Ducati Monster Forum

OK guys, I'm in a bit of a pickle...

I have wanted to get a track bike for a while and have looked at many contenders.. I was pretty much set on a r6 or dfb's 996...

Until swanny's bike came up for sale. It is a very very badass 07 S4Rs that has very low mileage and a bunch (a ton really)
of tastefull mods...

The problem is, that to afford Swanny's bike, I would need to get rid of the 695.

So what do you guys say?

-Keep the 695 and the track bike?
-Sell the 695 and buy the S4Rs.

Things to consider:

-A lot of work has gone into putting the 695 as I want it, and it is still not done, and I know I would miss it, But that S4rs is a real beauty and it's gonna be hard to miss my 695 while i'm tearing it up with the 4valver.

- I would not be paying for full coverage on the other bike if I get the track bike, bc it will be a dedicated track ho, only liability.

- Garage space might be a prob with the introduction of a new bike to the stable.

- For the price of the S4rs I can keep the 695, get a track bike and still have left over for a nice two piece i've been eyeing...

What to do? what to do?

Sell your 695, buy Swanny's [thumbsup]

There, easy enough. Anything else I can help with?  ;D

dude, and Swanny is throwing in fricking RIBS!!  hello?  did you not have any of those tasty treats over the weekend in HC?  i'm still licking my fingers.  you just need Hiero and RichD to share their respective rib sauces....  [drink]

fwiw: i rode swanny's bike for a good while in AR, and it was just make the beast with two backsing visceral....and delightfully comfortable at the same time.  i don't know if it was the sound it produces or the wicked acceleration, but it made me giddy.

and dude, buying dfb's 996?  i don't know man...that just sounds like asking for all kinds of bad mojo...

Hey Chipo,

Do whatever will make you the happiest man.  [thumbsup]

If you would like to take the S4RS out for a test ride you are welcome to come up and give it a spin.  I will show you some of the kinda twisty roads up here.  Then you will be able to compare it to the 695 and see if it is something that you want.

Plus this would be a good reason to get a casino run or ride up for the local guys. ;D

Swanny

Quote from: swanny on June 05, 2008, 01:05:08 PM
Hey Chipo,

Do whatever will make you the happiest man.  [thumbsup]

If you would like to take the S4RS out for a test ride you are welcome to come up and give it a spin.  I will show you some of the kinda twisty roads up here.  Then you will be able to compare it to the 695 and see if it is something that you want.

Plus this would be a good reason to get a casino run or ride up for the local guys. ;D

Swanny

Man that IS tempting..

I have ridden an S4r but I don't know how much better the S version is... I do know that the suspension goodies on it are worth way more than the 3 k over the price of the normal R

Quote from: chipo on June 05, 2008, 12:20:55 PM
- I would not be paying for full coverage on the other bike if I get the track bike, bc it will be a dedicated track ho, only liability.

From your wording, you're getting liability just on the 695 after the other purchase, right?
Because it would be useless to carry insurance on a dedicated track bike. 
I'm sure you know that.

So what are your riding priorities?  Mostly street with an occasional track day thrown in?  Or vice versa?
Most people get a dedicated track bike only after doing a track day or two, and then decide they want to continue.

What is the condition of your finances?  Can you afford the expenses of track days along with upkeep on the bike?
If you buy the S4RS as the only ride, can you afford not just the premium (because you want that full coverage) but the thought of sliding that shiny bike along the track in case you dump it?

Write out your priorities, options, whatever, etc. on paper and calculate your potential expenses.
Take a hard look at either of the two options and decide what best suits you in the long run


If it was me potentially spending thousands of my money, I'd just as soon decide on my own merits rather than posting it on a message board and waiting for various answers.
But that's just me...  *shrug*

Quote from: Red5 on June 05, 2008, 02:01:10 PM
From your wording, you're getting liability just on the 695 after the other purchase, right?
Because it would be useless to carry insurance on a dedicated track bike. 
I'm sure you know that.

So what are your riding priorities?  Mostly street with an occasional track day thrown in?  Or vice versa?
Most people get a dedicated track bike only after doing a track day or two, and then decide they want to continue.

What is the condition of your finances?  Can you afford the expenses of track days along with upkeep on the bike?
If you buy the S4RS as the only ride, can you afford not just the premium (because you want that full coverage) but the thought of sliding that shiny bike along the track in case you dump it?

Write out your priorities, options, whatever, etc. on paper and calculate your potential expenses.
Take a hard look at either of the two options and decide what best suits you in the long run


If it was me potentially spending thousands of my money, I'd just as soon decide on my own merits rather than posting it on a message board and waiting for various answers.
But that's just me...  *shrug*

I have liability and comprehensive on the 695 and it would be useless to insure a trackbike.

The reason that having a dedicated track bike appeals to me so much is because whenever i find myself pushing the 695, I worry too much about the posibility of a crash and being left bikeless.

I know that if I get a dedicated tracker, I would not feel the need to push so far while on the street, which is good.

Thankfully, my finances permit either expense at the moment, and I know that potentially the track bike is the bigger expense (tyres, track fees, replacement parts, replacement gear., etc...)

But, the 695 is a lot better on tyres than a S4rs would be (my last rear got 10 k) and the maintenance is a moot point bc it is already paid for for the next 3 years.

