Could I justify a new Sports Bike in Scotland?

[marcella]

I know this is mainly down to myself but just wanted to see if anyone else is/has been in similar situation.
I bought a ducati monster 1200 (2nd hand) a few months ago, been 5 years since my last bike. I really love it but am keen to get a new 899 panigale. My only issue is can I justify the purchase of one?
I stay in Scotland and I've rarely had a chance to get on my monster due to the weather. I really don't like riding in the wet so will only take it out when I know it will stay dry which is very rare here!

I don't do track days but might be pushed to if i got the 899, will be used for my commute to work and weekend blasts (I don't mind commuting on a sports bike). But i'm almost talking myself out of it as I don't think I'll get a lot of use out of it up here but I know the moment the sun is out I'll regret not getting one.
My other option is just to buy a cheaper sportsbike I guess or wait to get a good deal on an 899 in a year or two?

[neelyp]

If you can afford it why not? It'll always put a smile on your face when you go into the garage and look at it.

[Mad Jock]

Ask Ducati Glasgow how many Panigales they've sold, along with all their other previous sports bike models, and that should give you your answer.

That being said, while Ducati make fine sports bikes, they don't define the type, so save a few bob and look elsewhere.

Get yourself up to the Green Welly over the weekend, look in the bike park and see what proportion of those bikes are sports bikes. The same can be said for the Glen Café at St Mary's Loch. There is still a huge market for sports bikes in Scotland. If everyone thought like you, perhaps there wouldn't be any.

So, of course you can justify a sports bike in Scotland; the question, perhaps, should be "Can I justify a new Ducati in Scotland?"

[Esceptico]

Was watching the golf yesterday. Lovely weather you have up there in the summer!

Riding in the wet is all a state of mind. If you approach it with a different mind set and see it as an additional challenge it can be fun (as long as you have gear that keeps you dry). Only big downside for me is the bike gets filthy and I'm lazy about cleaning it.

I prefer riding in the dry but if it were a choice between not riding or riding in the wet I would take the latter (torrential rain with lots of standing water being the exception).

Is there a reason you are put off so much by the rain? Have you had bad experiences?

In your situation I would probably have two bikes.
A nice, clean sportsbike for the occasional dry day and a bike that I didn't mind getting wet (with some good wet weather tyres).

[Janluke]

While we may not have the best weather for biking we do have the best roads esp for Sports bikes. Miles and miles of uncrowded fast, mainly unpoliced(esp if you keep away from the "famous" roads)roads . I would suggest you're more justified running a sports bike in Scotland than in the South East.

[2blackhats]

Janluke said:

While we may not have the best weather for biking we do have the best roads esp for Sports bikes. Miles and miles of uncrowded fast, mainly unpoliced(esp if you keep away from the "famous" roads)roads . I would suggest you're more justified running a sports bike in Scotland than in the South East.

I'd agree with this. Besides, it rains in Essex too...

[Renn Sport]

If you can afford it then why not? However a Monster 1200 is a fine bike and perfect for those roads. Much more comfortable also.

However the Ducati 899 is proper bit of kit. It comes down to the justifcation of spending the money and only occasionaly riding.

We're not going to be like your other half on this forum and tell you to be frugal and enjoy the fantastic bike you already have in the M1200.

Go test ride the 899 and if you love it. Get it bought.

[moanthebairns]

Riding in the rain is st. I mean it's ok on a trackday or when your out but generally it's fking st. It's not a challenge it's a fking waste of time.

Why not buy something as exotic but used. Why new

[Hooli]

2blackhats said:

Janluke said:

While we may not have the best weather for biking we do have the best roads esp for Sports bikes. Miles and miles of uncrowded fast, mainly unpoliced(esp if you keep away from the "famous" roads)roads . I would suggest you're more justified running a sports bike in Scotland than in the South East.

I'd agree with this. Besides, it rains in Essex too...

I'll vote for that. Why do you think so many people take biking holidays in Scotland compared to say Surrey?

