| Author | Message | ||
     Buellmonkey |
I'd keep the Blast and use it as a tooling bike. Like you, I started on an XL 883 (which I've kept) and bought an XB9S. You'll find selling your bike to be negligible. You won't make enough money to invest in a new bike and the "value" of your used bike should be regarded in terms of what you can use it for. I use my XL for commuting and have been augmenting XB9S into a XB1050R for (later) track use. Ducatis are great bikes but I agree with everyone's comments - delicate, expensive, a lot of work for the $$$. You can beat the hell out of your XB and it'll beg for more. Oh, in case you need suggestions to modify your Blast (from Crossroads Performance):   | ||
| 1badbuell |
XB9! Nuff said! Buellmonkey that is one bad ass Blast! How does it ride...might be tempted to pick one up to toy with. | ||
| Shea |
The only real difference I see is that in order to get into the same power rating as the XB12 or even an XB9, you need to spend more money for the Duc. | ||
| Spike |
If the question was merely "XB vs. Monster" I'd cast my vote for the XB and suggest you ride both to find out for yourself. However, you specified XB9 vs. Monster 620, which is no comparison at all. The XB9 will flat out mop the floor with the little 620. The XB9 compares closer to the Monster 900, both of which are great bikes. To get a better idea of how they compare, check out motorcycle.com's review of the XB9R and the 900SS: http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/02xb900.motml As far as the bike lasting you a while, both bikes are enough fun for advanced riders. The XB has the more advanced platform and handles better, so it should last longer. However, if you get greedy and turn into a power junkie neither of these bikes will last very long. You will always be able to buy more horsepower. Think the new 166rwhp '06 ZX-10 is fast? Wait till '08. Both bikes should offer similar reliability, but the Buell requires zero valve adjustments and zero chain maintenance, both of which are a big plus to the home mechanic. You'll probably hear some negative comments about Buell reliability, but that really only applies to the older models and even then it's exaggerated. The XBs have proven themselves to be very hardy. You didn't mention aesthetics, but visually the Buell is the much cleaner bike. I never knew I cared about that sort of thing until I saw my Firebolt parked next to my buddy's M900 and later his S4. Both the M900 and the S4 are gorgeous motorcycles, but both seem way too cluttered and complicated compared to the relatively simple Buell. It's as if they have too many parts hanging off of them. | ||
| Blake |
Jason (G4), Suggest you compare the XB9 to the Duc Monster 800 or 1000 models. The 620 isn't in the same class of motorcycle, power-wise anyway. Then, get a demo ride on each, consider dealership support, maintenance, etc, and make up your own mind. You won't go wrong either way. I prefer the Buell myself.  | ||
| Rocketman |
Whatever crap might get told to you on this board by those that don't know, Ducati make great bikes. My apologies to the board. I meant that comment a little tongue in cheek as I consider there is misleading information fed onto the BadWeB from time to time about Ducati's. I'm sure no one feeds crap onto the board intentionally. Rocket | ||
| Brucelee |
I really love the look of the SR2 800, a work of art to me! Nicely priced and as I understand it, a bike that handles very well. I esp like that it is air cooled and minimizes all that hardware that is on the SR4. Hey, if I could ride one, I would likely buy one. And, I would have to learn to do more service, as the local rates are horrendous. But, since the local guy is a real dick, I don't think it is going to happen. They do sound very cool indeed! | ||
| G4string |
I must admit...I think I am leaning towards the Buell. The ease of maintenance, accessability of parts and support, and cost of parts are factors. Price is a factor as well. I looking to spend around 5.5K, 6K at the most. I know I can find used 02 and 03 XB9's all day long in my price range. The Duc's...its hard. Thats why I was looking at the 620 and possibly the 750. Thats the Duc in my price range. As far as the 750 Duc goes, the guys at the Duc board claim that the 750 isn't much more of a bike than the 620. The 750 is carb'd while the 620 is FI'd. They claim the FI makes the 620 pretty close to the 750 in regards to performance. Another factor is the market. I think I will have a better probability of finding the used XB9 i am looking for in my price range than the Duc's. It seems there are more more used Buells on the market than Duc's. | ||
| Cochise |
You know, and I haven't read ALL these responses, but you need to ride both first, THEN decide what you like better. That being said, buy the Buell. | ||
| Roc |
I think you will be happier with the Buell if you do your own work. Keep in mind, you won't be able to do all of your own work, I suspect, so which service department/dealership do you like/trust more? | ||
| Brotherbuell |
