Downtown errands runner 2011 Mini Cooper S vs 2011 monster 696!

[bikepilot]

What city are we talking about?  In some cities being able to split and park in tight spots is a huge advantage (LA), in others not so much (DC).  Personally I like bikes about a billion times more than cars so I ride every day year round.

The MP3 should be more forgiving when cornering over slippery stuff.  Not so much because it has more traction generally (it doesn't) but because it doesn't fall over as easily and with two divided contact patches small slippery spots (like road stripes and manhole covers) will often only affect one tire, leaving the other to keep on gripping.  When it first came out there were videos of a test rider running it across all manner of slippery-hazards and it seemed to do quite well.  I haven't played with one other than real quick in a parking lot.  IIRC it automatically locks upright below 5mph or something like that.  I think a spyder is dumb, its like the worst of both worlds -- wet and cold like a bike, wide, and gas sucking like a cage 

[THEBHJBmonster]

Hi everyone thanks for all the replies. Glad this thread incited some lurkers to participate! This forum keeps getting better and better and I'm a member in quite a few including one that I co-founded!  

I've got a Mini S and a Monster.  You'll use them both.  

Nice!  

There is no need to lower the bike 2.5". You do not need to be able to flat foot both feet to be comfortable riding a bike.

You are probably right but given my uber noob status and the fact that I considered the Spyder, being able to flat foot booth feet is a "confidence boost" that I'm not ready to give up yet!

... There are also the practical considerations, such as hauling groceries, etc...  If you already have a "car" give a motorcycle a shot...

I have a "car" but it's the total opposite of practical and definitely not a groceries hauler. I actually find myself depending on the willingness of the girlfriend to lend me her sedan for the occasional weekend groceries trip and if she's in a bad mood there's always delivery.

What city are we talking about?  In some cities being able to split and park in tight spots is a huge advantage (LA), in others not so much (DC).  Personally I like bikes about a billion times more than cars so I ride every day year round.

I'm located in LA. I lived in the westside for over 10 years then decided that I needed a change so I moved to DTLA.

Well according to a majority of you, the wisest decision is to get the mini and a beater like a ninja 250 or something similar to learn the ropes on.
Usually, in these kinda situations involving mechanical beauties, my heart tends to prevail over my head. In any case, I'll keep you posted.
Decisions, decisions, decisions...
Again thanks everyone for the valuable insights!

[THEBHJBmonster]

Well, I'm very happy to report that the heart won again!  So, I'm the excited new owner of a red 2012 Ducati Monster 696. 
I already put the low profile seat on and ordered frame sliders, handle bar sliders, bar end mirrors and all the gear but pants as they seem a little hard to find in a properly fitting size.
I'm taking the MSF this weekend and really can't wait to ride this red beauty!
Also, I'm looking forward to hang around here for awhile. Next to my Monster @thedealer there was a magnificient red Streetfighter S. What a good looking bike! 
Here are some poorly taken initial pics:




And again thanks guys for all the advice!
Cheers.

[numbskull]

Congrats on the bike! Let us know how the MSF course goes this weekend.

[Slim1899]

Awesome Bike!!!!!  Congrats!!!!

[bikepilot]

Perfect choice, in LA bikes >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> better than cages.  Lane splitting = no major traffic slow-ups.  Spend some time getting good at riding the bike, its not quite as fool proof as driving a cage.  basic and advanced rider training and a track-day school or two should have you sufficiently trained up so that you'll stand a solid chance of dodging cages 

The big things for lane splitting are to watch what's going on ahead of you and predict what the cages will do, be VERY careful not to pull into the splitting lane in front of another bike (seriously, watch this, some folks will split a lot faster than you), if another bike catches you pull into a lane so it can go by as soon as its safe to do so, and try to make sure you have a very good sense of how wide your bike is so you can spot from a distance what you'll fit through and what you won't -- you don't wanna end up buying a bunch of cage mirrors Also you don't wanna be "that guy" who clamps on the binders and holds all the other bikes up when the gap narrows from 5 feet to 3.5 feet (though that'd be better than crashing of course).  Once you get the hang of it, its super-safe, saves a ton of time and helps ease traffic congestion.

btw I'm on the east coast now ( ) but have spent a fair bit of timing riding all over CA.

[deerob]

I've got a Mini S and a Monster.  You'll use them both.   

me too....love em both!!

dr