| Author | Message | ||
     Nutsosane |
Allow me to begin by stating I love my XB12 Lightning. I believe in Erik's vision of a bike built to be used in the "real world." I love the motor, brakes, belt drive, style...all of it! However I was reading a British bike magazine yesterday comparing the XB12Ss and the Ducati monster S2r. I am not one for bench racing and do not care about "peak" claims. What does pique my interest is the overall owning experience of both bikes. Suppose each bike were purchased in an area with a quality dealer in a reasonable vicinity. Let us also suppose the bikes were pristine, trouble free units and servicing was not a question as both dealers were as previously stated; "quality." I'd like to think the bikes would be ridden on happily curved roads with speeds ranging from 15mph-100mph in a given 50 mile ride. Now the catch... The Ducati is about $2000 less. I know the old rant about servicing costs and exclusivity but c'mon. The premium of owning the Buell would go a long way toward services, tires, quality gear, track time, or whatever else. I think should the above variables be equal I would be having a doozy of a time choosing. But alas, there is not a reputable Ducati dealer within my area. My Buell was purchased before I moved to the mountains knowing there was a quality dealership in my new residence. I could not be happier with this bike and I wish all riders the same satisfaction I get each time I wind on the miles. Speaking of which, that is exactly what I'm going to do right now. Fast&Loose. NUTS | ||
| Spike |
An XB12Ss vs. an S2R 1000 would be a tough choice. I've always liked the Monsters, and with the new DS motor and the SR package the S2R 1000 is my absolute favorite Ducati in the current line up. If my decisions were between those two and all else were equal I'd have a hard time picking the XB over the S2R. One thing that gets me though, you said the price difference was $2000. MSRP for an S2R 1000 is $9,995, while the MSRP of the XB12Ss is $10,495. On my calculator that's only $500 difference, which isn't enough to swing my vote. Of course, you could be talking about the 803cc base S2R, which retails for $1500 less than the XB12Ss at $8,995. In which case there would be no comparison. The XB12 will kick the ever-loving crap out of the smaller monster and steal its lunch money. The smaller monster needs to be compared against the smaller Buell, in which case the XB9SX is actually a little less expensive, and a better performer in nearly every category. | ||
| Fullpower |
spike i have to disagree with your premise that an XB12 will kick the whatever out of the mid size Duc. They are both very fine motorcycles, and very much worthy of comparison. oddly enough, the two bikes have a lot in common. the single performance parameter that really stands out between the two is fuel economy, ridden side by side, the XB12 consistently uses 20% LESS fuel than the Monster. | ||
| Chasespeed |
NOTE. I have had a couple monsters, and I LOVE them. If I had to choose, it woudl be the 1000S4R(if they have it for this year), single side swingarm, single sided pipes, Ohlins, everything etc.. BUT, the main issue I had with Ducs is the valvetrain maintnance...I paid for the first 2 while waiting for a SM, BUT, did the rest myself(the worst was on my 748, though I REALLY miss that bike)... As much mileage as I put on my bike(s), I really need to have eitehr 2, which I just cant afford, or have 1, and it be LOW maintnance. Yes, we go through tires, and brakes...but, i have noticed, I dont wear any of those out any faster on the Buell than on teh Ducs, about the same.... The buell is simple, oil changes, primary fluid changes... etc... Oh yeah, and the wet clutch on the buell is alot less sensitive than the dry clutch on the Ducs... All things being equal, I woudl own another Duc in a heartbeat...no question in my mind..... Yes, you can compare the 803 to a XB12.. if you have ridden a Monster 800(I had that, in the Dark), you will note that it is no slouch, pretty compareable...though, it has been a few years since I rode one... Dont regret your purchase, becuase believe me, not having a decent dealer in teh area for a Duc can be a MAJOR PITA, especially if you abuse it... My 2 cents... And yes, regardless of what I ride now, or in teh future, Ducati's are STILL the sexiest biek out there...as far as I am concerned... Chase | ||
| Spike |
I don't know where you guys are getting your numbers from, but the best dyno I can find for an 800 Monster is showing 77hp at the wheel and 56ft-lbs of torque. That's enough to make it a fun bike, but down over 10hp and 10ft-lbs from even the weakest of XB12s. I had a hard time finding wet weights as well, but the dry weight isn't significantly lighter than that of an XB12. The XB12 competes much closer with the 1000DS bikes, while the 803cc bikes are much closer to XB9 specs. (Message edited by spike on May 04, 2006) | ||
| Nutsosane |
This is shaping up to be an excellent opinion comparison. I was indeed using the smaller Monster for comparison. That was what I had "hard" facts for from the article. The article picked the Ducati over the Buell but they usually do that anyway. I would really love to ride both S2r Monsters and then MY Lightning. I'm not sure the Duc could steal my attention beyond lustful affection. I am considering adding a Dual Sport to the arsenal when the money falls into place. I would like to think I'll have the Lightning for a long time. That Monster sure does look good though! NUTS | ||
| Spike |
Where was the article? I haven't read any comparing the lightning to the monster, but I've found two comparing the Firebolt to the SS. One was an XB9R vs a 900SS, the other was an XB12R vs a 1000SS. In both comparisons the bikes seemed evenly matched, which is why I'd be stumped at the even smaller 800 monster being equal to an XB12. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
One of my riding buddies has a 1000DS Monster, I have a 2003 XB9S. They are both fun to ride, not a whole lot of difference in the tight twisties that we ride in. He likes his bike, I prefer mine. As far as ownership goes, the Buell seems much more reliable, easier to maintain, more fun to modify and the parts are just an order of magnitude cheaper. I do all my own maintenance, he takes his to the Ducati Doctors who are one or two hundred miles away, and gets bills that I would not like to get: $700 for first maintenance, I did on my bike for about $25. Of course you can find Buell dealers who charge big numbers for simple maintenance too, but you don't have to go to them. If I were to go the Ducati route it would probably be an SR4 , but then I would be looking at an Aprilia Tuono as well. Problem is they both would cost twice as much as my bike is worth now, and no way are they twice as much fun. Guess I am stuck with "ol' Yaller" until I get some kind of windfall.  | ||
| Ryker77 |
I'd like to see Buell offer Ohlins shocks. Thats the difference for me. Also if you want a sport tour twin its either a Duc or BMW. | ||
| Bomber |
I've found, after a long time of bike buying, that any attempt on my part to rationalize a particular bike purchase winds up affecting my decision not at all my brain leads me to the general bike type, my wallet narrows the field, and my gut make the decision ride what you love, love what you ride, yes? | ||
| Spike |
Just to add a little more- only the ~$15k S4Rs Testastretta gets the Ohlins goodies, the S2R 800 gets the Marzocchi fork with Sachs shock while the S2R gets Showa front and rear. | ||
| Nutsosane |
Spike, The article was in TWO. I'll check back tomorrow to give the issue number. They compared the Ss, S2R, and Guzzi Breva 1100. The headline was "old school," as in air cooled twins. The Guzzi is more of a touring gig, while taking third place in the comparison. What do we all think a FAIR streetfighter comparison would be? No bench racing or peak number tomfoolery. I know most of us are biased but I'd like to give this test a try. I also think "modification ability" should be taken into consideration. Seriously, who here hasn't altered their ride in some way? XB12 Lightning Monster S2R 1000 Triumph Speed3 Yammy FZ1 NUTS |
