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Opinions on Motorcycle Purchase BMW R Nine T vs Ducati Monster

I want to buy a motorcycle. I might be having a mid-life crisis but I really want one. I have very little experience other than the fact that 30 years ago a friend swapped my car for his new Honda V45 Saber (750) for about a month. He needed a car for a date and I told him I rode all the time.....slight fib. I had a mini-bike as a kid and a moped in high school. I rode that Honda every day for hours and hours - I just couldn't stop riding, it was a blast.

So now I have the $dough to get a bike of my own and my interest is in a regular, non-flashy bike with some size. I don't want a sport bike or crotch rocket as I would probably get myself killed and I don't want a Gold Wing either. I'm not a huge fan of Harleys although I don't hate them.

So, the bike I have decided on is the 2016 BMW R Nine T. I really dig the looks and after watching hundreds of YouTube videos, I really, really like it. I like that fact that it is basic with no frills yet has a tiny level of prestige. I like the fact that BMW has been know to build nice engines.

I'm almost ready to pull the trigger and a guy at work is trying to convince me that I'm making a big mistake. He thinks I should be buying Ducati Monster 821. (he has no experience riding btw) and his decision, which I agree with is that the Ducati is pretty bad a$$ looking.

My thoughts:
The BMW is $15k and the Ducati is $11.5k - is there a quality difference
The BMW has 110hp and 80lbs torque, the Ducati has 112hp and 65.9lbs torque
I think both bikes look cool
I like the low rumble sound of the stock exhaust on the BMW. The Ducati sounds much higher pitched and louder.
The BMW is Air/Oil cooled, the Ducati is water cooled
The BMW is 461lbs, the Ducati is 540lbs.
The BMW is mostly Black, the Ducati has a lot of Red and I don't love Red.

Any thoughts from you guys?

Here's the two that I'm looking at:



Last edited by Tidybuoy; 09-08-2016 at 03:18 PM..
Old 09-08-2016, 03:13 PM
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And Here's the Honda V45 Saber - basically what I learned to ride on (30 years ago)

Old 09-08-2016, 03:20 PM
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Everyone has different taste and style .
You can not go wrong with either !
For those that ride a lot, we want a different bike for every day of the week to exploit their individual attributes .
My concern for you, and i am sure you know....Motorist are trying to kill you.
Brush up somewhere, do not get too get too cocky .
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Old 09-08-2016, 03:21 PM
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Both are great bikes. Sounds like you've already talked yourself into the Beemer.

Along the same lines, maybe also check out the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer.

Have fun and stay safe!
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Old 09-08-2016, 03:23 PM
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it is a dead certain fact that you will destroy your first bike. it happens to all of us. i did it at 11. then again at 24, 38 and 40. don't let it be a 15 thousand dollar learning experience.

buy a used SV650 and ride it for a year. then move on to something sexier.
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Old 09-08-2016, 03:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by varmint View Post
it is a dead certain fact that you will destroy your first bike. it happens to all of us. i did it at 11. then again at 24, 38 and 40. don't let it be a 15 thousand dollar learning experience.

buy a used SV650 and ride it for a year. then move on to something sexier.
Not everyone wrecks their first bike. I've never dropped a road bike. But it is very easy to make a minor mistake, even moving it around in your driveway, and end up with a chewed up bike. Do you really want to do that on a brand new bike? No.

I would recommend the exact motorcycle varmint stated. SV650. Excellent starter bike that has enough power to put a smile on your face. They are plentiful and cheap in the market place.

If you really, really want a Ducati, find a 2000-2004 FI Monster. Avoid plastic tank (2005-2008) Monsters like the plague.

I'm not qualified to recommend a BMW.
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Last edited by HardDrive; 09-08-2016 at 03:40 PM..
Old 09-08-2016, 03:33 PM
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and what level of "mid life crisis" are we talking about? because as a long time BMW owner i know for a fact that chicks prefer the ducatis.





also, have you looked at the triumph thruxton?
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Last edited by varmint; 09-08-2016 at 03:39 PM..
Old 09-08-2016, 03:33 PM
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Solid option: 08 Suzuki SV650s
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Old 09-08-2016, 03:39 PM
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As mentioned, they are both great, and both very expensive for your 're-entry.'

And if you think they're not fast, you're in for a surprise!


IMO you will be -very slightly- more comfortable on the BMW, but I don't know if it's $4000 more comfortable.

The BMW will probably hold its value a tiny bit better, but no one knows yet.

The BMW is a hip bike right now and you're not going to get a deal anywhere.
The Monster is . . . a Monster. Great bike but known and not the new cool thing like the BMW is right now.

