My wife and I were having dinner at a local restaurant earlier this evening when she looked at me levelly and said "you should never have done that."
"What?" I asked, as innocently as humanly possible.
"Letting me ride your Monster" was the reply.
We'd ridden to the local high school parking lot to practice some low-speed maneuvers, she on the Vespa, me on the Monster. She'd decided she wanted a motorcycle that would be appropriate for joint rides around the local twisties, so we were planning to go test-ride some bikes on Friday - certainly a Hyosung GT250 Comet, probably a Kawasaki Ninja 250, maybe a Suzuki SV650. She is signing up for the MSF Intermediate RiderCourse for a refresher since she hasn't ridden a shift bike since we took the BRC. She's been unwilling to get on the Monster because she thinks it's too heavy for her and because she's too afraid she'll scratch or drop it.
While we were taking a breather, I asked her to get on the Monster "just to sit." I told her I'd hold the forks so she couldn't drop it and had her rock it back and forth. She was initially uncomfortable that she couldn't flat-foot in bilaterally. However, she soon learned that she could easily do so on one side without leaning enough to worry about falling. When I asked why she didn't go ahead and start it up, she decided to go for it. With the bike in neutral, she experimented with the throttle to get a feel for it. I expected that was going to be about it, but she wanted to ride it. I warned her about the difference between the Monster's brakes and the Vespa's, and she was, slowly, off. Tracy had way less difficulty using the clutch than I did when I started out.
After riding around the parking lot for a while, we headed off to dinner.
Obviously, the reason I should never have gotten her to ride the Monster is that she now wants one. Instead of the Hyosung dealer, we'll be heading off to BCM to check out what they've got. This is a problem I'm happy to have.
Why is this a problem, though? There are a few reasons. One is the question of whether we look for a second used Monster. I got my '05 620 in January of '07 with under 600 miles on it for $5,000 in pristine condition. I don't expect to manage that again. We could also get a new bike (either a 695 or a 696), which would obviously be much more expensive but would leave less to chance. I've also wondered about getting an ST instead of a second Monster. On a recent group ride there was a sweet yellow ST that looked really interesting, and would allow for some 2-up trips (or some actual trips as opposed to outings on Monsters), and I've been wondering about looking for one of those.
So, any input would be welcome. Neither one of us really wants to go with anything much bigger than the 620. Any thoughts about an ST instead of a second Monster? How about good sources for low-mileage, unmolested recent Monsters at fire-sale prices in northern New England?
Your right. I don't see your problem. My wife wants a Mercedes.
Congrats!
Did you say fire sale?
I have the perfect bike for you. [thumbsup]
Quote from: Rameses on July 08, 2008, 07:57:26 PM
Did you say fire sale?
I have the perfect bike for you. [thumbsup]
Yeah, I saw your thread about your bike. I think it now counts as "heavily modded," though.
You could get an ST, but they're a good bit bigger and heavier than a 620.
However, anything remotely suited to 2-up riding will be...
You can tour on a Monster, just not as comfy as a more targeted bike.
A little soft luggage, and away you go.
With 2 bikes, it's easier than on one, in some respects.
I don't see the problem at all.
She likes your 620 right?
So let her have it.
Get yourself a nice clean 05 S2R, S4R or Get an 1100 Multi Strada.
Theres plenty of both of those out there in almost stock condition for just a bit more than your 620 cost you.
Don't let her get one faster than yours [cheeky]
I agree, that is a huge problem. I hate to add insult to your injury of a wife that wants to ride ducatis with you but.... my wife asks me over dinner which Ducati I want next and how we can afford it. ;D
BTW, love the new [bacon]
it's gonna give me the munchies every time I see it!
that's great your wife wants to graduate from the vespa [moto]
i'd look for something bigger for you and give her the 620.
do you think she'd be willing to let go of the vespa, or would she want to keep that?
don't forget to introduce her to the DMF :)
and good luck on your search!
Sounds like a wise decision versus riding two-up, especailly if you have any children. One simple screw-up by you or someone else when riding two-up, and your children could become orphans.
As others suggested, give the 620 to her and buy yourself something else, or......look at any older Monster 600, 620, 695, or 750 as they are all roughly in the same boat for size, weight, and ability. The older M900 bikes aren't too bad, either. 80 crank HP is very managable.
