| Author | Message | ||
     Thefleshrocket |
I've owned multiple bikes for quite a few years and I always try to own different kinds of bikes for the sake of variety. I used to have a GSX-R1000 for the full-on sportbike, a Z1000 as a naked, a Vmax for a muscle cruiser and a Honda CB-1 as a nimble little wife-friendly bike. The CB-1 got replaced by an SV650S and the GSX-R1000 left for an SV1000S and a CBR600F2 (a bike I owned for a long time and sold to family, only to have it return), and the Z1000 and Vmax also went away. A Daytona 675 replaced the SV650S and my 1125R replaced the SV1000S. And a DRZ-400E got added to the stable. Anyway, the point is that all of those have had differences in style, displacement, number of cylinders, etc. I've always liked the idea of owning a Ducati. I've thought about a Monster SR4S for a while, but think I'd probably be happier on something like a 996/998/999. The thing is that I worry about having two liter-class sporting twins--I think they'll be too similar and I'll end up preferring one over the other and not riding the unloved one. Now I'm not saying that I think I'd like a Duc better than the 1125 by any means. I really enjoy my 1125. But I don't want to end up buying a 99x and the ending up wanting to sell either of the bikes. (My wife has very little patience for bike turnovers since I've gone through quite a few in the last couple of years.) So, does anyone own a Ducati sportbike and an 1125 and find them different enough to love them both? | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
I don't know if this will help, but I think a car comparison would be appropriate- do you think it would be redundant to have a Ford GT and a Ferrari F430 in your garage? If yes, then you might want to consider another bike. However, if you can discern the differences in the character between the Ford and the Ferrari, then you'll be very happy having the Buell and a Ducati in the stable. (Message edited by Redbuelljunkie on October 17, 2010) | ||
| Anonymous |
I HAVE A DUCATI MONSTER S2R DARK AND A 1125R. THE MONSTER IS A LOT OF FUN, BUT I WILL NOT GET ANOTHER DUCATI. THE COST OF UP KEEP IS STUPID. THE PLACE THAT I TOOK MINE TO GET WORKED ON WANTED $600 JUST TO CHANGED THE TIMING BELTS. THAT IS DONE ONCE EVERY 2 YEARS. THE VALUES HAVE TO TUNED ONCE YEAR AND THAT IS $300 AND SO ON AND SO ON. I DO LIKE THE DUCAT BUT I LOVE THE BUELL. I WOULD GO FOR THE MONSTER OVER THE 996/998 OR 999 IF YOU HAVE A 1125R. THE 996/998/999 WOULD BE TO MUCH LIKE YOUR BUELL. | ||
| Jules |
I've had a couple of Ducati's over the years, my original 996 Biposto had some striking similarities to the 1125R, you feel like you're sat "on" rather than in the bike but the Duc has a narrower waist and is a LOT less comfortable. The clipons in particular were painful on long runs (unless you were going seriously quickly) Initial turn in is similar (needing a firm tug on the bars) and stability through the corners is also very similar and massive lean angles are definately possible and they track perfectly. The R powers out of corners better than the 996 did and as mentioned before the Duc was incredibly expensive to run (but I do miss the French Toast and croissants the dealer gives you before they chaufeur you back to work when the bike is being serviced). The 996 was also VERY unreliable, lots of clutch issues and loads of electrical niggles but it was great fun when it was running right. My Ducati Monster was fabulous, I never had a day's problems with it, it was comfortable, fast, reliable and insane! Unfortunately the sloping pillion seat and tiny size meant it had to go but it's a bike I recall with fondness. the Ducati superbikes are very similar to the Buell, personally I prefer something more of a contract in the stable so I have an IL4 and an R | ||
| Dman |
Same thoughts here. I currently have the 1125R and my R1 (and a few others), and often think do I need 2 liter sportbikes, if I sold one, it wouild be the R1. I resist selling by designating the R1 as also being the trackday bike, I fear dropping the Buell to much at this point. If I dropped the R1 I'd be like, darn, if I dropped the Buell I'd cry. Although IMHO the Buell handles way better. So that's one reason to have 2. I also have gotten into Supermotard, & it's stupid fun, I have a KTM for that but Ducati makes a Hypermotard that's, well, the Ducati of motards, comes in liter size also. Or if it's an Italian thing, check Aprillia, they have a 550 Motard that's also sexy as hell & functional. One big thing I consider though, like posts above, is the service. The more sophisticated the bike ... the more sophisticated the parts, costs, etc. Only requirement though, is whatever you decide, you have to post pics. :-) | ||
