Buying motorcycle: advice wanted

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: boyRacer

Originally posted by: Fausto1

Originally posted by: Ciber
Btw how hard would it be to get a Aprilia RS 250 in the US? if not how much would it be to import one from say the UK?

Not a problem at all....good luck getting a title for one tho. They are imported as track-only bikes here AFAIK.

Unless you get some ignorant guy at the DMV ... hey if it has lights and turn signals... must be legal eh? Hahahaha... I was at the Yamaha dealer a couple of months ago... and there's these guys looking for a new bike... one of them told me he has a 748R registered... oh well... hit or miss thing i guess.

RS250 is awesome though... must be for manic track day freaks...

Yep. A good friend of mine got his 748R titled at a DMV office in some little backwater burb south of Atlanta that way. He was psyched.

 

[FenrisUlf]

Hornet doesn't look too bad...kinda like the Suzuki SV-650. The version with fairing would be a bit more practical since I may do a few long rides, although I like the looks of the naked bike. I'm starting to shy away from the Monster, not because I don't like it, but because it's impractical for two people. I like the broad powerband and torque of a V twin, but I'm perfectly willing to go with a good 4 cylinder. I may have to look through some old issues of Cycle World tonight for "released in Europe only" bikes.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: FenrisUlf
Hornet doesn't look too bad...kinda like the Suzuki SV-650. The version with fairing would be a bit more practical since I may do a few long rides, although I like the looks of the naked bike. I'm starting to shy away from the Monster, not because I don't like it, but because it's impractical for two people. I like the broad powerband and torque of a V twin, but I'm perfectly willing to go with a good 4 cylinder. I may have to look through some old issues of Cycle World tonight for "released in Europe only" bikes.

I'm horribly biased, but you really might want to look at Triumphs. The triple has much of the midrange grunt a nice twin will but also some of the revviness of a four.....same holds true for the VFR's v-four.

 

[boyRacer]

A little off-topic but the new triumph daytona 600 looks :Q

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
A little off-topic but the new triumph daytona 600 looks :Q

It is pretty sharp, isn't it. MUCH better than the TT600....that thing was boring at best (ugly at worst).

 

[FenrisUlf]

Originally posted by: boyRacer
A little off-topic but the new triumph daytona 600 looks :Q

It's right on topic. I've thought about the Triumphs, it's just that I'll be in Italy rather than the UK and I don't know if they'll be that common. I've never ridden a Triumph, but they look good and the three cylinder engine is certainly unique. It just may be easier to buy a Ducati in Italy than a Triumph. Shipping it back shouldn't be too hard - I shipped my Harley to Korea via air freight from Seattle for about $600 (this was about 6 years ago). And my local DMV is pretty clueless - I could register a 748R or even an Aprilla RSW 500 and they wouldn't know anything.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: FenrisUlf

Originally posted by: boyRacer
A little off-topic but the new triumph daytona 600 looks :Q

It's right on topic. I've thought about the Triumphs, it's just that I'll be in Italy rather than the UK and I don't know if they'll be that common. I've never ridden a Triumph, but they look good and the three cylinder engine is certainly unique. It just may be easier to buy a Ducati in Italy than a Triumph. Shipping it back shouldn't be too hard - I shipped my Harley to Korea via air freight from Seattle for about $600 (this was about 6 years ago). And my local DMV is pretty clueless - I could register a 748R or even an Aprilla RSW 500 and they wouldn't know anything.

What about an Aprilia Falco or Futura? Those are italian, not insanely expensive, great all-around bikes, and still pretty unique in the US. I wouldn't be ashamed to ride either one of those.

Specs and details on both here.

 

[FenrisUlf]

Those Aprilias are nice...I didn't realize they were so affordable. I'd always seen the Millies and the enormous price tags. Maybe in Italy they'll be even less. I know that Ducati Monsters are about $2K less there than they are here.

