Test drove a Ducati today...
 

A Ducati Monster 1100. What fun! Light, responsive, fast, and raw. I loved it. Too bad the bike doesn't come in adult sizes.

I'm 6'2" and 200 pounds. The feet are size 13. The bike is simply too small for me. At times it felt like I was riding a rocket powered suppository. Too bad. The bike looks great and handles like a dream.

I kept asking myself "Who put the shift lever here? Were they joking?" Really, really difficult position for me. Maybe the Hyper Motard is a better fit. Anyway, after an hour on the Ducati it was a pure joy to jump back on the V-Rod.

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Cool!! Was it a S4?

"Rocket-powered suppository".

Hmmm, that'd make an excellent band name.

1100S, I think.

Doc-the shift lever is adjustable, and yes, its really there. Believe it or not, you do adapt to the position, its just a more athletic endeavor than the VRod. Ducs are great once you get to the twisty bits, they're not really designed to be tolerable on the way there. And mostly intolerable elsewhere. But you can't be really good at what you do without focus.

Actually, if you're "really" riding a Duc, you're only using the shift lever on the downshift, but I digress....

BTW, don't read this wrong, I love Harley's, they just aren't doing what a Duc does, and vice versa.

I think if my legs were shorter, my knees would not be so acutely bent. I think he peg position would be pretty sweet for a 5' 6" Italian guy. I have the same issue with cars. German and American cars fit just fine. Japanese and Italian, not so much.

I wonder what the BMW R1200R is like. Hmmm...

Now you're talking. For 2011, they're releasing a number of effing beautiful paint schemes as well. I sat on that exact bike a couple weeks ago in the dealership and it fit me like a glove. I'm just under 6' and 185 lbs. Very relaxed riding position, but I'm coming off of another ol' fart sport-tourer, so the position wasn't as foriegn as it might be coming off a HD.

Owning a V-rod, the Duc would be a very appropriate addition to the stable. Different tools for different jobs, right? It will handle the mountain twisties on a whole new lever for you compared to your cruiser. Just gotta have both. Took me a while to get used to the sport riding position when I got the K-bike...after 7000 miles, I wouldn't have it any other way. Get the Duc, doc. You'll completely forget about any discomfort as the curves tighten and the smile takes over.

Go ride a BMW R1200GS. Do some twisties. Then get back on your V-rod.

If the Monster is too small, consider the Multistrada or Hypermotard.

I'll look.

I like naked bikes. No fairings, no bags. The BMW R1200 R looks sweet. Do people ever scrape the heads in turns?

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The Hypermotard freaks me out. It feels like you're sitting on a unicycle--the front wheel is so close that it must be a stoppie special.

I sat on it but didn't ride it. I had the same impression. And the HyperMotard 1100 is a seriously TALL bike.

Only the faster guys.

The Harley/Ducati stable is just about a perfect mix; "horses for courses" if there ever were any.

I can see where the BMW could come close to filling the Ducati role in that kind of relationship. I guess it all depends on how far towards the polar opposites you would like to be. Your V-Rod isn't the big, heavy, underpowered, slow pig that my Road King is. But, then again, the Monster isn't the narrowly focused sport bike my Super Sport is, either. The V-Rod and BMW are closer to center from both ends. Definitely far enough apart to have distinctly different roles, though. I think with that in mind, you might really like the BMW. I know I would... and the V-Rod...

Damn! This must be one of the faster guys...


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That's what I'm thinking. The BMW is crazy expensive for a naked bike. I'll start looking at used ones and see if I can find a good deal.

You can find decent prices on used 1200Rs - not a very popular model. You should ride a GS just for grins though...

He may feel the same way about a GS, but an awesome bike, especially for a tall rider. Doc....BMW has been making the boxer twin since the dark ages and even their HP2 track bike is the same config. Jugs aren't scraping (before footpegs). No worries. Looks like the riding-bug is getting to you.

Another consideration if you want a naked bike, is the BMW K1200/1300R. Breathtaking power and handling. The R offers more room for lanky fellas like...uh...you (more than the S also...higher bars, etc.). Lots to consider...sounds like you're going about it the right way. Have fun!


Just a thought.

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Remember there are numerous options for tweaking the ergos on all of the bikes you're considering. A modest 1" drop of the footpegs can make a world of difference. Bars can be adjusted up or down as well on almost any model. That's part of the fun I suppose....setting up your new bike for a custom fit. But one word of caution if you move toward a sportier bike.....ride it for, say 2000 miles before making changes. You'll be glad you did.

Ok...here's one that's visible without a magnifying glass. . .:rolleyes:

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Ha-that's hysterical-I'm a 5'5 Italian guy;)

The Multi is winning all kinds of accolades, but its got a lot of electronics in first yr production Don't think you can go wrong with a r1200r