| Xl1200r |
Step back and be a little more objective about this. If you have two bikes and you love one more than the other to the point of selling the other, why would that be a bad thing? I'm a Buell guy, through and through, but if I found a bike gave the same type of ride but better from another brand, then I'd switch. I struggled with this for a while as my S3T is, by far, my most favorite bike I've owned. But at the same time, I feel I'd like something a little newer and a little more reliable (the S3T has never left me stranded, but enough parts have shaken off of it to make it an annoyance, lol). The new Triumph Sprint GT has my eye - if I test ride one and like it better than the S3T, why would I keep the S3? (assuming I can afford the Trumpet) They're motorcycles, not children. If you find a better one, you can trade up. If you miss the old one, you can buy a duplicate of it later down the road. I try not to have two bike that fill the same niche. I wouldn't have two litre-bikes for exactly why you say - I'd surely prefer one over the other, so one would just sit. Unless one was a dedicated track bike, then I'd consider having both. The bottom line is I'd hate to see you not get something because you're afraid you might like it more. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Redbuell, you have an interesting point with the car analogy. I'd be able to definitely appreciate the differences between a Ford GT and an F430. (I'd LOVE to have a GT, and I sure wouldn't mind an F430.) However, I think the two have enough differences that even though they're both mid-engine V8s, they'd provide noticeably different driving experiences. If I could have both, absolutely I would. Jules, thanks for the thoughts on your 996. It does sound like if I decided to add a Ducati to the stable, it ought to be a Monster S4RS, both for the difference from the 1125, and for the sake of reliability. (Also, if the 996 rides similarly to the 1125 but is down on the midrange and a lot less comfortable, I think the 1125 would get the nod on those accounts alone.) That said, if I recall correctly, the S4RS uses the 999 motor, and I'm not sure if it would prove to be much more reliable than a 996/998. At the moment, this is definitely just pipe dreaming--kind of for when I'm bored and browse Ebay and Craigslist to see what the locals have up for sale. Thanks for the input, guys! | ||
| Tpoppa |
Ducs are cool. I've ridden more than a few. When they get the valve adjustment intervals on the Monster up to 12k, I'll seriously consider buying one. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
So if I follow your post correctly, you currently have the Tri 675, the 1125 and the DRZ. Sounds like you need a good standard in there that's wife friendly. You already know the Suzuki V's, I'd take a good look at the V-Stroms, 650 or 1000. I'm 215lbs, girlfriend 155lbs (both ready to ride weights) and have and LOVE my 650. I also have a 1125CR, beater Duc 900SS, three classics and a DR650. Happy man. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
A "beater" Duc? LOL No more Suzukis for me, unless it's a later model GSX-R750. (I'd like to see how one compares to my Daytona 675.) The SV1000S and SV650S weren't sporty enough for me, so I definitely wouldn't want to go towards the less-sporty V-stroms. My wife actually gets my CBR600F2, which I still have. It's moderately upgraded--intake, exhaust, revalved cartridge fork, Elka shock, steel brake lines, Dunlopad pads--so it actually does really well but it's a tame enough bike when you're gentle on the throttle that it works well for her. I also plan to take it to the track once I have the spare time to actually do so. (This Spring, for sure!) | ||
| Catalan42 |
