i received a txt from the ducati showroom manager last Monday stating that the Streetfigher just arrived and come give us a visit. i had a deal with him after i had a minor accident in my '05 s4r in March, he'll sell my bike and give me the best deal on the 2010 'fighter since i was the 1st to commit on buying it.
i was busy to visit them so he called me yesterday and asking me to meet him urgently, it seems that there are only 3 available (1 standard/2 S) until Sept. i stayed there the whole evening examining the 'fighter and chatting with bikers about how beautiful it is. the moment i sat on it i knew that this is definitely not the predecessor of the s4r, it is something completely different. that's not what i was expecting and i didn't feel comfortable...
my take on the 'fighter: the thing is tall (i'm 5'10) and can't "flat foot it" .. the seat is worse than a 1098, handlebars more forward than the s4r and most important "nut crushing"
i have a back injury and the above things are a concern so i changed my mind about buying it and don't know what i will be riding in the next season. i'm in Kuwait and we only ride in spring and winter,, the temp outside now at 11am is 115!!! and that doesn't drop at night [bang] ````
maximum in July will reach +130 ehheeheehee [bacon] ?! ``
i had a sleepless night (some will understand) and didn't figure out what to get.. risk and take the 'fighter and get used to it, buy my buddy's fully loaded K1200R or get a Fireblade [drink] ```
they will sell my s4r for: $9,700
Streetfighter: $18,200
Streetfighter S: $21,660
used K1200R: $13,800
these are the sticker price and that isn't the best deal ??? !!! `````````
i'm confused, disappointed and don't know what to do...
Sounds like it is not the bike for you. You made those points very clear.
Quote from: Heath on June 26, 2009, 12:08:57 AM
Sounds like it is not the bike for you. You made those points very clear.
+1
Yup, you answered your own question.
Don't cave to a salesperson's pressure. Listen to your gut... sometimes waiting is the best thing you can do. The right bike comes at the right time... clearly this is neither of those.
Read the KTM thread. And watch the videos of those guys.
Here is a suggestion. Streetfighters, while hot now are not going to do anything but get cheaper. You sound like the kind of person (like most here i woudl guess) that is going to mod it one way or the other, even though you may not think that now, face it, you have a disease [evil]
Why not pass on the SF for now. Mod your exiting ride or buy another used bike.
Let someone else deal with all the problems of a first generation model and take the off the lot depreciation while you learn what mods are the best and plan to pick one up used next year for a lot less from someone who bought it and thought "the thing is tall (i'm 5'10) and can't "flat foot it" .. the seat is worse than a 1098, handlebars more forward than the s4r and most important nut crushing"
Just my opion.
Tim
BTW - i get the sleepless nights...
Sounds like the thing that's really bothering you is that you had COMMITED to buying it and now you don't think it's the bike for you. Don't worry about it; wiht only 3 available they won't have any trouble selling it. If you're not comfortable with the ergo's don't buy it. A 21k bike shouldn't require thousands in mods to make it rideable for you.
Comfort is one of the most important aspects for a bike to be truly enjoyable. If you are not comfortable on it then it is not worth $20.00 let alone $20,000.00. FWIW, I was planning on going to the SF from my S2R1K until I sat on it, I love the look, but it is just too uncomfortable for me as well. ( I may opt for a 1200GS instead)
So...did I hear someone honestly suggesting a BWM GS ??? [bang]
Only over my dead rotten body !!
If you can get the first streetfighter in your area and you dont need the money.. DO IT !!
Its a gem !! Put it in cellophane and have it in the living room !
But if you wanna ride something comfi and fast settle for a used blade now and please wait for Duactis new Ultrastrade or whatever they will call it.
But please...dont buy a GS...its only ok if you are 50 and your name is Manfred.
