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

[johnc]

or, get the "other/first" sport classic ... an mh900e.  904cc engine, dry clutch, and i bet even sig. moore will agree it is one of the sexiest bikes made by anyone.

i have seen a few mh900es with low miles (mine seems to be the one with the most miles on it of all the mh900es that are in the owners club) go for $10k - $11k

the ergos are a little more aggressive than other ducatis (except the supermono).

a presto,
johnc

[ghostrider]

you can give my supersport a whirl if you want.
it's about halfway between the superbikes and the monster as far as ergos go.
as far as power it's probably very similar to your 900, some engine etc.

[ducati_tim]

For the mix of city commuting and twisty fun riding that you do, the only thing that can match the Monster is a Hypermotard. But who says that you need to have one bike that does it all? You have a garage for Pete's sake! Get a cheap 2001 or 2002 748 for the fun twisties and maintain the Monster to slog across the bay. Or follow the old frigger path and buy a Vespa for your commuter  [moto]

[Michael Moore]

I specifically restrained myself from saying, "get a Vespa" 

[Duck-Stew]

First off 'Belle...  Your '94 shouldn't be put out to pasture exclusively.  You have enough garage space and she *IS* your bike.  So, don't put the old-gal down just yet.  Get another Duc and see how you feel after 4 months or so with two Ducs.

My suggestions would mimic those listed above.  I think you would absolutely LOVE the DS engine and it was available as early as 2003 so examples from that vintage would be popping up for cheaper than the flashier S2R1K bikes.  The GT1000 is a good bike for all-arounding, but that darned wet-clutch.  Well, I could fix that ya know...  Or, show you how to fix it.

No matter what, your '94 is a part of you.  Enjoy the new bike for daily stuffs and keep the '94 just cuz baby.

My two cents and opinion,
--Stu

[johnc]

I specifically restrained myself from saying, "get a Vespa" 

why the restraint?

[johnc]

belle -

here is ebay listing for an mh900e with less than 100 miles on it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Superbike-Ducati-MH900E-Mike-Hailwood-Replica-58-miles_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ150289437148QQsspagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101

here is the foggy with 1 mile on it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Foggy-Monster-Foggy-2002-Ducati-Foggy-Monster-Brand-New-Never-Titled_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ370081852026QQsspagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101

a paul smart limited with 490 miles:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-SPORT-CLASSIC-1000-LIMITED-EDTION-2006-DUCATI-SPORT-CLASSIC-PAUL-SMART-1000-LIM-EDITION_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ320293156839QQsspagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101

a hyerptard with 880 miles:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Hypermotard-1100-S-2008-Ducati-Hypermotard-1100-S_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ350093698423QQsspagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101

and a laverda 750 s with 2450 miles:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Makes-LAVERDA-750S-1999-low-miles-like-Ducati-Brembo-brakes_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ130250706378QQsspagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101

[jimboecv]

I specifically restrained myself from saying, "get a Vespa" 

I wouldn't. 

[datv]

hypermotard... because tards are fun.  really fun.

[duckwrench13]

You already had a GTV, so steer clear of the Laverda! Two words: Italian electrical.

[mostrobelle]

Whoa... I have my work cut out for me.  I guess there are worse things to have to do than shopping for a new-to-me bike. 

I'm not in a rush to do this.  I'm hoping for a couple of years on this bike, but my bike tends to surprise me with large, long-term, expensive fixes.  It's not enough to warrant getting a new bike just yet.  I've roughly priced out financing versus what I'm paying per year in repairs and it's still cheaper to keep the bike for now.  However, if the transmission decides to up and die--which I'm told could happen any day or it could go for another 50K-- then I'll be ready to throw in the towel.  When something like that happens, I want to have test ridden and priced all candidates on my list.  So it looks like I better get crackin'!  (Enzo is going to hate every minute of new bike shopping, too.  )

[enzo]

I LOVE this thread.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Fine yerself a binned S4R or some such and buy it-we'll find a way to fit the new motor in there when yours dies.

[duckwrench13]

Fine yerself a binned S4R or some such and buy it-we'll find a way to fit the new motor in there when yours dies.

He makes a very good point, although I'd look for an S2 instead of the S4...the cylinder heads are significantly wider on the 4V's. Depending on the year of the donor bike, it may be as simple as drilling the motor mount tabs out, from 10mm to 12mm, to accept the donor's mounting pins. Otherwise it's a fairly straight forward swap.

Yes, there will be some minor square peg in round hole issues, but nothing that can't be dealt with.  I'm helping one of the SFFD machinists restore his 851, so if we need things machined to make a motor swap work, he can do it.

[Spidey]

Putting a bike together is a bad idea for 'belle's needs.  'belle needs a reliable commuter, not a project.  And while she's interested in wrenching, she doesn't spend a lot of time doing it or have a lot of time for it.  So while it's an interesting project and cool to talk about, it's not really a viable alternative.

'belle, I think you're right to start planning for a new bike now.  But you should just commit to getting a new bike in a year or two whether or not your monster is running.  If the monster blows up, you can part it out.  If not, you can sell it or keep it around (you won't regret it).  Nevertheless, you need a new bike in the near future.