As for an ST, they are great "everything bikes" and they are fairly inexpensive. They have terrific wind protection, are comfortable enough for 1000+ mile solo rides and 400+ mile mountain twisty 2-up rides, you can drag a knee, haul a 12-pack in each side case........they are about 470 pounds wet, have taller seat heights, and feel top-heavy in really slow-speed curves, but.......I'm a big advocate of the ST bikes. If I had to drop my inventory to only one bike, the ST2 would be the one to stay.
Quote from: Hank on July 09, 2008, 01:11:56 AM
Don't let her get one faster than yours [cheeky]
Until we picked up the Monster and another ST2 for my wife, both of her bikes (R1 and GSXR) had at
least 20 HP over my most powerful bike....and at least 20 mph more top speed.
What about getting a different bike that you also really wanted to ride and trade back and forth with the wife?
Perhaps a 'motard and the monster? Or a 916 and the monster? Heck, you can even go vintage Duc or some other brand
give her the 620 and go buy you something better.
like others said you could give her your 620 and get another bike but then you would be spending a bit of dough on a new bike possibly more than the 5k you orignally bought yours for.
what you can do is this, look for an 02-05 620 and you might luck out and find something with a few miles under 12k miles on it that is stock and if its an 03 you can probably pick it up for under or just over 4k dollars, which isn't bad, unforturnatley, you are looking for a used bike at the worst possible time middle of the summer and peak riding season so dont' expect to find a great deal unless you find someone really needing to get rid of a bike. you know as well as anyone that finding a bike is tough at times.
check craigslist and the normal channels and be willing to see what is out there and you could find the right bike. goodluck.
thats one cool chick man [thumbsup]
Does she have a sister?
I would like to congratulate you on your problem. [thumbsup]
In light of her now wanting a monster, what do you think the chances are that she will be happier as a passenger on a more tour-oriented bike, as opposed to a fellow rider? It sounds like another 620 and two new windscreens are in your future. Good luck on the search...
Make sure she stays addicted. Go for a ride together, have her take the monster and you take the Vespa :P
How about a S2R. I love mine and its a great bike. You get the S2R, give your wife teh 620!
I'll agree and say give her the 620.
When my wife wanted to start riding that's what we did. I picked up a used 900. She eventually traded the M620 for a MTS620, as she liked the riding position better...but she's still OK with the 620 engine.
She also takes my our 848 now and again though. [roll] ;D
My husband "let" me have our Monster and I'm perfectly happy with that. He bought a new Kawa Z1000. Actually, I threatened him that if he left me Monster-less, I'd be...um, let's just say I'd be VERY UNHAPPY with him LOL I rode his new bike the other day for the first time, and I have to say I didn't feel nearly as comfortable on it as I do the Monster. It really was too big for me, while the Monster is a perfect fit. I don't need umpteen horsepower, it's quite fast enough and the bike and I get along just fine.
Just wait, your wife will never go back to anything else. The monster is just an awesome bike. :D
Celeste
Quote from: ODrides on July 09, 2008, 11:48:14 AM
Does she have a sister?
+1 ;D
I'd be lucky to get my lady to ride 2 up, let alone purchase something with only two wheels for herself. It's a slow process but she'll come around. As far as what bike to get her, I agree with the hand-me-down 620. I bought my first bike used as to not have the " I can't let this get even the tiniest scratch" mentality and it makes it less stressful to learn proper technique. Plus, if you haven't already, you could drop the ass end of the 620 down a tick to better suit her height.
Thanks for all the input.
Yes, she is cool. Nobody will ever know the half of it! No sisters, though.
The "give her the 620" thing doesn't appeal that much. It smacks of "hand-me-downs" or that I deserve a "better" or more expensive bike than she does. I'd rather either get her exactly the bike she likes and wants (keeping in mind that I feel no need for a larger Monster for me) or get a second bike that we both like that offers something different and each of us can ride whatever we want or need that day.
I'm increasingly thinking about a non-Monster Duc as the other bike. I don't really want to be Monster-less and am completely happy with the 620, so it may make sense to look at 'tards or ST's or maybe SS's. I just can't seem to make myself like the looks of the Multistrada, but I haven't sat on one.
The Vespa probably isn't going away. It's amazing how many groceries you can stuff in those things. It's much more useful for toting craft supplies down to the library for a class. I've got no problem riding the Vespa behind her on the Duc - the view is pretty nice, after all.
2-up hasn't really been our thing so far. Neither one of us enjoys passenging. I have taken my 13 year-old son out a few times. That probably is near its end, since any day now he will disavow that he's ever even HAD parents, let alone sit that close to one. I still think an ST would be nice for touring even with 2 bikes, since the toothbrushes have to go somewhere and I don't think there's enough cargo space on the Monster.
