DeBenGuzzi

I didn't do it, I swear but I do want that bike in a bad way

Years ago, I went out with intentions to buy a BMW RT Instead, I came home with an Aprilia RSV Mille that is exactly what happened to me except I went out to buy a Triumph Sprint ST and brought home a Guzzi V11 sport naked instead.

Wait, what was wrong with the ST2? Is that another thread? Seriously, I have really considered buying one so all Guzzi-head input is welcome. Not that I should trust you when it comes to buying bikes it is not a very good town bike, not good at u turns or quick turns, creates quite a bit of heat underneath you, and gets 33mpg my car can manage 28 and its an AWD Subaru so, that sucks. I know I'll like it for the longer rides but just commuting to work and going to softball it'll almost piss me off.

YUUUP, deal with it then just when I have the right one picked out I go and buy the completely wrong bike anyway(ST2), I don't even know whats wrong with me . Most go with passion, looks, or price those are only secondary to me to advice from people I feel I can trust and know much more than I do. It's all in the banter section so you don't have to read it.

Ben, BelfastGuzzi has got one of those & seems to really like it. It's a very nice, enjoyable bike. Well made, with no bother so far. It's tall for me, off the guzzi, but soon get used to it and it will be fine for Ben. I have the 750, which goes well and is quite agile (compared to MG). If I didn't have anything else, I'd look at the 1200 Dorso. I'd probably have it instead of a Guzzi 1200. You'll be wanting the new Tuono. I wanted to like the new Tuono but, it is quite expensive and soooooo fugly. I also want a 750 over the 1200 for better agility, less heat, and better mpg's (AFAIK no 1200's in America as of yet or maybe ever)

Ben, BelfastGuzzi has got one of those & seems to really like it. I'm another SV fan - for a cheap fun bike that'll work for it's living too. Agree with above; early styling was much the better. What you got so bad against them? KB well, where the hell is BFG to comment on this then?? someone PM him. Anyway I don't have anything against the SV650 exactly its just got a slight stigma in my mind and this area as the bike every newb and girls jump on to ride, also it doesn't move or inspire me in any way its that bland its like unflavored yogurt, less than vanilla, I like vanilla but I don't like plain yogurt. I won't totally count it out though as so many have jumped right to it and hell the price might be too good to pass it up. The Dorsoduro will be like 6k(even at 5k its kinda hefty to the 3k of the other bikes suggested) also only one dealer within 3 hours of me is not a plus for aprilia. When I had the rotax I didn't worry that engine was so bomb proof but these new mills, who knows?

do you mean the KLR? or you mean the ER-6N? that might work and I'll keep my eye out but its a tiny bike marketed towards women and new riders, the seat height would be about my knee level BUT I wouldn't count it out I'll try and find one to get a look in person as I do like the looks and a parallel twin is always nice, definitely would be a great twist and go bike.

I'm really leaning Dorsoduro or the DD as they like to be called, it is around 5-6k, its hot looking, So far all have been uber reliable, it gets me excited to ride, the ergos are good for my size, its a 750, gets 50mpg and doesn't create unbearable heat in traffic if you take out the cat

Buell? The XB9 I rode got way better than 40, and had decent power. The BMW's are expensive to keep up with, so that wouldn't be my first choice. Too bad you hate the SV's...I think they're a lot of fun, and they are dirt cheap. What about a KLR or DR? I really like the buell idea, especially the cityx but don't they pump a lot of heat on to your legs? well I only test rode the Ulysses and it was murder after only like 15min I forgot about the buells, that might be a sweet option

I want a good townie/commuter bike that doesn't blast too much heat on me goes alright and gets at least 40mpg, so far the top choices about in order are a Dosoduro, a shiver(same bike kinda) a KTM super duke(reports say it'll get 38-42 stock) a KTM 690, a duke 2, BMW 650 or 800, but here's the problem I don't really want to spend more than 6k, 5k would be better and I'd be looking used obviously, I don't know much about the big 4 as to what they would offer in this category that may be better than what I listed but there is NO way I'm riding an SV, for some reason I just hate them, all other contenders are welcome. I've seen plenty of low mileage super dukes for 6500-7500 duke690 would be tough, too new. I also haven't counted out a Tuono or a Griso 1100 which can come real close to my price point.

