Help the New guy pick a bike...

[Tim G.]

How many times have you seen this topic??   Yes I have been surfing the forum for info, but I figured I'd try this approach…and I'll try to keep it brief…
The facts:
I have been out of riding since '02, but had considerable experience prior
I live in South Florida where traffic is insane, so I'll be riding selectively…

I don't plan to ride every day… If I get out 3 times a month I'd be surprised.
I'm 6'1 220lb, so I don't want a small bike.
I want a great all around bike.  I do NOT want something with too much power.  I can trade up later if needed.
I need a reliable bike.  I don't want to be wrenching all the time or parked on the side of the road...
I'd have no reservation about buying a bike from a forum member.

Here's what I have found… and Please share thoughts..good bad or ugly…

New '14 796- Local dealer..  I can buy around $8900
2011 796 beautiful white pearl, pipes, etc. $8k
2012 796 has some miles… $7,500
'12 796, 5,000 miles, has some warranty left  $8k
'05 S2R 800, 5,000 miles, decent shape, $5k
'06 S2R 800, 4000 miles, mint shape, $5500
'07 S2R 1000, only 1700 miles. $5400 My reservation on this bike is that is too much power…
Or, do I wait for the 821 and pony up the $10,500???  It is very hot her in S.FL… Will the water cooled bike be that much better?
I haven't bothered with 695s….  I'm worried that it'll be too small, and I'll want more power too soon..

[DarkMonster620]

Any of the older Monsters if you like the classic look and if you want something newish with some classical look then the 796 . . . wait, what? too much power?

Remember a "small" bike can be riden hard while a "big" bike might be needed to be riden slow . . . I really enjoy my M620 . . . a lot, but, I also enjoy the larger ones when I get my hands on them

[mjk778]

I would go with the s2r1000, although I am a little biased as I own and love mine.  I wouldn't worry about "too" much power, as the way it makes it's power is very useable with gobs of torque.  If anything I would be more worried that a 796 would be underpowered at your size. As for the 821, it's most likely going to be a sweet ride, but also double the price.  My best advice would be to test ride each and see what you like best.

[red baron]

S2R1k for sure.

Easy to get more power from when you're ready.

Adjustable suspension components.

Way better brakes.

Adjustable ride height (will help in not dragging your toes through corners should you find one in FLA).

[d3vi@nt]

I haven't bothered with 695s….  I'm worried that it'll be too small, and I'll want more power too soon..

Displacement as a measurement of power can be misleading; a 695 makes only 5 HP less than the '06 S2R 800 (on paper). And the '07 S2R 1000 makes 8 HP over the '14 796. Not huge differences IMHO.

Personally, if I knew I'd only be able to get out a few times a month, I wouldn't drop a ton of cash unless I had an unlimited budget. But that's just me  

Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with any in your list...

[DucatiDT]

The S2R1k is definitely the best bang for the buck, for shizzle.  The only thing that I would be concerned about is the low mileage.  These bikes dont like to sit for years, so you might end up spending a bit more.

[Grampa]

any ural

[Curmudgeon]

See my post on your intro thread. 796's are nimble. Older bikes also have plastic tanks which are very likely to swell on E10.

Everything runs better on pure gas anyway. http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=FL

[SDRider]

How many times have you seen this topic??   Yes I have been surfing the forum for info, but I figured I'd try this approach…and I'll try to keep it brief…
The facts:
I have been out of riding since '02, but had considerable experience prior
I live in South Florida where traffic is insane, so I'll be riding selectively…

I don't plan to ride every day… If I get out 3 times a month I'd be surprised.
I'm 6'1 220lb, so I don't want a small bike.
I want a great all around bike.  I do NOT want something with too much power.  I can trade up later if needed.
I need a reliable bike.  I don't want to be wrenching all the time or parked on the side of the road...
I'd have no reservation about buying a bike from a forum member.

Here's what I have found… and Please share thoughts..good bad or ugly…

New '14 796- Local dealer..  I can buy around $8900
2011 796 beautiful white pearl, pipes, etc. $8k
2012 796 has some miles… $7,500
'12 796, 5,000 miles, has some warranty left  $8k
'05 S2R 800, 5,000 miles, decent shape, $5k
'06 S2R 800, 4000 miles, mint shape, $5500
'07 S2R 1000, only 1700 miles. $5400 My reservation on this bike is that is too much power…
Or, do I wait for the 821 and pony up the $10,500???  It is very hot her in S.FL… Will the water cooled bike be that much better?
I haven't bothered with 695s….  I'm worried that it'll be too small, and I'll want more power too soon..

You're worried that the S2R1000 will be too powerful but the 821 is not?   

[Speeddog]

~~~SNIP~~~
I have been out of riding since '02, but had considerable experience prior
~~~SNIP~~~

What were you riding back then?

[Curmudgeon]

What were you riding back then?

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=67954.0

[Speeddog]

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=67954.0

Oooh!
Maybe he'd like my Cagiva!

[koko64]

The S2R1000 for sure. You need a torquey motor to lug you around, being a big fella. It will not have too much power, but plenty of usable torque in the low and midrange RPM. Ducati two valve engines are not top end power bikes, but the larger capacity motors are grunty.

[Tim G.]

Yes, I somewhat worry about an older bike with very low miles (07, 1700 miles)… I wouldn't want it to smash a valve on day one….  The last thing I need is a pile of trouble.  And, no sense in buying a $5,000 bile and dumping $3k in maintenance, etc into it….  For that $ I can just go ride away on a new 796..

Back in '02 I was riding competitive Enduro and Hare Scrambles (A Class).  I worked at Cagiva USA (Husky, Cagiva, MV importer) We had a Cagiva GranCanyon 900 FBF tuned that I had access to…..  That was my main street time.  I brought a new GC900 with me when I moved to FL, but sold it right away ($ for boat)

[hackers2r]

S2R 1000.  Low mileage bikes are only a bad thing if you're not aware of their maintenance needs in my opinion.  See if the owner is knowledgeable about what has been done to maintain the bike through the years and go from there.  If you're uncomfortable with his response, have the belts and fluids changed and you should be good.  Make sure it's by someone who knows Ducati but I can't imagine you'd need a valve adjustment with that low mileage.  Where are you in South Florida; maybe I can give you a recommendation for service.