Generalizing here but I think the older you get comfort and reliability become more important. I'd keep the T9 and buy something like a big monster or Guzzi Griso. I have learned from ownership experience I don't like triples or IL4S , too buzzy for me. On a different note , your comment about always wearing leathers. The latest textile kit is really good and worth considering . Probably not so good for a long slide but if riding on the road you are more likely to hit a curb, car, lampost etc then slide 100 metres like on a track.
I was shopping for either a 959 or F3 last year. I couldn't bear the 959 EURO 4 exhausts, and fancied something a bit more exotic, so went with the F3. While it was wonderful, and I had no issues with it, and my dealer Krazy Horse, in Bury St Edmunds were great, I was always worried about something going wrong (not least the sprag clutch). The seat cowl I ordered took about 5 months to arrive, and then was missing some bits when it did arrive - what if I needed something more significant? It did have a recall requiring a strip down / engine head off, which Krazy Horse took care of brilliantly. Anyway, when Ducati announced the deal on the underbelly exhausts for the 959 last summer, I decided to chop the F3 for the 959. I've got to believe that offer will be back sometime this year (spring?), otherwise 959s just won't sell. I just feel more confident having Ducati to supply parts over MV Agusta, should they be needed. The MV was a bit too 'low volume'.
I am guessing that Switzerland either has, or soon will have, regulations about exhaust emissions levels. Older vehicles without catalysts or which fail to meet recent standards will probably be subject to charges and restrictions, or banned altogether. There may be exceptions to these rules. e.g. for historics. And whatever the regulations are now, they are very likely to get stricter in the future. If considering buying (or keeping) a bike, I suggest bearing in mind these considerations. The usability of various new, used, or older bikes will be affected by their emissions levels, which will in turn affect their value and saleability. It would be ill-advised to buy or keep a bike which may soon be virtually unusable or unsaleable. So what is the score in Switz @gliddofglood ?
If it's to renew your enthusiasm for biking, has it always been sports bikes you've owned ? Perhaps something different, Trails bike or even a cruiser ?
What's wrong with the 999? My experience is that there are enough clever folk on here with enough experience to help. Chances are that what's happened to your bike has happened to someone else's, so you can be guided to the solution.
Keep the 999 and get a 1098SF sit up bit of comfort and still handles and is plenty’s quick enough to get you in trouble - also won’t lose a fortune. Having said all that we just got a course and it rides lovely, Accepted you only have one backside- but there are 7 days in a week - buy another not trade in
I really can't think I'll be getting rid of the 999. As I say, it's barely worth anything now anyway, so what's the point? Also, I still have some form of faith that my mechanic/garagiste will find what is wrong with it. It's been pretty much stripped down and everything tested by swapping in bits from other bikes. What's its problem? It won't start reliably when warm and it tends to die in town when warm. And then you can't start it again. The 999 I was lent of a similar age started doing similar things. The last straw was when it wouldn't start when cold and I wanted to go home after work. I thought, fuck this, went home by train and had the thing trailered back to my dealer where it started perfectly. But I don't care. I have to know that a bike is 100% going to start when I thumb the button, none of this, might do, might not do lark. I bet it's some crappy 2-bob electronic component that doesn't age well. But what that component is, no one seems to know. Still, 3 years after I left it at my rather-more-than-semi-retired dealer, it might now make a return. I've seen it in his workshop. The thing looks like new now. But will it start reliably?
I tried one of those Streetfighters once. The thing was an animal. Hellishly fast, great brakes, but had a mind of its own.
Yes, seriously thinking of a Speed Twin. I like the price, the concept, the look and the thing might slow me down a bit whilst not putting me in a hedge. It would make a good alternative to sportsbike lunacy which I could reserve for certain days and trips.
I really don't know about this, Pete. I haven't heard anything about it. The 999 has a catalytic converter, so I doubt it will be legislated off the road in the near future, and the Swiss make special exceptions for old timers in any case. By the time they introduce the legislation, the 999 may qualify for old timer status. There are an awful lot of old classic Sunday vehicles around here. They all come out when the weather's nice.
I tried one of those Scramblers once. It really wasn't my thing. I was wobbling the front every time I changed gear.
If it’s the same as mine and it sounds as though it may well be, it’s the crank position sensor and they’re 25 quid
Get the MV they have a 3 year warranty Mines 4 years old done over 10k no recalls and starts every touch of the button New MVs are spot on and as if not more reliable than a Ducati ;p