This would be grade A unobtanium at this point. that CF tank pad took my 2 years to find one and only got lucky a fellow board member sold me his. I think he upgraded to a later tank that didn't have the tank pad anymore and the updated fuel pump. I say good luck to you BUT don't worry too much about it the tanks were a tiny bit different as well on the bike those CF came on because it was the later 2002+ non red frames and the tank is a tiny bit longer so it was a real PITA to fit it on my 2001 rosso tank and even then the fuel cap wouldn't open all the way just most of the way. Best bet take your rubber pad and recover it or inquire at a shop that works with CF to see if they would make you one, at least a cap you could then glue to your pad because lets face it, its not about the weight savings its about the look and bling factor. I get you

well for me I have a metal tank on the Duc so I haven't even looked at the straps, but it does come with straps, if you do get one and some reason need more straps I'll send you the ones that came with mine if thats any help at all. I'll never use them the magnets are insanely strong.

Something isnt right there, that bike should get closer to 50mpg. Gas is $3.85 here, unfortunately I've had a cast on my hand and will have until the 19th of april so I cant ride right now I cant imagine having to pay $35 or more to fill up my bike like you guys in Europe. there is no such thing as a 50mpg Ducati in the last 20 years I've ever heard of. The whole ST line gets around 35, not overly fuel efficient just a simple motor in a similar way to the Guzzi's, not to mention mine has the upgraded(more fuel) ECU, open exhaust and pretty sure a chopped air box, all suck MPG's

I just filled up the ducati ST2 after 126 miles, 3.8 gallons just a hair under $15 and WTF 33mpg isn't good!!! thats almost the same as my aprilia RSV got with a lot less oomph and 2 less than the V11, but with more oomph even my old suzuki 800 cruiser only got like 40, I've n ever owned a fuel efficient bike maybe its time I get one for a town/commuter

that is an artist rendition (photoshop)

nice deal, you will not regret it, especially if you were looking at bimmers

ah christ, we're going to get overun with apriliaforum members, I say a short prayer every day Ducslayer and MikeT do not find this place

Givi T434 Arrow Bag 20 - 23 liter http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/eShop/index.cgi?pid=350 I'll post a pic of it on the bike tomorrow for you so you get a context, so far I like the shape and pockets but its a little stiff/tough to open and the zippers could be a little better quality but overall I love it

I still can, fn relax, I'm really torn on getting a griso 1100. The great community is leaning me that way, butt the all out hooliganism of the Duke, it sings to me with its siren song well shucks, I thought you wanted the RC8. I've never wanted the RC8, the Super Duke I've wanted for awhile.

I still can, fn relax, I'm really torn on getting a griso 1100. The great community is leaning me that way, butt the all out hooliganism of the Duke, it sings to me with its siren song

I'll let you know as soon as I get the starter wires and battery upgraded to an odyssey so it doesn't almost leave me stranded down the road at the gas station after I fuel up. I moved my extreme thread jacking elsewhere. Shoot, I forgot about that. For a while there you had me searching around for a used one as well! the maint costs on the ST2 are half that of the ST2 with longer intervals, it really can be a great bike for the bottom basement prices they sell for. I would trade it and a testicle for that motus though.

Those bolts have been upgraded on my bike and it only has 12k on the clock but I will heed your warning and on the flip side have seen many high mileage bikes too, well for ducs like 10 years old with 30-60k which they think over at ducati.ms is like how we feel about 20 year old 100-200,000 mi with no problems. I got it for so cheap I don't even really plan to make it my only bike I also want to get a town bike like a super duke or griso 1100. I will pray to the ducati gods it doesn't blow up and strand me sideways.

Nolan Air Italia, YET another helmet I now own that isn't available in the USA, makes me feel kinda special

I've been having really hard starts on this bike so I stopped by the new Ducati shop uptown Minneapolis and they gave me some good news, bad news, good news. The battery isn't the problem with my hard starts and dead battery, my battery is in fact already upgraded pretty well and holding a charge fine it is a bigger than stock gel, bad news the starter is knackered and I'll need a new one, good news they have good quality used and refurbished ones for less than the stock battery replacement would be. The duc shop on lyndale in Minneapolis is a great bunch of guys and said it shouldn't be more than $150 for the full job so I threw my levers and clutch slave at them too and said make it happen. I'm really excited to get a bike back I can ride without fear of strandedment. I'll just wait till the shorai's are back in stock and get one of those to install for next season and also I'll just install the upgraded wires then, they said my stock wires were just fine and the problem was my starter drawing 5 times the current it was supposed to. They hooked a car battery up to it and still had a hard time starting. I was so impressed I filled the coffers some more by getting a new duc keychain for my spare keys and a pair of oakley ducati fuel cell sunglasses, weaksauce I know but they fit my head and its only a tiny little etching that says ducati on them.

btw, are you going on the anti-flood run? I am thinking of joining you if the weather isn't too shotty.