September 24th, 2016, 05:34 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jim
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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I wrote about my Ducati demo day.
These were the first bikes I tried since I bought my Ninja, almost a year before, I know test rides can be transformative for a lot of people, but while I enjoyed it, I didn't quite feel like I had to get another bike, let alone a Ducati. I still felt (then, and now) that the Ninja is what I need for now. We'll see how I feel after another winter and the season rolls around, I suppose...I honestly can't see myself getting rid of it, so I'm probably into second bike territory as and when the time comes.
Jim |
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September 24th, 2016, 06:13 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Rick
Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much.
MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14
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Well if this tells you anything about how good these bikes are, I have had my bike since 2005 and it's still going strong.
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September 24th, 2016, 06:25 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jim
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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September 24th, 2016, 07:14 PM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Tom
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jan '16
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I went to our Ducati Demo days a couple months ago.
They only let you ride 2 bikes a day. I really wanted to try the Multistrada, but it was all booked up by the time I arrived the first day, so I took the Scrambler and then the XDiavel for rides. The Scrambler was a blast, light and flickable like the Ninjette, but with tons of torque. The XDiavel I didn't care for. Too much vibration through my feet. The second day I was the first in line, half an hour before they opened to get on the Multistrada. And it was worth the wait. Loved that bike. Not enough to pay $23K the way I want it set up, but still loved it. Yesterday I went to a Victory demo day. I liked the Cross Country and the Vision as touring bikes, but I don't know how much touring I really will do at this point. Also took the Octane for a ride. That was a blast. My first ride was the Highball. I chose it because my daughter was enamored with it at the Bike Show last February. I absolutely hated it. Ape Hangers are not for me. I had a lot of pain in my right shoulder, so much that I was having problems turning corners. Plus even on low speed corners I was scraping the pegs. I like demo days. |
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September 25th, 2016, 05:23 AM | #5 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jim
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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I hadn't been able to get to many through the Summer, and regretted it. I really wanted to get to a Yamaha and Suzuki event, for the FZ-09 and pretty much all the GSXR's, and the Strom, which I really like the look of.
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September 25th, 2016, 08:42 AM | #6 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Kevin
Location: Portland, OR
Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R, Tiger 800 XRT Posts: 828
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Why do you guys wait for events? I just go to the shop and ask if I can ride something (granted I haven't tried with Ducati). I've ridden Triumphs, BMWs, and Zeros (at a Yamaha shop) this way.
Hell, with the Zero we didn't even pretend like we were looking to buy one, literally just walked in, found a sales guy, and said that we've never ridden an electric bike and wanted to see what it was like. He was totally fine with it. |
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September 25th, 2016, 05:10 PM | #7 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jim
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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Quote:
The dealers for the Japanese big four here don't seem to bother with demo units, so no test rides. |
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October 4th, 2016, 07:29 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Ant
Location: Wooster
Join Date: Dec 2013 Motorcycle(s): Ducati 999 2012 Ninja 250r Ducati748 Yellow finally running 2003 SV650 S (SOLD) Posts: A lot.
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I found the same thing with the dealers in my area. I do usually show up on a Ducati but they have all offered me test rides on everything (except the R models) while I was just kicking tires. I did not even say I was interested in buying a new bike.
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August 10th, 2017, 12:14 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jim
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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Speaking of Zero bikes, I had some thoughts about EVs in general, and ended up going down a bit of a rabbit hole:
https://sullybiker.wordpress.com/201...ends-electric/ |
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August 11th, 2017, 06:57 AM | #10 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: AJ
Location: Green Valley, IL
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250r(SOLD) 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250r full Muzzy(my pride and joy) Posts: 331
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I find Ducati incredibly fascinating. Their engine design and bike design. There's supposed to be a demo here in central IL at the end of the month and I'm
Going to test one out. I'm going to keep my '06 250 for the remainder of my life but I want to upgrade to a R6, 600r, KTM, or Ducati in the next year or two. Something off the show room floor only a couple years old. I refuse to buy brand new. I figured Ducati to be amazing but your write up is disappointing. Great write up just disappointed the bike wasn't more fascinating for you.
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"A car or truck will get you from point A to B. But a motorcycle, that is the point." -unknown |
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August 11th, 2017, 07:03 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jim
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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@A.J. I've since ridden them a few more times, and other bikes besides, but haven't written about it yet.
I'd say the Monster 821 is one of the best of those bikes I've ever ridden, at least for the street. It's got plenty of power, but is geared such that's it is all usable (well, most of it). The motor is fantastic. The 1200's got better suspension but the motor is utterly insane, iIMHO. Put it this way, if you didn't kill yourself, you'd never get bored with it, unless you like changing gear, because you won't be doing a lot of that. The 959 is a truly beautiful bike, but I honestly preferred the Monsters. |
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August 11th, 2017, 07:11 AM | #12 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: AJ
Location: Green Valley, IL
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250r(SOLD) 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250r full Muzzy(my pride and joy) Posts: 331
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Quote:
But hey, since you're a man who enjoys trying out different bikes grab a KTM Duke 390 and get back to me. Might just be the most fun ride on the planet. Unless you've ridden one, then we can talk specs I thought for sure the 390 would be the next best thing especially for beginners but seems the ninjette still gets the gold this summer.
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"A car or truck will get you from point A to B. But a motorcycle, that is the point." -unknown |
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August 11th, 2017, 07:24 AM | #13 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Jim
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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@A.J. I don't think power or weight would be a problem for you on any of them. I'd say the full-fat 1200 class bikes are less enjoyable because they're a drag to ride at street speeds; like a cookie you're only allowed to bite the chocolate chips off.
If you can, ride the Scrambler and the Monster 797. They have a similar engine and are extremely pleasant bikes. Although the 797 is ostensibly only a few CC smaller than the 821, it's totally different. You'll find the throttle response not too far off the Ninja, but it keeps pulling as long as you want it to. I haven't ridden the 390; it's definitely on the list, as are the 690 and Superduke. I have a friend with both, and the 690 in particular looks like a lot of fun: |
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August 11th, 2017, 07:57 AM | #14 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: AJ
Location: Green Valley, IL
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Kawasaki Ninja 250r(SOLD) 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250r full Muzzy(my pride and joy) Posts: 331
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Quote:
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"A car or truck will get you from point A to B. But a motorcycle, that is the point." -unknown |
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