[Dick Dastardly]

It's the sexiest bike ever made



BUY IT NOW!!!!

[neelyp]

That side is fine, the other side doesn't look so good.

[moanthebairns]

I thought it was a bag of ste personally. But if you like no low down torque, the flatness of the engine, and a power surge like a diesel only to get excited and have to change gear, knock yourself out.

Give me a screaming inline 4 or. Triple anyday.

[Prof Prolapse]

I'm still not sure the weather in Scotland is as bad as people say;

http://www.weather-guide.com/Weather-Comparison/Lo...

Also as Jock points out loads of people manage and many put in decent miles, why couldn't you?

[moanthebairns]

It has been terrible this year. Unless you go a run during the week after work

Every weekend it's rained. You can stick your weather reports up your arse. I know whrn it's too wet to ride and it's been like that almost every weekend.

[gwm]

Just buy it. I'm a complete fair weather biker and all this recent wet weather has been st, but the few great runs I'll fit in will make it worth it. You cannot beat how empty and varied the roads can be in Scotland. Plus, it's not like there's any traffic police around to catch you doing anything you shouldn't be.

[Captain Greg]

Not sure how you could ever justify owning a bike in Scotland! I read with interest the Aston forums and giggle when you guys and UK guys purchase drop tops? you have really bad weather, down here in South Africa we have the roads and the climate ......now if only we could have an educated government

[gwm]

Captain Greg said:

Not sure how you could ever justify owning a bike in Scotland! I read with interest the Aston forums and giggle when you guys and UK guys purchase drop tops? you have really bad weather, down here in South Africa we have the roads and the climate ......now if only we could have an educated government

Shows how much you know. I've got a convertible too and have the roof down all the time.

I would love to hear of this mythical country that has great weather all year. No baking summers, crippling winters, hurricanes, tornadoes. There's something to be said for the UKs year round mild climate.

[Esceptico]

moanthebairns said:

I thought it was a bag of ste personally. But if you like no low down torque, the flatness of the engine, and a power surge like a diesel only to get excited and have to change gear, knock yourself out.

Give me a screaming inline 4 or. Triple anyday.

Having never met you I don't know what you sound like but in my head your posts come across as a weird mix of Begby and Oskar from Sesame Street

As my daughter keeps telling me - "chillax"

Anyway, back to topic.

I tested the 899 a couple of weeks ago. It was fking awesome. I could understand arguments for how it might be marginally less fking awesome than a 675 Daytona or a GSXR 750 (depending upon personal tastes). But a bag of ste? Really?

[moanthebairns]

Esceptico said:

moanthebairns said:

I thought it was a bag of ste personally. But if you like no low down torque, the flatness of the engine, and a power surge like a diesel only to get excited and have to change gear, knock yourself out.

Give me a screaming inline 4 or. Triple anyday.

Having never met you I don't know what you sound like but in my head your posts come across as a weird mix of Begby and Oskar from Sesame Street

As my daughter keeps telling me - "chillax"

Anyway, back to topic.

I tested the 899 a couple of weeks ago. It was fking awesome. I could understand arguments for how it might be marginally less fking awesome than a 675 Daytona or a GSXR 750 (depending upon personal tastes). But a bag of ste? Really?

It was a good bike ruined by a horrible engine. I'm not going to sit their foaming at the trousers like everyone else just because it's red, Italian and a Ducati. When I ride a bike with that little power it's not unreasonable to want to pin it as it's perfectly manageable even on the roads.

This was like riding a diesel. Race mode, throttle open, nothing, bang, front goes like, oh here we go, oh st limiter. It had much more power than my 675 but never felt any faster. And for all its power it was only marginally faster than my 675 on the straights whilst up against one.

[Mastodon2]

moanthebairns said:

When I ride a bike with that little power it's not unreasonable to want to pin it as it's perfectly manageable even on the roads.

It's what, 150bhp and 73lb-ft of torque, it's hardly underpowered, is it?