So the insurance wanted 3k for the buy back and after making the repairs that would get it moving I would only be a thousand or two away from what I paid, and that would be cruising around on a lot of scratched up parts, which I wouldn't mind if that didn't mean I had at least 5k in the bike.  A lot of bikes you can get for 5k are a-okay.

Since I am going through the big "D" and have a bit of pregnant dog tax to pay.  I am just going to skip out on getting another one for now.  I could drive a scratched up one, but not one without white wheels and a SSS.  I am going to find me an older bike that has been or will be cafe'ed out.  I go to look at one that has been started and looks pretty good on Friday.  I will be paying considerably less for it.  In fact, hopefully I can get it for less than a new front wheel for the S2R.

Ride the piss out of it for a couple years and then get another S2R, this time the dry clutched 1k.

Buy an old Alazzurra.  650cc Ducati engine (pantah) with plenty of support around and parts popping up a lot on ebay.

Not sure how you feel about older bikes, but they are awesome for the money (about 2 grand) and are simple enough to mod.  Plenty of folks have done cafe conversions on them so they are around. 

Full fairing version (SS)


The fairings come right off and it looks like this:  (has upgraded brakes, oil cooler, aftermarket exhaust and a few other goodies)


i am working on a cafe conversion on one of mine.  i got clip-ons and shaved the risers off the upper triple, dropped the gage clusted and front fairing and put on a single light and remounted the speedo on a plate.  i am using an electric tach and i got a 2" model.  the speedo is 4" so it is a nice difference, but i need to make a better mount.

these bikes will last forever. they came in both dry and wet clutch models and the only bugger is the type of clutch slave (right side) limits what you can do with the clutch cover.  they are nearly the same engine case etc as the mid-90s monster 600, so Ducati has some spares that will work.

they are well loved by people who have them and a great alternative to a monster if you can't get what you want.

of course, you can always pick up a 620 for cheap.  >

That sounds pretty sweet.

I am looking to get something with more of the sport classic look with the dual shocks on the back.
The one I found has most of the work done.  I would just need to hide electronics and the battery.  Its a GS450, a bit of a drop in juice, but I don't really drive all that fast in the first place.  Mostly, the work I would put in it is a new paint job, grind the suzuki off of the engine cover, get the paint off of the engine or paint it black, and make it as bare bones basic as I could.  See what I could do about better components such as brakes and shocks.

Alazzurra = sport classic

plus, it's a Ducati!

although the GS450 had more sales in the US, so you might find parts easier!

That's just about exactly what I'm looking to do.

p.s.  Is there any way to resize that picture?