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?

Honestly, I wish there was a picture of me that well done doing any f'ing thing...I know, vanity, but Sweet Baby James that pic is great.

Oh, to the OP: "Cranky back" has been co-opted by, uh, me:cool:

Aw shucks now I'm blushing.

Don't. You look terrible...the bike and the rest of the picture look great:D

FB, it is an awesome picture...I just used it on my "Silver Seniors" profile:cool:

I'll stop.

I promise.

Air cooled Monster from the 1990's to 20-teens. Exceedingly simple, robust, reliable machines. Very easy to work on yourself. Basically like the Super Sports that Shaun and I ride, same motor in a different frame, so a bit easier on sore backs.

That said, I commuted regularly on my 900SS, and Shaun rode his cross country. Well known for being on the "comfortable" end of the sport bike spectrum. I would still recommend the Monster as a commuter, though.

I agree with the post regarding the ST3s, I had one for 10 years. Put lots of miles on it with no issues, maintenance was a bit more with valves and belts. Learning how to set the Desmo valves was actually fun. Commuting on a true sport bike can be a challenge after about a week. I have a BMW R1250rs now that I love. Comfortable ergonomics but still pretty sporty with lots of torque of a big twin, but the bags on and go for a long cruise.

The crazy thing is that a good st3 is now a 3k or under bike. Yeah, belts a hassle. Valves are too if you care. I gave mine to my sil after a 10 point buck jumped across the BRP maybe 50 ft in front of me at 70 ish. Had one spinal cord injury already...
But the bike is really just a comfortable 749 with more realistic heads and better gearing, and riser bars are all over, most even come with them. Add the bags and a good seat, and its a sportbike for geezers.
I did have to lower mine pretty much as low as I could set the rear without messing the handling totally, but I have a 29 in inseam.

So on a monster, what size engine do you suggest?

Ducat's, Monster, Streetfighter, Hypermotard, previously suggested. Bigger is better in my opinion. Another consideration should be the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT.

Just listed my 08 Moto Guzzi Griso 1100 on ADV as my bum right knee has a different opinion! The Italians know how to design motorcycles.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1751016600.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1751016660.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1751016705.jpg

Mine is 1100

Agreed - "size matters". Bigger is better. Depending on how old, you can get up to 900 to 1100. Beyond just displacement, Ducati also spec'd better brakes and suspension components on their larger versions. The smaller displacement bikes were sold more as "entry level" and were aiming for a price point.

Is the 50 mile commute one-way? Or is this occasional?
What's weather typically like? I would want some weather protection.

Naked bikes are plentiful. All manufacturers have them. BMW's RnineT, the Ducati Monster as discussed, Triumph Bonneville T100 or T120... Right now I have the Bonneville and an RnineT. I had a Ducati Monster long ago. All great bikes but no wind protection.

If I were buying a Ducati Monster it would be the 1100.

If I were commuting every day I'd be looking at a dual-sport bike. Used BMW F800GS, or something like that.

But, for most people motorcycles aren't utilitarian, the choices are emotional. Whatever you like, and you'll put up with the quirks...

There are a few 14-17 1200s monsters for sale locally for around $10k to 14k.

Are these too much bike?

Seems like the cheap monsters are all 696s.

If you're not riding 2up the BMW Nine T Racers are super cool....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1751050817.JPG

Always wanted one of these. And the bike.

Not if you're a "mature" rider. IMHO

There are a dozen variants on the triumph bonneville that would do the job.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1751053887.jpg


Since we are off on tangents, I always thought the moto Guzzi Rosso Corsa was sublimely beautify. Good luck finding one.

Are you referring to HP or maintenance? If HP it should be good, 135hp is fine once you get used to it. The throttle is ride by wire so you can set the desired engine response. If you are considering a S4RS something to keep in mind is the throttle is not ride by wire, much like my RC8R in low gears the throttle is very responsive.


EDIT, speaking of S4RS there is one listed on kijiji in Calgary, also a S2R. And S4R in Edmonton.

Here's your 1125 r. Never see any of these bikes around anymore.

I didn't have very long. I'd bought cheap when Harley disassociated themselves from Buell and it was new at the dealer. I'm sure it was half price or less. Never warmed up to the body style and the huge air intakes. Sold it to a woman racer.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...g42MKNb-XL.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Motorcycl...DSC8285-XL.jpg

About ten years ago my brother had a guy that worked for him pass away. He had a Ducati and very nice toolbox stored in our shop.

No one from his family wanted the bike or his toolbox.

The toolbox was taken by a friend/co-worker.

The Ducati sits in our shop. No keys, no ownership. And no death wish from me, I would kill myself on it.