Jap 600 vs Ducati 748/916/996 etc
Discussion
OK, possibly a chalk and cheese question, but torn between the idea of a Jap (Suzuki GSXR) 600/750 and an older Ducati (been offered a '03 748 from a guy at work - it yellow) or there's loads of 916/996/998s on Autotrader etc.
What to do?
Is there much difference between the 916/996/998s?
What is the difference riding wise between a 748 and a Jap 600? or the difference between a 916 and a Jap 750?
Blah, Blah...ramble over...
What to do?
Is there much difference between the 916/996/998s?
What is the difference riding wise between a 748 and a Jap 600? or the difference between a 916 and a Jap 750?
Blah, Blah...ramble over...
Kind of where I'm coming from.
New to this biking thing and fell in love with the new black Gixers - very stealthy and cool...obviously cheap to run reliable etc etc. But the down side on a new (or nearly new) jap bike is depreciation - grand a year?.
As you say the Dukes have more 'soul' bit like driving a TVR as oposed to a Lexus.
If either is going to costs me best part of a grand a year in ownership then nothing in it.
Guess I need to get out and try a few...
Anyone know of a Duke servicing specialist in south east essex?
New to this biking thing and fell in love with the new black Gixers - very stealthy and cool...obviously cheap to run reliable etc etc. But the down side on a new (or nearly new) jap bike is depreciation - grand a year?.
As you say the Dukes have more 'soul' bit like driving a TVR as oposed to a Lexus.
If either is going to costs me best part of a grand a year in ownership then nothing in it.
Guess I need to get out and try a few...
Anyone know of a Duke servicing specialist in south east essex?
I have nothing against Jap bikes - as I say - I love the look of the new Gixers. And I'm sure all will agree they are pretty quick 
But...and this is a big but...the Ducatis do have the 'italian flair'. Unfortunately that italian flair seems to extend to their build quality and reliability in the same vein it does with Alfas and Ferarris...
In the same way my my heart says buy a 550 maranello, my Head says buy a Porsche 911...my bank account settled on a TVR Griffith
So do I go for the clinically good and reliable and supremely fast Jap, or the characterfull, potentially frustrating, sexy Italian?
And as some viewers out there will know...this would also be my first bike...
But...and this is a big but...the Ducatis do have the 'italian flair'. Unfortunately that italian flair seems to extend to their build quality and reliability in the same vein it does with Alfas and Ferarris...
In the same way my my heart says buy a 550 maranello, my Head says buy a Porsche 911...my bank account settled on a TVR Griffith
So do I go for the clinically good and reliable and supremely fast Jap, or the characterfull, potentially frustrating, sexy Italian?
And as some viewers out there will know...this would also be my first bike...
wassy said:
What about an RSV Mille. I'm on my third, this one's the R version with Ohlins, OZ wheels etc.
You can pick one up for next to nowt at the moment.
Never had any reliability issues whatsoever.
You can pick one up for next to nowt at the moment.
Never had any reliability issues whatsoever.
Yeah - funnily enough was reading about them in an article just last night...didn't really know anything about them. Look good on paper, but If I remember correctly did seem to suggest that they'd be more for an experienced rider than a numpty newbie...
Is theis what is meant by 'a bit top heavy'?? I.e. - need experience to handle the handling...
wassy said:
virgil said:
wassy said:
What about an RSV Mille. I'm on my third, this one's the R version with Ohlins, OZ wheels etc.
You can pick one up for next to nowt at the moment.
Never had any reliability issues whatsoever.
You can pick one up for next to nowt at the moment.
Never had any reliability issues whatsoever.
Yeah - funnily enough was reading about them in an article just last night...didn't really know anything about them. Look good on paper, but If I remember correctly did seem to suggest that they'd be more for an experienced rider than a numpty newbie...
Is theis what is meant by 'a bit top heavy'?? I.e. - need experience to handle the handling...
Some riders find them a bit tall and I know what they mean about a feeling of dropping into slower corners but you soon get used to it.
If you can afford a bit extra go for the 'R' version.
When you say a bit tall, you mean the seat hight? If so, I'm bang on 6 foot, so I guess that's not so bad - or is it to do with the centre of gravity?
And is this why it "drops quick into slower corners"? If so, does thsi mean it is very easy to over lean it in a corner if you are not concentrating, and just fall over?
Twinpipe said:
Without wishing to sound patronising (I hate it when people start sentences like that)If it's your first bike are you really notice the difference in handling and performance??
VTwin or screaming four will be noticably different as will styles.
My advice would be to go out and try as many as possible then ignore them all and get the prettiest, so long as it's comfortable enough for what you intend using it for.
New GSXRs look great
Old dukes sound great
VTwin or screaming four will be noticably different as will styles.
My advice would be to go out and try as many as possible then ignore them all and get the prettiest, so long as it's comfortable enough for what you intend using it for.
New GSXRs look great
Old dukes sound great
Nope - won't notice the difference at all...but if one is MUCH easier to fall off when you are not paying attention then I may want to steer clear of one until I know what I am really doing
wassy said:
At six foot it will probably feel quite comfortable with the seat height and seat to bar ratio, the Mille is quite a big bike.
I have only experienced the 'dropping into slow corner thing' on a closed throttle, if your on the gas or a constant throttle opening it doesnt happen.
Best get a ride on one, most Aprilia dealers are pretty good with test rids and stuff.
I have only experienced the 'dropping into slow corner thing' on a closed throttle, if your on the gas or a constant throttle opening it doesnt happen.
Best get a ride on one, most Aprilia dealers are pretty good with test rids and stuff.