Tracy just found an open slot as an "intermediate" student at a Rider's Edge course next Tuesday. It's way cheaper than the BRC and she thought it could be helpful to do the refresher on the Buell rather than on the cruiser-lets they used in our BRC. She still may have to sit through an attempt to sell her a Harley bikini, but there's no other gear she doesn't already have.*
*Yes, I know the DP bikini is much better through the curves and that Miles at BCM would probably offer a discount on the parts if we can supply photos of a walk-through of the installation process. I'm sure she'd do it, but it would probably be over her wetsuit.
Quote from: mstevens on July 09, 2008, 02:52:25 PM
The "give her the 620" thing doesn't appeal that much. It smacks of "hand-me-downs" or that I deserve a "better" or more expensive bike than she does. I'd rather either get her exactly the bike she likes and wants (keeping in mind that I feel no need for a larger Monster for me) or get a second bike that we both like that offers something different and each of us can ride whatever we want or need that day.
My wife thought the same thing. The problem though is you really don't know what kind of bike you want until you ride it for a while. Molly loved the look of the M620, but after having it for 6 months could never get used to it. Then she sat on a MTS620 and fell in love, so we traded her M620 in on one. If we'd have bought her a new M620 (like she initially wanted) we would have taken a bath as it would have only been 6 months old.
Just a thought. :)
I agree with several of the comments so far.
Basically give her the 620 and get an ST for yourself. Once she gets comfortable on the Monster she will probably do well with the ST too. That way you can switch off when you want to ride something different.
I don't agree that the STs are good for 1000 mile days!! I have a 99 ST4 that I bought new. I have 30+K on the bike and have done a few 3000 weeks. Last trip we averaged sligtly over 400 miles a day...That was too much for me! Though I am 53 and I can't seem to do the longer days in the saddle that I did several years ago. I think I have less muscle between the skin of my butt and my hip bones than I used to?
Anyway...you would not find an ST4 to be too much for you coming from a 620. The power is not as abrupt as my S2R 1000. Though the bike is heavier, it is not overly so and it is still a Duck but a "domesticated" one. There are surely ST bargains to be had out there.
BTW...not much of a problem IMO...many of us wish we had your problem!
Good luck Bro...Happy shopping.
there is a used monster in laconia that belongs to a long time bcm customer, it has been well taken care of. it is by the pet center near fast food alley. FYI
used ST bikes are a bargain for what you are getting, they are heavier than the other duc's but handle well enough to tear up the track. 98 st2 is probably the weak link in the two valve line up. st4 and st4s can have rocker issues. I just performed a full service on a st4s with 55,000miles and the rockers were fine.
99 and newer SS bikes are tall make sure you fit and are comfortable . older SS bikes are nice and comfy but you may not want carburetors.
sport classics are not selling well so there are deals to be had both used and new.
If you get her the matching monster to yours you will always have a bike to "borrow" parts from.
happy hunting
I have a black 05 620 with 4500 miles on it sitting in the garage collecting dust since i bought my RS. My friend kept talking about buying it but I am tired of waiting for him. 5000 an its yours.
Quote from: Old-Duckman on July 09, 2008, 05:24:42 PM
I don't agree that the STs are good for 1000 mile days!!
Heck, my wife did a SaddleSore 1000 with me last June. I was on the ST2 and she was riding a stock 2000 R1....and she is disabled. Here's a write-up and the trip report...
http://www.desmodemon.com/saddlesore_1000/
I guess it is a lot in what you are used to. I've done several 500-700 mile days on various bikes and 300-400 miles in the mountain twisties is a normal day for us...we are usually pretty mentally and physically worn out by the time we get home. 1000 miles on the superslab or country two-lanes isn't a big deal. Gary Eagan set some long distance records on an ST4.
Quote from: ducvet on July 09, 2008, 05:36:43 PM
used ST bikes are a bargain for what you are getting, they are heavier than the other duc's but handle well enough to tear up the track. 98 st2 is probably the weak link in the two valve line up. st4 and st4s can have rocker issues.
I agree. I just picked up a second '98 ST2 for a good price, and after I sell off all the accessories that I do not want, I'll probably knock the price down to around $2400-$2500. '90s Monsters and SuperSports are pretty good deals these days, also.
Here's an idea of what ST bikes are capable beyond sport-TOURING....
