Thinking of trading DOWN. Opinions Por Favor.

[Doc]

So I have the Ducati 998. Great bike and I have always wanted one. 2nd gear wheelies are a throttle twist away... :

Love the look, love the sound, corners like it is on rails, it's not terribly uncomfortable (as long as I am not in the saddle for over an hour) and the power is awesome.

There in lies the problem. I don't need to get this thing outta 4th gear, I have to keep it in the twisties. ANY straight road and the thing takes off like a bat outta hell. I respect the power and can control the throttle but I also realize it is not needed. It being bigger does not help the comfort level and and I really don't need this much bike for the street (Hell, who am I kidding I don't need this much bike for the track!)

I am thinking of getting something with less motor and possibly a little more comfy. It would still have to hang in the twisties and get out of it's own way. A Ducati is a top contender but I would entertain other options. I love the look of the 998 so a 748 might be an option.

What are your opinions.

[OreoGaborio]

Quit yer bitching & keep the bike. Put more wheel weights on the front to keep it down

[Jim]

you'll end up regretting letting it go. may not ride it as much as you want/should, but i think the 998 is a treasure

[Jim]

Quit yer bitching & keep the bike. Put more wheel weights on the front to keep it down

like a chrome wheel

[richw]

One reason Gixer went

[seth399]

ninja 250?

[Kurlon]

I haven't ridden a testastretta, but I've got lots of saddle time in on 2v ducs and my 3v watercooled duc... you may not NEED to shift out of 4th, but there is torque there, the bike will lope along at 3k to 4k RPM if you just wanna putt putt on those motors, I bet the Testastretta will do the same. I was quite impressed with how well the new Streetfighter's 1098 mill handled just putting along, didn't complain about it at all, and was quite manageable. Someone wreck one so I can put it's motor in my ST3's chassis!

[breakdirt916]

motard?

slower still fun

[MotoFreak]

Keep it!

[Stan]

keep it, beautiful bike!

[FriskyDingo]

Hypermotard , heading out on mine after I finish this sandwich

similar Ducati sex appeal

wheelie machine

Great useable downlow power

comfortable, acceptable wind below 100mph

can be picked up used with 1K(+-) miles for a relative deal, slightly longer maint intervals than the 998 plus it's just freakin cool

[SVRACER01]

monster 996

[burnham]

keep it, or

Hypermotard , heading out on mine after I finish this sandwich

similar Ducati sex appeal

wheelie machine

Great useable downlow power

comfortable, acceptable wind below 100mph

can be picked up used with 1K(+-) miles for a relative deal, slightly longer maint intervals than the 998 plus it's just freakin cool

+1. I rode one of these when Ducati had the Hypermatard trailer up at Seacoast Sport Cycle, the bike is just a blast.

[spicy]

my SV650S is semi-for-sale, if that's something you're willing to entertain.

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ng-5300-a.html

[DucXl]

I don't post here much,but caught this thread.With an exotic like a 998 i'd KEEP it and add a bike that is more user friendly.A bike that won't give a heart attack at the sight of looking at it on the ground.

I skipped the (wildly modified)996 and rode an old Buell today.WHAT FUN

[mrezra]

Have you ridden the bigger monsters, or the new streetfighter? Might be a decent compromise... but letting go of 998 could be tough. If you want to see if you miss it, I'll happily take it off your hands for awhile.

[LuvDog]

Sure... trade it for my 916.

[MnM]

Bike you "always wanted"

keep it

[DaSarge]

Keep it.

But if you want to sell it, PM me

[BCT748]

Keep it. With the way the economy is right now if you sell it you might be lucky enough to see $7-8K when before you could have gotten well over $10K. If you trade down to a 748 you'll have to worry about the normal desmoquattro issues like the rockers, rectifier.... If you really want something smaller get it, but keep the 998 too.

[DucDave]

Surpised you didnt mention the 848....

Doc...you really didn't include much information about what you WANT from a street bike. What kind of riding? Weekend twisties? Touring/Sport Touring? Round town?

As you know, Ducati has a wrench to fit every nut. I think they have even invented some nuts just so they could create a wrench for it. (The new Street Fighter comes to mind!)

No need to give up the Italian 'Cache'! Just pick a different kind of pasta!

[MotoFreak]

Well said Dave! But I think he can still hold on to 998!

I know you have lots of bikes in the garage at the moment Doc, but it is your dream bike, just like the Ape is for me. Eventually the 9R will be replaced by a VFR or FZ1, but the Mille is stayin with me wherever I go.
When you can't swing a leg over the Duc, then its time to sell it.
Lets find you a daily beater!
Besides, you'll have changed your mind by Wednesday anyway!!!

[GixerJockey]

Doc, I've been wrestling with exactly the same issue as it applies to my GSX-R1000. I've gone back an fourth for the past year or so.


Pros:

It's wildly modified, exactly to my liking.
The '05/'06 1000 is the best looking generation of GSX-R, ever. (much like your duc)
It's paid for.
Insurance is almost nothing ($316 a year).
It's very unique.
It makes HUGE power.
It's relatively comfortable.
Low mileage (about 7000).

Cons:

It's too fuckin' fast.



See? Pros far outweigh the cons.

I'm keepin' it and adding a motard to the garage. I'm gonna ride it back and fourth to work on some really cool twisties. Enjoy my 50 mpg. Keep the speeds under triple digits. And when it's time to scare the crap out of myself, or back up some shit that I talked, I'll pull out the big gun... 'Cause it doesn't cost anything to keep.

[Jim]

how the hell are you paying $316/year for insurance GixxerJockItch ?

[dankatz]

Read this to remind you why you have it:
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/101/40...ucati-998.aspx
Then, keep it! Get an SV for your other pleasures