What to buy?

[imported_ICEMAN]

So I am putting the past behind and thinking my best rehab is going to be to start looking at new bikes, even if I may be a little time away from actually getting one... so indulge me anyway!

So a couple of questions cross my mind:

Should I buy new or used?

I used to have a 93 CBR 900RR and then the 05 1000RR and am thinking I should try something different. Not another Japanese openclass bike. Would be fun to try something different. I do still have a KX250, but I haven't checked my garage in the last hour so that might be gone too.

I used to use my street bike mostly for track days, but would run the odd errands here and there (like get donuts! ).

So here are some of the options:
Ducati 1098
Ducati Hypermotard
Aprilia 550 Super Moto
Used track bike
A power cruiser
Others?

What bikes do you guys have that you truly TRULY love?

[sburns2421]

I have had an 851 for twelve years and love it, even if I rarely ride it.

I used to have an '02 Triumph Daytona that I sold when I bought my 999. Even now three years later many times I wish I had the Triumph again, such a great streetbike. I like the 999 a lot, but the Triumph was a better compliment to the 851.

[roadkill]

Something that comes with a removable key. J/K

Hope you find something that you like....sorry about your misadventure. Truth to tell, years ago, I bought a wicked cool race bike and had it stolen from my property days after I bought it....no title, no insurance, paid cash for it....just gone...broke my heart. Life lesson learned.

You might want to wait until after you move to buy a bike and.....wait until the riding season is over....up north when it gets freakin' cold, bikes can be had for very, very good prices. Canadian bikes are very good buys as they only get ridden for 15-20 days a year.

[imported_ICEMAN]

Anyone own a Benelli? It looks cool, but is it reliable??

[Chuckracer]

KTM Superduke or Supermoto.

[Whippersnapper]

I switched from an open class sportbike to a Ducati S4RS. Totally awesome.
If I was in the market I'd look at

Ducati HyperMotard S
KTM SuperDuke
KTM RC8
Moto Morina Corsaro (assuming someone sells these in the US?)

[TXRC51fatboy]

848 thats all im saying

[GAMBLER]

Originally Posted by imported_ICEMAN

So here are some of the options:
Ducati 1098
Ducati Hypermotard
Aprilia 550 Super Moto
Used track bike
A power cruiser
Others?

new VMAX

[Ben710]

Originally Posted by imported_ICEMAN

Anyone own a Benelli? It looks cool, but is it reliable??

We have a TNT in the garage. Sick engine, one of the best chassis I have ever ridden. The thing is quite heavy, but only when you have to push it. You don´t feel it when you ride it.

Wheelies like hell.

They do have some problems though. Ours (04 Sport) is getting quite hot during city cruising and when your battery isn´t fresh, it will shut everything down when the fans go on. Some guys on the Benelli Forum in the US seem to have found a fix for that. But it just happens every now and then to ours.

Other than that, I haven´t ridden a bike which was more fun, which made me even go crazier and made me smile that much on the street.

Also I love the looks.

Maybe you should go ride a Superduke as well, I hear they´re a lot of fun.
Being a Ducatista, my choice would be the S4R(s) or maybe the Hypermotard.

[cheekybloke]

Originally Posted by imported_ICEMAN

So I am putting the past behind and thinking my best rehab is going to be to start looking at new bikes, even if I may be a little time away from actually getting one... so indulge me anyway!

So a couple of questions cross my mind:

Should I buy new or used?

I used to have a 93 CBR 900RR and then the 05 1000RR and am thinking I should try something different. Not another Japanese openclass bike. Would be fun to try something different. I do still have a KX250, but I haven't checked my garage in the last hour so that might be gone too.

I used to use my street bike mostly for track days, but would run the odd errands here and there (like get donuts! ).

So here are some of the options:
Ducati 1098
Ducati Hypermotard
Aprilia 550 Super Moto
Used track bike
A power cruiser
Others?

What bikes do you guys have that you truly TRULY love?

