the NATO garage

[JavaBrewer]

From June of 03...

Originally posted by nostatic
seeing how I might need a kidney or some other spare part at some point down the road, I always encourage people to ride motorcycles.

How quickly the mindset changes...

Oh and I'm not knocking ya Todd, I'd love to get a bike, maybe something like this-

[nostatic]

yeah, well sometimes life throws some curveballs at you. You can either step in the bucket, bail out, or dig in and drive it to the opposite field.

I just can't get hot and bothered about a Honda, even though both the 919 and 599 are by all accounts very nice bikes. I think I'm actually a twin kinda guy, but the Triumph should be fun for awhile.

[Shuie]

Did you ride a Moto Guzzi?

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Shuie
Did you ride a Moto Guzzi?

not yet....there's always tomorrow

An MV Agusta Brutale might be a nice ride

[Shuie]

[nostatic]

hey David, you deleted your post about wanting a 919. What happen, the wife see it?

Actually, the lime green 919 is a pretty cool looking bike. Not as nasty as the Triumph though. If you're wanting a bit more grunt than my 599cc I4, maybe check out a speed triple:

[JavaBrewer]

Yep! Wife didn't see it though. I'm trying to puzzle together the "pitch". Or maybe I should just buy it and beg forgiveness.

[JavaBrewer]

I was in the showroom yesterday and almost pulled the trigger on the 919. I'm working with a new customer and there is a guy here who splits his commute between a Land Rover Defender and the Brutale S



His only complaint with the bike is the frequency it visits the shop. I would have thought he would have been accustomed to that sort of thing owning a Land Rover.

Todd, I originally hated the look of the Monsters, but now they're growing on me. I am worried about maintainence and reliability and thus looking at the rice bikes. My time is already so committed I just want to focus on weekend rides with no extra hassles.

I like the stripped down look of the 599 and 919 combined with the Honda reliability. I want a bike with a nice fat powerband that I can torque around on. I'm too old, and conservative, for the peaky high rev engine. I haven't ridden in over 12 years so the state offered motorcycle class in on my agenda.

Does anyone have experience with the 919? I've read som e reviews and they are average. Biggest complaint about the 599 and 919 is the MSRP compaired to the competition.

[JavaBrewer]

Oh and another thing. What about buying a used bike from a dealer? Should I expect the same as buying a car from a dealer (i.e. questionable history)?

For reference, at Escondido Cycle Center they had a used 04 919 with 250 miles on it. Salesman said out the door it would be about $1K less than a new 05 919. What can I expect to negotiate on price from a dealer on new vs. used? Or better, what would you offer to pay on a new $8K bike and a used $7K bike from a large dealership?

[nostatic]

The Brutale is a beaut...I love them. As for maintenance, Ducs aren't so bad. The motorcycle crowd makes a big deal since you have to adjust valves and belts at 6K and 12K, and it is about $600 and $1K respectively. But coming from Porsche land, that's pretty cheap. Plus the vibe of the air cooled v-twin is pretty intoxicating. The torque is down low, right where you want it. Don't rule out a used Monster...I'd pick up a new S2R in a heartbeat if I had extra money lying around.

I got my Triumph despite the I4 engine. Yeah, it likes to rev, but it has been tuned to get a bit more midrange than its original incarnation. But what attracted me to the bike other than the audacious looks (and bright ('hey I can see you" colors) is the race-capable chassis and suspension. With a good pilot aboard (ie not me...at least not yet) the Triumph will eat any Monster's lunch on the track.

I've read varying reviews on the 599...none on the 919 since I wasn't looking to go that big. Lots of people like the 599, some less so. It is a fairly small/low bike though. I know that I really don't fit on my Monster 620, and I would have a tougher time on the 599. The 919 is probably bigger.

As for buying, I think used from a dealer can be a good way to go, especially if you can get some warranty coverage. Here is another area where the Ducs and Triumphs outpace the Japanese bikes...2 year unlimited warranty on a Duc and Triumph, 1 year on Japanese bikes. The amount of wiggle room on new bikes is fairly small unless they are leftovers from last year. Where you can make it up is on accessories, getting service thrown in for free, discount of stuff, etc.