My Harley/Buell Dealer is now a Harley/Buell/Ducati dealer. it will be interesting to see how that unfolds. Based on the crowds at the dealership on a recent nice weather weekend, I predict it will be a good thing for Buell. There were a more sport bikes in that parking lot then I've ever seen before. I think both bikes are terrific. I was choosing between an ST4s and the Uly when I bought my current bike. I just think the Ducati is over engineered and consequently more labor intensive in terms of maintenance. Esthetically, the Ducati takes it. It belonged just where it was at the "Art of the Motorcycle" exhibit in the Gugenheim......at the very top. The Buell belongs right where it is as well....in my garage. | ||
| Court |
Steve: Remind me to tell you a story you'll like about the "room at the top". Some folks caught on, when they saw a room full of "new" bikes in a show presenting "history", that it was a last minute "fill"....it was. Don't get me wrong, I think the Monster is one of the most gifted aesthetic pieces to ever grace motorcycling. I spent 3 days on a Monster for a magazine test several years ago and had no complaints. Besides....Ducati was the only, of the 7 stocks I hold, that rose yesterday. | ||
| Spike |
We're winning!!  | ||
| Shortie |
XB9 vs SR2 is a more fair comparison but the XB still wins  You must try them both and decide for yourself though. If I'd never tried the XB (and I nearly didn't) I'd have been happy with the S2 Duc which does look better in a smooth and pretty Italian styling way. XB's look a little bit more bonkers and..... Grrrrr.  Sort of a feline v's canine thing. Besides, I can't see the bike when I'm riding so it's the riding experience that should win out. | ||
| Rocketman |
I just think the Ducati is over engineered and consequently more labor intensive in terms of maintenance. Then you did the right thing buying an Uly, but I'd like to bet you an Uly is just as labour intensive to maintain as a Ducati, if you do it properly. Rocket | ||
| Grndskpr |
I just think the Ducati is over engineered and consequently more labor intensive in terms of maintenance. A tube frame, air cooled bike with a valve system designed in the 30's is over engineered, BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Lets take this one step further, we are comparing this to a fuel in frame, ZLT braking system, and countless other updates Thats funny R | ||
| Davegess |
Ducati was the only, of the 7 stocks I hold, that rose yesterday. So, Court is that one day in the last year that it has been up or two  If I had invest more than $300 bucks in this thing when it became available I might be upset about it. For $300 bucks I'll keep it and maybe someday the stcok will actually be worth something! | ||
| Grlryder |
Got to chime in here. Ducati's are a great piece of machine. I came pretty close to buying one before my XB, however, I just couldn't get past the fact that they look so messy! Just how many wires, plugs, hoses, etc. are they looking to expose on around the frame. I like naked, but tuck them somewhere. That said, I love the red w/white rims! | ||
| Brotherbuell |
Grndkpr, I think you are confusing over engineered and well engineered. I think an over engineered bike is unnecessarily complex...sometimes done to show off and sometimes done to compensate for less than state of the art technology. Albeit, done quite well in the Duc. Buell on the other hand is an efficient well engineered design focused on technology to enhance the rider's experience. I plan to maintain this bike myself (properly, I assure you Rocket)and I like to work on straight forward mechanical designs and have parts available when I need them. | ||
| Jguthery |
You got to drive them to know what you want. I sold my 883 XL to get a sportier bike... I always wanted a Ducati Monster so I bought one w/o even driving it first (its a good bike), but before that I drove the XB9 City X and loved it (grinning like an idiot in my helmet the whole test ride), but I told myself that my soul always wanted the Duc so I bought the 01 M750... it is now a year later and the Duc is coming up on its 6k service and I am looking to sell the bike and get an XB. That's how my story went down. Go ridem' Man! That'll tell you. Guthery | ||
| Jackbequick |
I sort of remember the older (60's and 70's) Italian bikes like Ducati and Moto-Guzzi as being sort of cursed or troublesome on some of the details. Sort of like the British bikes and sports cars were with Lucas electrics and Amal and SU carbs. Those were serviceable enough when it all was working but they were certainly not trouble free. Have the Ducatis gotten better and more reliable on that over the years? There are two basic categories for street bikes. The ones for the guys that are willing to work on them as the price of riding them and the ones for the guys only ride them, never work on them, and everything seems to always work. The second group is all rice burners but not necessarily every one of them. Jack | ||
| Court |
