I think I made a mistake

[Cher]

um, soooooo much lighter than the Jap bikes and fairings to boot.  1/4 mile is not an accurate measure of a bike's ability unless you add 6 inches to a busa and then tear off down the strip.  still wondering what purpose this shit serves anyway?  it's like comparing a corvette to a malibu in the 1/4 mile.

   Dude, the Malibu has four more cupholders, duh!  Hugely influential in my buying decisions...

  

(ne... ee..  ed    mo... rr...    coffee...)

[alexisonfire]

Sdlrodeo-

Are any special tools required to do the front sprocket swap on a dual sided swingarm monster?  I know an eccentric chain tool is required on the SSS, but I cannot find any information on the swap for DSS.

Thanks.

[muskrat]

   Dude, the Malibu has four more cupholders, duh!  Hugely influential in my buying decisions...

  

(ne... ee..  ed    mo... rr...    coffee...)

they make after-market cup holders for that vette of yours too, you know, the kind that hangs on the window seal. 

[Frisco]

you keep saying this is NOT a good two-up bike but i don't remember you describing WHY you think it is not.
I ask because while i no longer (for the moment) tour with my wife, we did several trips together. i think the longest was to San Antonio and another the long way down to fredericksburg.
The latter had all sorts of weather. i think you mentioned the Bike being too stiff. That seems odd unless you were bottomed out. We did these trips before i got a stiffer spring put in the rear and to me, the bike seemed slightly wallowy and softly sprung (compared to the performance when the bike is set up for the track). i can only imagine it being better now.

As far as 1/4 mile times, i'll bet the ST4s they tested didn't have proper gearing.

I reduced mine and still don't use sixth. rarely get out of 4th actually. I do think i could go faster on the top end if i did some adjusting.

I would suggest you deffinately try the 14 tooth front sprocket. heck i'll let you borrow mine to try and put it on for you for free!
the sargent seat is a huge improvement for amanda. she said it stopped her fron sliding forward so much.

Steve

steve

I said it wasn't a good two up compared to what I had been used to riding - this is much more cramped - passener sits up higher and with a tour trunk added for carrying capabilities looks like a fugly adventure tourer and unless you unbolt everything just taking the bags off looks like some kind of tubular experiment going on back there. much roughr ride.
I didn't buy it to change it all out - the tests are done on stock bikes - you can't have an accurate comparison when you start changing gears etc - that would serve no purpose - with two up it lacks power (again compared to what I had before) and roll-on acceleration is much slower - if I want to pass someone I don't want to have to drop down 2 or 3 gears to do it.
I think this would make a fine one person machine but for me right now for what I need this ain't cutting it.  I'm just hoping I can get a somewhat decent offer on a trade - I'm prepared to lose money but hopefully no more than a grand or two.

[Cher]

they make after-market cup holders for that vette of yours too, you know, the kind that hangs on the window seal. 

But can I get a red Dale, Jr. #88 cup holder for my Vette?  That'd have to be good for at least another 5hp right there 

Back on topic (damn it, how weird is that  ); if I were planning on riding two-up, I'd take my intended victim passenger and get their input.  Not that their opinion would in any way influence my decision, of course 

Maybe you could get something approaching fair trade-in value on the Duc if you decided to go through a dealer on your next bike, Frisco?  Spring dealer specials should be at least better than usual this time of year.  Not sure what the KBB value is but it does sound like you got a hell of a deal 

Or maybe list the Duc on other bike forums in their "other bikes for sale section"; could possibly even find someone who wants to trade even up.

Good luck with whatever you decide; awesome riding weather NOW 

[Frisco]

Cher - unfortunately she had to work that day - we did go around and sit on a bunch of different bikes prior - she said it wasn't bad but felt tight - it's not her doing the complaining - she just likes to ride.  It's my decision because I can't see a 400-500 mile straight shot on it with her on the back - not sure i could do it with just me actually.  I thought it would work and it was the best deal I could find at the time - I really wish I would have waited but I probably would have made the same choice.  I wasn't going to find a used FJR for what I get from the insurance company that was in as nice as shape as mine - I would have wanted at least one year newer model (heat issue) and there just aren't that many out there.  it's no big deal I just wish I could find someone who would buy it - I have posted on other Ducati forums but no interest.

[♣ McKraut ♣]

Sdlrodeo-

Are any special tools required to do the front sprocket swap on a dual sided swingarm monster?  I know an eccentric chain tool is required on the SSS, but I cannot find any information on the swap for DSS.

Thanks.

Easy stuff, man.  You don't need special tools. He'll you don't even need a rear stand. You might need to pop off the clutch slave, but if you just slack the chain you can probably jimmy it out. Probably a 15 min job.   

