Quote from: RC Fan on February 07, 2012, 10:37:42 AM
Excellent!  They are both great bikes.  When are you picking it up, and posting some pictures?

If only it were so simple....

Now I have to figure out finances, which could take a while. Owning such a machine may be frivolous (since I CAN live without one). But the $$ are certaintly not frivolous.

I was hoping to score a "wintertime" kind of a deal, but I don't know if that's happening ....   

At least I finally know which direction I'm going. 

Or start looking for a used m1100.  You'll save quite a bit that way and there is very little diff btwn that and the Evo.  5hp, DTC (ABS too if you get a m1100 without ABS), and the new header design.  But I'm guessing it'll be at least 5k cheaper and probably already have some mods on it.  And if you get lucky, you can snag a m1100s and get the ohlins which the evo doesnt offer.

Quote from: El-Twin on February 07, 2012, 10:30:12 AM
Yes, last weekend. Loved it. 

Like night and day compared to the STR. Whereas the STR (which I also loved) delivers power in a seamless, linear fashion, like a fine Swiss watch, the EVO hammers out power in a in a rough-edged, angrier kind of way. With a pulse that's impossible to overlook.

True, tha gearing is too tall and the fueling is too lean, but those things can be fixed. The Monster, take it or leave it, is just not designed to be sold quite complete. It leaves enough blank canvas to fill-in to your own vision.

So the head says Triumph for being the "better" more complete machine, but the heart says the Duc. The heart wins. 

Hmmm... You were still comparing a tuned STR with Arrows vs a stone stock EVO, right? That triple might rip but in stock trim it has less torque than a 696!  Swiss watch indeed... 

Drop a 14T on the thing and start racking up the miles. It takes 1,000 miles to get it half way broken in! With all that power, you might not need a Termi kit. I don't feel the need.

"thought" has a point about an M1100 too if you can find one with ABS. Having not had a big bike before, the DTC could be good.  You will understand it better when you get out into the canyons and learn to use the engine/transmission instead of the brakes. Never been a fan of "hyper" multis myself although many riders are...

Quote from: Curmudgeon on February 07, 2012, 04:48:34 PM
Hmmm... You were still comparing a tuned STR with Arrows vs a stone stock EVO, right?

Right. But I think it's a fair comparison on a cost basis. The tuned triple is still a bit cheaper than the stock EVO.

Quote from: Curmudgeon on February 07, 2012, 04:48:34 PM
"thought" has a point about an M1100 too if you can find one with ABS. Having not had a big bike before, the DTC could be good.  

It's a good point for sure. But I like the idea of both ABS and DTC, of which the Triumph has neither. If an 1100S fell into my lap it would probably be game over. But the local dealer, which is just 3 miles from my house, has 2 or 3 EVOs just sitting there ripe for the plucking.

Quote from: El-Twin on February 08, 2012, 07:06:58 AM
Right. But I think it's a fair comparison on a cost basis. The tuned triple eas still a bit cheaper than the stock EVO.

Faulty logic?   

ALL the Monster vs STR comparison tests have been with the 796, NOT an 1100 evo. The STR wins by a bit on suspension and peak power, and in one case, that was an STR with Arrows and flash. The 796 has ABS standard and $650 fixes it with a 14T and cheap Ohlins. I may still do O2 optimizers but have no need of a Termi kit as it's already too fast. 

Given your age and riding background, a 796 ABS would be enough Ducati for you IMO. As the evo and 796 both weigh the same. I have no problem with "excess", especially as you will have the DTC..., and torque is a lot easier to modulate than a sudden burst of BHP.

Wish MY dealer were only three miles down the road. I should hate you!  (Mine's 140 miles and only the first half is fun road...) Do you live anywhere near the Biltmore?

Quote from: El-Twin on February 07, 2012, 10:30:12 AM
So the head says Triumph for being the "better" more complete machine, but the heart says the Duc. The heart wins. 

