this is the current look I was going for, kind of a sporty fighter


but then I bought a 916 Ducati shes pretty

and figured I would dump the GS.
Problem is that I still like it,and resale would presumably be low.
I think I could break even but thought I might try and keep it and go another route with its purpose.

Think Vstrom,BMW GS,KLR etc

Anybody ever seen a GS in adventure touring setup?
not talking just bags but actual knobbies and some decent off road capabilities?

what are the thoughts on a build like that?

I cant think of a better, more reliable powerplant than the gs....
am I crazy?

I Still hate you for that 916, lol.

GS has such a poorly designed suspension as is.  Even with progressives and kat/Gixxer/r6 rear shocks they still are an entry level semi-sport bike.  Does that mean you can't make it work?  Heck it can work but what do you want to put into it.  Money can make it all happen if needed. 

When I get my Duc next year I will (hopefully) have the GS running, lol.  At that time I will not sell it still.  They have too many benefits and they are cheap.

Did i mention that I still hate you for that 916?!?!

Keep hatin  , I rode it on Sunday up in the hills and man what can I say?
It is amazing.

but it is scheduled for the lovely Desmo valves and belts to be done in 2 weeks and lets just say my total GS investment is no more than about $150 more than the service for the princess.... ouch! but it is worth it I guess.

Back on topic:
I have done some research over my lunch and maybe realize the gs isnt worth the Adventure bike effort.
I have full dirt suspenders and some triple clamps and other bits that could be made to work but I think as cool as the idea is in my head it might be better off sold and $$ used to fund an adv bike that was better designed to be that. just love the little GS motor though, simple good enough power without being crazy for offroad etc etc.
Still interested in peoples opinions and what they have done if anything of this sort.

Still hatin, lol 

Are the 916's pretty quick?  I have yet to ride one of them.

It could be doable, but the short/soft suspension would definitely be an issue. Not sure if you want to spend as much as it would take to put longer travel forks on it and a longer rear suspension. I say make a streetfighter out of it so you can try to ride around and scare children.

That sucks that your valves need done, that's probably the reason the previous owner was ready to sell it!

If you want a bike with a simple engine to work on, try looking into a Buell xb12x. Simple air cooled twin in an adventure/touring setup, and this is the cheapest you'll ever be able to find a new one. You could sell your GS to completely cover your downpayment, insurance, and a bit more. It would depend on what dealership has them, but you might still be able to find one for $6k some and there's only 41 left in the country! http://www.buell.com/en_us/tools/find-a-bike/

Quote from: O.C.D. on April 13, 2010, 10:51:25 AM
Still hatin, lol 

Are the 916's pretty quick?  I have yet to ride one of them.

In 1995 yes the 916 was quick, by todays standards not so much.
the 2- 2006 R1's I was riding with will hand the Duc its lunch (and did on some straight runs) as far as power and all out performance is concerned.

It is only 114 rated motor HP after all.

where the 916 shines is the corners, it is smooth, effortless and just pure bliss.
even with a front tire that is wasted and slipping on sand i slowed alittle after that.
it was just poetry.

Also one thing that the 916 has over any other High HP Jap bike is its undeniable beauty and charisma.

at the coffee shop where we stopped for a break the girl inside didnt asked about the R1's, she asked
"which one of you owns the 916?"
to which I proudly replied "she belongs to me"
response "that thing is awesome"

even the group of harleys that rode up and parked payed notice as I started it to leave, heads on swivels, surprised that something was making more racket than their beloved HD's.
that was pretty funny.
there is nothing like the sound of that dry clutch.

So to answer, yes it is pretty quick, but I didnt buy the bike for that.
I bought it because I love they way it looks and sounds and after riding it the way it makes me feel.
I giggled a lot that first ride and imagine I will plenty more in the future.

Quote from: tt_four on April 13, 2010, 10:54:52 AM
It could be doable, but the short/soft suspension would definitely be an issue. Not sure if you want to spend as much as it would take to put longer travel forks on it and a longer rear suspension. I say make a streetfighter out of it so you can try to ride around and scare children.

That sucks that your valves need done, that's probably the reason the previous owner was ready to sell it!

If you want a bike with a simple engine to work on, try looking into a Buell xb12x. Simple air cooled twin in an adventure/touring setup, and this is the cheapest you'll ever be able to find a new one. You could sell your GS to completely cover your downpayment, insurance, and a bit more. It would depend on what dealership has them, but you might still be able to find one for $6k some and there's only 41 left in the country! http://www.buell.com/en_us/tools/find-a-bike/

Further research has led me down the same path, streetfighter for sure as it is almost there.

as far as the valves, its ok as I knew it when I bought it, but I got it plenty cheap enough that I am still well under book value even with the valves needing to be done.
plus this way I know exactly where it is as far as its maintenance schedule.


as far as the buells go I would love one but finances really arent there.
I just had alot of parts to maybe make it happen so I thought why not, and my missus would crap if i told her I was looking to come up with another $6k for another bike.
the GS just might get forgotten and it isnt worth much so I thought I might wrench with that.

thanks for the input fellas, keep looking for project "prain" to get finished even if it is just to sell it.
I will ride it just to check it out though, it would be a good rain and daily thrasher.........

Quote from: brianut on April 13, 2010, 01:02:03 PM

as far as the valves, its ok as I knew it when I bought it, but I got it plenty cheap enough that I am still well under book value even with the valves needing to be done.
plus this way I know exactly where it is as far as its maintenance schedule.


thanks for the input fellas, keep looking for project "prain" to get finished even if it is just to sell it.
I will ride it just to check it out though, it would be a good rain and daily thrasher.........

