So, I sold my 959 Corse, and thanks to everyone who helped with that. Great forum for sorting wheat from the chaff, and the buyer will not be disappointed. My next 'dilemma' #firstworldproblems is what to get next. I had 3 Monsters, my first was in 2006, a 620 (in USA), then a 696 (back in UK), and a 1100 S - all fab in their own way (the 1100 S was brilliant, one of those bikes I wish I'd kept). I parted ways with Monsters when they went water-cooled, because I don't think Ducati have ever got the plumbing looking even half decent. In 2013 I jumped to a 1098 for my 'now or never' superbike moment, and, without any electronics, that was too much for my [lack of] skill - the back end stepping out spooked me. So, in 2015 I went 'back to basics', and as an alternative to Monsters, I traded my 1098 for a Street Triple 675, which I loved and kept for 5 years (also recently sold). Triumph seem to do water-cooled plumbed way neater than Ducati, imo. I also think the build quality of modern Triumphs it noticeably better that Ducati. In 2017, I wanted to add a baby Panigale alongside my Street Triple, but wanted an S model, which they never offered, so I bought an MV Agusta F3 800 instead. That was amazing in it's own way, and never let me down, but I was always keenly aware of the low-volume manufacturer precariousness. So, when Ducati offered the 959 Corse, I chopped in the F3 for one. The Corse was like the 'S' model of a the 959 I had originally wanted. I suspect the main reason for this model was to prop up sales until the Euro 4 compliant V2 arrived, esp. as the Corse came with a sweet deal on the underbelly Akras. Anyway, I've now cashed out both my bikes, and the plan is to spend the winter deciding what to get come Spring. I don't get enough time to ride, so I want to go all in one one bike that I will use, and can get a wide range of experiences from. Top of the list is a Speed Triple 1200 RS - a bike that is as rideable as the Street Triple I loved, but with bonkers power. Also, perfect for doing road trips. My heart still wants a Ducati, and I would also be seriously considering a Streetfighter V4 S, but the showstopper is that it's just too tall for me. If I could physically get over it, then I could mentally just about get over the fact that it's also expensive and the plumbing isn't great, and it doesn't have cruise control and SatNav integration. For that money, I expect all these things. Ducati have pretty much said a Streetfighter V2 is on its way, and I'm keen to see this. It has the potential to tick all my boxes, but as with the base 959 I didn't buy, unfortunately it seems highly unlikely they will offer an S model. A pet peeve of mine is that Ducati don't clear coat their 'lesser' models, leaving the paint vulnerable, and decals liable to damage - presumably as a cost saving measure, but these are not cheap bikes. My Corse had matte paint, that was amazingly durable, and I think the matte effect is achieved with a lacquer, but I could be wrong on that. The vulnerable stickers are still unprotected. The one that gives me hope for a Streetfighter V2 S is that the Supersport is a 'lesser' model, and that does have an S model (though the red model again doesn't have clear coat). I'd be buying one, and having to pay to have it clearcoated to finish the build process, imo. It's been said before, but not everyone wants a fire-breathing 200+ BHP superbike. This is especially true when the smaller bikes easily out perform the top end superbikes of a few years ago. I'm sure Ducati could sell bikes equivalent to my 959 Corse, offering high spec components on their smaller capacity bikes. I'm sure they could price it appropriately to make the margin they need, and better that than lose a sale to people who just don't want a V4. I'll also see what Monsters are announced for next year, there's bound to be a big new Monster, though I'm not keen on the new small Monster so I'm not optimistic (plumbing and exposed exhaust beneath engine is a pig's ear, imo). Like I said, first world problems, but right now, Ducati are skilfully dodging the sweet spot for the sort of bike I'm prepared to pay good money for.
My Dad had a C50, and I'd go everywhere on the back. We'd take it to quarries and I'd ride it around while all the other lads with well off Dads were on proper offroad bikes Happy days.
Have you seen the teasers for the Speed Triple 1200 RR, looks interesting. Re: paint, I'm with you on the annoyance of lack of clear coating and the single coat red, but the matt is definitely a more complex application which seems really durable. My white 899 was sold after 6 years and 35K and apart from a couple of chips it looked great (I changed my order from a red bike to a white one when I found out they didn't clear coat the red). I also nearly swapped my 899 for the 959 Corse, and part of the reason I didn't was because of the stickers not being clear coated which I thought was cheap of Ducati. After 6 years with the Ducati 899, I decided I wanted something completely different and also wanted to try off-road, so now have a Triumph Tiger Rally Pro, which has been awesome so far 12k miles in. I've also done loads with the Triumph Adventure centre in Wales which has provided me with a new skill to learn and refine. I have found I can run the Tiger at the same road speeds I rode the 899 at, even with a 21" front wheel. RBW.
I test rode an MV Dragster and loved it, but I've got in and got out of the MV ownership experience unscathed, and I'm not going to risk it twice
Triumph rs1200 would be my choice. Modern Ducati's just dont do it for me anymore. Or an old 888, there was a v nice one on here a few weeks ago
I've just sold my KTM Adventure, and am currently looking into second bikes. The shortlist is the SFV4S, but I threw a leg over the new Monster on Saturday, so will have a go on one of those, as the riding position felt good. A mate and I are also about to order a couple of Honda Monkey bikes for messing around on, for those days when we want to feel like 15 year old idiots again!
fair one, it’s like taking home a bogmonster on a night out, your mates might not notice the first time but make it a habit and you’ll get repremanded
Superduke 1290R is just a bundle of fun. Imagine getting a smoking hot hooker and keeping her in your garage for whenever you want to play with her foo-foo. It’s the perfect bike.
