[Closed] Motorbikin' advice........

I love my Sprint RS and they can be got quite cheaply.
Ive done 70k+ on mine and had very little bother from it.
108BHP, 55mpg, 220m/tankfull and scares the shit out of me(in a good way)when I give it a hand-full.
I'm 5'7" and am OK on it.

I was watching THIS on Ebay recently. I don't have a bike right now, but I'd be very happy with a(nother) Duke and and ST would be nice I reckon. I nearly fell over when I saw how little it sold for. If I'd won it at that price, I'd have been running around the house whooping and hollering!
Guess what I'm going to be looking for next time?

Do you own a multi-meter?

Can you remove your blinkers? 😉

I've had 2 ducatis. My master mind specialist subject is the multi-meter.

I have heard that more recent Ducatis have got over the dodgy electrics - I wouldn't be going for anything as early as that one mentioned myself... late model all the way 😉

The Triumph Sprint 1050ST is *probably* where I am going to end up though, cos I love my Speed Triple and just want a more practical version 😉

I've had 2 ducatis. My master mind specialist subject is the multi-meter.

So, the first one WAS worth it then? 🙂

have heard that more recent Ducatis have got over the dodgy electrics - I wouldn't be going for anything as early as that one mentioned myself... late model all the way

The Triumph Sprint 1050ST is *probably* where I am going to end up though, cos I love my Speed Triple and just want a more practical version

Me and Mrs PPs last 2 bikes (2 each 4 in total) were a Triumph Speed 4, a 955i Speed Triple, a Monster 695 and a Monster 696.
We went to Italy and back on the Triumphs, and loads of other places (TT, Ireland etc) and only sold the Dukes because we needed the money. 🙁
The most unreliable was the S4. It was CRAP. AA recovered back home 3 times in 14k miles (Dropped valve, camchain tensionner, generator) My S3 was superb. I did something like 25k on it and only had to replace cables. It was still on the original battery. Both Monsters were the same. No problems at all.
These days, BMW have a higher recall rate than Ducati.....

So, the first one WAS worth it then?

But that 1998 Ducati you linked is from the era before the italians had figured out how electricity worked. Nothing wrong with that if you know what you're in for.

A new ducati is a different proposition.

But that 1998 Ducati you linked is from the era before the italians had figured out how electricity worked. Nothing wrong with that if you know what you're in for.

Oh yes, very true. But it bears all the marks of being a good 'un: 2 Owners who have looked after it, bog standard, service history, and a few miles to show it's been used and not left standing. Dukes don't like sitting doing nothing. I would seriously have bought it at that money. It wasn't too far away and I'd have gone for a look at it first though. 🙂

Actually... I wouldn't have bought that one... cos you can get a 98 ST2 with the same kind of mileage and all the rest from a dealer for the same money!

Why do folk almost always bid things up so high on eBay! Think it is the thrill of the chase or something!

There are plenty around for that kind of money. Ducatis are good value for money.

Torque, you say? Comfort? £3k budget.
The Aprilia Futura always gets top write ups. It's big, comfy, reliable (ahem, apart from some electrical gremlins), and super torquey.
And you don't see many of them around. BUT because they use the same engine and mecahnicals, parts are available from the SL1000 and RSV Mille of the same period.
I love mine.
[img] [/img]
Usually comes with fitted luggage though

go for a KTM 990sm oldgrump. No reason for recommending, apart from I like mine (as everyone else appears to have done).

I quite fancy a Triumph Bonnie or Speedmaster for cutting about in the summer. anyone wanting to buy a low mileage Harley?

I always think the point of bikes at this price point is to buy what you want, once they come down to about 3 grand the depreciation is very slow, so you can experiment, you don,t like it flog it and get something else, enjoy riding lots of different types, trailies, tourers (but not harleys) . Just take the same care when buying so you don,t get a pig in a poke. I'd start with the VFR 800 tho if pushed for a choice.

' enjoy riding lots of different types, trailies, tourers (but not harleys) ' Harley's are good fun to ride in a Harley sort of way. You do feel a bit of a **** though when you have to park and get it off it.

