The starter bike sure has kick in it. 100% stock mine maxed at 188 km, even w/ the speed reading high it's much faster than anywhere in North America you're allowed to go.

And also, Duc are expensive for sure, but also hold value. I was looking at getting a 749, but then thought better of it because I need more experience, but one thing that lead me to the bike was my insurance on it was only 40$ more a year than a SV 650 (both new.)
At least w/ my insurance company they're classified as a sport touring form some reason, although the guy said sometimes they make mistakes and the prices goes through the roof the next year so I was very afraid of that as well.
Just my input.

Quote from: '04gs500fit was a practical joke website designed to mock savetoby.com

helped me develop my web skills as well.

well if i got the ducati monster i wouldnt need much money

2003 Ducati Monster 1000...$5800


if i sprang for the 748 I would need around $1000 more

the monster is a somewhat cumbersome ride.  gratned it is a sexy ride, i dont think i would shell out the cash for one.  the 748 is a sweet bike, but i wouldnt get one for street use- they are terribly uncomfortable and like mentioned run extremely hot.  be prepared to burn your nutts off during the summer time.  btw dont forget about maitntinance.  ducatis well, are fookin expensive- all part of the italian charm i guess.  get an sv650s...it is an all around perfect bike.  or keep your zx6r.  i put almost 100k miles on mine combined and loved them very much.  the 600 powerband is a blast once you get it down.

is it just me, or do new riders are quickly 'escalating' to bigger, more powerful bikes? (and more likely terminate their lives soon).

what is it about moving to a faster bike? I mean, is not like the Highway is the place for racing... and yes, there are 'track days'... but how often? not once a week I bet.

i still don't understand why increasing your chances of splatting your brains all over the place (i know, i know. we use helmets). is it because 'my friend has a bigger bike than me'? or maybe 'i can pick more girls/guys with a bigger bike'?

very confused  :dunno:

People buy things they can't afford, or don't want, to impress people they do or don't like.

Peer pressure is the biggest seller.

People are going to buy what they want to buy.  I think in most cases it matters little what people read online even when they solicit advice.  If they've got their heart set on something, it's game over.

My last attempt at giving advice..

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44647

Although I'll have to admit that a big reason for me buying the GS was this forum.  No regrets though, except perhaps that I shouldn't have bought it new.

here's my advice for those feeling 'big' enough to upgrade to a not so 'underpowered' bike.

if you commute some 10 minutes on freeway, then you are all set. all you have to do is find the slowest car on the road (at safest speed), and just follow behind. let all those crappy cars pass you, and even the trucks.
ride like this all the way from beginning to end.

then, repeat twice more on consecutive days. if you can (truly) handle that task without a problem, then I bet is safe to 'upgrade' your bike. you should be fine.

if your urge is too strong to keep you from opening the throtle, then you better downgrade to a 250 or something. is for your own good.

that's my advice anyway. I do practice such a procedure at least once or twice a week.

you guys should stop baggin on people who want to upgrade. its like a personal attack or something. How about we instead give them kudo's for starting on a gs in the first place. many people, myself included look at the gs500 as a starting point.

whether an individual is ready to upgrade when they do...well, we're all going to have opinions on that and will likely depend on the rider upgrading.

I've got 100hp at the rear wheel. do I use it. YES. matter of fact there are lots of roads in these parts where I can let the bike breathe. Not trackday fast but much faster than the gs. AND with more stable handling, better tires, more creature comforts (wind protection), better brakes, blah, blah. nothing wrong with that. in fact, nothing wrong with buying a 999 or a RC51 just to commute if it brings pleasure to the rider, in owning and riding that particular bike.

I dont think upgrading has anything to do with being 'big' enough. if that were the case, they'd have bought the liter bike straight away and skipped the gs. some people feel they 'outgrow' the gs in months. I think thats not possible. I also think its completely alright if someone grows into the desire to have a better bike.

I routinely drive like subc suggests, I find mysel more relaxed when I get to work and when I get home, but then I'm old.

