Harley to Ducati

[muskrat]

I had an old pan head Harley and then a RoadKing before buying my Ducs.  Truth be told I've lusted over Ducs since they started the Monster.  I now have a Roadstar along side my Ducs and for me it's two worlds.  Some days I want to go fast and lean into turns and others I go to Colorado on my cruiser.  I sold my Harleys because I wanted torque so the Roadstar was a natural fit and that too is what made my decision to collect and keep anything Ducati.  Although the riding styles are night and day the torque is the common thread I love about them both.  For leisure and distance it will always be my cruiser but I have to remind myself that scraping floor boards is NOT good for too long.  THe thing is you have to temper yourself when switching.

Most sportbike riders will never consider a cruiser because they love speed but as you age and want to see the scenery I believe everyone should have both.

[JoeChieftain]

I had a very similar experience to SuperJohn. Wife really wanted a motorcycle and I had no desire to ride 2up with her driving, so we took the safety course together. She had her heart set on a highend street bike and I knew that would have been a bad deal for both of us. The only other thing she would look at was a Harley. The neighbor is a Harley sales guys so we talked to him and he hooked us up with a couple of sportsters. Hindsight being what it is, this may have been a worse decision than going with a sport bike. Wife is short and the weight was an issue, coupled with a short trip on gravel to the main road, after a few tries and a drop on the gravel she was done. I plugged along on mine for a while, but the 35 miles to work on the freeway sucked on the sportster. I could barely get off the bike by the time I got to work, tried various things to make it more comfortable, no luck.

The next year I had hernia sugery and the bikes sat most of the year. Last year I was determined to get back on the thing. I started with short rides but I never felt comfortable. I had notice a monster or two around town and thought wtf is that? That is a really cool bike.

I did a little looking and found I like the naked bike look, so test rode a few and ended up with a new 696 last fall. In a couple of weeks I had put on more miles that I had on my Harley in almost 3 years. My wife replaced her Harley with a Spyder and she loves it.

Life lesson learned - Test drive.

Mike

[Popeye the Sailor]

I guess I didn't realize this at the time I purchased my bike, but I'd like to do some long rides. So when I say "comfort" I meant it in terms of spending 4 or 5 hours on the bike. I've heard that 200 miles is "pushing it" on the M696, so that's a bit disappointing.

Depends on who you are, etc.


Took my S4R from Mass to Cali.


Can't say I 'd do it again, but I'd say it's doable.

[the_Journeyman]

Here's my comparison.  '97 Monster 750 w/ clip-ons is my commuter bike.  Neighbor baby-sat a Vrod for an extended period of time.  I was in charge of keeping the battery charged on said Vrod.

Riding position:

The Vrod's riding position was quite stretched out with drag bars and stock footpeg positions (no extenders/highway pegs etc).  Granted, I'm only 5'8" but I was stretched to my comfortable operating limits to operate the rear brake & shifter.  Mostly comfortable, but the stretched out riding position made my lower back unhappy, mostly because I was shifting my hips forward to make the reach to the foot controls easier.  Arms were ok.  VERY different to being wrapped around the tank on my Monster, it's completely opposite.  I'm folded up and clamped in place on the Monster, and I really enjoy that riding position.

Handling:

Can't speak for other Harleys, but the Vrod handled VERY well for a cruiser.  It's length made tight maneuvers iffy and a pain.  Semi-tight turns weren't a problem though.  Brakes were very good too.  Reasonably stable in corners.  You don't really notice you dealing with a 700lb bike unless you're barely moving like in a parking lot.

Power & delivery:

WAY smoother motor than my M750 & 900SS.  Silky smooth power without surprises.  You can tell Porsche had their fingers in this motor during development.  It had no problem launching the big bike forward with authority in all by the tallest gear.

JM

[Goat_Herder]

Depends on who you are, etc.


Took my S4R from Mass to Cali.


Can't say I 'd do it again, but I'd say it's doable.

Anything is doable.  But enjoyable is a different story.  Same goes with woman, too. 

[greenohawk69]

First and only Harley has been my Wide Glide.  Love the bike and very comfortable out cruising (Daytona and Milwaukee 2x from Dallas) or commuting to work (14 miles).  A buddy of mine was getting his Ural Wolf (Russian) cycle fixed at a dealer.  The dealer had a '97 Monster 900 in the showroom - had a salvage title.  I had heard/read about Ducati a little bit and LOVED the sound of the bike.  Had the dealer start up the bike and I was bitten by the Monster.  Was looking for a sportbike...something like an R1 that a buddy of mine had.  Just wanted something different to rip it on the freeway (100+) when I want. 

Love both bikes and they serve different needs.  There are a few other Harley owners that I know that also have a Ducati.  Probably never will give up my Harley though...maybe, but most likely for a geezer glide.    

