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

[mostrobelle]

Italian, requires maintaince, what more do you need? Yes i know....It can be lowered if needed.

I know that height is traditionally a woman's concern, but that isn't a huge deal for me.  I just don't see myself as a motard girl.  A Hypermotard girl, very possibly, but not a motard-motard girl... That and I would have a hard time getting over the fact that Husqvarna makes chainsaws.  I don't want to ride a redneck chainsaw.  It's the same thing with a Honda--I think "lawnmower" and for Yamaha pianos are always in the back of my mind.  I'm easily distracted... 

[Michael Moore]

OK, I'm just gonna throw this out there, but what about a beater SV for your commute and save the old girl for weekends in Marin? In the plus column: you can park it on the street without worry, and if some dickhead does steal it, you won't be all that sad. Plus they're cheap and pretty low maintenance I think.

In the minus column, yeah, they're ugly.


I had a kind of epiphany over the weekend, thinking about this thread and new bikes. I was mulling over all these choices as I put the wheels with new rubber back on my Monster. So many possibilities, so much shiny machinery. And then I got out onto the road, taking it easy at first to scrub in the tires, gradually picking up some pace, and somewhere, in the middle of the ride, I realize that I'm already on my perfect bike. I know every lump in the powerband, the exact point to downshift and give it gas through each corner. It all fits beautifully, joining me and the road in a way that just lets me be happy without really trying, or even thinking about how to operate the bike.

Can you tell? I love my bike.

(oh, and new tires are great too!)

[Labbedds]

Well put MM, well put.

[mostrobelle]

OK, I'm just gonna throw this out there, but what about a beater SV for your commute and save the old girl for weekends in Marin? In the plus column: you can park it on the street without worry, and if some dickhead does steal it, you won't be all that sad. Plus they're cheap and pretty low maintenance I think.

In the minus column, yeah, they're ugly.


I had a kind of epiphany over the weekend, thinking about this thread and new bikes. I was mulling over all these choices as I put the wheels with new rubber back on my Monster. So many possibilities, so much shiny machinery. And then I got out onto the road, taking it easy at first to scrub in the tires, gradually picking up some pace, and somewhere, in the middle of the ride, I realize that I'm already on my perfect bike. I know every lump in the powerband, the exact point to downshift and give it gas through each corner. It all fits beautifully, joining me and the road in a way that just lets me be happy without really trying, or even thinking about how to operate the bike.

Can you tell? I love my bike.

(oh, and new tires are great too!)

If I could keep this particular bike forever I would...but that's not reasonable.  I know we're Ducati people and we're all about soul and blah, blah, blah, but it really is just a machine and it can be replaced with something a lot better.  As for having an ugly commuter--well--it's not a bad idea, but it's a quality of life issue.  I just don't want to spend my time on an SV for an hour a day. 

So my list so far...

Used 916
Used 748
New 848
New 1098 (yeah, that's right, I said it...)
Another Monster something or other
Hypermotard
Brutale (maybe...)
more to come...

These are all pretty big bikes.  I wonder if my insurance covers test rides??? 

[Spidey]

Let me go to the other extreme.  H, get the 916.  It's 2 wheeled art (I know that shit appeals to you).  You know that you'd rather be riding that than something more powerful, more refined, more comfortable, more reliable and more up-to-date.  When it becomes fussy and pregnant dogy and annoying, sell it (a year or two or three years down the road) and get something more rational.  But you shouldn't go through life not having owned a 916.  Red, of course.  Now's your chance.  Do it.      [moto]

[DanTheMan]

I know where you can get a nice reliable 749

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=9069.0

[Speeddog]

A 916 or 748 *only* if they've been well cared for.
Unloved examples are going to be a headache until they're sorted out.

848 is good for a modern weapon, but IMO a 1098 is just overkill.

We've gone over the Monsters...

I just can't see you on *any* 'tard.

Brutale? They're *big*, and, well, an inline-4. Bleh.

[enzo]

the only bike that does it all:  sporty, beautiful, low maintenance, 2 valve, air cooled, DS1000, no exactly Ducati...

Bimota DB5

[jimboecv]

This just in from Husqvarna's website.

I didn't know they started that long ago.

Husqvarna, which is a Swedish company, was founded in 1689. At that time, we produced what were probably the finest muskets of the day. And it was then that we laid the foundation for the engineering expertise that has since helped us develop some of the world’s best products in areas such as hunting weapons, bicycles, motorcycles, kitchen appliances, sewing machines and now outdoor products.

Sorce: http://www.usa.husqvarna.com/company_history.aspx

Check out the logo; the lower circle is a barel, the 'w' shape on top are the front and rear sights.  FYI, Husky firearms are well made, accurate and demand high prices on the used market... not that I'd know or anything.

Husky's like GM or Piaggio; they make all kinds of stuff - just not bikes anymore since they sold that off a decade(s?) ago.  Anyway, a supermoto's too tall, and too focused for a sem-urban / city via freeway commute.

Supermoto's are like dating strippers; When it's good it's great but when it's bad it ends, ultimately, in sudden violence and at huge expense.

[jimboecv]

Bimota DB5

Used, low milage versions are low hanging fruit in these parts.

[TCK!]

Brutale? They're *big*, and, well, an inline-4. Bleh.

Really? I've only sat on one and I felt the tank was shorter and wasn't as hard on the back. There is a regular up at the wall that is a pretty short guy and he specifically bought the Brutale over the Monster because of this shorter tank...

I think you should just get a RC8 then you could just ride around signing "King of the Road."

[slower than...]

Surprised the 848 is on your list, wet clutch and all.  Unless you do the following dry clutch conversion: 



  Yes, it's a re-post, but hilarious. 

Seriously though...

You should consider finding a used Paul Smart.  It is sexy, and rare, and therefore, a bike worth holding on to a long time, much like the MH900e mentioned earleir in this thread.  Take a look at the asymmetrical rear swingarm alone and you'll consider this bike a piece of art.

[duckwrench13]

Italian, requires maintaince, what more do you need? Yes i know....It can be lowered if needed.

Two words: RETARDED FUN!!!

[enzo]

Used, low milage versions are low hanging fruit in these parts.

No kidding?  I've seen the one that Scuderia has on ebay, but there are others?

[Grampa]

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=10428.0

you need this.... not a bike.


it has a sink in it, so you can do the dishes in it.

Enzo will love you for it.





 

 


Keep the monster and get a supermotard of some sort. (Warren will teach you how to wheelie one)