Well... still in a bit of shock, but it's all good...

[SalsaShark]

After riding this bike a couple of months ago, I keep going back to it. A friend of the family bought one a few weeks ago and I fell in love. After a couple of half-witted attempts at sourcing out one that I wanted, I came across a lightly used 1200s demo today and couldn't resist...

I've given up my pride and joy... my Speed Triple will go in as a trade for the Multi!

[UFO]

Another convert.

[garry]

I am afraid to demo one because it might be a very expensive half hour ride. That's what happened with my current ride three years ago...

[atadaskew]

Interestingly enough, you never read these stories about the VFR1200.

[kendenton]

Interestingly enough, you never read these stories about the VFR1200.

Because you can't demo them  

[scottzilla]

Another convert.

God help us if you ever buy a Harley.

[SalsaShark]

God help us if you ever buy a Harley.

No Koolaid drinking here... The shadow of a Hardley will never darken my garage floor.

[atadaskew]

Because you can't demo them  

I wonder if that would help or hurt their sales...

[Rincewind]

I've given up my pride and joy... my Speed Triple will go in as a trade for the Multi!

   It was even a ROULETTE GREEN one!  

Don't get me wrong, the MTS is one of the best bikes made today, and I wish you well.  I'll just need a moment here....

[SalsaShark]

   It was even a ROULETTE GREEN one!  

Don't get me wrong, the MTS is one of the best bikes made today, and I wish you well.  I'll just need a moment here....

I understand... it's bittersweet. If I could swing keeping both I would in a heartbeat, but it's not in the cards.

[MadOzodi]

Whoa...

Can you pinpoint for us exactly what it is that you fell in love with?  The versatility, electronic doodads...?

[UFO]

God help us if you ever buy a Harley.

No worries there.  You can sleep well at night.

[SalsaShark]

Whoa...

Can you pinpoint for us exactly what it is that you fell in love with?  The versatility, electronic doodads...?

Reasons why I did it

1. comfort - the upright seating position is very comfortable... makes for great riding
2. decent wind protection - let's face it, anything is better than nothing
3. performance - The bike has amazing performance characteristics. I was leery when I first got on it months ago, but one flick of the wrist and I hit triple digits, my eyes were opened
4. Brembo & Ohlins - nuff said, no scrimping on the performance parts

I'm sure I'll have more to say after this weekend...

[falconati]

Like "ow, my aching wallet!"

[Mr Sunshine]

Congrats!  Welcome to the new FJR fold!

[GTS_Rider]

Eggsalant choice!  

I've had mine parked for about three weeks since returning from Canada, waiting to make time to get it in for 7,500 mile service. Meantime I was cycling through my other bikes; '94 Yamaha GTS1000, '05 V-Strom 1000, '08 Concours 14. After finally getting it done today, and getting back on the freshly freshened MTS1200; I was reminded 'again', of how 'kick-ass' this bike is. For my tastes on ergos, power, and riding style; it rules the world right now...

p.s.  

I really need to sell the V-Strom and the Concours, incase you know anybody looking for firesale prices.


p.p.s

The 7,500 mile service was not 'too' budget-crunching-bad at about 250 bucks, but the 15,000 mile service is purported to be a One Thousand Dollar ordeal. Any other DIY guys interested in doing a group-buy-and-share of necesary tools to perform the 15k service? Not sure how it would work exactly, and you would still have the nagger screen for the 15k service; unless we bought the computer do-dad to update, which would probably be prohibitively expensive...

Eh, just wondering. It's not too far in the future for me...    

 

[SalsaShark]

   It was even a ROULETTE GREEN one!  

Don't get me wrong, the MTS is one of the best bikes made today, and I wish you well.  I'll just need a moment here....

I couldn't do it.

My speedie is safe and sound in my garage. The Multi will be joining her tomorrow and I'm residing myself to ramen for dinner for the foreseeable future!

[falcofred]

Eggsalant choice!  

The 7,500 mile service was not 'too' budget-crunching-bad at about 250 bucks, but the 15,000 mile service is purported to be a One Thousand Dollar ordeal. Any other DIY guys interested in doing a group-buy-and-share of necesary tools to perform the 15k service? Not sure how it would work exactly, and you would still have the nagger screen for the 15k service; unless we bought the computer do-dad to update, which would probably be prohibitively expensive...

Eh, just wondering. It's not too far in the future for me...    