I also agree with Pablo not to bag on people, but to simply suggest keeping the bike a little longer, if needed.

i'm sorry if anyone feels I'm bagging on them, but that's not the case. this is not the only forum i visit, so my comments go to no one in particular. Giving advice it's just my natural reaction after reading so many guys and girls (not just here of course) having the urge to upgrade soon.

Then again, if you have the money, and already made up your mind about the bike you 'need', then it doesn't matter what people say or how many advices you read, because if you really want something, you are only going to read (as in: agree with) those comments that agree with your desicion. So go for it then.

After all, what's my advice worth, right? with only 4500mi on me I'm still a newb when it comes to motorcycle riding, so I can't possibly offer anything that's useful I guess.

good luck on your new bike.

Quote from: subcis it just me, or do new riders are quickly 'escalating' to bigger, more powerful bikes? (and more likely terminate their lives soon).

what is it about moving to a faster bike? I mean, is not like the Highway is the place for racing... and yes, there are 'track days'... but how often? not once a week I bet.

i still don't understand why increasing your chances of splatting your brains all over the place (i know, i know. we use helmets). is it because 'my friend has a bigger bike than me'? or maybe 'i can pick more girls/guys with a bigger bike'?

very confused  :dunno:

?? lol the duc 748 will be a different riding style but as far as hp goes it wont be an up from my 636 by much, ive been riding for three quarters of a year and am very reserved on the street and have handled my zx6r very well. I am an employee at Barney's of Brandon, I know a squid when I see someone who never drove a bike before buying a liter bike.

ive ridden everything from ducati monsters to gsxr 1000s.

I am very aware of my noobiness and I think that helps me in my reserved street riding. I do know how to handle my machine in a proper, safe and efficient manner.

Please don't judge character or attempt to predict someones future who decides they want a different bike, take note its not like me upgrading to an inline 4 750, the way the bike puts out power is much different.


ps kudos to my good friend Pablo ... expect a PM soon about your yosh cap

on a side not im not mad at anyone here

I still hang around on the GS forums for a reason

because the kawiforums contain very few people with the wisdom I have come to find from the riders here.

I just don't like to be spoken to in such a manner when I have done a great job ( i believe) in learning to ride on the street and simply wanted to try an exotic sport bike that will put out THE SAME HORSE POWER give or take a few horses as the bike I am currently on with the exception that the vtwins ride different and the new 749s are Ltwins.

anywho enough ranting, I had already decided to keep my ZX-6R before any thoughtless and rude posts had been made here  :mrgreen:  

much love

The ducati breaking down issue is NOT a myth.  I've got a good friend who has a 05 999 and that thing has TONS of problems. Don't get me wrong, it's a damn sexy bike... but it honestly has too many problems to be an 'only' bike.  

IMO I would get a duc as a second bike.. never as my only.  Then again, I ride my bike everywhere

Hey man,

You don't have to spend that kind of cash to get a fun bike. If you have another G to drop, then drop it on a beater. Build something with your bare hands. Get an XS650 Thumper and rip it up, pick up an older CB. Get a 1968 DUC. Make a cafe racer or a street tracker. Produce something original. Thats what I prefer. Anyone can go out and buy a liter bike and turn heads or make people go ooooo. I think there is something to be said though, about dumping $100 into a piece of junk and turning it into an original, personal, work of art. Thats why I bought the seca... thats why I have two other beaters. They are evolving into something original and totally different then they were.

Don't have to go fast to have fun.

Quote from: jomeiHey man,

You don't have to spend that kind of cash to get a fun bike. If you have another G to drop, then drop it on a beater. Build something with your bare hands. Get an XS650 Thumper and rip it up, pick up an older CB. Get a 1968 DUC. Make a cafe racer or a street tracker. Produce something original. Thats what I prefer. Anyone can go out and buy a liter bike and turn heads or make people go ooooo. I think there is something to be said though, about dumping $100 into a piece of junk and turning it into an original, personal, work of art. Thats why I bought the seca... thats why I have two other beaters. They are evolving into something original and totally different then they were.