There is alot more than just HP on stat sheet and $.  Often time, the intangibles will tip the scale one way or another.  I am glad that you found something that will get you excited when you sit on it. 

Quote from: Curmudgeon on February 08, 2012, 08:20:18 AM
ALL the Monster vs STR comparison tests have been with the 796, NOT an 1100 evo.

I'm just different I guess. I have my own playbook.  

Quote from: Curmudgeon on February 08, 2012, 08:20:18 AM
I have no problem with "excess", especially as you will have the DTC..., and torque is a lot easier to modulate than a sudden burst of BHP.

My feelings exactly.  

Quote from: Curmudgeon on February 08, 2012, 08:20:18 AM
Wish MY dealer were only three miles down the road. I should hate you!  

Don't hate me! You've actually been quite helpful.  

Quote from: Curmudgeon on February 08, 2012, 08:20:18 AM
Do you live anywhere near the Biltmore?

In the opposite direction actually, on the Mesa.

Quote from: Goat_Herder on February 08, 2012, 09:48:16 AM
There is alot more than just HP on stat sheet and $.  Often time, the intangibles will tip the scale one way or another.  I am glad that you found something that will get you excited when you sit on it. 

Quote from: El-Twin on February 08, 2012, 09:49:40 AM
I'm just different I guess. I have my own playbook.  

Ahhh... So, in other words..., instead of comparing apples and oranges, you prefer comparing apples and kumquats? 

Found the Mesa area on the map. Not all that familiar except the restaurant district because I followed other vehicles around most of the time and we each had a walkie-talkie. You mean you're not on the movie star tour?

There was also a large house on a private road on a cliff overlooking the water which we used for dinners but I have no idea where that was now. My son knows Santa Barbara much better because a retired CEO pal let him borrow his fleet of cars and bikes whenever he went to Pebble Beach for the concours and auctions. That guy died, so now he flies into Santa Cruz (?) and last year he bought a car to drive and show which he later sold on eBay back East. Good racket if you can do it!

Quote from: Curmudgeon on February 08, 2012, 12:23:03 PM
Ahhh... So, in other words..., instead of comparing apples and oranges, you prefer comparing apples and kumquats?  

I actually thought I was comparing apples and oranges. But kumquats will work. Triumph = shiny apple, Duc = furry kumquat

Quote from: Curmudgeon on February 08, 2012, 12:23:03 PM
You mean you're not on the movie star tour?

No, but I did see Steve Martin coming out of a downtown boutique last week.  

Quote from: Curmudgeon on February 08, 2012, 12:23:03 PM
There was also a large house on a private road on a cliff overlooking the water which we used for dinners

We have a good collection of those around here. Meanwhile, on the streets you mainly see marauding hoards of scooters with lots of Harleys sprinkled in.

The DTC is unnecessary IMO. I'll only buy street bikes with ABS from now on.

I absolutely love my M1100 EVO.  It completes me.  

Oh, and I have 3 Ducati dealers within 1 hour of me.  The closest one is only 15 miles away.

Quote from: SDRider on February 12, 2012, 07:16:05 AM
I absolutely love my M1100 EVO.  It completes me. 

+ 1 

I tested a lot before I decided to buy a Evo, among that STR for long runs, owned a -10 675 Daytona but it was stolen so as you understand we looked at Triumph again. I love my Evo, it is so fun to ride, lots of torque, very nice and steady at the curvy roads and it's beautiful I also own a Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC and that is a fantastic bike but, I still take the Evo most of the times......If you also look at the details, the Ducatis are better built and better finish if you ask me

Done deal. Have Duc in garage. A redhead. 

I decided to make an offer this past weekend. So I went in, laid a number ($$) on the counter, and we wound up meeting in the middle. The deal includes a 14T sprocket that I'll have installed at the 600 mile service.

I know, pictures or it didn't happen. I'll get around to that as soon as I can figure out how to do it. Meanwhile.... vrooom.... vrooom.