Test rides...good advice...though always nice to go into something armed with a little back ground info. Never forget the shock of the unservoed brakes in a Lotus Elise first time I drove one, even though I'd read all about it, It was like "ah, so you really DO have to shove quite hard" as I nearly didn't stop at the first junction!
Ofcourse now someone will come along and say that was just a knackerd Elise!
Last thing I'd want to do is test ride a Mille and just fall off it on the first corner
Cheers for the replies guys.
Mrs Virgil has given me the thumbs up...just got to tell mother now
So will be on the hunt proper in a couple of weeks time. Will get some gear first so I can 'go equiped' for any test rides...
The latest five minute fancy is an '04 onward Aprilia 1000 R - yes - too powerfull, and will probably have to look for something else once I get an insurance quote, but in 'Aprilia Black' pretty damned sexy!
http://images.nxgn-ltd.com/getimg.asp
Either that or a Monster...or 916...or a yellow 748...or a....
Good god there are a lot of nice bikes to choose from...
Mrs Virgil has given me the thumbs up...just got to tell mother now
So will be on the hunt proper in a couple of weeks time. Will get some gear first so I can 'go equiped' for any test rides...
The latest five minute fancy is an '04 onward Aprilia 1000 R - yes - too powerfull, and will probably have to look for something else once I get an insurance quote, but in 'Aprilia Black' pretty damned sexy!
http://images.nxgn-ltd.com/getimg.asp
Either that or a Monster...or 916...or a yellow 748...or a....
Good god there are a lot of nice bikes to choose from...
Wassy - seen it - twas what got me thinking - reading all the reviews to see what is about and it got me looking at the Aprilias...
SVS - It's far too easy to go...yeah I don't want a Jap 1000 as it's 160hp, I'll get something more sensible for a first bike. That Duke 748 only has 90ish HP - but that review did say it could do with a little more power so the older 916 may make a better bet...it 'only has' 110...but the newer one may be a better buy and it's 'only' 120/130, then trhe Aprilia's 'only' 130/140...and it comes in satin black....
Before you know it, your back to thinking about road rockets again
Had considered a Monster - a 900 though....
SVS - It's far too easy to go...yeah I don't want a Jap 1000 as it's 160hp, I'll get something more sensible for a first bike. That Duke 748 only has 90ish HP - but that review did say it could do with a little more power so the older 916 may make a better bet...it 'only has' 110...but the newer one may be a better buy and it's 'only' 120/130, then trhe Aprilia's 'only' 130/140...and it comes in satin black....
Before you know it, your back to thinking about road rockets again
Had considered a Monster - a 900 though....
hiccy - insurance is a real bugger - 1500 for a litre (probably quite sensible) 900 for a 750 and 500 for a 600 - all racy types. Not looked into the monter types yet.
Aeropilot - 800 monster sounds great - though only really seen the 600 or 900s in autotrader...nice looking bike though and if I went naked (bike that is!) i'd go for the duke...
Wassy - looks good and nice cans...been saying that a lot recently - currently in Sydney after 2 days in Singapore (oooh!)
odyssey2200 - to be honest it would either be a Jap 4 or an italian 2...not sure why...just seems right, though I'm sure the jAP 2s are fantastic bikes...
SVS - don't mind at all - when I first passed had a nine grand budget in mind and a wife that would have killed me...now have a more realistic budget of 4-5k, a suportive wife but still a reluctant mother!
Bike wise - this is the hard bit - really not sure. Part of me thinks, Monster style....part of me goes race style. I'm 6 foot, 15 stone and like a bit of speed. Not too reckless (made it to 35 so far) but not sure if a monster would be too boring flat out on a straight, or a Duke 916/996 too taxing for a newbie...
Will be puerly a Sunday fun bike. Will take it into work probably twice...just to show off, so commuting/touring not an issue.
I do pick things up pretty quick, but also know my worldly limits!
Really is a quandry....and yes...everyone does say "don't buy a litre as a first"...
Saw a Senna 916 when I went down to Bondi beach yesterday and looked F***ing great...Hmmm...916 - really too much?
Aeropilot - 800 monster sounds great - though only really seen the 600 or 900s in autotrader...nice looking bike though and if I went naked (bike that is!) i'd go for the duke...
Wassy - looks good and nice cans...been saying that a lot recently - currently in Sydney after 2 days in Singapore (oooh!)
odyssey2200 - to be honest it would either be a Jap 4 or an italian 2...not sure why...just seems right, though I'm sure the jAP 2s are fantastic bikes...
SVS - don't mind at all - when I first passed had a nine grand budget in mind and a wife that would have killed me...now have a more realistic budget of 4-5k, a suportive wife but still a reluctant mother!
Bike wise - this is the hard bit - really not sure. Part of me thinks, Monster style....part of me goes race style. I'm 6 foot, 15 stone and like a bit of speed. Not too reckless (made it to 35 so far) but not sure if a monster would be too boring flat out on a straight, or a Duke 916/996 too taxing for a newbie...
Will be puerly a Sunday fun bike. Will take it into work probably twice...just to show off, so commuting/touring not an issue.
I do pick things up pretty quick, but also know my worldly limits!
Really is a quandry....and yes...everyone does say "don't buy a litre as a first"...
Saw a Senna 916 when I went down to Bondi beach yesterday and looked F***ing great...Hmmm...916 - really too much?
996 sps said:
If you go PH Bike Sales Ducati (not advanced enough in my IT skills to do a link ha ha) there is a mint 748R, kept in kitchen as an ornament, worth looking at!!!!!!! I'd love it......
Very nice looking bike. Excuse my ignorance, but what is the difference between 916, 996 and a 748 fairing...
Didn't realise the 748 made that close power to a 916....hmmmm
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