If you have a 2-cyl liter-class sportbike (1125R), why mess around considering similar or near-similar Duc's? Why not consider one of the new MultiStrada's? These are great for touring with the GF, from day-trips to longer vacations. They are quite capable on dirt roads, have plenty of power even 2-up, and you can ride them all day long. Also, given the current state of maintenance (or lack thereof) on many roads, that tall off-road suspension can really come in handy even on the super-slab! Oh wait, it sounds like I'm describing my Uly......   | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Beater Duc-http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/04/the-anti dote-to-shiny-new-ducatis/?gal=1#/4 | ||
| Duggram |
I think you need more diversity in your stable. I.e.: 1125R (road racer) FJR Yamaha (commuter) WR450F Yamaha (dirt) XL1200 Sportster (for sale soon) If they were all the same style, where's the stimulation? Although, I might get an 1190RS when available after I sell the Sportster. But the 1190 would be on the street and the 1125 is track only. | ||
| Jng1226 |
Duggram - isn't that a little bass-ackwards to have the 1190RS on the street and the 1125 on the track? The 1125 stock is already more than enough on the street, and the 1190RS would seem to be even more capable on the track. The poor 1190RS on the street would be like putting a thoroughbred stallion in a pony ride! | ||
| Duggram |
It's not bass-ackward at all. The 1125 is my current racer and the 1190 is made yet. My point is, diversity with as many different bikes as possible. I have a neighbor lady that has a 996 and a 1098 now, and she want's to get a new MV F4. She only rides a few miles to work and that's all she uses her bikes for. She's happy and you know you can't have enough bikes. | ||
| Mtnharleyguy |
Very interesting topic! I find your interest in the 1125 and the S4RS equally interesting. We have an '08 Tricolore S4RS (#25/400) and an '09 1125CR in our garage. The Duc is mine. The Buell is my wife's. But since she's down with a badly broken leg I've been riding the Buell a fair amount. They are both remarkably capable hooligan bikes. The Buell is a bit easier to ride and more forgiving though. The Ducati has better suspension. The Ohlin units are fantastic. I can get the Buell close to the target, but the Duc is dead-on after you tweak it a bit. The front brakes are a tie. The Buell lacks the raw power of the Brembo binders on the Duc, but it is more linear and not as abrupt during initial application. The Ducati front brake can be almost violent sometimes. The Buell is just easier to use sometimes. As for the rear brakes, it's no contest. The Ducati is far superior, in power, feel and modulation. The Buell rear brake is poor, at best. Handling: two very different feeling bikes here. The Ducati drops into turns much more nimbly and gets out of them just a little better, as long as the suspension has been properly dialed in. If the forks aren't set up well, it'll lurch a bit as you're about halfway leaned into the turn. It'll also treat you to the trademark Ducati weave on exit if both the front and rear haven't been set up. The S4RS is much better on turn exit than my previous ride, an '04 S4R was. This is due to a stiffer frame. And getting those Ohlin units dialed in makes all the difference. The Buell feels just a little heavier on turn entry and exit than the Ducati. But once in the turn, the Buell is superior. It holds the line perfectly, and is more tolerant of changing lines when in the turn. I don't believe this perceived heaviness when initiating a turn is any fault of the Buell frame or geometry. I think I might just have some more work to do on the suspension. I do believe that when I get the Buell fully dialed in, it'll feel every bit as good as the Duc, if not better. One very nice feature on the Buell is the slipper clutch. It makes makes the bike more tolerant of sloppy down shifting when blasting through the mountains. Then Duc CAN and WILL break the rear end loose if your throttle blipping technique isn't well honed. The nicest thing about the the slipper action on the Buell is it's transparency. You never feel it working. You just know it does. I find both bikes to be equally comfortable. I do have the high bars on the Buell. And the Ducati has 1.25 inch bar risers. You definitely sit on top of the Buell. While you don't sit in the Ducati, as you would on some cruisers, you do feel a bit more down into the bike when seated. As for the engines, The Duc has the Testastretta 998 mill. It's a great engine that prefers to be kept singing. It's not really happy until it's over 4000 rpm. And in the higher gears, it