Some advice on a commuter bike

[ROBsS4R]

I have been thinking of that, my only concern is maint costs. How do you find it. I'm looking at 15k - 16k a year.

Maint wise is a horrible commuter Bike. I Put on about 12k to 15k a year. I normally go through 2 sets of tires and get my valves done every 10k or so. Yeah I know its suppose to be done every 6k =) I suppose I drop about 1k a year in Maint cost.

For me its a pretty comfortable commuter bike though If I would do it over again I think I would get a s2r800 instead. Less maint and better gas mileage.

[Vindingo]

Stop using PPs and get some Pilot Road 2CTs.  You will get 12k out of them and they are just ask sticky as PPs for normal use.  They actually have better traction in wet weather.  They were about $20 more than PPs but last twice as long. 

[ghostrider]

Thanks Rob.
When you do your service how long are you without the bike.

Mr Incredible, I agree with what your saying but I don't have a car and a bike will be my only vehicle.
Because of this I am looking for reliable and long maint intervals. In other words the least amount of down time.

[Cynic]

If you want the SS to last get another bike. If you want to buy a new bike in 2 years, ride the SS into the ground and then get a new bike. I commuted on my monster for 2ish years, put 35k on it and went through chains, tires, valves, and oil like a crazy person, but I don't have a garage to do my own oil changes etc so it got pricey. Now I ride a BMW to work with a belt and so far so good :-P kept the Ducati for when I want to ride something nicer looking 
I second good tire choice though. Replacing tires every 5k gets expensive, try to get something made for sport touring/commuting. I had decent luck with Conti Road attack (8-10k) and have the Pilot Roads on my BMW now and the seem like they'll do 10k.

[ROBsS4R]

Thanks Rob.
When you do your service how long are you without the bike.

Mr Incredible, I agree with what your saying but I don't have a car and a bike will be my only vehicle.
Because of this I am looking for reliable and long maint intervals. In other words the least amount of down time.

I go to Nichols and they normally have my bike about a week depending on the time of the year.
Luckily I have the option to work from home when i feel like it =)

[ROBsS4R]

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16106.0

$4500 Its a shame to sell it for that little 

[rafa]

FZ6 is a winner, valve intervals are 26,000 miles.

[sugarcrook]

I was at Honda Peninsula Ducati today (again!) and they have a fairly clean FZ6 with 30k miles for $4600. 

[ghostrider]

I was at Honda Peninsula Ducati today (again!) and they have a fairly clean FZ6 with 30k miles for $4600. 

Uhmm sounds like it's time for a test ride.
Thanks for the heads up.

[sugarcrook]

You bet.  It's gray, looked pretty clean.  Hope it works out. 

[Michael Moore]

I don't know if you have to carry a laptop to work, but if you do, having some kind of a topcase or rack to strap your bag onto will really make the long commute less fatiguing.

[ghostrider]

No laptop but I will be carrying other stuff so a top case or tank bag will be needed.

[jimboecv]

i think he means milage

She.

[ghostrider]

She.

Hah 

you callen me a girl 

[ghostrider]

So having thought long and hard about it  I have decided to sell my SS    and get something along the lines of a FZ1/6.
So if anyone knows anyone who would be interested in a 900 SS cr send them my way.

Thank you all for your input.