Oh what to do? Help please with Duke dilemma

marco.tinnirello.DeleteThis@globecastne.com wrote:
 > So, what do I do? Buy another "work" bike? Which bike? And do I keep
 > the Ducati? I have pondered on buying something like a Honda CBR600RR
 > and I'd sell the 749. It's got to be reliable, so I'd change it every
 > year probably.
 >
I was faced with this exact problem several years back. My 996 just
wasn't cut out to be a commuter, and my HD was boring. My solution was
a used '92 907ie, a choice I never regretted. Most of the depreciation
was gone, bugs ironed out, and all I needed to worry about was a 2-valve
adjustment interval that, frankly, can be stretched past recommendation
as the miles rack up, as long as the belts don't go too long. The Paso
series are very comfortable, in my opinion, as commuter bikes, so I
easily addressed my Duc withdrawal several times per week.

So, Matt's solution is just as good -- go find a cheap Monster and don't
worry about the depreciation. The Duc excitement (we don't call them
Dukes in the colonies) will be just as good as if you were on your 749.

BTW, that CBR600RR is every bit as uncomfortable as my 996.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Oh what to do? Help please with Duke dilemma 

"MattO" <spambegone.DeleteThis@nomorespam.net> wrote in message
news:3Butd.158109$5K2.101878@attbi_s03...
 >
 > <marco.tinnirello.DeleteThis@globecastne.com> wrote in message
 > news:1102455310.499283.44130@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
  >> Hi
  >>
  >> some words of wisdom from you if you can please.
  >>
  >> I've got a ducati 749. I love it. I do about 6k miles per year and I
  >> ride it to work sometimes, especially when in london. All was well.
  >>
  >> Then I go and get another job which really needs a bike, as it's 33
  >> miles each way, and most of that is m25 motorway. That works out to be
  >> about 15500 miles a year :-s
  >>
  >> Now it's clear that if I do that on my 749 it's gonna cost me a lot of
  >> cash in terms of service, resale value etc. And, on cold winter days,
  >> I'll be wanting heated grips. Heated grips on a 749? I don't think so.
  >> What then? Paniers? Scotoiler? Oh, imagine the shame of it all.
  >>
  >> So, what do I do? Buy another "work" bike? Which bike? And do I keep
  >> the Ducati? I have pondered on buying something like a Honda CBR600RR
  >> and I'd sell the 749. It's got to be reliable, so I'd change it every
  >> year probably.
  >>
  >> Anyone out there comute each day, and can give some sensible advice? I
  >> really can't make my mind up - mainly because every time I say I'm
  >> gonna sell the 749, i get all teary and emotional.
  >> thanks in advance.
  >>
  >> Marco
  >>
 >
 > Marco,
 > I commute 50 mi. daily round trip, weather permitting, on a '97
 > Monster900... here in Calif that's most of the time. I choose not to ride
 > in rain but that's just me, the bike is up to it. No heated grips, not
 > that cold. No panniers, just a backpack.
 >
 > Maintenance costs for routine service on 2-valve desmo not out of line, in
 > my opinion, & worth xtra grin-factor the duc provides. Reliable as stink,
 > in 7 years never left me stranded roadside. 52000 miles on the clock &
 > still running strong, tho well "used". That said, Mulitstrada 1000 is on
 > order (tic-tock)...
 >
 > Personal opinion - I prefer upright posture for freeway riding so wouldn't
 > choose a sportbike w/clip-ons for commuting, especially if I had a 749
 > waiting in the stable for weekend work . I'd say a desmodue would be
 > the perfect stable-mate for the Quattro.
 > ~ Matto
 >

Not been to London in winter have you? I can tell ..... <!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Oh what to do? Help please with Duke dilemma 

yes,buy another "work" bike. i picked up a 2004 cyclone so i could put
bags on it and keep my 2k clean for saturday night. even though i put on
over 12k miles a year before, with a beater i don't mind riding in the
wet, my riding skills have increased dramatically. if you get another
749 you could use the parts one day.

2000 Buell M2 Cyclone
1997 Honda XR650L
"I think maybe most people don't realize they need a motorcycle."
Jeremy Mcgrath
 >> Stay informed about: Oh what to do? Help please with Duke dilemma 

In article <1102455310.499283.44130 DeleteThis @z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>, marco.tinnirello DeleteThis @globecastne.com wrote:
 > Hi
 >
 > some words of wisdom from you if you can please.
 >
[snip - 33 mile M25 commute doesn't mix with 748]
 > Marco

I'd recommend a twin valve Monster too. Old ones with ridiculously
low mileages are ridiculously cheap. Just because poseurs buy them
doesn't mean that they're not reliable for long distances. I've
got heated grips, muffs over Acerbis brush guards for horrid winter
days and I've toured with Ventura packs and with Hepco and Becker
hard luggage (not at the same time). A Ventura pack would be ideal
for the sort of traffic you're going to have to deal with. Ride
BT020s and you'll get at least 8000 miles off the rear tyre.
Servicing is easy - apart from valve clearances. I guess a Multistrada
could give you a similar grin factor. Fit a Scottoiler to cut down on
chain maintenance - standard size will need filling once a fortnight.
Don't buy a 'dark' it's not a sensible option for filtering in commuter
traffic.

Oh and I hope you're going to keep the 748.

--
Jan
East Anglian and London biker
M900 - 1999 55,000 miles<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Oh what to do? Help please with Duke dilemma 

"HW" <henry RemoveThis @REMOVEhandk.plus.com> wrote in message
news:ASwtd.457613$SM5.27260@news.easynews.com...
 >
 > Not been to London in winter have you? I can tell .....
No, regrettably I have not *been* to London (yet), but with genes from
thereabouts I still feel the cold - FWIW.
It gets cold here but never needed heated grips, tho I consider brush-guards
to protect finger tips from wind-chill.
Here in SF bay area weather is mostly mild, but we've got a good layer of
fog and world-class traffic to be sure.
Thankfully California permits "lane sharing" - dicey as that is <g>
~ MattO<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Oh what to do? Help please with Duke dilemma 

<ppointer DeleteThis @nospamindspring.com> schreef in bericht
news:vXutd.32267$CG4.16008@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
 > marco.tinnirello DeleteThis @globecastne.com wrote:
  > > So, what do I do? Buy another "work" bike? Which bike? And do I keep
  > > the Ducati? I have pondered on buying something like a Honda CBR600RR
  > > and I'd sell the 749. It's got to be reliable, so I'd change it every
  > > year probably.
  > >
 > I was faced with this exact problem several years back. My 996 just
 > wasn't cut out to be a commuter, and my HD was boring. My solution was
 > a used '92 907ie, a choice I never regretted. Most of the depreciation
 > was gone, bugs ironed out, and all I needed to worry about was a 2-valve
 > adjustment interval that, frankly, can be stretched past recommendation
 > as the miles rack up, as long as the belts don't go too long. The Paso
 > series are very comfortable, in my opinion, as commuter bikes, so I
 > easily addressed my Duc withdrawal several times per week.
 >
 > So, Matt's solution is just as good -- go find a cheap Monster and don't
 > worry about the depreciation. The Duc excitement (we don't call them
 > Dukes in the colonies) will be just as good as if you were on your 749.
 >
 > BTW, that CBR600RR is every bit as uncomfortable as my 996.

907ie is a very good bike for the winter. Also the ST-series.
Be carefull for bikes with a carb. That is my "winterproblem". Temperatures
are too low for a good functioning ducati with carbs...
Greetings Gerwin <daffyduc> 906 Paso
The Netherlands<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Oh what to do? Help please with Duke dilemma