wants at least 5000. These bikes feel equally quick from turn to turn in the mountains of Colorado. The Buell is slightly more tolerant of a poor gear choice than the Ducati. It'll still pull if you're one gear too high. The Ducati feels just a little bit more comfortable if you are interested tooling around at high rpm all day. It's a little better balanced and it just feels less stressed above 7500 rpm. My mods on the 2008 Ducati Monster S4RS Tricolore are 1.25 inch bar risers, nemesis ECU, K&N filter, fully cut open airbox, Marving midpipe (cat eliminator), ASV levers, CRG bar end mirrors. Mods on the 2009 Buell 1125 CR are Erik Buell Racing ECM, High Bars, K&N Filter, de-noided. Now on to the real point of all of this. Which one do I prefer? I like the one I'm riding at the moment. They both have areas in which they excel. After 5 turns I find I'm back into the groove of whatever works for the bike I'm currently riding. We have no intention of getting rid of either of these bikes. They are the same type of bike, but sufficiently different so as to remain interesting. I haven't found that I have a favorite. They both get plenty of road time. As for those who claim it's expensive to operate a Ducati, all I can say is...TRUE! They are expensive to operate. Desmo valves need more adjustments and these timing belts are good for 7500 miles or 2 years whichever comes FIRST. The Buell is still too new to know how much it will cost to operate. If I were in a situation where my wife didn't ride, there really wouldn't be a need for two hooligan bikes. In that case I'd have one of these (I can't decide which one right now) and maybe a BMW R1200GS. I'd keep on typing, but it's late so off to bed. Ride Safe | ||
| Jng1226 |
you know you can't have enough bike Tru dat. | ||
| Greenflash |
I have owned four Buells and three Ducatis. Currently: Buell 1125R, Buell 1125CR and Buell S3T. Ducatis 999 and ST4. I bought the 999 in 2003 when I only owned the Buell S3T. The 1098/1198 hurt the resale of 999s, and you could probably pick up a mint '03-05 999 for $7K-$8K. I still believe that nothing sounds like a Ducati (desmo valves, valve angle, who knows?), it really makes music. Compared to my 1125, I think it's a little less comfortable (more reach to the clip-ons), sounds much more musical, revs a little slower, has slower but still stable handling, is very stable over 100 mph compared to the Buells, is more photogenic (opinion) and still gives me a special feeling when riding it and pride in ownership. Knowing I'm riding the basic bike for world superbike champ of 03, 04 and 06 doesn't hurt. The much-criticised styling will not look dated in 10 years, IMO. Having been to many races, visited the factory in Bologna, ridden the Motogiro d'Italia, and gotten to know many of the US support staff, the passion and owner hospitality of the company is second to none. Having said that, there is an overlap with the 1125s; I'll probably be selling the 1125R, keeping the CR. My first Buell was a 97 Cyclone, and I kind of like the naked bike feeling (hardly any bike under you) My 1125CR brings back that feeling. How about considering a used Ducati sport-tourer: ST4 (916 desmoquattro superbike motor), ST4S (996 superbike motor) or the ST3 (3-valve motor). My ST4 is extremely comfortable on trips, has hard bags and a top box, is fast and sounds fantastic. If I had to sell all but one street bike, I'd probably keep my 2001 ST4, because it can do everything. Sure my Buell S3T is a sentimental favorite, but the ST4 is objectively better in every category. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
I hated the 999 when it first came out, but it's grown on me. I could see owning one, although the main thing I don't like about it aesthetically is the stock muffler assembly--it's like a big tumor off the end of the bike. I've seen a few for what seem like pretty reasonable prices, though, which makes it more of a possibility. Definitely no sport touring bikes. Every bike I've owned that wasn't a full-on sportbike, I've tried to upgrade to make it behave more like a sportbike. That and most of my rides are 70-80 miles (once or twice a season, I might get in a 200-mile ride) so touring comfort is a non-issue. | ||
| Greenflash |
