2nd Bike... Buy a Streetfighter or build one?

[The ModFather]

Keeping my Monster 620 as I've modded it to just how I want it. I've been trying to decide whether to buy a new 2012 Streetfighter 848 and get all the latest, greatest technology or buy a 90's 900SS on the cheap and strip off the fairings and mod it into my own kind of Streetfighter.

Thoughts?

[wannabfast]

you cant put a price on making it your own from the ground up, however an off-the-shelf model is much cleaner looking for the most part

[Triple J]

Speaking as someone who has built a streetfighter from a 1st gen. Multistrada...

The process of building one is a total blast, and you learn a ton about the motorcycle. I'd love to do it again, but I don't have the time with a 2 year old at home...and you need a lot of time.

That said...a new 848 Streetfighter is likely a better bike than anything you'll build from a 90's supersport.

[Spidey]

I'm not sure anyone can answer that question without knowing what you plan on using the Monster and the second bike for and why you are considering those two radically different options.

The 848 SF isn't a streetfighter.  It's a naked Ducati with the name Streetfighter (it's a sales gimmick).   A stripped down 900ss can be made into a streetfighter.  I'm sure this will ignite the "what is a streetfighter" debate, but come on . . . they're just not the same. They're two completely different things, would serve different purposes and would make you happy in different ways.  So, why those two?

Me?  If I got the 900SS, I use it as a make the beast with two backs-you urban assualt bike, rattle can it black, put a buncha stupid stickers on it, and mount a machete sheath, a giant dildo, or a shotgun holder on it.  With an Elmo doll.   Then I'd take the left-over money I was gonna spent on an 848 SF and get a already-prepped  SV650 race bike and put together a race/track budget for the next year or so. Not sure what I'd use the 620 for, but it might be my back-up bike. 

If I got an 848 SF, I'd use it as my primary bike b/c I wanted to replace the 620.  I'd keep the 620  for post-hospital riding after I guided the 848 SF into the side of a mountain. 

[thought]

Also keep in mind that you can find a used SF1098 for around the same price as a new SF848.  It's how I got mine... I was ready to put down a deposit on the SF848 till I found a used SFS1098... which after taxes etc turned out to be cheaper than the SF848.  Bigger engine, ohlins suspension, forged rims, and better brakes made it a no brainer.

[wannabfast]

Also keep in mind that you can find a used SF1098 for around the same price as a new SF848.  It's how I got mine... I was ready to put down a deposit on the SF848 till I found a used SFS1098... which after taxes etc turned out to be cheaper than the SF848.  Bigger engine, ohlins suspension, forged rims, and better brakes made it a no brainer.

hows the insurance compare? i realize an older one is most likely going to be cheaper

[kopfjäger]

  I'm sure this will ignite the "what is a streetfighter" debate

...ok, I'll play your silly game. What do you think it is?

[thought]

hows the insurance compare? i realize an older one is most likely going to be cheaper

I've always thought it's too hard to compare insurance btwn two different people but it wasnt bad at all in my case going from a 796 to a 1098.

[The ModFather]

wannabfast and TripleJ thse are both good responses and are good examples of why I seek the input from the people on this forum.

To me it makes sense to get something "radically different" than what I already have and plan on keeping.

A Streetfighter IMO is essentially a naked SBK that's been modded to an extent to make it a bit more street friendly. The first Streetfighters were SBKs that for one reason or another had fairings removed and were modified to be more street friendly. Triumph saw this market and came out with the Speed Triple ( I think that was the first Manufactured Streetfighter) and many other Manufacturers followed suit. The Streetfighter happens to be Ducati's version. As for a 1098SF vs. an 848 SF ... I do primarly plan on riding it on the streets of Chicago and the Country roads in the midwest so I want something that will be more ridable in the lower gears which I've heard the 1098 is not. Ohlins are nice, Dry Clutch is nice but I'm not Tracking it and I'm not a fan of CF so I'm leaning towards the 848. Everyone I know that's ridden both says its the better of the two if you plan on using it for street riding versus track days. As for building my own SF that just seemed like a very fun option and I know I'd develop a real attachment to it after putting the time, effort and money in to the project. But as the first two responses pointed out there are benefits to buying a new bike and getting the lastest developments in motorcycle technology i.e. a better bike with less maintenance required.

[Spidey]

To me it makes sense to get something "radically different" than what I already have and plan on keeping.

With that criteria, you should be looking something other than a naked bike.  A tard comes to mind, but even a cruiser would fit the bill.  