I plan on saving $ doing the 7500 mile services myself, which is pretty much just an oil change in order to pay the dealership for the 15,000 mile services. I also do my own tire changes, brake pad changes, etc. in order to save for the valve adjustments. I just don't feel comfortable doing the valves on the Desmo machines.

[SalsaShark]

I plan on saving $ doing the 7500 mile services myself, which is pretty much just an oil change in order to pay the dealership for the 15,000 mile services. I also do my own tire changes, brake pad changes, etc. in order to save for the valve adjustments. I just don't feel comfortable doing the valves on the Desmo machines.

+1

tires, brakes, oil... all easy enough to do.

When it comes to the big jobs, I'm taking it to my friend's shop... he's a Duc nut.

[Espada]

After riding this bike a couple of months ago, I keep going back to it. A friend of the family bought one a few weeks ago and I fell in love. After a couple of half-witted attempts at sourcing out one that I wanted, I came across a lightly used 1200s demo today and couldn't resist...

I've given up my pride and joy... my Speed Triple will go in as a trade for the Multi!

I find none of the above surprising.  What do you expect?  You just rode one of the best bike ever produced.  

[atadaskew]

I find none of the above surprising.  What do you expect?  You just rode one of the best bike ever produced.  

It's taken 27 years but it finally has happened.  The title of "best bike ever made" has been passed on from the Guzzi Lemans III 850 to the Ducati MS1200...

[SVTNate]

I keep telling myself it's too ugly and too tall for me to own one.  I'll keep telling myself that until I replace my daily driver (an 11 year old BMW that costs more to maintain than its worth) with a new Nissan 370Z, and then I'll buy the Ducati  

I want to ride the Ducati again, but the problem is that now I have the money to afford one, and that's dangerous.  Gotta replace the car first.

[falconati]

The 370z is a sweet whippy.  Have you driven a MINI S?  It's a different type of vehicle, but about as much fun.  MINI is going to release a two-seat convertible next year with about 200 horses, so you might want to wait off on the Z (I know I am).

[SVTNate]

I need something reliable.  Mini S is not that, unfortunately, because I think it's a cool little car.  I looked at all kinds of stuff in the high 20's-low 30's range, and figure that the 370Z (base with sports package) is my best bet.  I might consider saving a few grand and go with a Honda Accord V6 Coupe, but I think the extra power, better looks, and RWD of the Nissan will be worth spending the money for.

[falconati]

By far.  Have you driven the Z?  It's on rails.

[atadaskew]

 I might consider saving a few grand and go with a Honda Accord V6 Coupe, but I think the extra power, better looks, and RWD of the Nissan will be worth spending the money for.

The Mustang V6 (305hp) kicks the Accord V6's butt.  Less money too.
One of the major mags did a comparo of the two.  You can read it online (either R&T, C&D or Motortrend)

[samal]

I am glad you kept your speedy

I am not that smart - I sold my speedy to get a more sport-touring friendly rig in my budget - I got an 08 FZ1, and while it's a great bike, I miss my Speedy dearly from day one, nothing I rode in my life was as fun as that triple.  On the other hand, I just had a 400 miles day ride and I have to say, no way I would be able to do it on a speed triple - no wind protection and no luggage provisions are prohibitive for a serios touring duty  

[SVTNate]

By far.  Have you driven the Z?  It's on rails.

No, I haven't.  I'm not going to get out and test drive anything until I'm ready to buy, I'm too busy right now and I'd like to take time for a small motorcycle trip (2-3 days) soon before it gets cold in the places I'd like to go.  I have a 911 Turbo for my handling/speed fix, but getting my golf clubs in/out is a PITA and I don't want to use it for a daily driver.  That's why power isn't so important to me as the overall package - I've got a fast car already.  I'm a single guy with no kids so I don't need much room, but I do want some modicum of practicality... I'd even like the ability to put my mountain bike on the roof or on the back.  Nothing I like is big enough to put a bike inside, though, although I haven't looked to see if a bike would fit in something like an STi hatchback (and I'm not so sure about Subaru reliability either).

I have considered the G37S as well, which has a nicer interior than the Z, but I really like the Z's looks and the rev-matching 6 speed would be a cool gimmick to have IMO.  I thought about getting a clean E46 M3, but it'd just be a nicer/faster version of what I've owned for years and I know the costs of owning a BMW past 60k miles all too well (which is also why I don't want to bounce all over the county in the Porsche).

I owned a Ford.  I don't know if I could swallow that pill again, even though quality seems to be better than it was in the late 90's when I owned one (Contour SVT, hence the decade-old screen name)

[falconati]

Well then, color me jealous.