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/Kramer_Krazy/ST4S_trackbig.jpg)
(http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/Kramer_Krazy/Cidman.jpg)
You're actually very lucky. A family friend of my wife's died over ten years ago riding a motorcycle. After that, my wife promised her mom that she would never get on the back of a motorcycle. She's decided to keep her promise and absolutely refuses to have anything to do with motorcycles. She doesn't mind if I ride, but she won't ride two-up, or ride herself.
I think it's a shame, because riding is such an enjoyable part of life. :'(
I think you're on the right track, no matter what other bike you get why can't the two of you share it?
I agree that giving her the 620 feels like a hand-me down. I would probably feel that way if I was given the old bike while my husband went out and bought a shiney new one...especially if after a few months I came to the conclusion that I didn't enjoy riding the 620 that much, for whatever reason. However, if you had her ride the Monster for a few weeks, regularly, while you followed behind on the vespa then she could figure out if she liked the feel of it and it would have more of a joint ownership to it. And if she isn't comfortable riding it after a couple of weeks then you can start the hunt for something she likes better and she'll have the experience time to know what dosen't work for her in a motorcycle. Good for you in being so supportive and not just jumping at the chance to "upgrade" your ride. [thumbsup]
From a gals point of view, and a gal that is a MSF instructor: get her a monster a few years old and let her tear it up on that. Then get a bigger bike. I see sooo many folks get too big a bike for them initially and have terrible success on the street.
Riding a Duc is drastically different than a vespa. And she's only been in a parking lot. I'm all for gals on Duc's and bigger bikes (i'm on an s4r) but I started on a yamaha v-star 650 on the street. The Duc is my dream bike after 6 other motorcycles which included 3 sport bikes.
[moto] Gals on DUCati's are awesome!!
Quote from: Triple J on July 09, 2008, 04:41:16 PMThe problem though is you really don't know what kind of bike you want until you ride it for a while.
Agreed. This is one of the best arguments against getting a second Monster. If she doesn't really take to the 620, then we'd still have two fairly different bikes for different purposes instead of two unsatisfactory similar ones. There's lots of room in the barn, so she could get whatever is just right for her even if I have more bikes than butts.
Quote from: Old-Duckman on July 09, 2008, 05:24:42 PMI don't agree that the STs are good for 1000 mile days!
I'll go out on a limb, though, and guess they're better for that than Monsters.
Quote from: ducvet on July 09, 2008, 05:36:43 PMthere is a used monster in laconia that belongs to a long time bcm customer
It's not a 600 MET, is it? The guy with the ST on the group ride mentioned that his wife might be selling hers. It sounded intriguing!
Quote from: ducvet on July 09, 2008, 05:36:43 PM99 and newer SS bikes are tall
...and I'm short-legged. My inseam isn't much longer than my wife's.
Quote from: ducvet on July 09, 2008, 05:36:43 PMsport classics are not selling well
I had heard that. I suppose I understand why, too. I can appreciate the look and understand the classic appeal, but for whatever reason they don't appeal to me that much.
Quote from: Adamm3406 on July 10, 2008, 04:53:24 AMmy wife promised her mom that she would never get on the back of a motorcycle.
Did she promise not to get on the front? My dad was a lawyer, so I've always been looking for the loopholes since I was born.
Quote from: mcgalinmd on July 10, 2008, 09:18:06 AM... get her a monster a few years old and let her tear it up on that. Then get a bigger bike. ...
Riding a Duc is drastically different than a vespa. And she's only been in a parking lot.
She's been riding the Vespa for nearly 2 years. The parking lot drills were to try some stuff that hasn't come up in day-to-day riding since the BRC. She has not ridden anything without a CVT on the street, though, which is why she's interested in doing the IRC as a refresher.
I just don't really see us getting a bigger bike in the future for either of us. I'm perfectly content with the power and torque of the 620 (what can I say? I'm apparently pokey) and both of us doubt it'll be any different for her. She hadn't until recently thought she'd EVER want to ride even the 620. We're not likely to find a Monster much smaller than that unless we move to Japan. If she drops the 620, then she drops it. If she's not comfortable on it, then I think she'll need something other than a Duc to start out with.
Tracy's a former pilot, former competitive driver, a master scuba diver, self-taught spinner, weaver, etc. She "gets" things rapidly and thoroughly and usually better than I do. If we ever *do* end up getting a bigger bike, it'll more likely be for her than for me!
It's really starting to look as if I need to learn about ST's, since I know nothing right now. Anyone know of a good forum?
