Bike shopping

Just my luck I get the go-ahead to start shopping for another bike and I break my arm. :-/

Anyway, I'll probably have a budget of about $8000. So far I'm thinking of looking at the VTR1000,
VFR750/800, even saw a 1997 Ducati 600ss for sale within budget but Im not sure if I'd be happy with
a 600..

Any known hassles with these bikes? Things to be look out for when shopping? Any particular year
models better than the others?

Any other bikes I should consider? Most of my riding is commuting with the odd long ride and
occaisional fang.

 

Yep, I can answer any questions about the 600 Duc. Return airfare of $130
will even get you a test ride.

It' ain't in the same power class as any of the others though. Apparently
some of them had dodgy pistons and you could hear the slap. Not mine though.
It's done just under 43,000klm and no problems apart from the neutral light
stopped working, and the tacho hasn't worked since that dust storm on the
way to WS last year. On it's 2nd set of brake pads.

Not a lot of power from only 60cc


smack

 

How does it fare with servicing costs?

 

$9000 might buy you my viffer....it might have to go

you think about it and so will I and I might through in a free dink to
wintersun

mh

 

In aus.motorcycles on Tue, 11 May 2004 17:42:13 +1000

I don't think you will be - the 600 motor is known to be gutless. try
for at least a 750.

The 600 was, I think, a mistake on Ducati's part.

Zebee

 

Bad, 10,000 klm service will cost around $400 and the 20,000 with belts
and shims is around $600. That of course is everything done. If you do the
fluids yourself, then you only have to shell out for the valves and shims.
Don't know how much that'll cost. I'll know in a few years when it gets to
50,000

smack

 

pokes tongue out at Zebee

 

I don't think so, its the biggest selling bike they've ever made,
apparently... Not much of a market for them here, but in the states
they're considered a "great learner bike" (or "a sensible girls bike"
;-), and in europe they seem to be regarded as "big cool scooters" or
something ;-)

The new 620 fuel injected Monsters only make a couple less hp then the
old carbed 750s. Even the new 1000 dual sparks don't make as much power
as a typical jap 600 sportsbike though...

Make sure you know what you're getting yourself in for with regards to
servicing costs if you're planning on using it as a commuter though -
whatever the Frasers (*spit!*) ads in AMCN try to tell you, Ducs _do_
cost more to service. Valve clearance checks (at $700-ish for a 2 valve
Monster at any Duc dealer in Sydney) every 10,000km, and timing belts on
top of that (for another $120 or so) every 20,000 - that adds up pretty
quickly if you do a lot of km every week. Its a _lot_ cheaper if you do
it yourself, though a lot of people are unfamiliar with desmo valves and
cautious about doing it themselves... Its also cheaper if you use
someone _other_ than an official Ducati dealer - Gowanlochs quoted a guy
"3 or 4 hours at $80/hr" when I was in there the other weekend, thats
about half of what Frasers (*spit!*) or Northside (*spit!*) ask...

big

 

I see the new Ducati SS600 is LAMS legal. How do they restrict power, and is
it a reversible process?

 

restrict power hahahahahaha, thats a good one

smack

 

Pffft thats a powerhouse,for some Asian markets Japan inc. they have only
400cc

Just needs to take one for a ride to see if it suits him

CDIHL

 

If you can squeeze it for another $1500 or so,you could buy a NEW bike that
i believe is exceptional value/performance/quality equation together with
rapid sports riding and great touring ability [19l tank] as required

The Yamaha FZ6 ,would suit your application to a Y

Rossi said they are great too )

CDIHL

 

Looks like a sweet toy, but doesn't really grab my attention. Plus I'm not really after a nekkid.

--
Dale Porter
GPX250 => CBR600 => CBR954
*Add .au to e-mail address to respond*

 

<Giggle> They appeal to the hot-chocolate crowd, don't they, smack?

--
Conehead
"Because they *thought* they where smart and could go fowards easily, after
not to bad a show first year out,they perhaps have changed to much and now
putting it all back again ?"
Hatz, in gibberish mode, again.

 

Don't buy a used bike off Marty... we made that mistake once.

 

The VFR800 is a very sweet ride. The riding position is just about perfect
and passengers always comment favourably.

I have ridden 28K on my '01 VFR since new. I commute to work every day - it
is completely competent in traffic. I have also been on quite a few *coff*
brisk sporting rides - it ain't no FireBlade but it is plenty of fun and
quite quick in the right hands.

When I bought the VFR I expected to buy a VTR 'cos I love V twins. I test
rode both bikes back to back - the VFR won me over with its comfort and
refinement.

Every day I ride the thing, I congratulate myself on such a great choice.

The only endemic fault with them is a dodgy regulator/rectifier which tends
to die between 30K and 50K.

\

 

Not compared to the 400SS...


Postman Pat

 

Are you on a commission promoting the FZ6? Followed Valentino over to Yamaha?

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

and marshmellows, and a date scone (amazed you didn't mention that)

 

There's nothing wrong with Hot Chocolate!!