Is it a triple R or a plain triple you have rob? did you have any probs with it? i rode one for about 2.5 hours outside aberdeen and loved the position. the engine was great,not quite as much get up and go as my own bike but the noise was sweet! think i will wait a few years til they come down in price as they havent dropped too much in price yet. grr!

I'm looking to sell my Aprilia Falco (nowt wrong with it but I want to buy a DH bike)perfect for the back road scratching and the odd trip to europe. Comfy, torquey, decent handling and sounds mint.

[hijack]

I've got this for sale if you're interested? [url= http://nottingham.gumtree.com/nottingham/63/45174563.html ]clicky-linky[/url]

It's not overly torquey, but is very comfortable, very reliable and very within your budget.

I can't afford to keep it and the Blackbird, so one of them has to go..... and it's not going to be the Blackbird. The ad says it is in Bottesford (near Nottingham), but I've just started work in Bristol - I'm staying down here during the week so could bring the bike down.

[/hijack]

torquey you say ???

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200938342134719/sort/priceasc/usedbikes/make/moto_guzzi/model/v11/quicksearch/true/postcode/st170ul/page/1/radius/1500?previous=%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fusedbikes%2Fpostcode%2Fst170ul%2Fradius%2F1500%2Fmake%2Fmoto_guzzi%2Fmodel%2Fv11%2Fquicksearch%2Ftrue%2Fpage%2F1%2Fsort%2Fpriceasc&anchor=advert200938342134719&logcode=p

It's the Speed Triple, not Street Triple... so no R version 😉 If I stuck a Corbin seat on it then I suspect that it would be comfy for ages. The wind blast and lack of being able to carry luggage is the bitch (I want to be able to throw my camera bag in a top box, then have panniers for clobber so I can spend some time having fun, but building stock images at the same time!)

The sound is ace - and the over run is to die for... hence the thought that may go with the 1050 Sprint.

Thanks for all the advice - I'm going to have fun looking..... Aprilia keeps drifting onto the radar, 750 or 1000 would be worth a look - then again I'm no electrician!!! Twin of some kind most likely, but if a triple came up hmmmmm.

I am myself trying to persuade me I don't need a MT03 or a monster. Specially since I am likely to have a 500-600€ bill on angela for the 35000 milles medical check.

But I am so so tempted 😀

I think the MT03 is a stunning bike, just wish it had a bigger fuel tank 🙁 The Monster is sweet as too and I kept toying with getting one of the bigger ones a couple of years back. I would probably go with the Ducati over the Yamaha, but purely on the grounds of lust!

I am just trying to resist the lure until the summer!

the problems with the MT03 that have been stopping me to throw cash at it are:
The look but I would probably live with it
Handlebars, what the **** is wrong with clip on
But most to all the weight it's a good 20-25kg heavier 🙁

Problem with the monster 696 is that I see too many of them, just rode to go to the café.

If I stuck a Corbin seat on it then I suspect that it would be comfy for ages. The wind blast and lack of being able to carry luggage is the bitch (I want to be able to throw my camera bag in a top box, then have panniers for clobber so I can spend some time having fun, but building stock images at the same time!)

Well, you can fit a top box on a S3. I did. Very handy too, for touring.
As for comfort, well we rode to Italy and back (Bologna, Florence) on a S3 and a S4 and it was fine.
Now I should mention that we were camping and we took cooking gear and a 3 man tunnel tent to. I can be done, and easily, you just have to want to!
On the way back, 2nd day, we had a lot of distance to cover. We did Switzerland to Farnborough, Hants, in one hit. 820 miles. My S3 was plenty comfy thanks! 😀

Actually... I wouldn't have bought that one... cos you can get a 98 ST2 with the same kind of mileage and all the rest from a dealer for the same money!

If that's true (And I'm gonna check it out because I don't believe it is!) guess what I'm getting next! 😀

Just do a search on Bike Trader - there were 2 or 3 the other day for that money 😉

If that's true (And I'm gonna check it out because I don't believe it is!) guess what I'm getting next!