Quote from: Duc Fever on June 26, 2009, 05:37:06 AM
Comfort is one of the most important aspects for a bike to be truly enjoyable. If you are not comfortable on it then it is not worth $20.00 let alone $20,000.00. FWIW, I was planning on going to the SF from my S2R1K until I sat on it, I love the look, but it is just too uncomfortable for me as well. ( I may opt for a 1200GS instead)
thats not true. the 999 is horribly discomforting, but god damn is it fun to ride!
if its youre only way of commuting, id stay away from something like that though. but ifi ts a weekend bike, made to carve, and your body can take it, id go for it. if not, dont even think twice. youll hate it.
Did you ride the SF? Hard to make a decision without riding it IMO.
Anyway...don't feel bad about not buying it. Like Swampduc said, they'll sell them regardless if they only have 3.
Also, don't expect a great deal on a limited availability bike. That's just the way it is.
Quote from: ArguZ on June 26, 2009, 06:35:49 AM
So...did I hear someone honestly suggesting a BWM GS ??? [bang]
Ever ridden one? Very nice bikes...and extremely comfortable. ;)
Quote from: ArguZ on June 26, 2009, 06:35:49 AM
So...did I hear someone honestly suggesting a BWM GS ??? [bang]
Only over my dead rotten body !!
Why would he want to ride over your corpse? You'd make a mess of his bike, and then he couldn't park it in the house.
Quote from: MrIncredible on June 26, 2009, 07:54:06 AM
Why would he want to ride over your corpse? You'd make a mess of his bike, and then he couldn't park it in the house.
[laugh]
Those GS's are some seriously comfy, capable bikes. I know I've had trouble keeping up with some GS's in the twisties (but that could just be me ;D)
If I was a couple inches taller, I'd get one.
Quote from: swampduc on June 26, 2009, 08:18:27 AM
[laugh]
Those GS's are some seriously comfy, capable bikes. I know I've had trouble keeping up with some GS's in the twisties (but that could just be me ;D)
If I was a couple inches taller, I'd get one.
A hobbit! ;D
Quote from: MrIncredible on June 26, 2009, 11:47:41 AM
A hobbit! ;D
Yeah, I guess in this crowd, 5' 9" might qualify as a hobbit [laugh]
What about the new Monsters?
And don't rule out a Triumph Sprint ST, my next ride. A whole lot cheaper and sexier than the beamer.
Quote from: vampire on June 25, 2009, 11:55:57 PM
ii knew that this is definitely not the predecessor of the s4r
I agree: it is not the
predecessor of the s4r ;D
+1 on WriteStripe's advice. No need to rush into anything you don't feel comfortable about.
Quote from: swampduc on June 26, 2009, 12:17:32 PM
Yeah, I guess in this crowd, 5' 9" might qualify as a hobbit [laugh]
Call me Bilbo!
(Those are B's, not D's...)
thanks for all the replies guys
i'm a ride-in-the-weekend-and-have-an-early-morning-coffee-in-starBucks kind of rider...
it's 3am here and still couldn't find a sleep `````````
when i wake up from my sleepless night, i'll visit a couple of dealers...
nite'nite
It sounds like your old bike hasn't been sold yet?
Why not just get it fixed, do a few mods if you want and keep it? Nothing wrong with an '05 S4R in my book. [thumbsup]
Quote from: zenjim on June 26, 2009, 12:41:58 PM
What about the new Monsters?
And don't rule out a Triumph Sprint ST, my next ride. A whole lot cheaper and sexier than the beamer.
I like the ST too!!
...and a cold sore is sexier than a GS! [laugh]
Test ride the SF, I mean test ride the hell out of it and see if you still feel the same. Its a different machine than our Monster, different in every way. Im only 5'7 and I felt very comfortable on the SF.
I'll share you my story. Most of the fellas here know my Rs, I love the damn thing, I modded the bejesus out of it and when my gf is out of town, i sneek in the garage and i sleep with it. She was my mistress for a year and a half with no plan on selling or replacing her. Fast forward a couple of weeks ago, I went to my local dealer to chit chat and saw the Streetfighter on the floor, two of them, red standard and a red S for a demo. Brian, the salesdude asked if I want to test ride the SF, I said sure, I have my gear in my truck and I have nothing better to do so why not. 8 miles later, my conclusion came to this; My Rs is like a 30 yr old woman and the Streetfighter is a 19 year old freshmen in college.
