Hello
I'm thinking of selling my old bike (Dorsoduro 750) and gettin an used Monster. After reading lot of reviews I'm also considering Triumph Street Triple. I haven't tested the Triple yet, but have sat on one and I know I would need to change a lower handlebars (or risers) for it. Monsters, at least the old ones have a riding position I'm after.
I'm buying used and these three bikes are the ones I'm mostly looking at the moment (that might change when new bikes come to the market if someone buys one of these)
Ducati Monster S2R 1000, 2006, 6800 €, 35000 km. Red with white wheels. Has Ducati Performance Race Kit (Termignoni system etc.) and some small adjustments. All the services are done in schedule.
Ducati Monster S2R 800, 2006, 5600 €, 24000 km. All black (used to be orange, but all the plastic parts are painted in black). Pretty much stock. Also well serviced.
Triumph Street Triple, 2008, 6400 €, 20000 km. Green. Arrow low-boy exhaust, power commander, Öhlins rear shock and front springs and lot of other stuff too.
And since I'm looking for used bikes, I might consider some other Monsters too if something good comes up.
The prices might seem high, but that's how it is in Finland.
The Triumph seems the smartest choice, but my heart says Ducati and that's all that matters. I'm going to test the Triumph anyway so things might change.
I've always (read: always when I have been thinking of buying a motorcycle) wanted Monster. I tested couple last summer (620 and S4R) and now I want one even more. The red S2R is probably the best looking naked bike I know. The black one is cool on its way, but it would need some modifications to be really special. The stock exhaust is not the best looking for example.
I don't care of the HP differences between the bikes (at least at the moment). The S2R 800 would be the cheapest to insure and the 1000 the most expensive. The exhaust system and the color are the most important reasons I would like to choose the 1000 over the 800. The better brakes and suspension are also something to consider as are the gained power and torque of the 1000.
The only problem is the mileage on the red Monster. At least it feels like a problem. I don't know and that's why I'm writing here. Is the mileage too high? And is the price too high compared to the 800 or the Triumph? I've heard the air cooled engine is bullet proof, if serviced right and this is, but I have heard lot of things about Ducatis, so don't know what to believe.
Sorry for the long post and thank you for the replys