Just checked it out. It's not true. Cheapest ST2 I can find is a private 1997 bike with 40k on the clock for £1250. Cheapest dealer bike is £1995 with 25K on it.
I was right. That Ebay one is a bargain. 😀

EDIT
Missed your last post, just checking Bike Trader 🙂

[url= http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/results/usedbikes/postcode/la127es/radius/1501/make/ducati/model/st/quicksearch/true?logcode=q ]Really?[/url]

£1899 with 22.5k miles
£1995 with 16k miles
£1996 with 8.9k miles

Lowest ST2 currently on Bike Trader is a 1998 ST2 for £1899. Does have panniers though. 🙂

I'm soooooooo glad I read this thread though. I soooooooooo want an ST now. 🙂

Really?

£1899 with 22.5k miles
£1995 with 16k miles
£1996 with 8.9k miles

But it's nowhere near £1330 though, is it? It's not 'that kind of money' at all! It's 30% cheaper! 🙂

I had read that as being £1830 for some reason... must have been having a dyslexic moment 😉

There were a couple of cheaper ones the other day, can't remember what the cheapest was mind! I am looking at the last of em myself so only notice the others and think... oooh - could have that and keep the Speedy! But since I can't use the bike for commuting I just can't justify 2 machines at the moment.

I just can't justify 2 machines at the moment.

I had read that as being £1830 for some reason... must have been having a dyslexic moment

Ahhhhhhhhhh. I see......... 🙂

It's gotta be said _WHEN_ we get bikes again (You reading this Mrs PP? 🙂 ) I can't see me wanting anything other than another Duke. I've had different makes every time so far, but my little 696 just, well, just, er, was, umm, err, something else? I think I'm smitten TBH.

I reckon either a Multistrada or an ST.... 🙂

Peter if you are both getting bike don't be such cheapstake and buy a desmodicci 😉
Or have some class and get a GT1000 and have it prepared 😀

Yeah - I am planning having 2 bikes in the future, the second is going to be a vintage machine though 😉 Probably trade the Speed Triple for a Sports Tourer next summer and see how I get on with it - never ridden anything with clip ons before (I like my Renthal bars!)

Oh aye - Peter - worth keeping an eye on [url= http://www.ducatisti.co.uk/classified/showcat.php?cat=29 ]this[/url] for Ducatis. Mate was telling me that specific bike forums get you some very tidy bikes usually at a very good price. Nothing hugely of interest at the moment perhaps, but thought I would point you in that direction....

Rob, yes I'm actually a member on the Ducatisti forum. I tried selling our Monsters on there with zero result. I sold them both via STW classifides in the end!

Yes I know you sold them on here and not even to me :'(

Robs how vintage do you want your bike? Is it for duo? Touring or jsut some pootling around?

It's going to be pretty vintage - there is a stupid and doomed to failure plan of getting to the Nordkapp on BSA M30s (old military model, 500cc thumpers with single sprung seats). Think they were 1930's - 1950's or somesuch.

I also have my eyes on a very nice race prepped Norton that happens to be in my Great Aunts attic in grease paper and has been for the last few decades since my Great Uncle died.... mmmmm

*MUSSSSSSSST STOP LOOKING AT BIKE TRADER AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH*

Yeah - been doing that a lot lately myself 😉

However - I have a few jobs to go to now... apparently they need pumps in Keswick, who would have thunk it. No more computers for me today!!!

Have a nice day rob 😀

*MUSSSSSSSST STOP LOOKING AT BIKE TRADER AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH*

Problem with the monster 696 is that I see too many of them, just rode to go to the café.

Juan, you're waaaaaay too concerned with the 'image'. Or at least the image that you percieve. So what if people ride them to cafes? I've parked every bike I've ever had outside a cafe (Well, maybe not the CG125) and sat looking at it for a bit. Nothing wrong with that though. I've also done 2 trackdays and the IOM TT course on a commuter (CB500), toured on a streetfighter (S3) and wheelied and beaten sportsbikes on a scooter (Runner VXR180)

IMAGE has nowt to do with it. Nothing. I'd always wanted a S3. So I got one and used it and loved it. I'd always wanted a Monster. So I got one and I loved it and used it.
I've had people sneer at my bike (CB500 on a trackday) but I was lapping a bloke on a Fireblade twice a session until he crashed it.

It's not WHAT you ride that matters. It's THAT you ride which counts. 😀

Stop thinking about IMAGE and go test some bikes FFS!!!!!!!!

Can you post a pic of an ST for me?