If they are asking $7K for a used '04 919, I'd probably say you'll pay that OTD and see what happens. It really depends on how hot the bike is. For instance right now the Duc S2R bikes are just hitting the floor, and you will pay MSRP...period. Even other models are going for close to that unless they are a leftover.

Do yourself a favor and go to Oceanside Ducati/Aprilia. They are a highly recommended shop on the Duc boards. See what they've got...

[911boost]

David,

I have looked at the 919's as well, not to buy, but I was at the Honda dealer as a friend was getting a new CRF450X, and they are nice bikes.

I would not rule out the BMW R1150R. They are good bikes, very neutral handling, have a great torque curve, and are fun to ride. The R is a naked bike as well. I have seen a good number of them used. For a price reference, my frined has an 02 with 1,800 miles on it and ABS (he took a job in Cheyenne, lives in Fort Collins, so he rarely rides it) that he would sell for $8,000, so I know there are deals out there.

Here is a picture:



Bill

[BlueSkyJaunte]

If I were to ever get another Japanese bike, it would be a '91 Suzuki GSX-R 750.

The last of the air/oil cooled motors and the first of the sexy headlights.

[911boost]

blue, wasn't that the year they had those "ram air" type tubes running from the front fairing to the gas tank? If I remember correctly (had a friend with one, so it may have been aftermarket)....

[nostatic]

I think I like the R1100S a bit better than the 1150R:

http://www.dropbears.com/m/models/bmw/images/R1100s.jpg

[911boost]

Todd, It depends on what the prospective buyer is looking for. The S definitly has a different overall look to it. I was trying to keep in the naked theme, and price range that he was mentioning.

Now the pictures I have seen of the 2005 K1200R (167 HP) make it look SUPER mean....

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Not sure about the induction tube(s). I've only ridden one, and it was getting dark out. And I was paying more attention to not getting killed by traffic.

http://www.users.totalise.co.uk/~gary/1991M.htm

R1100s: Worst of both worlds. No torque down low (just like a 4, even though it's a twin) and buzzy as hell up top (just like a twin).

[nostatic]

Blue, interesting comments. Most S owners seem to be totally nuts about their bikes. I haven't ridden one, but sat on it. Fit seemed nice, but it is a *big* bike compared to either my S4 or Monster.

[911boost]

My GS has the twin Spark 1150, not really too much of a change, and it does everything I ask it to do. Now if you want a bike with no torque down low, try riding my CR250R, when the power band hits its like a turbo.....can be very entertaining..

I think you will find most BMW riders are nuts about their bikes, although you just about have to be to spend the $, same as the Ducati owners....

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by nostatic
Blue, interesting comments. Most S owners seem to be totally nuts about their bikes. I haven't ridden one, but sat on it. Fit seemed nice, but it is a *big* bike compared to either my S4 or Monster.

I rode one for about 50 miles. Nearly stalled out at every light due to the lack of flywheel effect (or low-end torque--same result at low rpm). Hands fell asleep on the freeway at 65 mph due to vibes. Ergos were OK except that the peg mounts pushed my heels out so I was pigeon-toed (I wear size 12 regular, not that big), and the goofy directionals made me wrench my wrist to reach them.

Compared to the Aprilia Falco I rode, it was no contest in terms of "feel" and riding pleasure. The Aprilia was all grins while the BMW was all groans. The Aprilia would probably outperform it on all levels...braking, power, etc. And finally the Aprilia doesn't come with the standard BMW corporate hubris (read MCN sometime!).

[nostatic]

I'd buy an Aprilia in a heartbeat. Well, if I had a bunch of money lying around. The BMW is a sentimental favorite, as I've always loved the boxer air/oilhead bikes.

Its interesting how the little things make a difference. On the Monster, my size 12 boot has a devil of a time fitting under the shift lever. On the Triumph, fit is perfect. Conversely, a friend of mine with small hands would have a really hard time working the Triumph since the levers are waaay out there.