Went back to the dealer Tuesday, closed the deal and im picking up my 19 yr old hottie tomorrow. [moto]
Quote from: asado on July 01, 2009, 09:48:28 PM
My Rs is like a 30 yr old woman and the Streetfighter is a 19 year old freshmen in college.
So...irrational and user friendly?
Quote from: MrIncredible on July 01, 2009, 09:54:23 PM
So...irrational and user friendly?
on the expensive side but handles great.
Quote from: zenjim on June 26, 2009, 12:41:58 PM
What about the new Monsters?
And don't rule out a Triumph Sprint ST, my next ride. A whole lot cheaper and sexier than the beamer.
i love the exhaust on the new ST.. I saw one recently and said, damn what is that sexy sport bike?! it's triumphs sport-tourer?! jesus...
reminds me of the mvF4 exhaust a little.
I'm 5'8" it's not to tall for you??
Quote from: asado on July 01, 2009, 09:48:28 PM
Test ride the SF, I mean test ride the hell out of it and see if you still feel the same. Its a different machine than our Monster, different in every way. Im only 5'7 and I feel very comfortable on the SF.
I'll share you my story. Most of the fellas here know my Rs, I love the damn thing, I modded the bejesus out of it and when my gf is out of town, i sneek in the garage and i sleep with it. She was my mistress for a year and a half with no plan on selling or replacing her. Fast forward a couple of weeks ago, I went to my local dealer to chit chat and saw the Streetfighter on the floor, two of them, red standard and a red S for a demo. Brian, the salesdude asked if I want to test ride the SF, I said sure, I have my gear in my truck and I have nothing better to do so why not. 8 miles later, my conclusion came to this; My Rs is like a 30 yr old woman and the Streetfighter is a 19 year old freshmen in college.
Went back to the dealer Tuesday, closed the deal and im picking up my 19 yr old hottie tomorrow. [moto]
i really like the SF and love to test it but they're not offering a demo :(
thanks for the replies but sport-tourers! GS!!! no thanks (^_^) ```
my bike is fixed except a dent on the tank, will fix it when temp drops a bit (talking about 125F now)
modding it:
bar end mirrors, tail chop, exhaust, clutch cover, clutch springs caps, clutch slave cyl, paint! all check
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/vampire_s2000/DSC02512.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/vampire_s2000/DSC01367.jpg)
advice: if u like your monster, don't put the ex-box
Vampire, What is with the ex-box? looks? performance? sound? quality?
Quote from: va122 on July 02, 2009, 06:19:01 AM
I'm 5'8" it's not to tall for you??
I can't flat foot it but it was no different (i felt) than my Rs height wise (right foot down, right butt cheek hanging off the seat ;D). Maybe im just used to riding tall motoscooters (used to ride motards in my home country), had a Triumph 675 for 6 mos and everybody says it's tall but I did fine with it and felt comfortable.
Vampire: Do not demo the SF unless you are ready to part with your monster. What is wrong with your Ex-Box? Had mine for over a year and to date, no issues and still looks new. Fellow member (Alfred) recently bought it from me and his comment was "it looks brand new".
(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/1551/3370494463e2619aa844o.th.jpg) (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=3370494463e2619aa844o.jpg)
(http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6815/aaa256201.th.jpg) (http://img9.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aaa256201.jpg)
(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3580/337131691408164a56fcoe.th.jpg) (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=337131691408164a56fcoe.jpg)
Quote from: AfroS4RS on July 02, 2009, 06:57:31 AM
Vampire, What is with the ex-box? looks? performance? sound? quality?
i went for the ex-box for the looks but if i knew it sounded like that, i would've got arrows or zards