Don't scroll down and look at the pictures first.

Trying to decide between two bikes. My requirements? Bike will be used when my scooter can't cut it. Longer trips, daily transport during winter months (2 strokes don't care for the cold). It will be ridden in rain, shine, etc. Won't be garaged. And, I miss taking my car on track, so the bike would be used for 3-4 trackdays a year. Possibly more if the wallet can take it. I would most likely buy used, and learn to do all repairs/upkeep myself. Insurance costs are about the same between the two, so that doesn't enter into the discussion. I have no car, and don't plan on getting one in the next 4/5 years. Both bikes will stay stock.

The two contenders:

Ducati 749.



Not so good around town, but I have the scooters for that. A bit uncomfortable, but not too much worse than my old SV. Ugly as hell. But it sounds good. Decent on track. Upkeep nightmare. Might be a little fragile to ride in sleet/salt/winter leftovers.


Buell XB9/12S.



Not so bad around town. Might run out of steam on track depending on length of straights. Great handling. Old technology. But, fairly robust, and easy to work on. Different. Sounds good.


So, there it is. Two bikes from different ends of the scale, but I think they would both work out for me - in one way or the other. I have ridden both, but had more seat time on the Buells. Have at it.

 

I really like that Buell...never seen that before

 

Only mode of transportation? Neither. Buell's are crap, I don't care what people say. Its a dressed up Harley, sorry I'm not buying it. The Duc is a nice bike but not quite the most reliable.

IMHO, buy a big 4 japanese bike. Most have proven reliability records plus parts are cheap and plentiful.

 

WTF is it with "Harley's are crap"? Have any of you naysayers actually owned one? Just because the technology is old doesn't mean that it's bad. Get over that. Sometimes, god forbid anybody actually have a priority other than outright performance, simplicity is good.

I'm on my 2nd Honda motorcycle, my first Suzuki, I've ridden and wrenched 2 Buell Lightnings, my father's on his 7th Harley, and you know what? I freaking like the Harley-based bikes.

But hey, what do I know?

 

http://www.speedzilla.com/foru....html

 

Ducati

 

I think maintenance on the Buell's valvetrain will be easier to master than the Ducati's. I still think the Buell is more you. And less of a theft target. In your neck of the woods.

 

Hopefully you don't plan on using either for a daily commuter Buells suck, are pathetically slow & compared to an italian it will handle like *** (if you want to enjoy a track day the Duc will handle and perform 100x better than a buell) , FUGLY, overpriced and have a stupid worthless damn belt drive not to mention have horrible reliability . Old neighbor of mine owned a xb9 which something broke on that POS every week he hated it and told me never recommend a buell to anyone so I;m passing on the knowledge of his experiences with that particular brand
The Ducati if used on a daily basis will be in the shop non stop with all the maintenence intervals required but if you can learn to do it yourself if will save you tons. Id recommend the Duc over that other thing

 

neither, because neither of them seem to fit the bill for what you want.
I wouldn't want the buell for around towning or traveling because personally i don't find them comfortable and i'm not sure about the gas mileage. But the motor just seems like overkill.
The ducati would be a fun track bike, but not much fun for long trips or comfort.
I don't think either should be your only mode of transportation.

Being that i'm a *****, i'm going to suggest the SV650s.

 

my personal opinion would be to get the DUCATI... its a great bike but as has its down falls but i think overall its an amazing bike and well worth the money... but then again its what fits u best

 

neither fits what youre looking for IMO. id go ducati, just because i have heard so much terrible stuff about buells.

id go f4i, comfortable position, trackable, just all around good bike...but hey, im biased.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 99electron_blue_si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

id go f4i, comfortable position, trackable, just all around good bike...but hey, im biased.</TD></TR></TABLE>

that's another thing. I'm biased as well. I personally would never want to own either of those bikes for personal reasons. The OP however may not give strawberry red f*ck what i think, which begs the question, why make this thread?
I say, do whatever you want. But from one man's opinion (mine) neither of those bikes suit your needs.

 

To be honest - I think i've already decided. Just wanted to see if a thread like this brought up any viewpoints that I have overlooked.

I've owned a SV and it was a great bike - I just want to try something different.

In regards to the belt drive - I think it would be more of a benefit in my case. No worries about slush/salt drying out the chain and it needing constant reoiling.

 

749/999

 

wow, to very, very different motorcycles. I'm not sure what you're really looking for but whatever it is there is probably a bike out there that better suits you than your above choices.

FWIW I think the Buell looks better but I would never buy one.

 

have you seen the new buells that are going to come out and have an actual water-cooler 1125cc motor that doesn't suck?
They're mad ugly, but may be worth the wait.

 

Don't buy the buell they are junk built by Harley nuf said

 

neither for me

 

junk or not that buell looks ****** sweet.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tenacious T &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">junk or not that buell looks ****** sweet.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Function before fashion

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gsr-2nr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Function before fashion</TD></TR></TABLE>

Actually, if you read into it you would find out that much of Buell's design characteristics are a result of engineering for better function.

 

well i see ur living in d.c. and keeping the bike outside. my opinion, id be goin for a streetfighter/naked. nothing thats expensive or high maintenace. for those 2, id def go with the buell if its ur only transportation besides scooters. i wouldnt wanna deal with theft or maintenace with the ducati. my opinion, id be ridiing a torquey streetfighter or a motard

 

ducati for sure... even though that buell looks sik

 

Do I really even have to answer?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Brian* &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">And less of a theft target. </TD></TR></TABLE>

However, that would be my concern, as well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ceas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> In regards to the belt drive - I think it would be more of a benefit in my case. No worries about slush/salt drying out the chain and it needing constant reoiling. </TD></TR></TABLE>
you ever see what salt does to a rubber band when you leave it outside in the salt. it dries and cracks. and seen how you cannot oil it i could break. and i dont care who says a belt is maintance free you still have to adjust tension on them so now you need a special tool. at least with a chain no special tool needed and you can lube it every day to keep salt out of it