>>>>the stcok will actually be worth something! That's unlikely. It will flucuate a bit from day to day, but given the present struggle, don't put down a deposit on the retirement home. Ducati, actually DMH in the USA, trades ADR's (American Deposit Receipts) in the United States. There is, as you may have read, some activity and TPG tries to wrest themselves from the industry. Don't get me wrong. I love the "art" of Ducati, I love the romance of the company's heritage and I love talking to the passionate folks who design and build them. But, alas, Ducati has suffered for a long time under management driven by passion (particularly in the case of moving Ducati NA from NJ to CA ) rather than sound business judgement. There was an interesting article in DEALERNEWS several issues ago about why Ducati had closed the "flagship" store in NYC. The upshot was that with floor space costing $>600/SF and sporadic parts availability that they were having to take bikes, brought in for repairs, to a "holding area" in New Jersey rather than tie up valuable floor space while they sat. Ducati has an illustrious racing heritage and the company has a history that's aways fun to talk about. My cousin has his "mantle piece" MH900e sitting here in Staten Island and his quote, after riding it...."it's a great bike to look at but it obviously was not made to ride". Opinions will vary with individual passions and prejudice. But before, if I were going to use it for riding, I made a purchase decision, I'd set aside $100 and go to the dealers I was considering buying the products of and try to buy a clutch lever. The simply log how long you wait to get it. It's a fairly cheap way to look behind the curtain. Court | ||
| Ducxl |
Court said: "But, alas, Ducati has suffered for a long time under management driven by passion (particularly in the case of moving Ducati NA from NJ to CA ) rather than sound business judgement." That reminds me of the long time(30 something years?) Harley-Davidson racing crew chief who abruptly quit stating in the old days engineering was driven by racing,and nowadays racing is driven by analysts in marketing who have to quantify everything,seeking everylast buck. And what was that other line,"Slay the dreamer"? Long live the passion! And my V-twin at 10000 RPM | ||
| Vanvideo |
I've always loved Ducks. They're the reason I like v-twin bikes over any other engine configuration. If you go used, from $4,000-7,000 price range, you can find Monsters and Supersports in the 750 - 900 size. Just check out ebay and Cycletrader.com. You can also find XB9s or 12s in that price range. Both makes have a very distinct engine sound and feel. The choice between two air-cooled v-twins, both with killer styling. Hmm. One has no valve adjustments, belt drive (no chain maintenance!) and a thoroughly modern and unique design. Plus, that fat 180 tire. I'd go for the XB9 - actually, I already did. (Message edited by vanvideo on March 30, 2006) | ||
| Rocketman |
Some pertinent facts about Ducati's financial future. Rocket | ||
| Buellerthanyou |
I had a '00X1, a '95 S2 and an '01 M750D Monster. Now I have an '05 XB12R and a '95 S2!  Things I liked about the Duc: Sweetest sounding exhaust note in motorcycle-dom! (CF Termignonis) Gorgeous trellis frame. Beautifully minimal bodywork. Lightweight and easy to "throw around". Things I didn't like: Not enough low-end torque for my torque-a-holic tastes. Largely non-adjustable suspension components on that particular model. Underpowered (a 1000 probably wouldn't get that complaint). Anyway, its gone and an XB12R has taken it's place in my heart and garage. HellBuelly J Dueller's Ducati-loving mechanic said it best after riding his S1: "That is the most visceral and angriest damn motorcycle I've ever ridden."  P.S. The desmo valve adjustment is not that hard if you have the proper tools, shims and a l'il know-how. | ||
| Kurosawa |
I'd been out of biking for a while (last decent bike I owned was a Guzzi V7 Sport). A friend recommended a used Buell 'cause the resale value was awful for some reason. I looked 'em up on the web and some article said the XB12R got their vote for the most fun bike around. Fun and cheap. Can't beat that. | ||
| Rocketman |
Fun and cheap. Can't beat that. How about fun and reassuringly expensive. Rocket | ||
| Skyguy |
I love the Ducks, almost any of them. I ride the Buell though for several reasons. Being in LA you can see a dozen very high end Ducks at Neucombs Ranch on any given weekend. Usually at least three or four $30,000+ models. There is usually only one XB......Mine. I also get a perverse kick out of running with these guys anywhere they want to go for $20,000 less. Not to mention it gets the same once over at the Ranch that these guys get on their Ducks. I am a fucntion over form guy and the XB is built for function. Pretty cool form also. Can anyone tell me why used Buells have such a crappy resale value? I don't get it. I cant touch a Duck that can run with the XB for less than 10,000 used. I think this is weird. | ||
| Reducati |
ducati's are the h.d. of the sport bike world....and as a former 748 owner can ignite quite a passion....but damn, when i took a demo ride on my xb i was hooked on buell...american made thundering rockets!!! |
