I've got big problems, and I need your help!

[ODrides]

Does she have a sister?

[il d00d]

I would like to congratulate you on your problem.

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...

[Popeye the Sailor]

Make sure she stays addicted. Go for a ride together, have her take the monster and you take the Vespa 

[Brett]

How about a S2R. I love mine and its a great bike. You get the S2R, give your wife teh 620!

[Triple J]

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. 

[MonsterLove]

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.

Celeste

[Jarvicious]

Does she have a sister?

+1

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. 

[mstevens]

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.

[Triple J]

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. 

[Old-Duckman]

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.

[clubhousemotorsports]

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

[cshadow2]

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.

[Desmo Demon]

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.

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....

[Adamm0621]

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. 

[Kyna]

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.