Hypothetically speaking... a new bike for da 'Belle

[mostrobelle]

So the mechanic (and pretty much everyone else) is starting to drop hints that perhaps it's time to consider the fact that the old girl might be needin' to be mothballed eventually.  I don't believe it myself and had high hopes of reaching 100K on this bike.  However, my repair and maintenance bills are slowly creeping up to be on par with what payments on a new bike would be (not that I'd necessarily finance.)  My 1994 Monster is going to hit 51,000 miles this weekend.  I think I'll be lucky to hit 75K without needing to drop the engine again.  Parts are getting hard to find.  It's going to reach a point of diminishing returns...

So hypothetically speaking, what kind of bike would you get to replace my bike if you were me? 

Power: 
I can manage my current bike pretty well at both slow and faster speeds.  I like lots of hp for the fair amount of freeway riding I do and can generally mange to keep it under control when riding in the twisties.  My current bike doesn't have an insane top speed--fastest I've ever gone on it was about 130 and that was plenty.  I looove the low end torque, however. I enjoy doing an occasional wheelie, so we need to have enough power for that.   

Ergos: 
I have a fairly aggressive riding position on the Monster (clip-ons) and that's OK.  It's not really comfortable for longer rides, but I generally only do maybe 250-300 miles at most in a day.  I like "looking" like a biker, too, I'll admit it.  I'll sacrifice a bit of comfort for an image...and better handling.    For those don't know me I'm pretty small, but not too short (5'-4") so leg reach isn't a huge issue.  I don't need to flat foot my bike, but like to be able to have a good chunk of foot down for maneuvering in parking situations. 

Maintenance:
I don't mind doing some of the more straightforward work on my bikes.  I don't find a lot of joy in doing it, but I don't hate it.  Lately I've found myself quite busy and unable to do much.  That or the problems are too complex for me to tackle on my own reasonably.  I do enjoy doing strange little modifications myself and piecing together parts that don't necessarily come out of a pre-fab kit.  I don't think that bolt-on bling is where it's at and like being able to have a canvas with which to work.  Monsters are great for that.  If possible, I'd like a bike that didn't require a lot of major services and tweaking.  I think air-cooled twins are pretty bullet proof. 

Aesthetics/Image: (yes, this is important)
I love the dry clutch.  It's a thing with me.  It's easy to maintain for one, But I like to make a racket, too.  ... but I've alienated my neighbors on one side of me because of the noise of the bike and have thought that it might be nice to have a really quiet one. 

I want to stick with an Italian bike.  I like Italian and always have.  I like this group and I like the association with a country that I find breathtaking in so many ways.  Riding the bike makes me have a little bit of Italy with me all the time.  Stupid, but true.  It's a quality of life issue with me and I don't see any reason to spend my time aboard something that isn't beautiful. 

Finances:  I'm not made of $$.  I've tried whoring out the hubby but he doesn't like to PIITB, so readily available funds are limited.  I'm totally open to buying used, but ya gotta have the cash in hand for that.  I would be limited to something in the 5K-8K range and would be giddy to find a fixer-upper in decent condition for $3500.  If I financed through a dealer then I could do more--a lot more--maybe closer to 12K.  I'd have a hard time justifying that and m'boy would soon want a new bike of his own.  I'd rather not buy new, but I like the sound of one of them warranty things.  Never had a vehicle with one of those on them and they sound kinda nice. 

 I have of course considered just getting another Monster.  I'm also contemplating other Ducati models.  MV is also on my wish list.   

Ideas? 

[TCK!]

There was a amazing aprillia tuono on barf a bit ago. It was on the high end of your price range but when it comes to replacing the monster that's where I'll be looking.

[duckwrench13]

Enzo only needs one kidney.

[Spidey]

Fack, dude, just get a used s2r1000.  You don't want a priller (cuz they look like a hooker's ass), and an MV isn't a twin and doesn't have a dry clutch.  I could *totally* see you on a Sport Classic, but they're wet clutch (I think all of them?) and the cool lookin' ones have a pretty aggressive riding position.  
You'd dig that 1000 engine, H.  It's got a lot more oomph than yours and is much smoother.  

If you were gonna somewhere other than the Italians, but stay naked and hoolie, a Speed Triple or Street Triple would be a great choice.   I left off the FZ1 and the like--while amazing bikes and will stomp on most Ducs--are more pedestrian than what you are looking for.

What are your thoughts on fairings?  I figure you for a non-fairing chica, considering what appeals to you--visually--in a motorcycle.


P.S.  I told you so.  

[Speeddog]

Aluminum clutch plates reduce the clutch noise considerably.

'00 or '01 M900S are very nice.
M800 or M1k.
S2R800 or S2R1k.