Alarm imobiliser first .
Have you considered a 600 or GSXR750 as opposed to a liter bike, moved over a few years ago and have never looked back and currently have an 07 ZX6r with a few mods (ARATA Ti system, Goodrich front hoses, Harris rearsets, Stompgrip PC111 and custom map good for 118RWBHP,Pazzos, Renthal grips Hyperpro Damper, Speedo healer and -1 front sprocket with a +2 rear ready for tight tracks) after setting the suspension to suit me I couldn't wish for a more satisfying ride and it's more than capable of dealing with 1k bikes on the twisties plus I know it will slaughter most road bikes on Trackdays my next mod will be to have a 20-25mm front cartrige kit and Ohlins rear shock foer the same price as a stock 1k bike you'll have something special that will rip and is nothing like the STD bike.
The GSXR750 speaks for itself,hugley capable bike that only needs a firmer front end IMO.

[ccolwell]

Speed Triple. Best bike I've ever owned or ridden.

[duckdawg]

848...

[speedbird]

I'm at the dealer to see if I can get my helmet fixed (f ' n 2 cent piece of plasic on the visor hinge making my $400 Aria worthless)...

I see a leftover, brand new 2006 Yamaha Star "Roadliner S" (1900 cc V-twin power cruise), real retro looking no Yamaha badges on it at all. Looks like an Art Deco thing from the 50's. Anyway, $10,800 marked down from 15K. plus 0/0/0 for 6 months... looks bad ass... never even thought about one before.

Looks good for a metric cruiser... think about it

[rc51canada]

Originally Posted by roadkill

up north when it gets freakin' cold, bikes can be had for very, very good prices. Canadian bikes are very good buys as they only get ridden for 15-20 days a year.

I beg to differ. Probably get more riding days then about ten different states I could think of. I would definitely go used though. Way to much wasted coin on brand new. Ducati 999r or 749r? Benelli Tornado!

[Rocky]

Sorry to hear about the donut shop adventure.
I'd go back to the track, especially in VA, wait till you get on I-95.
You should buy my 600RR track bike.
You don't even need to carry insurance on it.
It's already located in VA so you can just pick it up when you get here.

04 600RR
It had been down on the track last year (lowside only) and all repairs have been made.
I just raced at Summit with CCS.
Ohlins rear and front internals with supersport piston kit (155-165 Rider) set up by CTR.
Full Arata System.
Scotts steering stabilizer
Power Commander.
Vortex rearsets.
DID 520 chain and sprockets that only have 2 race weekends on them.
Braided lines.
Stomp Grip.
Armour Bodies Superbike tail section but have a stock seat and e-racing plastic for superstock tail.
All other bodywork is e-racing.
Has Pirelli slicks that I would use for morning practice.
Spare set of wheels-front wheel has a ding but still held the bead until I decided to change it.
Spare swingarm.

$5,500.
Quantico, VA

[BALLZ]

B-King

[Latebraker]

The B-King looks much better with the tail cleaned up and those huge pods removed from the tank and frame.

The KTM 950 supermoto is an absolute riot and feels really light to ride, just like an oversized dirt bike. Or wait for the RC8 to come across.

[macchiato]

I went with a Super Moto this time around, picked up an 08' Husqvarna sm610. I've never had a bike that was this much FUN, imo SM is the best all around bike for the streets. You can get really crazy on them yet be tethered to reality by the low top end. (and possibly your license) At the same time waste most guys in the twisty's.

From your list I would say the Hyper Motard, but its not as light as the other motards, but it would be better on the highway. I like the Aprilia SXV 5.5 but its too problematic the 4.5's aren't as bad but svc intervals are a draw back for me.

Its not on your list but check out the KTM smc690 or the Husqvarna sm610. Reliable, less expensive to own and operate than the Hyper Motard, and about a 100lbs. lighter. There are racier versions, but that brings us back to the high maintainence issue.
Here's a pic of mine.

[beerock]

rc51!!!! if you want a bike to love and be the only one to show up with one and outhandle a lot of newer bikes and rumble the ground

[cornbread]

Originally Posted by ccolwell

Speed Triple. Best bike I've ever owned or ridden.

I am with you the biggest mistake I have ever made was trading my triple!