Nevertheless, for your purposes, a newer SF is the way to go.  Particularly because it seems like it'd be your primary ride.  I'd go with the 1098, not really having felt like it was a problem in lower gears.  It was the warp drive that was a problem.

As far as an older streetfighter, if you are looking for something to tinker with and build up, that can always be a separate project, money permitting.  But it doesn't make much sense to get the monster's brother, the 900ss, and make it into a naked bike if you want something different.  Other than slightly different ergos and looks, you'd have the same 2V air cooled engine, the same shape for the HP and torque curve, the same rev range, and even many of the same components.  It wouldn't be the "radically different" ride that you're picturing.  At least a modern liquid cooled engine (while still a Ducati twin) will provide something 'different.'  Besides, my riding buddies who all have 90s Ducati with serious mileage on them are finding that more stuff breaks when your bike is well over a decade old.   An obvious point, but a significant one.

...ok, I'll play your silly game. What do you think it is?

Not sure exactly.  Just don't think of the SF as a streetfighter.  But I get streetfighter mixed up with ratbike, which in turn gets mixed up with crotchrocket, which is kinda like a cruiser.  

[zooom]

personally...I'd go the latter route with the 900SS and do it up in stages starting out in a fashion similar to what Spidey suggests and clean it up as time goes on....but if I were to buy new based on your criteria...I may catch some shit for this, but you'de be making a mistake IMHO to not go look at a Street Triple 675R !!!

[SDRider]

I'm not sure anyone can answer that question without knowing what you plan on using the Monster and the second bike for and why you are considering those two radically different options.

The 848 SF isn't a streetfighter.  It's a naked Ducati with the name Streetfighter (it's a sales gimmick).   A stripped down 900ss can be made into a streetfighter.  I'm sure this will ignite the "what is a streetfighter" debate, but come on . . . they're just not the same. They're two completely different things, would serve different purposes and would make you happy in different ways.  So, why those two?

Me?  If I got the 900SS, I use it as a make the beast with two backs-you urban assualt bike, rattle can it black, put a buncha stupid stickers on it, and mount a machete sheath, a giant dildo, or a shotgun holder on it.  With an Elmo doll.   Then I'd take the left-over money I was gonna spent on an 848 SF and get a already-prepped  SV650 race bike and put together a race/track budget for the next year or so. Not sure what I'd use the 620 for, but it might be my back-up bike.  

If I got an 848 SF, I'd use it as my primary bike b/c I wanted to replace the 620.  I'd keep the 620  for post-hospital riding after I guided the 848 SF into the side of a mountain.  

Isn't a streetfighter just a stripped down version of a SBK?  Isn't the SF848 basically just a stripped down version of the 848 SBK?

I rest my case.  

Why would you guide the SF848 into the side of a mountain?  

I've ridden the SF848 a couple times and it really is a great bike.  It handles every bit as well as my Monster, it is more narrow, it holds more fuel, it is more powerful, it is very easy to ride and it is a blast to ride.  Just a great all around bike.  Honestly, if it were available when I bought my Monster I probably would have bought it instead.  That liquid cooled 4v motor just loves to rev and it makes all the right noises.  I really liked it.  Would love to own one.

[seanster]

i have been thinking about getting the SF too but not too sure about another bike with the same style of riding position (e.g. bars and a little up right)...so i'm hunting down either a 748-749, 998, or even a 999.  Have seen a Triumph 675R and MV 750...those are nice too.

to staying on track of this discussion I would like a 900SS and use it as my rain bike (no mods).

[The ModFather]

to staying on track of this discussion I would like a 900SS and use it as my rain bike (no mods).

No Pun intended??? 

[Spidey]

Isn't a streetfighter just a stripped down version of a SBK?  Isn't the SF848 basically just a stripped down version of the 848 SBK?

Yes, and yes.  But it's still not a streetfighter in my book.  Streetfighters are SBKs that are stripped down because you done gone n' throwed 'em down on the ground.  The notion of a "factory" streetfighter has always seemed weird to me.  Look, don't ask for consistent logic here.  There's not a lot to be found.  

I'd likely ride it into a mountain because I crash bikes.  Every time I whack open the throttle on a SF, I think "WHHHHHEEEEE!!! I'm about to blast into a stationary object at Mach III."

Sorry for derailing the thread.  I already gave my two cents:  SF for your purposes, Duck Off.  900SS streetfighter if what you're really looking for is a back-up bike that can be an ongoing project.