Decisions decisions decisions.

[EJK]

I have decided on the 636. I have been talking to a guy with one in Auckland. I will find out on Monday if the bank will approve the loan, and will fly up and ride it back on Saturday.

Nice :-) asad

[Asher]

Picking it up next weekend

[ducatilover]

Good pick, the prettiest of the lot and that tail unit is teh sex!!!

[Asher]

Thanks. I hadnt really been looking at zxr's very much because i really dont like the look of new ones but one glance at that was all it took.

[EJK]

Thanks. I hadnt really been looking at zxr's very much because i really dont like the look of new ones but one glance at that was all it took.

Me neither. I was sold by the colour.

[Xsannz]

Bit late to the party.

But if looking at a ducati then look at a honda sp1 or sp2 also known as and rc51 they come up from time to time for 9 to 10k and they are reliable fantastic and make you smile with every mile.

They were built to take on the ducati and under aaron slight and colin Edwards they did just that and beat them.

Would own one again in a heartbeat if i hadnt just bout a 2011 r1.

[Xsannz]

Picking it up next weekend

What day are you riding back?

I am picking up my r1 in auckland on the 28th and riding back to chch on the 1st..

And for ferry book on blue bridge dont use interislander.

Pm me and we might be able to ride some or all of the way back.

[Asher]

Funny you should say that because i was looking at this:


I was planning on flying up the 2nd and coming across on the ferry on the 3rd, but may change that depending on flight costs.

[onearmedbandit]

Very nice bike, proper HRC. SP2 would be a better bet, minor refinements that made some noticeable changes, critically the throttle response issues the 1 had. But I've never ridden either, I'm only going from what I've read. Definitely a bike on my list.

[Xsannz]

Very nice bike, proper HRC. SP2 would be a better bet, minor refinements that made some noticeable changes, critically the throttle response issues the 1 had. But I've never ridden either, I'm only going from what I've read. Definitely a bike on my list.

and this just listed.. so worth it you can click a button and change speedo to KM

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-565752936.htm

Ive had both,

i had one identical to that.

Sp2 had better throttle, and different swingarm.

sp1 throttle can be cured with a power commander.

both are a must ride before you die bike.. as said by MCN and sportsbike magazine.

Sound amazing pulls like a schoolboy till you hit the limiter then click and do it all again, and you hot the limit in 6th without even realizing the speed..

suspension on the sp1 and brakes where a tad more road orientated.. i changed the master on y sp2 to a sp1 master as it had less lever travel and more bite the sp2 master was for more feel ..

sp1 = better road suspension sp2 = still fantastic and was in production till 2006 with no changes but its suspension needed tweaking to soften it up a bit.


any way i am riding AKL to Welly on the Friday via the following route.

AKL - POKENO (for Breakfast)

Pokeno - Otorohonga.

Otorohonga - Taumaranui

Taumaranui - Waiouru

Waiouru - Bulls

Bulls - Paraparaumu (stay night with a mate)

Saturday - Para - Welly and nab 2:45pm ferry

feryy - picto - blenheim. - find a motel to kip in...

Sunday Blenheim - Chch

so if you caught me up on the sunday morning in BM we could do the last leg together...

[Asher]

Its looking more like i will try and get up on friday. $60 tickets vrs $200+ tickets. But that is assuming i get friday off work.

Although this is my planned route:



With staying in wellys over night then morning ferry then back home

[Xsannz]

Its looking more like i will try and get up on friday. $60 tickets vrs $200+ tickets. But that is assuming i get friday off work.

Although this is my planned route:



With staying in wellys over night then morning ferry then back home

my route has less scenery and travel, traffic wise going your route there will be a bit more... also i wanted a few more fuel stops on the way.

if you make it up on friday then you'll probably catch me on the ferry on saturday arvo.

personally i like the ferry saturday arvo as it gives me time to breathe if i need too... depending on how i feel after sitting on the ferry for 3 hours i may just push for home on the saturday.

[Xsannz]

my route has less scenery and travel, traffic wise going your route there will be a bit more... also i wanted a few more fuel stops on the way.

if you make it up on friday then you'll probably catch me on the ferry on saturday arvo.

personally i like the ferry saturday arvo as it gives me time to breathe if i need too... depending on how i feel after sitting on the ferry for 3 hours i may just push for home on the saturday.

google says this...

auckland - wanganui to welly as shortest 636km

my route is 648km

yours is about 712 km

[Asher]

Yeah going through taupo looks to add only 20 mins and i plan on turning off at ashhurst so i can hit up the rimutakas.
I want to make the most of the ride since i dont know when i will next be up those ways on a bike.
I was also thinking of going inland through culverden on the way home, only adds 30 mins to the trip.

[Marmoot]

Add a little bit more and you can get an 848.
Riding position and handling is miles ahead of 748, and reliability is a lot better too.
Not to mention the power is a lot nicer with bigger engine and different technology.

It is more hassle than the Japanese bikes, but the riding enjoyment is divine.

Warning: may take quite a bit to get used to. Don't be surprised when you test ride it if you find the handling is "crap". It takes a very different approach to riding it, and once you know how it actually handles a lot better than the japs.
Expect to spend $500-$800 for normal service, and $1000 - $1200 for anything involving cam belt.
Also plan about $2000 for suspension revalve/respring. Definitely worth the money and totally changes how the bike handles/feels. At the very least, do it for Safety reasons.

Having owned both, I have to say Ducati is a lot more enjoyable than SP1, for commuting, backroad riding, and the track.

EDIT: ah, you have decided to buy an inline 4. Too bad. Oh well, maybe next year?