Ducati Monster Forum

I know quite a few of you commute on your bikes. I just got a job working in Napa and I live in Alameda. So I'm looking at a 80 mile round trip commute on two wheels. I don't have the heart to punish my SS like this so I was thinking of getting something like a FZ1/6.
What do you guys think? Any recommendations?

Thanks  [thumbsup]

Get a S4R  ;D  [thumbsup]  [moto]

I do a 140 mile trip 4 times a week.

^^^^^ Yep, I agree.  I commute not quite as many miles as that on my S2R, no problem.

Later

Turbo 'Busa.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y166/EdRacer71/busasomeonekillme.jpg)

Glad to hear about the new job, mate. Whatchya doing?

And there is one for sale in the area at an excellent price. ;)

Looks perfect DQ.

I'm going to be working for a company called IASCO. They do all the pilot training for Japan Airlines.
I'm really looking forward to it because it's M-F 9-5, public holidays off etc. So now I can actually go to
bike nights and go on rides.  ;D

I have been thinking of that, my only concern is maint costs. How do you find it. I'm looking at 15k - 16k a year.

How much? ( does him want a 900SS in a trade  ;) )

How are you figuring on spending 15-16,000 bucks a year on maintenance? 

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16106.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16106.0)

i think he means milage

That makes a bit more sense...  [laugh] 

That's not insane mileage.  And they're "good" miles.  Just ride it. 

Yea 15,000 to 16,000 miles a year.
Which is two major service intervals a year. The FZ1 has huge maint intervals (e.g. valves every 32,000 miles) and that is very attractive.
How do those of you commute find the cost and how is the reliability. 

Sooooo....half the maintenance at the cost of a second bike?


If the only reason to do it is cost savings, that doesn't work.

A former coworker commuted daily on an FZ6 and it was super reliable for him. [thumbsup]

Maint wise is a horrible commuter Bike. I Put on about 12k to 15k a year. I normally go through 2 sets of tires and get my valves done every 10k or so. Yeah I know its suppose to be done every 6k =) I suppose I drop about 1k a year in Maint cost.

For me its a pretty comfortable commuter bike though If I would do it over again I think I would get a s2r800 instead. Less maint and better gas mileage.

Stop using PPs and get some Pilot Road 2CTs.  You will get 12k out of them and they are just ask sticky as PPs for normal use.  They actually have better traction in wet weather.  They were about $20 more than PPs but last twice as long. 

Thanks Rob.
When you do your service how long are you without the bike.
 
Mr Incredible, I agree with what your saying but I don't have a car and a bike will be my only vehicle.
Because of this I am looking for reliable and long maint intervals. In other words the least amount of down time.

If you want the SS to last get another bike. If you want to buy a new bike in 2 years, ride the SS into the ground and then get a new bike. I commuted on my monster for 2ish years, put 35k on it and went through chains, tires, valves, and oil like a crazy person, but I don't have a garage to do my own oil changes etc so it got pricey. Now I ride a BMW to work with a belt and so far so good :-P kept the Ducati for when I want to ride something nicer looking  [laugh]
I second good tire choice though. Replacing tires every 5k gets expensive, try to get something made for sport touring/commuting. I had decent luck with Conti Road attack (8-10k) and have the Pilot Roads on my BMW now and the seem like they'll do 10k.

I go to Nichols and they normally have my bike about a week depending on the time of the year.
Luckily I have the option to work from home when i feel like it =)

$4500 Its a shame to sell it for that little  :o

FZ6 is a winner, valve intervals are 26,000 miles. [thumbsup]

I was at Honda Peninsula Ducati today (again!) and they have a fairly clean FZ6 with 30k miles for $4600. 

Uhmm sounds like it's time for a test ride.
Thanks for the heads up.

You bet.  It's gray, looked pretty clean.  Hope it works out. 

I don't know if you have to carry a laptop to work, but if you do, having some kind of a topcase or rack to strap your bag onto will really make the long commute less fatiguing.

No laptop but I will be carrying other stuff so a top case or tank bag will be needed.

She.

Hah  :-\

you callen me a girl  ???

So having thought long and hard about it  I have decided to sell my SS  :'(  and get something along the lines of a FZ1/6.
So if anyone knows anyone who would be interested in a 900 SS cr send them my way.

Thank you all for your input.  [thumbsup]

Check out the new FZ6R

http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=882 (http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=882)

It's supposed to have adjustable ergonomicss and more torque lower down in the rev range (which might be more like your 900SS.

I did an 80 mile round trip commute on my Monster 695 for a year and a half. Maintenance does add up on Ducati's with that kind of mileage even using Nichols.

Let me know how that FZ6 feels. If I ever got something non-Ducati for the road it would probably be that bike.

Thanks dude. I will take a look.


I will let you know what I think remy. Are you working? If you have the time I am going to maybe go ride it tomorrow. I talked to HPD yesterday and they said they had someone coming in to buy it today but they will call if it does not sell.

What do you think, would you get a FZ1 or FZ6 or a bandit 1200s or 1250s.

It's funny, I ran into him yesterday, he's come back to work for us.  He now has 50k miles on it and is thinking about getting a BMW instead.

How does he like the FZ6, does he feel like it has enough grunt for a freeway only commute. My main concern with the smaller cc is the fact that I'm a fat ass!