IMO, stay away from the O2 sensor bikes.

Derby's still got his S4R for sale, and (I think) gm2 has a Priller RSV for sale.

IMO, the Triumphs are *fugly*, but it's your ride, not mine.

Or dedicate a similar chunk of money to do a comprehensive resto/refurbishment/pimp-out of your current ride.

[ROBsS4R]

There is a Foggy on Craigs list right now 

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/811165679.html

[Desmostro]

Wow that's a tough one. I can only see you on another Monster. But that's just my fixation. I can only tell you about my experience that you might pick something from.

I love this 848 thing I tell you. Its so damn fun its ridiculous. 2 year warranty, free ducati road side assistance, no one else's f-ups on it... Its my first brand new moto.
I kind of migrated from mountain biking (Monster riding position) to road bike racing (848 riding position). That's how I made this big switch-a-roo. Its a whole other thing I tell you. Some love it, some don't.

But see - you got that road bike thing going on, and you're in shape for the extra work out the more aggressive riding position et al gives you - so that's a real convincing argument for me to say try something a bit racier if you're thinking about it. The 848, and I imagine, many bikes that racy are a work-out much more so than the monster. They don't even attempt the versatility of the Monster, they just do one thing really well.

If you want grunty, you want 1098. 848 is smooth and way higher revving for wheelies. 1098 is hell on wheels. Both are lighter than what you're used to, and have more power than you'll know what to do with. This trip for me is like a new learning experience. I'm into that as well.

Once you go fully faired, you have to start matching colors and ironing your shirts and stuff though. It kind of goes with the look.    

[ROBsS4R]

How about a S4R. Sounds like Someguy will have one for sale soon 

[ptam]

How about a S4R. Sounds like Someguy will have one for sale soon 

Yeah ... but then you'd have to clean it.   


But seriously, I think that you're right at that sweet spot now where either you cut bait .. or just invest money into it and ride it until it stops running alltogether.  Kinda like a car.

My thoughts are that if you were to stay with the Monsters, I'd stick with the air cooled.  Although my S4RS has been pretty bullet proof so far *knocks on wood*.  When I was looking at replacing the S2R1K, I was really torn between the Speed Triple and this S4RS.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Everything I have is for sale. I wouldn't want all that much for the S4R, either.



Be stubborn and pull what I would do. Score a beater to drive daily, tear down the 944, rebuild the whole mess, have shiny, happy, mechanically sound current bike, sell the beater. You like the bike you have, right? Keep the dang thing-you know it's history, how it handles,. everything else-sink the new bike money into the old bike.

FYI, with anything that gets long in the tooth, it will go through phases where just *everything* will friggin' break and drive you batty, and then once those items get sorted out, it'll be fine for a while....then it'll do it again.

[Michael Moore]

If I was buying a new Ducati (and my monster's about in the same category as yours) I'd go for a Hypermotard S. Yeah, the range sucks, but it is such a fun bike. But that's just me.

I'd have to agree that the 1000 DS motor (or the 1100 version) is just about perfect, so maybe one of those faired Sport Classics (in red, of course) might combine the fun factor and ergos you're looking for, and they do look pimp.



Or, if the Sport Classics are hard to find used, maybe a nice 996/998. Still the most beautiful bike Ducati ever made IMO.

[Buckethead]

The 2006 Sport 1k's had a dry clutch. I'd say try to find one and throw a leg over. They're pretty tall, but IMNSHO they're the sexiest thing on 2 wheels.

Plus the DS1000 engine is almost bulletproof and has been known to pull tree stumps from time to time.

[Le Piou]

S2R1k. Without any doubt.
Or the sport Classic as Michael suggested...

If I had to change mine, I would take the same. I am worry though that you can't plan to reach at least 80000 without big problems... It sucks...
I hope mine willl hold more than that...

[slower than...]

Only the '06 Sport Classics had the dry clutch (ok, ok, the LE '07 Monoposto did too).     They will definitely satisfy your need for an "image", truly sexy bikes.  Someone recently on BARF picked up a used one, less than 5K miles, upgraded to the Ohlins fork and shock, for $8500.  I'm sure there are many cheaper ones around for sale.

I looked at the S2R1K as well, before deciding on the Sport 1000.  But as Speeddog said, I have also heard that the newer bikes with the O2 sensor have had problems.  Truthfully, even the SC had the same issues.  Of course going with the Termis and the race ECU makes all the problems go away.   

[smducman]

Hey Mostrobelle ,

How about classic GT 1000 is fun to ride and commute if you do not mind wet clutch, it 's really comfort and also easy to work on , if you feel to test ride , take mine out and see how you like it , I use her wing as pilot daily.