Someone help with the Ducati dilemma...

**slowpoke** · 5th April 2007, 10:46

Originally Posted by spudchucka

Being a recent Ducati convert I'd have to say have you considered a Monster.

Lower seat height, simpler engine, air cooled, two valves, lower maintenance costs, better torque & mid range = more fun & better value.

Yep, that's a good suggestion, mate. They are definitely on my "bikes to own before I die" list. It'd be way better for commuting...but I fear a chicky babe might find it "aesthetically challenging"......

**Her_C4** · 5th April 2007, 10:56

Originally Posted by slowpoke

but I fear a chicky babe might find it "aesthetically challenging"......

Huh?? Howzat then???

I don't think Lynda Blair would agree with you given she owns two of 'em (an 800 and a 1000).

**The Stranger:Me** · 5th April 2007, 10:59

Have you spoken to Adam at Henderson Motorcycles or Kerry at Motohaus?

Both sell a lot of Ducatis both are bloody good guys and would know and give you the straight dope on servicing and running costs.

**slowpoke** · 5th April 2007, 11:02

Here's something to stoke the fires of the 748 vs 9XX series bikes argument. Power and torque curves of standard 748, 916,996 and SPS series bikes.

748 strada green
748SP red
888 blue
916 purple
996 strada yellow
996SPS aqua

Roll on in any gear at any speed and the 748 (even the SP) is gonna be left behind by the bigger bikes. I'm not saying they aren't nice, just that useable torque is markedly down especially at the lower end of the range:

at 5k a 748 has approx. 38ft/lb (SP is worse)
at 5k a 916 has approx. 52ft/lb

The 748 may be smoother but you'll be using your left foot (and that heavy clutch) a lot more often.

**slowpoke** · 5th April 2007, 11:13

Originally Posted by Her_B4

Huh?? Howzat then???

I don't think Lynda Blair would agree with you given she owns two of 'em (an 800 and a 1000).

I know it's a stoopid generalisation. I'm just going from my missus and other women I've spoken too all reckon a 748-998 style bike is "pretty" but are "take it or leave it" when it comes to the Monster range. I reckon they still look great.......S4R=drool.

I thought the seat height might be a bit better on a Monster but they are quite tall too, at around the770 - 800mm mark, much the same as the Superbikes (748-916 = 790mm)

**Devil** · 5th April 2007, 11:47

Go the 955i!
It has power, torque and a beautiful sound. Yum!
Plus it's a Triumph and as stated previously, chicks on Triumphs are cool.

**YLWDUC** · 5th April 2007, 11:56

My biased opinion is with the Ducati Monster, although I'd look for at least a 750. The steering lock is pathetic, but seat height is way low the ride is nice and upright. Just my 1.87 cents (rounded down for inflation)

**JimO** · 5th April 2007, 12:19

pm desmo he is a Ducati man personally i like the Cagiva has the ducati looks with the Suzuki grunt and servising

**crashe** · 5th April 2007, 12:35

Surfchick - CONGRATULATIONS on passing your full license.
Well done.

Good luck in finding your new bike that you want to ride....
Lots of tests rides huh.

What are you gonna do with your 250?
How many Kms have you put on her?

**slowpoke** · 5th April 2007, 12:45

Originally Posted by YLWDUC

My biased opinion is with the Ducati Monster, although I'd look for at least a 750. The steering lock is pathetic, but seat height is way low the ride is nice and upright. Just my 1.87 cents (rounded down for inflation)

From memory I had to wind in +30mm of rear ride height (measured at the number plate) to get the 916 to turn something less like the Queen Mary, which doesn't bode well if you are only 5'4".

**vifferman** · 5th April 2007, 13:10

Originally Posted by slowpoke

From memory I had to wind in +30mm of rear ride height (measured at the number plate) to get the 916 to turn something less like the Queen Mary, which doesn't bode well if you are only 5'4".

OTOH, dropping the forks in the yokes as far as they can go without compromise clearance under full fork compression should achieve much the same thing, AND make the bike lowerer.

**Masterchop** · 5th April 2007, 14:26

Originally Posted by jimjim

what are you saying when you buy a harley

Your saying in a big loud voice IM AN A ACCOUNTANT HAVING A MID LIFE
CRISIS.

**surfchick** · 5th April 2007, 15:48

Originally Posted by crashe

Surfchick - CONGRATULATIONS on passing your full license.
Well done.

Good luck in finding your new bike that you want to ride....
Lots of tests rides huh.

What are you gonna do with your 250?
How many Kms have you put on her?

-i put about 20000km up.

Ze trusty SRV is on TradeMe with the compulsory rant about how rad it is for a 250! In fact today I'm using it to videotape what I hope to be the biggest lane-split on mini-dv!I'm gonna ride CBD to coro turnoff filming the shot off the back of the bike in the eaSter traffic for an artwork. might be the last run i do on her!

**surfchick** · 5th April 2007, 15:52

Originally Posted by slowpoke

From memory I had to wind in +30mm of rear ride height (measured at the number plate) to get the 916 to turn something less like the Queen Mary, which doesn't bode well if you are only 5'4".

nar I'm 5 7" and nearly all the road bikes feel fine-except the superduke which is too tall. I'm reading all the posts with interest- unfortunately I'm just not going to go the monster road as I want a road bike. And I don't HAVE to commute on it so the lower stances should be passable on days when i do decide to-it was interesteing to read the posts about the shoulder glance being harder though...will check it on the test run-
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