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has added a new journalSalaam,
Just checking if anyone in this village lives in the Bay Area and wants to ride up or down Hwy 1 with me/a group or somewhere else. I have a 1996 Suzuki Bandit 600 and a 1983 Suzuki GS550ES.
Cara
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has added a new journalI love my old cafe racer (my '74 BMW R90/6)... but tinkering with a 33 year old vintage bike can be trying when it's your primary mode of transportation during the summer and the bike is being cranky and you're getting late to work because of it.
So I decided last summer that I was going to get another bike. The question was just whether I would add on a sportbike or a cruiser. The two bikes I was courting were the Ducati Superbike 749 and the BMW R1200c. They are two equally beautiful but very different machines. Should I choose the agile sport performance and aerodynamic Italian stylings of the Ducati or the roaring chrome laden muscle of BMW's unconventional German cruiser?
Well if you know me well... you know I had a bit of a nasty crash late last fall. A crash, broken hand, surgery, 5 pins, working in the ER with one hand, rehab and several months later I was ready to tackle the original question again: cruiser vs. sportbike? Spring was at the doorstep and she wanted an answer.
I chose the BMW R1200c.
Maybe it was the crash? Maybe I am more sensible now? Maybe I am just getting old (sh!t I hope not). Maybe I am more Iron Butterfly than Pete Tong? (I like to think it is an even mix)
As far as the conscious part of my decision went:
I already had a forward sport stance bike with the cafe racer and just wanted the feel of a sit back and crank open the throttle kind of bike. Also there was a bit of, "I don't trust myself on a Ducati Superbike." If history is any judge, adrenaline and testosterone can be a noxious combo.
I gotta tell you... I love this bike. Ripping down Lakeshore Drive on a warm sunny day flanked by Downtown Chicago on one side and Lake Michigan on the other has never been more enjoyable. The swing arm suspension is sooo smooth, and there should be no doubt a 1200 cc BMW Boxer engine can haul all kinds of kadunkadunk. All this, the feel of a naked bike and features like ABS brakes...
I think I made the right decision for now.
You know what though... if I rearrange a couple things in my garage next year I do think there could be room for a third bike. Hahaha!
azeem_p
azeem_p
Yammy,Thanks bro. All winter every winter I look forward to riding again, so I had no choice but to get back on two wheels.
It gets pretty old hearing people say dumb a$s things like, "didn't you learn a lesson that motorcycles are dangerous the first time."
azeem_p
Umair,I thought I did put the pics up. I'll have to do that. The pics are already up in my Photo Album on my profile.
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has added a new journalAny Monster riders? I need some feedback. About to pick up an S2R 800. Thanks
Ali
aludra
yep, I agree with ya.aludra
Umair,I posted a similar question to a local sports bike forum here in CA. In summary, it depends if you're more of a commuter or a casual weekend rider.
Italians do have an edge when it comes to cutting edge technology, innovation and styling. Japanese bikes, on the other hand are best value for your money, like you said. It's like comparing a Ferrari with NSX. There's more of a prestige factor associated with Ducatis, MV Agustas and Aprilias. Honestly I don't think Yamahas, Suzukis, Hondas and Kawis lack in any way.
Having said that, if I win a lottery tomorrow, I'll go ahead and buy a Ducati 1098 and an MV Agusta F4 Tamburini :)