Too "over-the-top" for my taste...probably my least favorite looking Duc in many a year.....but to each his own....give me the monster!

 

^ Man, I love that bike! But yeah... it's probably an acquired taste.

 

yeah...i don't really like the looks of the new Monsters and Street Fighter. They remind me too much of other italian nakeds you find from MV, Bimota, or even Aprilia. I wish Ducati would come up with something like what the guys at JVB Moto have done...



I'll take that over a street fighter or any of the new monsters any day.

 

^OH MY GOD!

Edit: I even love the tread design! What a bike.

 

That is pretty hot...

 

wow!

Look at this variant:

http://jvb-moto.com/rocknroll/wp-con...astard-740.jpg

 

^ Very hot. Not sure I like the rear end so much... but I'm sure it can be altered to make it perfect

 

There's a reason for that tire/tread design. You're not gonna see a stock Monster or Street Fighter doing this ...



edit: and no helmet. only in Europe i guess

 

Over the top is what makes it cool. Nonetheless, I digress....the Monster is number 2 on my list.

EDIT: That Scrambler is

 

I was browsing the Bimota website and came across this:




What are your thoughts?

 

^ Love the Bimota, but just not much of a dealer network here...

 

whoa.... that's some crazy looking bike! Everything looks different, from the radiator inlet, to the frame to especially the suspension. Is that a longitudinal torsion beam arrangement or something in the front? It looks so weird.

 

^^ I believe that engine is the Duc 1100 L twin.....air cooled.

 

after the crash

 

^ Recent crash?

 

looks like a total loss

 

I've been debating about getting a motorcycle for the past couple of months and I'm not in a big rush to get one. I'm definitely going to take the MSF course prior to getting a bike. But, since I'm not in a huge rush, I've been thinking about taking the course in the fall to pick up a bike off season for a better deal. Do you guys know how much more I could be saving if I waited? And is it even worth it?

I've been thinking about a kawasaki ninja 250r as a starter bike. My desire isn't to go with anything big while I'm still learning. I want to build up a good amount of experience with a good intro bike. I've also read that the Kawasaki 500r and the Suzuki GS500 are pretty good beginner bikes as well. From browsing the Kawasaki forums, some people say that the 250r might be too small for a taller person and the riding comfort may not be good. I'm 6 ft about 160lbs, does anyone have any input on this?

Seems like reviews for the 500r are a bit better than the GS500, but both are sound bikes nether less. Which one would be a better bike for a beginner? I'm probably going to head to a bike shop tomorrow to see and sit in some bikes to get a feel for them and idea of what I might like.

Thanks.

 

^^

I would highly recommend taking the classes before getting the bike. That is exactly what I did. I had never ridden a bike before so it was the perfect opportunity for me to learn how to ride properly and know if it's something I'm going to like without investing a lot of money into it.

here's a thread I started talking about the program I took with many great comments from others that have taken the course too:

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/motorcycle-classes-717060/

Good luck on the classes!

 

not really. A bike has to be in pretty bad shape to be totaled (unlike a car).

That is certainly repairable (owner willing)

 

BTW, it's like a million and fifty six degrees in Central Texas right now. Not getting out on the bike as often as I like

 

I had to take my bike in for an oil leak and it's been there over a week waiting on parts. O-rings for the oil return. I can't understand why those are so hard to find. Ridiculous.

 

do it, i was in your shoes a year from now, and glad i went with getting a bike, it soo much fun and dangoures . just ride safe and gear up all the time


this is my bike:

 

Thanks! That's a beautiful bike. I went to a local bike shop yesterday, sat in a Ninja 500R, Ninja 650R, SV650 and SV500. They didn't have any 250Rs in stock, so I wasn't able to check out the bike. I really liked the kawasaki's over the suzukis. The suzuki fairings were huge and it wasn't a very comfortable position.

I went with a buddy that has been riding for a while. It was very insightful to sit and see the bikes in person. Most importantly check out the gear. Still debating on when I should take the course and my next course of action. I think I'm going to continue researching, but definitely sign up for the course first... and also save up some money.

 

^ Buy a used 250r. I bought a 2005 Ninja 250r with about 2500 miles on it in December of 07 for $2200. I learned on it and rode it for about a 14 months, then sold it for the same price I bought it for putting that money towards my current bike.

Check your local Craigslist and scoop one up that way to start...

 

Thought I shared this pic...





I wonder how well he "leans" into corners

 

I need some help. Say I was trying to purchase an used motorcycle. What are the key things to look for? Keep in mind that most sellers will not let you test ride the motorcycle but are willing to let you follow as they ride it around. Thanks in advance.

 

I wouldn't buy a bike if I couldn't ride it first. I have test ridden all the bikes I have bought.

 

Good point. I won't buy a bike if I can't ride it first. I'll filter those out. Thanks

 

KTM RC8

 

First and foremost, inspect the bike for any sort of damage or lousy repairs. A poorly repaired bike, or one heavily damaged, can potentially be unsafe. Check wear items such as tires, brake pads, and drive chains. Is the chain too loose? Too tight? Not lubricated? This is most often a telltale sign how the bike was maintained. Ask for all service receipts. Bikes, like all vehicles, need to be maintained. When was the last valve adjustment done? When were the steering head bearings inspected? Even the last oil change? If no records can be produced, walk away.

Tough on the sellers who won't let you ride it. Don't bother wasting your time. If you can't ride it, you don't want it. Let the seller follow you as you test ride it. If you don't have a bike license, bring along someone who does. Failing that, have the seller meet you in a deserted parking lot on a Sunday afternoon so you can ride the bike. The seller may request that you pay for any damage if the bike is dropped. This is a reasonable request.

In short, a visual inspection, followed by a request for service records, and then a test ride. If the bike checks out, make an appointment at a local bike shop for it to be inspected. If the seller has nothing to hide and is sincere about selling the bike, he/she won't have a problem.


Terry

 

One of the things Ive learned with looking at older bikes is check inside the gas tank for rust/sludge.

 

I really cannot add anything else as the replies after yours pretty much say it all.

Reason I am replying is that funny enough I have owned 2 bikes... and I did not test ride either of them. The first one was used (Ninja 250) and I sat on it and started it etc, but I did not ride it. When I sold that bike, same thing, the guy did not ride it. My second and current bike I bought over the internet from New Hampshire, so I bought it site unseen. I did go to the local dealer to sit on it to make sure I could fit on it, but that was it. So maybe I'm lucky, but I never rode any of the bikes I purchased

That said, most of the dealers here will let you test ride the bike before you buy it... so if you are going through dealers only and they are not allowing it... look elsewhere. I understand buying used from an individual and them not allowing test rides, but dealers should not have this policy. Not if they want to sell a bike anyway...

 

Damn, I'd be tired after a 1/4 mile!!

BTW, did you see my reply here? https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11032727

 

Wow, just wow. Think about how difficult it would be to panic turn/swerve on that thing.

 

That can't be real.

 

Nice!...yours I assume?

 

I'm tired from JUST looking at his posture

Yep, I got your feedback. I left you one too. Glad to hear that the jacket fits you well.

 

Taking my MSF course starting this Friday...

Cannot wait!