Just go ride one! Go ride something that's a few years old, too, to save that depreciation hit. Go Ride a Bonneville or a Thruxton too.

They come in different colors too if you don't like red.
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Old 09-08-2016, 03:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tidybuoy View Post
The BMW is mostly Black, the Ducati has a lot of Red and I don't love Red.
I'm pretty sure they are still making the "dark" version, which is all black.
Old 09-08-2016, 03:53 PM
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Also, if you want to compare something in the same price range as the beemer, you might check out the 939/939SP. You know, a proper hooligan bike.
Old 09-08-2016, 04:10 PM
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I'd go for the BMW - just my opinion. My bike is an old, lowly Japanese liter bike. It still has more get up & go than I need at a little over 140 hp. and 76 lbs. of torque. If I bought another bike (which at my age is unlikely) it would be a lighter bike than mine is now at around 500 lbs. My original bike in the '60's was an AJS 600cc twin which weighed in at 385 lbs. & had something like 37 hp. It was a really fun bike. I also agree with others who say to go the 650 route for a while.
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Old 09-08-2016, 04:18 PM
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I had a pretty nice vfr that I rode and really enjoyed. On a whim I looked at a duc and decided to buy it as soon as I started it. Sure does sound good and I dont think anything else comes close. I think the honda was a better bike to ride and actually. Did I mention the duc sounds good?

Go with whatever you fit better, like the sound of... whatever. Enjoy.
Old 09-08-2016, 04:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Coffey View Post
Also, if you want to compare something in the same price range as the beemer, you might check out the 939/939SP. You know, a proper hooligan bike.
TRUE so much fun
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Old 09-08-2016, 04:19 PM
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Both are outstanding motorcycles. Pick the one that speaks to you.

That said, I'll join the chorus that is telling you that neither of these bikes is suitable for a beginner. I know it's not nearly as tantalizing, but a solid SV650 really would be a far, far better start. Keep pining for your dream bike, while you learn on something that won't break your heart when you break it.
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Old 09-08-2016, 04:20 PM
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A friend recently bought the BMW. It has crap suspension. Based on my experience with Ducatis, I'd pick one of those, unless it has a plastic fuel tank.

$3-4000 is all you need to spend on a first bike, though, so look around a little at the used market.
Old 09-08-2016, 04:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by javadog View Post
A friend recently bought the BMW. It has crap suspension.
I don't disagree (read "I wouldn't know") but I wonder what that actually means for an everyday joe rider.
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Old 09-08-2016, 04:52 PM
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You must be about 50 yrs. old, or so....I'm guessing that you have some sensibility and wisdom at your disposal.
I can't give you an opinion on either bike, but I'll tell you what kills moto riders on the street...ego, not knowing how to stop, lack of attention, and riding in the wrong position.
.
Ego shows itself in your throttle hand.
Learn how to STOP!!!
.
On the street, watch out for riding/sitting in the left/right rear quadrant of cars...even if they have rear view mirrors, most don't use them. And many cell phone users are preoccupied. So stay out of that area back there.
Also, oil and anti-freeze slicks in intersections and parking lots will surprise you.
I lost the front end of my Ducati Hypermortard last summer in a Costco parking lot...I didn't go down, however...but damn near.
.
My first experience of a moto was on the back of a 250 NSU owned by the older brother of a buddy. I was 10 yrs. old. I knew immediately that motorcycles were in my blood. It was a primal experience I'll never forget.
.
Good luck, have fun, and ride sanely.
.
PS I've never gone down on a moto...street or track.
Dirt, that's another matter.
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Old 09-08-2016, 05:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gogar View Post
I don't disagree (read "I wouldn't know") but I wonder what that actually means for an everyday joe rider.
Well, it doesn't like to go over bumps (the rear shock will pitch your ass in the air over some bumps) and the fork dives like there's no oil in it, then sort of locks up. It's ****ing hideous, if I may say so, and BMW charges a lot of money for this thing, so there's really no excuse for it. There's other stuff I don't like about it but no need to keep going... The poor suspension ruins it for me.

JR
Old 09-08-2016, 05:28 PM
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I got my first real bike, a BMW R1150R, at age 35. I never dropped it. Had a few close calls, but other bikes I dropped were either in parking lot tipovers or riding on boulders way out in the desert. If you have the money and are really jonesing, go for it. Plan on a good $1000 for riding gear too. Don't skimp on that. Dress for the crash, not the ride.

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Old 09-08-2016, 05:42 PM
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