620 or 1000 or ?

[greglepore]

Steve-do a completed items search. The seller's id is "footgone"-looks like some of the bikes are still available, as they've not met reserve.

The history of Bimota, and Bimota USA, is a soap opera.

[Steve Carlton]

Found them, thanks! It'd be nice if Bimota could stay in business this time, as well as Benelli and I'm sure others...










Their new DB5 looks like some nostatic should check out...

[motion]

Hey guys, I'm having problems finding the eBay Bimota auctions. Can someone post an auction ID or link?

[Steve Carlton]

Go to eBay motors, motorcycles. Type in Bimota, then go to completed auctions. Pretty sure you have to be logged in as a user to go there.

[motion]

Got it, thanks. Wow, the Vdue is a bike I've lusted after for years, but why-oh-why does that exhaust have to be so ugly? They really blew it on that one. Love to pick up a slightly used, sorted one one of these days.

[nostatic]

those look sassy, and I've always loved Benelli. But I'd like something that I have a decent shot at getting parts/service for.

Well, done deed. Monday (unless there is a snafu) I fly up to San Francisco to pick up the '05 MTS demo in red, then ride back down to LA. I slept on exactly why I'm switching bikes, and in the end its about giving my body a break, having something I can carry crap on and ride two up. I love the Falco, but it doesn't really qualify for most of that. So I'll be back in desmo land soon...

[911boost]

I think you made the right choice. I commute on my GS alot and the sitting up straight position is great for fighting fatigue. You'll really enjoy the Duc.

Bill

[nostatic]

yeah, my body ain't getting any younger, and I need to be kind to it when I can. The long distance stuff on the Speed Four was pretty brutal. Now the only fly in the ointment is the forecast for Monday is rain. Not sure that I want to do SF-LA in the rain (and towards the end, night).

[greglepore]

The Vdue is beautiful, but they have issues with, like, running....

[911boost]

Rain isn't all that bad. It amazes me everytime I am in the PNW how many bikes I see in the rain. Do you have a rain suit?

[nostatic]

no rain suit. I could probably pick a cheap one up, or just go with my textile jacket and pants and bring extra layers (capeline).

[911boost]

Id pick one up cheap, especially if you know its going to be raining. I have been caught out in rain a ton of times (it is Colorado after all) on both the street and trails, and a rain suite is a life saver.

How long of a ride is that?

[nostatic]

about 400 miles give or take. I was going to take I5 down as it is the fastest route (a tad under 6 hours in a car). The plan was to fly up in the AM, do the paperwork, and hopefully get on the road by noon. Weather looks bad though...rain all the way down the state. I might put it off until wednesday, as they're saying partly cloudy then.

On the positive note, I'll be ready for my 600 mile service when I roll into town

[singpilot]

Todd:

Go to a SportsMax or something like that and pick something up. A roll of duct tape... haha for the leaks. You'll wished you had. I have been known to wear the coat part backwards so the opening is in the rear. If you wanted to spend the bucks, buy a real rainsuit at a bike place. It will have all the options for a high speed run.

Have a good run.

[Steve Carlton]

If you ride in the rain, you'll need your gloves and boots to be waterproof (not just water resistant). It's looking like the following Saturday might be dry. If you pick it up when it's dry, I'll meet you there and show you down Hwy 92 to 35 to 9 to 1. I highly recommend taking the time to savor those roads vs squaring off your new tires...

[nostatic]

Steve, I have track days next Saturday/Sunday so that's a no-go. My only other day I could do it is Wednesday, otherwise I have to wait until I get back from China later this month.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by nostatic
OK...I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a different bike. I had settled down on three choices:

Ducati Multistrada

Triumph Daytona 675

Aprilia Falco

Use is commuting 3 times a week, the occasional long distance ride, and some scratching. Lane splitting a necessity.

The Falco would be used as they only made them for a couple of years. This is a dark horse entry as I'm worried about service and part issues, and there aren't a ton of them out there.

The Triumph is sweet, and I get to go sit on one on Tuesday (they are in high demand). I'm a bit worried about the sport bike ergos for around town. My Speed Four ergos are fine *except* for the wide engine/frame/tank which splays my legs out and really has started bothering my hip as of late (very sore after the LV run). The 675 is almost an inch narrower, and it is hella sweet.

Multistrada is an odd duc, but I like odd ducks. I rode a 620 the other day and was impressed with the grunt and flickability. Felt a lot "more" than my old Monster 620, and the position was way better (MTSs fit tall guys well). The sit up and beg position feels like a dirt bike, and people say once you get oriented you can scratch well on the bike.

So I can get a new 620 in my preferred color (yellow) for under $10K OTD. But I wonder if getting a used 1000 is a better idea. My hunch is that for 2 up and longer rides the 1000 is going to be able to handle it without much complaint. It also has upgraded brakes (4 pot brembos v. 2 pot) and more adjustable suspension. Plus if I buy used someone else has taken a hit on depreciation. But, no warranty. The 1000 is also about 30 lbs heavier.

thoughts?

I love sport bikes, but as I got older the pressure on my hands and wrists gave me problems. If you're under 50, or just lucky, I'd say go for the sport bike. You're right about the Aprilia, too few, and no robust supply chain in the US. Ducati would be better.

As far as sport bikes go, I like the Yammie R1. Yes it's Japanese, but the five valve engine is pretty spiff. I think it's still 15,000 miles between valve adjustments, and now it's fuel injection and down to about 400 pounds or so.

My old FZ:

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by nostatic
Steve, I have track days next Saturday/Sunday so that's a no-go. My only other day I could do it is Wednesday, otherwise I have to wait until I get back from China later this month.

Wednesday shows a 20% chance of rain Wed vs 70% Monday. If it's looking dry and you're interested in going to Hwy 1, I could meet you there.

Considering any accessories to be installed before you leave Munroe, like handguards or heated grips?

[nostatic]

I wasn't, but maybe. Is it a good shop? I'm hoping the bike is clean and that they made test riders behave themselves. Sounds like they did...said they have a prescribed route and someone from the shop goes out with the test rider so the bike hopefully hasn't been abused.

I really want to get some louder pipes, and maybe a different header to get rid of the "goiter"

That and a vented clutch cover

[motion]

Who needs a clutch cover? Just remove that thing. You'll love it. Too bad you're not closer - I have a lot of cold/wet riding gear you could borrow. You're welcome to it if you find yourself down this way in the next couple days.