[sdlrodeo]

Sdlrodeo-

Are any special tools required to do the front sprocket swap on a dual sided swingarm monster?  I know an eccentric chain tool is required on the SSS, but I cannot find any information on the swap for DSS.

Thanks.

Don't know for sure, but I think it is just the allen key to take off the sprocket guard, the axle nut socket and adjuster bolts (14 or 12mm) and an 8mm socket for the keeper bolts on the front sprocket itself. That is how mine is set up anyway.

Steve

[sdlrodeo]

I said it wasn't a good two up compared to what I had been used to riding - this is much more cramped - passener sits up higher and with a tour trunk added for carrying capabilities looks like a fugly adventure tourer and unless you unbolt everything just taking the bags off looks like some kind of tubular experiment going on back there. much roughr ride.
I didn't buy it to change it all out - the tests are done on stock bikes - you can't have an accurate comparison when you start changing gears etc - that would serve no purpose - with two up it lacks power (again compared to what I had before) and roll-on acceleration is much slower - if I want to pass someone I don't want to have to drop down 2 or 3 gears to do it.
I think this would make a fine one person machine but for me right now for what I need this ain't cutting it.  I'm just hoping I can get a somewhat decent offer on a trade - I'm prepared to lose money but hopefully no more than a grand or two.

As far as luggage goes, I've grown used to the looks but at first, i'll agree, it looked a bit odd. I too hate the look of the bag off/frames on set up. I currently have just my top case rack without the side bag hardware fitted. I like the lines a lot better that way. But it's funny because the FJR looks about the same to me with it's luggage rack/top box set up the side bags are a different story. I don't know what the FJR looks like without them.

It sounds like you really don't like the bike for many reasons which is perfectly fine. I was just offering the sprocket suggestion to remedy the power/roll-on issue. I forgot we were talking about an ST3 vs my ST4s. As I've never ridden an ST3, I can't speak for the power difference. I do know that I usually don't downshift to pass and if I do, maybe one gear.  Even on my ST4s, it is rather wheezy at low speeds without a sprocket change however, top end can be spooky fast.

I wish you luck in your adventure of getting a new bike and I'm really sorry to hear this happened in the first place.

Steve

[muskrat]

to me all top trunks look fugly, but it's not my bike or my choice.  should I buy one such as these I'm hoping GIVI options will look better.  just saying.

[sdlrodeo]

to me all top trunks look fugly, but it's not my bike or my choice.  should I buy one such as these I'm hoping GIVI options will look better.  just saying.

I agree totally. But right now I can only afford one bike and If I didn't need it for commuting and locking my gear in, I wouldn't have it. It sure does come in handy on long trips rather than strapping gear with plastic bags all around. Plus without the trunk, the rack isn't toooooooo intrusive. Hope Lisa doesn't mind but I posted her pic:



I'm sort of a fan of the Hypermotard soft luggage in a weird off the wall way, but it doesn't lock.
Steve

[muskrat]

the rack doesn't look bad at all, it's the trunk that I think looks funny.   

[Frisco]

That doesn't look bad without the side bag hangers - I think the power difference between the 4 & the 3 is fairly significant - 121 HP vs 107 HP. I'm like you I need the top case more than the side bags to commute.  FJR looked similar without the top case , a big black flat mount for the GIVI instead of the stock painted rack for attaching soft luggage.  Side bags came off like the ST's turn the key and pop them off but no mount behind them - put the little plugs in the two holes on top and you would never know it was supposed to have hard bags.
I took it out today by myself - much better - can lean further over than the FJR - Scott at AMS said I should run it between 4-7,000 rpms for the best response from the motor - tried it and it did have better roll-on response but it was liking riding a sportbike keeping the revs up.
Got a decent offer of $7K for a trade-in so that equates to about $7500 with the tax savings - only would lose $1K from what I paid for it.  Before anyone says anything that the offer is relative to the asking price of the new unit I know what the cost is on most bikes having sold them before and I can pretty much pick up anything for about $200 over cost so the offer is based on a selling price of $200 over cost including any special offers the mfg. has going. Now I am just waiting for the final insuranc settlemnt to decide if I trade and get something new or get another bike to handle the 2-up and keep this a the play bike, take the bags off, exhaust, maybe change the sprocket at that point.
I've never said this is a bad bike or anything but as a two-upper it doesn't cut it for what I want out of one - funny but when I sat on the new FJR at a dealer today it felt WAY heavier but I think that extra weight is what helps with the more comfortable ride - definitely more upright seating - thats one thing I did like about the ST vs a 999 or SS that i had ridden prior - way too agressive postioning for these old bones.
Just have to wait and see now

[muskrat]

a Duc is a Duc is a Duc is a Duc.  you either lov'em or you don't.  you'll be surprised when you can open the bike up and tear into it. 

[Cyclone]

  Looks like this was not such a mistake after all  [moto] - hope you ran the heck out of it while you had it