Decisions, decisions, decisions

[INFIDEL]

Do I:

1) Drop $2-3K on Lilifor suspension and motor upgrades and lighter bits
2) Keep Lili and buy a VFR for ST duties
3) Trade Lili for a Streetfighter
4) Trade Llii for a 696 or 1100
5) Keep Lili and get a leftover 848
6) Trade Lili and get a 2010 Multi
7) Keep Lili and get a ~$3k track/race bike

[krolik]

Did you inherit some $?

[INFIDEL]

Bwaaaaa haaaaa haaaaaaa!

No.  But I'm . . . A) planning on getting a job real soon B) planning on getting rid of my car/payment C) Thinking it's about time for a new ride.

Did you inherit some $?

[krolik]

Do I:


3) Trade Lili for a Streetfighter

6) Trade Lili and get a 2010 Multi

Can you even fit on one of these? 

I think the new Multi is 

[INFIDEL]

The new multi and the 696.

Ryan's 848 was a stretch but doable. 

The rest would require a carved seat or some other modification.

I absolutely love the new multi.  I LUST for the Streetfighter!

[scott_araujo]

So what niche are you trying to fill?  Trying to split duties between a comfy daily driver and another more sporty bike?  Better long ride bike?

Here's my take on the bikes:
-696 and 1100, both nice bikes.  I think they keep the spirit of the old Monster and the looks are growing on me.  Nice machines.  Love the 1100S if I had spare cash.

-Street Fighter, don't really get it.  Just put bar risers on an 1100 and it's pretty much the same.  I guess you get more power from liquid cooling but how much power does an upright street bike need?  I kinda like mid size bikes better.  Maybe it just needs to grow on me a little more.

-Multi, awesome bike to ride but you will never fall in love with the looks like you would on almost any other Ducati.

-848, awesome bike for 30 minutes, then my back says no more.  Nice though, and not super huge.  I really like middle weights.  If you get one for track buy used, you don't want to drop a new one.

-Race bike - best bet if you're racing/tracking.  And already dropped.

-VFR - great bike all around but feels a little big from all I've read.  Comfy and powerful but not exactly nimble.  Awesome for long haul and two up.

-Parts for Lily - only as a labor of love.  You'll never get a 620 to perform all that well.  Small engine, air cooled, and Monsters are great street bikes, only mediocre track bikes.  You'll never get that money back in resale, etc.

All that said, you prolly won't get too much for Lily on sale or trade.  Unless you need to thin the garage or don't want more than one bike just hold on to her.  Rainy day bike if nothing else.

Looked at the the next 800 Motard?  Totally designed to misbehave with but the seat looks more comfy than most motards.  Also, 800 has a lower seat.  There was a Tri-Colore and a Dark at Moto Corsa last weekend when I dropped by.  Both sweet.  I'd start saving for one but I'm already irresponsible enough.

Good to have you back Chuck

Scott

[INFIDEL]

What niche am I trying to fill . . . boy that's a loaded question!

Here's the rub - 80% of my miles are commuter, 15% multi day rides, 5% weekend blasts.

The think I like about the 2010 multi is it can handle all of the above!

I could keep Lili as is for commuting and multi day trips and get something to blast around on.  Or I could get the VFR for multi day and "upgrade" Lili or blasting around.

Or, the track bike route.  I could keep Lili as is and use her for my all purpose bike and have the focused bike for the track.  The $ I wouldn't be paying for insurance, extra payments etc. could be saved for track days and I could get in a few each year.

All things considered equal my desire would be to keep Lili and get a Multi but I don't see that as financially viable.

The VFR plan has merit because I read Honda is deeply discounting them - $7999 I read - so it's a great bike at a great value.  But she just don't got no soul . . .

I don't know.  Knowing my cheap ass I won't do any of these options that would make me feel better about life and will just keep dreaming of the day and be frustrated that I'm not doing it 

[scott_araujo]

In that sense, Lili and a VFR might be a good pairing.  VFR is good for long distance and commuting if you want it, Lili can commute and do weekend carving.  While the VFR isn't on fire it's still a cool bike.  Neither is ideal for the track but that seems your last concern.

