but from riding the monster i can say that the ducs are bloody brilliant, they have really taken care in making the bike as smooth as possible.

speed aint everything either. if your smoother than the next guy through a corner most likely you'll pass him.

but yea go the smoothness!!!!!

[mikeey01]

You can compare both of them to a shithouse seat if you like mate the shithouse seat still comes out the better ride.

Toilet seat ra ha ha ha fark that's funny shit right there! :rofl:

[imdying]

a bike that will make you shudder every time you hit the starter button and grin like an idiot behind a dark visor on the open road, there is none better.Only pussys ride bikes with starter buttons :whistle: Want a bike that tickles, forget ghey arse 4 strokes :no:

[saltydog]

Tough choice mate, The Duke has the styling and heritage for sure, but mates that own them are constantly throwing $$$ at them.
HD.....HHmmm ridden one once and hated it, big time. But horses for courses.
Cant go past a Japper, or the new RC8? Or Beammers new 1200SS?
spoiled for choice......

[popelli]

So are your making a comparision and based this result on a 2 valve 900ss and a 1200cc Hardley? not being rude just asking out of interest.

what do you want me to compare it with?

given you have quoted 1200cc it must be my panhead

2003 900cc ducati vs a 56 year old panhead??

ducati 60 ftlb torque and had just been professionally set up with power commander open airbox and ducati performance pipes

harley panhead 64 ft lbs and that was on the same dyno - however it was being tested to sort out the mixture on a worn our carb borrowed off another bike - never did re test it after the carb was fixed but it definitely ran stronger when teh mixture was sorted

[nallac]

Havn't ridden a Harley - do they really handle that bad?

compared to late model Ducs ,jappa's etc,yes

But ridden how they were designed to be, no
they're not a sports bike but a cruiser....

Maybe a slower one compared to some of the Jap power cruisers M109 etc
but its easier to keep ya license.

[Scouse]

98tls and hiflyer
The true king , is the man that sees no boundaries no limitations,no fear, my gn250 sees nothing but road as i eat up the tarmac as if it was my breakfast.
As you know im only joking i couldnt beat a cb1300 in 1st gear lolAre you the re-incarnated confusis or just the Glasshopper?

[Michael Smith]

I own both a ducati and a couple of harleys

They are both great bikes, however if I had to have only 1 bike it would be the Harley

1200 sportster is possibly the best compromise if you want a harley for power and handling, the handling is not up there with ducatis but is more than adecuate for general riding and streets ahead of the dyna

Power wise the ducati feels slightly gutless comparecd to the harley, it has to be revved like a jappa to perform, in terms of hp at 8000 revs its impressive, however in terms of torque at normal road speeds it has less power than a harley - have had bikes on a dyno and it comfirmed what I already knew

Thanks Popelli.

To make it clear, I'm looking at 2007 or 2008 models. Ducati Sport 1000 vs HD Dyna Lowrider (or similar). I loved my Norton. Had enough power and handling for me - just reliability and fact that had to spend money on it all time.

Does it cost less to own a HD?

[Scouse]

Have a look at the Triumph Speed Triple

[popelli]

Does it cost less to own a HD?

yes

parts are generally cheaper

maintenance is easier and you can do it yourself

and depreciation is almost non existant