The last bike I owned was that triumph, and after the hassles of european dealerships/mechanics, I'll definitely never buy a bike that I don't think I'd feel comfortable working on. I think the 916s look awesome, and I'd have a great time riding one, but I just don't feel comfortable knowing I'd have to rely on someone else to fix something for me. Even if you have the knowledge, specialized and expensive tools are another story. That's the reason I think I can over look a Buell xbs not being japanese, just because it's still air cooled, and a pretty old engine at that. When it does have a problem, I won't be afraid to tear into it.

Keeping the GS is definitely a good idea, because who wants to park their ducati outside of a movie theater or out front of their buddies house while they hang out for a couple hours?? Get the GS running smooth and fun to ride, but give it a not so exciting paint job and then use it when you want to ride somewhere with a destination that you don't want to leave your bike.

I like that street tracker type seat/tail.  Good luck with the project/sale!

I'd tell you that the 916's pretty, but you already know that, haha.

I keep going off topic but what can you do when Ducati is involved.

I have heard that they are not fast fast.  That concerns me not; I was just curious what you thought.  I love them even if they were slower than a gs.  Ducati is like Ferrari literally.  Some are/were fast, but the most important thing is looks.  No other car/bike looks/rides like them.

Case closed.

And I am still jealous.

We should make a rule: any member of this forum who owns a Ducati motorcycle is hereby forbidden to post a picture of it.  That would save us all a lot of envy and jealousness.   

Don't you have to speak Italian and eat pasta to own one of those? 

Quote from: lamahug on April 13, 2010, 04:16:29 PM
We should make a rule: any member of this forum who owns a Ducati motorcycle is hereby forbidden to post a picture of it.  That would save us all a lot of envy and jealousness.   

Don't you have to speak Italian and eat pasta to own one of those? 

I eat pizza does that count?

I will try to keep the italian posts to a minimum.

back on topic I hadn't actually given up with the whole adv bike thing and when surfing found that it has been done but with a Ex 500 Kawi motor.

awesome stuff these guys built
give it a read, really cool and exactly what I was thinking of.
http://www.rallytwin.com/

Quote from: lamahug on April 13, 2010, 04:16:29 PM

Don't you have to speak Italian and eat pasta to own one of those? 

Are there people who don't eat pasta? I guess I might have been naive, but I assumed EVERYONE ate pasta.

Hey, questions while we're on the ducati topic, and this thread isn't too busy anyway....

Do the monsters have that same awful valve adjustment, or is it just the plastic covered versions??

how much does insurance cost you on that duc?

Quote from: tt_four on April 15, 2010, 12:57:37 PM

Quote from: lamahug on April 13, 2010, 04:16:29 PM

Don't you have to speak Italian and eat pasta to own one of those? 

Are there people who don't eat pasta? I guess I might have been naive, but I assumed EVERYONE ate pasta.

I don't eat pasta more than 3-4 times a year and that might be a stretch.

Quote from: gregvhen on April 26, 2010, 08:18:19 PM
how much does insurance cost you on that duc?

I just called Progressive as I am serious about buying a Streetfighter soon.  That is a 1100 Streetfighter S - $19,000, and Progressive said it would be $3500 a year, lol.

a 2010 Monster 1100S and it will be $1300 a year.

a 2005 Monster S4RS and it will be $517 a year.

So guess what I am not buying, lol.

Quote from: utgunslinger13 on April 27, 2010, 07:22:18 AM
I don't eat pasta more than 3-4 times a year and that might be a stretch.

I think the Italian rule is false.  Stereotypes suck , lol.  Anyone with the coin can buy anything.  But in case,  I might stock up on pasta and Italian lessons.

Tough luck on the insurance. You want to actually buy something nice to take care of, and no luck. Yet I've seen plenty of kids who were on their 3rd GSXR in 4 years and somehow the insurance company will keep taking them back. It blows my mind.

Then of course there's these guys.... http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/General-Motorcycle-Chat/Happy-Birthday.....

This guy buys his 16 year old kid a Ducati Hypermotard for his 16th birthday!! As gorgeous as that bike is, you're pretty much guaranteeing that your kid is gonna grow up a conceded asshat.  Chances are he's already pretty unbearable at the age of 16 if he's got that much stuff handed to him. Anyway, there's another post on there where the father was riding it and dropped it at a stop sign. I knew it was gonna get dropped, I'm just surprised it was the dad that did it first.

Quote from: tt_four on April 27, 2010, 02:21:26 PM
Tough luck on the insurance. You want to actually buy something nice to take care of, and no luck. Yet I've seen plenty of kids who were on their 3rd GSXR in 4 years and somehow the insurance company will keep taking them back. It blows my mind.

Then of course there's these guys.... http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/General-Motorcycle-Chat/Happy-Birthday.....

This guy buys his 16 year old kid a Ducati Hypermotard for his 16th birthday!! As gorgeous as that bike is, you're pretty much guaranteeing that your kid is gonna grow up a conceded asshat.  Chances are he's already pretty unbearable at the age of 16 if he's got that much stuff handed to him. Anyway, there's another post on there where the father was riding it and dropped it at a stop sign. I knew it was gonna get dropped, I'm just surprised it was the dad that did it first.

i know exactly what your talking about, theres alot of kids at my school like this. for example, kid in my class got a super charged 05 mustang gt for his birthday. doesnt even know what a supercharger is. haha