Quote from: mstevens on July 10, 2008, 11:09:11 AM
It's really starting to look as if I need to learn about ST's, since I know nothing right now. Anyone know of a good forum?
Either www.ducati.ms or the ST forum on Yahoo!. I can no longer go to the Yahoo group from work, so I haven't been there in quite a while. I think this is the addy...
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/st2_owners
That's a great problem to have [thumbsup] My opinion is stick with a two-valve Duc...better streetbike, less maintenance and headaches.
Good luck [moto]
I know the m6oo metalic you are talking about. Her bike is very well taken care of. She was just out on it at trackday and looked like she was having fun, might not be for sale any more ;)
The monster I was talking about is a red m620 or 800 that is parked at the mr fireplace in laconia. I think the owner runs the pet shop in the same shopping center.
If you're going to be riding 2-up, something bigger than a 620 is a good idea.
My Cagiva Gran Canyon is about 500 lbs, and it's a W-head Duc 900 motor, so it's not a powerhouse.
My girl and I weigh about 300 lbs together, and it's pretty good riding 2-up on the Cagiva.
I have the same problem with my wife now too. I let her sit on my 696. [bang] Now she wants it. I told her if she got the bike then I'd have to get something else, like an MV Agusta Brutale. SHE SAID OK! You can't possibly understand how awful that feels. I have a wife that wants to ride and doesn't mind me getting another awesome bike... BUT I CAN'T AFFORD IT! Why must I be tortured so!
Quote from: Speeddog on July 11, 2008, 09:03:31 AMIf you're going to be riding 2-up, something bigger than a 620 is a good idea.
That was pretty much why I thought an ST might be a good idea for a second bike, but in reality it's not very likely that we'd ride 2-up on anything.
We went to BCM today. She sat on some bikes and I rode a 696 around. It's looking as if she wants a 696 dark, but there's someone (who has the same name as mine!) who's trading in a Sport Touring in the next few weeks so we'll plan to look at that before making a final decision.
Quote from: mstevens on July 11, 2008, 05:38:38 PM
That was pretty much why I thought an ST might be a good idea for a second bike, but in reality it's not very likely that we'd ride 2-up on anything.
We went to BCM today. She sat on some bikes and I rode a 696 around. It's looking as if she wants a 696 dark, but there's someone (who has the same name as mine!) who's trading in a Sport Touring in the next few weeks so we'll plan to look at that before making a final decision.
Just be sure to take your time when looking for a bike with the wife. Good deals do come up, you just need to be patient and ready (your bike is an excellent example of this).
Another prime example would be some time back when I was dating a girl who wanted a motorcycle, and wanted me to teach her how to ride it.
It took some doing, but eventually, I was able to dump her and find a girl who already
had her own motorcycle and new how to ride it. So....good deals can happen ;D
Another reason to be single, or it could be fun.
Have you looked at a 620 Multistrada? Great in the twisties, good two up (even in the twisties), good touring (especially if you get luggage), has a similar standover as the 620 monster, etc.
Quote from: someguy on July 11, 2008, 05:45:43 PMJust be sure to take your time when looking for a bike with the wife. Good deals do come up, you just need to be patient and ready (your bike is an excellent example of this).
Good point. On the other hand, the ad for my current bike popped up on the old board a couple of days after I'd joined on the evening of the day I'd made the decision to buy! No patience involved.
We're not in any hurry. We've got 2 cars, the Monster, a Vespa, the tractor, etc., etc. We can get around, and on 2 wheels no less without buying anything else. There's only about 3 months of what most people consider riding weather left in NH. Unfortunately, some bikes will need to be sold to pay for heat, and I don't mind buying then storing a bike for the winter before being able to ride it. (My pre-buy contract for the next 10 months, which covers the year, totals over $1,000 per month for our 2 furnaces! Much wood will be burned this winter.)
Quote from: Manny on July 11, 2008, 08:44:27 PMHave you looked at a 620 Multistrada?
I looked at them earlier today. They're just not for me. I can't get my head around the design at all.
[moto] I also think you should give your bike to your wife and get a new used bike for yourself. There is a 620 Red with only 20 miles on it right now on E-Bay. How ever if I were you I would move up to an 800 or 1000. Just my 2 cents. Good luck on what you decide.
Gramps [wine]
Quote from: Gramps on July 12, 2008, 06:49:54 AMThere is a 620 Red with only 20 miles on it right now on E-Bay.
Got a link? Nothing shows up on my search.
^^ I saw it earlier. I believe the auction ended already. :(