The 999 muffler is easy to fix. I put Remus carbon oval slip-ons ($600) and reprogrammed the ECU, and the tail looks more like a 1098 or the 998 now -much better. The exhaust sounds meaner (has kind of a bark now), I lost 10 ugly lbs, and gained HP. One reason I like sport tourers is that in South Florida, I am 12 hours of superslab away from the nearest twisties (North Georgia, above Atlanta). I could trailer my 999 up there, but riding 800 miles to get there is not fun and a waste of tire tread. If you live in SoCal or other good places where you can ride right out of your garage into great canyon roads, the equation is completely different. I also feel safer on trips away from big cities and I like touring. My 999 is just used for trackdays or trailering somewhere good. You may find the first-year 1098 for a great price too, since they are all 1198s now. | ||
| Johnnys999 |
I have the Ducati 999R and a 1125CR. I like them both, but for different reasons. The 999R is a special machine and is considered the high end model for the 999 series. I've had other Ducs as well, like the 916 and Multistrada. With the R bike I throw money at it and don't ride it an a lot, it is my garage queen. My latest upgrade was a Leo Vince Corsa titanium full system and last week I hooked up a Power Commander in preparation of getting it dyno tuned. I bought the Buell as a miles bike. Its obvious the bike is more comfortable and has some grunt at the same time. It serves my purpose perfectly and in fact I said that exactly to Erik Buell when I met him in August at the ProItalia "Ride the Crest" event. Myself and three others trailered our Ducatis down there to show three of them and ride up to Newcombs after the bike show. It was a fun event highlighted by Erik getting up on stage and performing. I was in a state of shock because he is good! What I wanted before buying the Buell (discount really helped the deal) was a bike that was different enough from the Ducati, but one that I could go on longer rides and still have fun in the canyons or even the track. The Buell 1125CR is perfect for that. | ||
| Mickeyq |
Rode my friends 1098R--nice bike. However, I am saving every dollar (it still is a good currency) for an 1190--whichever version it may be! | ||
| Vanslam |
I have owned several bikes of the past couple of years. One was a Buell 1125R and another was a Ducati 749. The Buell was a sweat bike but was lacking something that the Ducati has. Both handled well, had plenty of power and good brakes. However the Ducati has a better design and fit of parts. With that said Ducati's are expensive to maintain. But nothing feels, sounds, rides or turns like a Ducati. So I sold my 1125R and still have my Duc. | ||
| Mickeyq |
My Buell 1125R is a sweeet bike and I'd much rather ride her all day long than my friends 1098R. That bike is uncomfortable in so many ways. For a first effort, the 1125R outclasses that 1098R (which is a culmination [916-1198] of YEARS of development-R/D). Gotta agree on that! To top it off Buells are winning races too and those are not far from stock. For the time being, I can only imagine what the 1190s will do...wait; they won the European Sound of Thunder championship and a German SBK race. Quoting the Pegasus Race Team, "This bike is for sure one of the most, maybe the absolute most competitive V-Twin ever". | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
What do you guys think of the 848? A few year old example should be in the $7-$8k range which isn't too bad. It's about 20hp down on the 1125 so not a direct competitor in engine performance, and it's just plain beautiful, especially in pearl white. However, a used 999 would be more in the $6k range so a bit less but not a huge difference. It's not as pretty but it does have the classic dry clutch music and ought to have comparable engine performance to the 848. So is the 848 worth the extra scratch over a 999? | ||
| Cowboytutt |
I've been riding with the SCAB group at Laguna Seca for two years now. One of the members who always shows up has a 1098 Duc. The first year he showed up, he was not so fast because his factory stock suspension was simply too stiff! The following year (this year 2010) he had softer springs installed and he kicked my ass on my Harley "Sport Bob" (this will require some explanation later). The point is that I suspect most stock Ducs are way oversprung for street use. The Buell's do a lot better when set up right but require a lot experimentation to get there and get it right. -Tutt |