I agree on the fact that I will decide mostly on my own, it's just that sometimes other peoples input is a good thing, and might deter me from doing something stupid.

thanks everybody for their input  :)

My neighbor came down to ask about my bike yesterday because he was shopping them and "...always sees me working on mine...", but after explaining that I have a disorder that requires me to make the beast with two backs with shit regularly I recommended a 695. Seemed excited. Sounds like a potential buyer to me.

Quote from: cbartlett419 on June 05, 2008, 03:08:55 PM
My neighbor came down to ask about my bike yesterday because he was shopping them and "...always sees me working on mine...", but after explaining that I have a disorder that requires me to make the beast with two backs with shit regularly I recommended a 695. Seemed excited. Sounds like a potential buyer to me.

You got your bike back man?

never sell bikes or guns! 

Yo, Chippy- Have you actually DONE a track day? Or is this a future desire??

There are 1098 running around on the streets, you don't have to go balls-out everytime you jump on a bike. For instance, I showed remarkable restraint on the HC rides...

Buy the S4RS (yes, the extra $$$ is worth it), & get full insurance. If you have a little boo-boo on the track, just cart it to some farm road & call roadside assistance [thumbsup]

Dude you don't need to laying out that kind of cash for a track bike.

Keep the 695 - it's a great streetbike - and pick up a used jap bike for a track tool.  Don't get me wrong, I despise jap bikes just as much as any other self-respecting Ducati owner and happily dis them at any opportunity, but even I have to admit a used gixxer or SV makes an affordable and effective track bike.  The R6 would probably be ideal. 

That way you'll still have a great street bike and you can tear it up on the track with the other one.  That way when you lay down the track bike it doesn't make the beast with two backs up your street ride.  and it's easier to ride it to the edge and hone your skills when you aren't worried about laying down a pricey bike. 

I don't see buying the S4RS being a good idea if you want to do much track.  round peg for a square hole.

Quote from: chipo on June 05, 2008, 12:20:55 PM
dfb's 996...

tell me you farted and that thought left your head  :P

Quote from: Duc L'Smart on June 05, 2008, 03:43:03 PM
Yo, Chippy- Have you actually DONE a track day? Or is this a future desire??

There are 1098 running around on the streets, you don't have to go balls-out everytime you jump on a bike. For instance, I showed remarkable restraint on the HC rides...

Buy the S4RS (yes, the extra $$$ is worth it), & get full insurance. If you have a little boo-boo on the track, just cart it to some farm road & call roadside assistance [thumbsup]

Yup, I have, but none of those organized events ya'll do 'round these parts...

A couple of friends and me used to bribe the keeper of a track in Venezuela to let us get the bikes in, back when I had the Cbr

My .02..... I agree with Factor....Unless you've got a flexible budget for tracking a Duc, I'd go Jap because of easy spare parts availability on the cheap, track-ready upgrades like body work & high performance junk, sprockets, "crash replacement" quick stuff.. ...everything where you're not tied down to the almighty "DUCATI PERFORMANCE" catalog....or a Ducati parts counter...

Quote from: chipo link=topic=4077.msg61618#msg61618 date=121271 8)3068
Yup, I have, but none of those organized events ya'll do 'round these parts...

A couple of friends and me used to bribe the keeper of a track in Venezuela to let us get the bikes in, back when I had the Cbr

Me thinks you need to do one of those track days 'round these parts first.  ;)

That may help you decide if ya really need/want a track bike. One less thing to consider is all.

Quote from: chipo on June 05, 2008, 03:12:25 PM
You got your bike back man?

no

Isaac Brock from Modest Mouse referred to his opinions as kittens because he was "...giving them away...". W/ that said I usually
try to be responsible w/ my kittens and not leave them at other's doors, but you asked for it my man...

I'd go to a track school and ride the s4rs, using that as research.

Then I would consider my investment/fulfillment ratio. I'd think of my bike as a depreciating bank account that looks alot like a Ducati Monster, with the return being measured in fulfillment. I think that the s4rs would have a slower depreciation rate than your current ride(s). I'd then evaluate the fulfillment return in the short/long term of the s4rs, on all accounts: riding, modding, maintenance, cost of operation. Also the length of the term (how long will I own this bike?) is something I'd consider.   I'd then take the same approach to evaluating the 2 bike option and all of it's nuances: enjoyment of track days, riding experience, having two bikes to mod, cost of operating two bikes, maintaining 2 bikes, the depreciation of the bikes. Then compare the two ratios and pick the one that seemed to offer the most return w/ the least investment loss.


...yeah

I think Swanny is right, you got to do whatever makes you happy.

If you want to go the 1 bike route, I can't see how you could go wrong with Swanny's.  The man takes great care of his bikes!!!

If you want a track-only jap bike, you might be interested in my 2005 SV650s.  It's been through a lowside and a highside, but in both cases the frame sliders helped keep the bike alive.  I've replaced the fairing stay and the subframe (as well as most of the plastics) after the highside.  The only damage now is a dent in the fuel tank and scratches in the grab bar, and neither should matter in the track. I'm aiming for $3800.  If it sounds interesting, shoot me a PM!

Still thinking Chipo?

Quote from: Duc L'Smart on June 09, 2008, 06:32:06 AM
Still thinking Chipo?

Yeah, but actually, there-s been a lot of family shit that is making me reconsider having a bike, period.

i think you should take your 695 to the track before going out and buying a track bike
as a matter of fact there is a trackday coming up at tws on the 21 of this month [thumbsup]