If I buy a used Ducati, what should I get
 

I’m tempted to buy a Ducati or Buell. I want a sport bike.

What should I get / avoid?

I have a 50 mile commute.

Avoid Buell.

I don’t think of ducati and daily commuter as things that go together. If your commute was 10 miles I’d say any old monster.

A good workshop manual and life insurance. A Ducati for commuting, hmmm. Possibly a Ducati Streetfighter. If you are after a big twin the RC8R is a lot of fun and quite comfortable, for a sport bike.

Sounds like you want a twin, which I would agree with. One question is how much weight do you want on the bars. Plenty of sporty bikes where you would sit more upright and be comfortable. Are you thinking new or used? Budget?

St3s. If you intend to commute. They're cheap, have a 3 valve motor that has both torque and decent rpm, and are comfortable. The 3s has Ohlins, and you can find abs versions.

I commuted on my Monster for years but it has riser bars not flat bars so the sitting position is more upright.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1750897342.jpg

A better look. mine is the one in the middle

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1750897475.jpg

Out of the two I'd buy the Honda.

Monster is the ride you are looking for... See FB post...nice! Loved the ones I had.

Used Buell are remarkably affordable and relatively abundant (locally). If unsure, maybe start there and move on if underwhelmed. Not sure about the commute. Two lane? 50 each way or round trip? Pavement condition? Traffic volume? I commute almost that far each way, each day on two lanes and have on-coming traffic cross over into my lane way too often. I never see anyone commuting on MC. Distracted (texting) drivers really suck.

That one heck of a commute... from New Jersey to Paonia, Colorado. SmileWavy

Depends on how tall you are. If you are 5'10" or under, a 90s 900SS is a great bike. I'm now commuting 25 miles each way with my 95 SS/SP that I rode from Portland, OR to Boston in 7 days 2 years ago. At 5'9", I fit in the bike vs on the bike making for a very comfortable ride.

Old Ducati are a weekend bike. I think you want to be in a 'down' riding position for 70mph+ frwy commuting. I put 90k trouble-free miles on a CBR. I put 75k trouble-free miles on a gixxer. I have 22k trouble-free miles on a R1. I put 10k miles on a Ducati 848 and in that time a coolant pipe broke, a rearview mirror mount broke, a tailight housing broke, and the clutch exploded with shrapnel and wore out, not to mention the damn timing belts.

I would suggest BMW or Moto Guzzi . Two very respected air cooled twins . Comfortable and enough zip to get you excited .

Best ever!!!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1750950452.jpg

What's your budget? How's your back? You ok having swalls if you're stuck in traffic?
If you have a 50 mile commute get a Japanese bike.

I have a 916. Love it but it's like a high maintenance supermodel girlfriend. I'm always fixing it.

Other than oil changes, the GSX-R needs nothing.

I’m 6’ tall and my back is cranky.

I don’t want a cruiser, I had an Indian and hated it.

A ‘busa is also on the list.

Why the hate for a buell? I’m thinking XB12 or 1125 R if I go that route.

Hypermotard?

You could wheelie away from the office.

Saw this one this morning looking at the local C-list ads....

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/d/tustin-2021-suzuki-hayabusa-silver-red/7857482272.html

Are you after a sport bike or sport touring?