 

[Damage]

There's always the new SV1000 to go along with the 650. (I have a TL1000, so I'm biased too).. Not too many on the road and a great motor. They fixed all the TL's (supposed) shortcommings and it's a great bike!

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: FenrisUlf
Those Aprilias are nice...I didn't realize they were so affordable. I'd always seen the Millies and the enormous price tags. Maybe in Italy they'll be even less. I know that Ducati Monsters are about $2K less there than they are here.

The Mille is the top of the line, so by far the most expensive. What makes the Falco and Futura such bargains is that they have a midrange-tuned version of the Mille engine. You won't be wanting for horsepower on either one. Aprilia's attention to detail is top-notch as well....very nicely made bikes.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

I have a question about these sportbikes... can you remove the fairing? I think bikes look better without the big plastic mass.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
I have a question about these sportbikes... can you remove the fairing? I think bikes look better without the big plastic mass.

They'll look like crap unless you do some work to tidy up the front light and all the wiring and other odds and ends. Most are offered as a "naked" factory option anyway.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Fausto, that Benelli is absolutely stunning. I love the abundance of ovals in the design. My only complaint - route the exhaust underneath the seat with twin oval tips to keep the overal theme.

 

[silverpig]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Fausto, that Benelli is absolutely stunning. I love the abundance of ovals in the design. My only complaint - route the exhaust underneath the seat with twin oval tips to keep the overal theme.

I don't think that'd work... what with the radiator being there already...

 

[silverpig]

FenrisUlf:

Have you considered a Ducati 620 Sport? You can go for the 800 version too if you want. They're maybe $400 more than the Monster bikes, and they come in full fairing and naked versions.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Fausto, that Benelli is absolutely stunning. I love the abundance of ovals in the design. My only complaint - route the exhaust underneath the seat with twin oval tips to keep the overal theme.

They couldn't because of the way the cooling system is set up. The radiator is actually under the seat. Cool air is routed via ducts over the radiator and then pulled out through the back through those two holes under the tail you're seeing. Pretty spiffy since it allows them to decrease the frontal area of the bike.

The Tornado Tre's website (lots of good pics).

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: silverpig
I don't think that'd work... what with the radiator being there already...

Originally posted by: Fausto1
They couldn't because of the way the cooling system is set up. The radiator is actually under the seat. Cool air is routed via ducts over the radiator and then pulled out through the back through those two holes under the tail you're seeing. Pretty spiffy since it allows them to decrease the frontal area of the bike.

The Tornado Tre's website (lots of good pics).

Thanks. I didn't realize those were part of the cooling system.

 

[Justorq]

How about the Honda CBR

 

[silverpig]

Those Benellis are definitely nice though. I actually got to see one up close not 10 days ago at the motorcycle show here. There was also a huge line up to sit on the Duc 999...

 

[FenrisUlf]

Originally posted by: silverpig
FenrisUlf:

Have you considered a Ducati 620 Sport? You can go for the 800 version too if you want. They're maybe $400 more than the Monster bikes, and they come in full fairing and naked versions.

Sweet. I looked at supersports a few years ago and hated the styling - tons of ugly plastic covering every square inch of the bike. Very retro 80s styling. It looks like they've re-designed them, and very much for the better. The 800 with less bodywork appeals to me - a good compromise of aerodynamics and naked aggression. Plus it's a Ducati, so it should handle great, have a good engine, and make that lovely Duc sound. Of course, any final decision will have to wait for a test drive Aprilia Falco or Futura, Ducati Supersport 800 and Triumph are at the top of my list right now.

 

[malbojah]

Fausto1, what model Triumph do you have??

I'm considering picking up a used 2002 Daytona 955i in a couple of years (just can't decide on the color, although the Caspian Blue looks cool)

 

[Damage]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
I have a question about these sportbikes... can you remove the fairing? I think bikes look better without the big plastic mass.

The SV1000 comes as the "S" (faired) or "N" unfaired version.