Don't have to go fast to have fun.

as insightful as I find your post, I have an affinity to the later Ducatis, I don't mind fixing things up, but its very very hard to find a newer ducati beater that has a clean title note:florida DOES NOT issue rebuilt titles so that is not an option. We all have fun in our own ways, I was aiming for the ducatis for the vtwin with the "added beauty" and was looking to trade at little to no cost, we all have different interests...i personally have little to zero attraction to anything retro looking or cruiserish or whatever, i liked the ducatis because they looked complicated and have extreme detail in every aspect about them and sport the unique and fun around town vtwin motor. my interest in ducatis had nothing to do with displacement at all hence my interest in the 748 which puts out around the same horsepower as my bike but in a different manner.

Side note, I have fun with my ZX6R by doing all of my own mechanic work
and I do plan to tear down my 6r and rebuild her when the time comes...

Quote from: subcThen again, if you have the money, and already made up your mind about the bike you 'need', then it doesn't matter what people say or how many advices you read, because if you really want something, you are only going to read (as in: agree with) those comments that agree with your desicion. So go for it then.

After all, what's my advice worth, right?

subc,
dont take what I say the wrong way. After reading comments like yours, directed at no one in particular, I feel you're being judgemental of people who choose to upgrade earlier than you think they should. I've learned from counseling new riders about first bikes that you just have to let that go and simply try giving them the right info. And also you have to take into consideration how different everyone is-some might be ready for a bigger bike (and want a bigger bike) within 6-12 months. Some should never move up...

Your advice is valuable, as is everyone's here. It is so primarily because it is based on your personal experience and that is valuable to pass along. Having said that, its best expressed without judgement.

Quote from: subcis it just me, or do new riders are quickly 'escalating' to bigger, more powerful bikes? (and more likely terminate their lives soon).

what is it about moving to a faster bike? I mean, is not like the Highway is the place for racing... and yes, there are 'track days'... but how often? not once a week I bet.

i still don't understand why increasing your chances of splatting your brains all over the place (i know, i know. we use helmets). is it because 'my friend has a bigger bike than me'? or maybe 'i can pick more girls/guys with a bigger bike'?

very confused  :dunno:

Just because a bike can go 150Mph does not mean thats how fast you need to go.  Sure, lots of power can get you in trouble, but then we start talking about the riders judgement as well.  There are plenty of people who start out on 600cc I4's and do just fine, and we all know that others wad the same bike up the first week they own it.  I have rode the GS for awhile now and frankly I want a bigger bike.  The SV1K will be better suited to the type of riding I do IMO.  I like the looks and sound of it, the aftermarket upgrades available, and I can afford it.  I have done tons of research on it and feel I will be happy with it, in the end that is what really matters to me, I will be happy...life is too short not to be.

Ducati's being unreliable IS a myth. I have a friend, no wait, I have my own, 2 in fact, Ducati's and neither SBK or monster give me problems, in the 4 years since I've owned one. This isn't the first time I've seen this come up, and I usually keep my mouth shut, but please don't flame just because you don't know. I hope I don't come across the wrong way, I am just very passionate about these bikes, just as I am my GS, and would like to turn some of this kind of stuff around. I advocate for the GS just like I do my other bikes.

So now, you all have first hand experience from someone who owns one, about Ducati's. Please use it next time you post.

I only wish that Ducati had the reliability of a Jap bike, but they don't, they are built on a much smaller scale then any of the Jap bikes. They have also gotten alot of their quality control issues under control in the last decade.

If you still don't believe please visit this post http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/index.php/topic,35814.0.html

Also, as has been said, I always try to point people to the GS, or similar bikes as a starter bike. Once they get their first drop down, and bike controls down on these types of bikes, than I believe they can move to whatever they wish, if at all. Not everyone feels the way we do about the GS, but kudos to them if they at least bought the smart rational bike to begin with. If you have self control over one of the 4 limbs on your body used to help control the bike, then everything else about a big bike is just a enhancement. Just my two pennies.

Patrick

I never said they're unreliable; I said they're expensive to maintain.  My brother's getting an ST2 so that he can do the services himself that cost ~$1200 at the dealer.

There was a guy on the FZ1 board that bought an S4R and sold it within a few months because it broke down so much. Too many problems.