The Multi really can do it all but it's just not so pretty, so less bike lust attached.  Tough when it's your only bike.  If you can't go into your garage and just sit and stare at your bike for half an hour you've got the wrong bike.  I keep thinking about one of these but I would never love it as much as my Monster.  Then again, ask Ryan, he's had his about a season now I think.

On a track bike, unless you're going to really commit to track days or have money to burn it's a lot of cash for something you only use a couple times a year.  

Street fighter may be best fit overall: comfortable for commuting, power for the track, and big eonough to tour on with som good luggage.  Of course that's a very technical analysis, no emotion in there.

Thought of the GT 1000?  More power for track, plenty comfy for commuting, and could tour in luxury with a windscreen.  Not as sporty an edge but still a nice bike.  Only things I didn't really like when I rode it:
1) front end felt a little light
2) kept sliding forward on the seat
3) lean spot in midrange
2 & 3 are easy to fix, not sure about #1.

Scott

[duc_fan]

Oh man, the unanswerable question... which motorcycle(s) to buy/own/keep.

Wish I had something helpful to say.  Regardless, you have my sympathy.  I want to keep the SS and buy a Multi (especially that lustworthy new Testastretta-powered beast), but that's not even remotely affordable.  Not sure I want to get rid of the SS and trade for a used Multi, because my fiancee thinks the Supersport is sexy as hell.

I'm in "wait and see" mode.  I have an SUV that needs paid off and one GTI gotten rid of (my love is bringing a Saturn Sky roadster into the marriage ... obviously, it will be garaged).  Erica really liked the ride we went on last year, and we're both looking forward to the riding season this year.  We'll see how the SS does exploring the Gorge two-up.  Maybe all it needs is a good seat and an Ohlins rear shock?  No real bag capabilities, but Erica's not really into the idea of multi-day moto touring anyway.  That, and for solo touring I can always get the Nelson-Rigg sportbike luggage.  Anyway... all that to say, I'm waiting to see how things go with the SS this year.  Also need to see what my budget does once married.

Back to the subject at hand... only advice I have would be to keep Lily and get one of the affordable sporting options.  You'll have to prioritize the budget considerations of insuring two bikes vs the limited use of a track-only bike.

Good luck, Chuck.    [moto]

[krolik]

Unless you're planning on doing more than 1-2 track days a year, I'd say skip the track bike. Keep Lili, as she's paid off and I'm assuming that ins. is cheap. So the real question comes down to which of the three real other bikes suits your needs the most combined with which "feels" better to you.

[INFIDEL]

Shiiiiiiit!  Catching the iPad announcement.  That might keep me from buying a bike soon.

But you know . . . looking at the new prices of the bikes listed below . . . I gave up on the idea of a 675 or Sprint because of price . . .

The bikes I'm looking at now in the Ducati lines are the same or higher . . .

I might have to reconsider getting my triple.

<sigh>

Someone shoot me. 

[scott_araujo]

Triple is a badass bike.  Looks pretty upright, might not be best for long distance.  Then again, they have that super duper computer designed door wedge mounted over the headlights.

Scott

[INFIDEL]

I meant triple as in engine type not the Speed Triple.  I no likey that thing.

I just got made the most incredible offer on an 09 VFR!  If I had a job I'd have bought it on the spot!  Need to get a job real soon before I lose out on the opp!

That or somone needs to buy it for me . . .

That or somone needs a body disposed of for a reasonable fee . . .

That or sodomy for sale?

[scott_araujo]

I meant triple as in engine type not the Speed Triple.  I no likey that thing.

Yeah, I think that's a love it or hate it bike.  Always liked it myself but I have no taste.

Scott

[INFIDEL]

OK.  So I went to Cascades today.  I TRUY hate myself.

I really like the Sprint and the sound of that triple is very nice.  And it goes for $11ish.  As does the VFR at full MSRP.  If they can make me the same deal on the Sprint that Honda did on the VFR I might just go that route.

As much as I LOVE the 2010 multi I'm . . . too frugal to spend that much $ I guess.

So, after getting contacted by my references that one of the companies I interviewed with called them I have hopes of a new job soon and possibly an income to buy a new bike.

We need to go out for drinks.