[Rambler1982]

Anything is doable.  But enjoyable is a different story. 

Exactly... I don't wanna just "do it" I wanna love every minute of it. 

[Popeye the Sailor]

Exactly... I don't wanna just "do it" I wanna love every minute of it. 

One loves it more when one is done with it and in the hot tub.

[Bill in OKC]

I've been thinking about getting a Harley in addition to my two Italian bikes.  They are starting to look more reasonable with Ducati crowding the $20K range.

[Speedbag]

Here's my comparison.  '97 Monster 750 w/ clip-ons is my commuter bike.  Neighbor baby-sat a Vrod for an extended period of time.  I was in charge of keeping the battery charged on said Vrod.

Riding position:

The Vrod's riding position was quite stretched out with drag bars and stock footpeg positions (no extenders/highway pegs etc).  Granted, I'm only 5'8" but I was stretched to my comfortable operating limits to operate the rear brake & shifter.  Mostly comfortable, but the stretched out riding position made my lower back unhappy, mostly because I was shifting my hips forward to make the reach to the foot controls easier.  Arms were ok.  VERY different to being wrapped around the tank on my Monster, it's completely opposite.  I'm folded up and clamped in place on the Monster, and I really enjoy that riding position.

Handling:

Can't speak for other Harleys, but the Vrod handled VERY well for a cruiser.  It's length made tight maneuvers iffy and a pain.  Semi-tight turns weren't a problem though.  Brakes were very good too.  Reasonably stable in corners.  You don't really notice you dealing with a 700lb bike unless you're barely moving like in a parking lot.

Power & delivery:

WAY smoother motor than my M750 & 900SS.  Silky smooth power without surprises.  You can tell Porsche had their fingers in this motor during development.  It had no problem launching the big bike forward with authority in all by the tallest gear.

JM

You should try an '06-'07 VRSCR -  if you liked a standard V-Rod you'd love the 'R. Taller suspension, different de-raked frame altogether with inverted forks, mid controls, same engine with another 5 ponies due to better exhaust. Surprisingly chuckable for a 600+ pound machine.

I put a PC3 on mine, chucked the airbox lid (under the painted cover), punched out the stock exhaust, and it puts down a tenth or two over 120 HP at the wheel. I love this bike. 

[ROBsS4R]

I am seriously thinking of picking up a Nightster and Put a Heavy Breather, Progressive Shocks and Shorts shots on it 

[Taz Duc]

Hubby and I bought the Hogs for our 23 anniversary, yep we got the 105 Ann colors, me 1200 Sportster and him the Low Rider.  I had just past my riding test and he had been wanting to get back into motorcycling so for us it was Harley from the get go.  Yes he made me look at everything else and smaller sizes, but the Sportster Low felt the best.

A couple of months later he wanted to add to the stable so we went window shopping.  In the end the sexy Duc caught both our hearts so he got one of the 2008 S4RS Tricolores and I got the white 2007 S4RS.

We love them both for the reasons why they are different from each other.  We will take a ride on the Hogs then come back home and take the Ducs out.  We hope to add to the stable, but are in no hurry as there is still much to learn on the Ducs.  We still need to get my shocks replaced on the Hog to make it more comfortable for longer rides.  And we need to get the suspension on the Duc tuned in for my weight as neither manufacture has any bike set for a 115 lb rider.  Those mods take money and as right now I can still ride both with no problem so there is no hurry.

Don't know if that was the story you were looking for, but thanks for asking.  Ride safe 

[the_Journeyman]

You should try an '06-'07 VRSCR -  if you liked a standard V-Rod you'd love the 'R. Taller suspension, different de-raked frame altogether with inverted forks, mid controls, same engine with another 5 ponies due to better exhaust. Surprisingly chuckable for a 600+ pound machine.

If I had a couple more inches in my legs, I most likely would be saving for one rather than buying the 900SS I just picked up...  The only thing I didn't like was having to reach for the foot controls, made me a bit uncomfortable.  Otherwise, I loved the time in the saddle of the V-Rod ~

JM

[bluemoco]

You should try an '06-'07 VRSCR -  if you liked a standard V-Rod you'd love the 'R. Taller suspension, different de-raked frame altogether with inverted forks, mid controls, same engine with another 5 ponies due to better exhaust. Surprisingly chuckable for a 600+ pound machine.

I put a PC3 on mine, chucked the airbox lid (under the painted cover), punched out the stock exhaust, and it puts down a tenth or two over 120 HP at the wheel. I love this bike. 

I see an M900 in the background of this photo.  Must be an old pic.   

[the_Journeyman]

Looks like  a fun garage to me!

JM