And those that are reading his repetitive ramblings , gotten to the point of only reading everyone else’s replies.
I am just informing myself of my future options. Of course, any of the specific bike will not be available, but it is likely that something similar will be. What I was more interested in getting straight in my mind was options. I've don, e that, now. It will be either a new KTM Duke R, or new Aprilia RS660, or a used Ducati Supersport S less than £10k. The new KTM will be from Fowlers, with the Aprilia from Frasers. The used Ducati Supersport S or maybe a Multi, will be from any dealer within 50 miles who has one. Final decision won't be until I have my driving license back - with the motorcycle categories restored - and I have bought biking gear and have my Ducatis back on the road. True that I haven't looked at insurance but none will be worse that the bikes that I have. Yes, I will lose all of my NCB but I will not settle until this is covered by my claim. None of the bikes are going to be a significantly worse insurance group than what I have now. Being an old git means that insurance is not going to be a big factor.
It has been worthwhile ........ for me!!! I know what I am doing, with a simple choice of three bikes and I know who will supply. Whilst I have tortured everyone else, it has been very useful for me!
As I replied elsewhere, I wanted to get my options straight. Now that is done and I am clear about what I a going to do, I won't say anything more. Hopefully, the bastads in Swansea will restore my licence by the end of the year and so the choices will remain valid.
I thought they might be destined for great things a few years ago, but it seems I was wrong. PS. How big is the s/arm?
And I am reassured that the crappy looking exhaust and cat can be dumped! Akrapovic have a solution! This confirms that the Ducati is at no.1 with a new KTM No. 2, and the Aprilia is at No.3.
AND... from my years with a Monster S4r, although it may be heavier, the SSA is sooo useful for easy wheel removal, cleaning and chain adjustment.
Coming back to this again, after a night's sleep...... The Ducati wins it, definitely! Order - second and third can swap, but I give not a feck! 1. Ducati Supersport S 2. KTM 890 Duke R 3. Aprilia RS660- and although I could change the exhaust (as the Ducati needs), I am not going to change the swinging arm!
And I've scrapped the budget for the Ducati! I may even buy new, possibly! What are people's thoughts on ex-demonstrators? I've seen a few advertised, but dealers don't seem to want to mention that! On one hand, I wanted to avoid them, as they would never have been run in properly, but on the other hand, you can't really thrash a big bike on the road. And generally speaking, most people are not cnuts!
I had to go back to my surgery, today, for the nurse to check that my legs are doing well enough not to go back to the PIA bandages. I told her of my decision to get another Ducati - my most important news of the week! "Aren't Ducatis very fast?", she said, with a look of horror and pity of her brain-damaged patient. I told her that there would definitely not be any track days, as I can't afford any more injury. Well, I lied. If my Supersport can pass the Castle Combe sound check, then feck it! It will be tested out at Castle Combe!!!!
I have to say. I've been doing something similar to you and going round and round in circles in what to buy next, spending hours watching reviews on YouTube. I did that recently with the Triumph Scrambler 1200xe. So I booked a test ride on one and within 2 minutes, I thought to myself, this bike is a definite no. So whilst it's good to have a list of bikes to try, only a test ride will confirm, so that'll mean getting your license back first unfortunately.
