Bonkers. If I spent 99% of my time in central London often with pillion the 749 would be an awfully long way down the list. This is pure heart not head talking. You'd want a Multistrada of some sort for that.
Ah yes, sorry I wasn't totally clear in my message. I am going to get something a bit more girlfriend/pillion friendly (bonneville etc) immediately, then return to the Ducati fold with a superbike, probably a 749, as an additional ride to develop skills and do a bit of track time. Multistrada doesn't work for me because I am a hobbit!
It's not too bad for pillion. Personally I love it around town, although it occasionally makes me blast forward a little too aggressively! I've heard that the termis and ecu map really help, can't say what it's like in standard form. Last Saturday I made a big error, on the way home from lunch with the GF on the back; stopped at Metropolis to look for some new gloves.. immediately I turn around to see her sitting on the back of a bonneville.. "oh this is so much more comfortable" etc etc etc. She isn't very pro sportsbikes, so I am thinking if I do what she wants with the town bike, I will be able to sneak through a 749/848/f3 later this year, cash allowing. Just ordered a full set of leathers made to measure so not ideal, but also I am quite a new rider and want to develop my skills properly, think the 1100 is quite a lot of torque for someone off the bat.
Mmmm...sounds to me like excuses :wink: Why not give it until late spring and see what its like then. These things go great on track, seems it does everything you want (if not the plushest but acceptable for the bird). Loads of torq is a good thing, means you can concentrate on improving your riding and not worry about gear changes etc Of course your bike, my opinion, and I could be wrong
You may be right! Do wonder if I wouldn't improve more on a slightly less punchy bike though. Will see how I get on over the next week or two, then decide. Whatever I do, wouldn't mind being ready for the Summer and sticking with whatever I have.
Have you ridden the Triumph, the bike you have now is like being tied to a giant bungee chord (a good thing), the bonne could be a major let down imo its a proper old mans bike in comparison. letting her in doors choose is a bad move. Get a street triple r 675 if you must , a very smooth powerplant, then you can even do the odd track day!
Thanks SiRich. I looked at it but I didn't like the sound - maybe I didn't get a chance to get it going enough! Would a brutale be a silly idea? That way triple/i4 (smoother), but still Italian, not boring etc. I know what you mean about the bonneville, but it will be easier about town I think no? Also maybe I can mod it a bit to make it more fun...
Hi Tedward, I think an arrow can is supposed to do wonders for the sound of the triumph triple, which some folk rave about. You could probably ride in your race leathers too. I can see a brutale being worse for a pillion than the monster, small pillion pad and tight rear pegs. The bonnevile is 67bhp, compared to what you have now it could feel very underpowered, once the new bike feeling has worn off that could become tedious. A test ride two up is a must imo!
I don't think much will beat the current sound I enjoy! Pillion I agree re the brutale. Basically i've got to find something a bit better for pillion and useable around town. Know what you mean about the power reduction. I'm testing one on Saturday and will do a bit of Pillion on it for sure.
Good luck, just a thought have you thought about a sports tourer....read these owner reviews of the cbr600f relaunched a year or so back. It should be a very smooth powerplant, Its even made in italy lol! Honda CBR600F ABS (2011-current) - Honda Motorcycle Reviews
The 796 has a smoother engine so if I were choosing based on a lot of town riding that is what I`d go for. I did a good few miles on one before deciding to choose the 1100 but I almost never ride in traffic so the extra lumpiness of the 1100 is not a problem, and i love the extra torque too.
Not a bad idea - may take a look at one of those, if low/mid range isn't too bad, and steering lock is better than usual sportsbikes.. it could work.
Take a second look at the 675 Street Triple before you go for the Bonneville. I recommend Jack Lilley at Ashford for service, sales and test rides. My mate has a Street and a Bonneville and he prefers the Street for distance work. Both his bikes are very nice Jack Lilley custom jobs and you can negotiate good deals. I have used them for both my Triumphs and they offer the best service I have ever encountered in nearly 40 years of biking.
If you're just going to use the Bonneville for hooning around London, you're not really going to need much in the way of severe stomp. And I can see the advantages: real seat for the other half, useable performance, will look pretty cool parked up in Soho. Then as you say, get a 749 for summer trips outside London in the summer and track time. Makes sense.
Ok my 2p worth... IMO this falls right into my 90/10% rule. All respect to the gf... but how often will she be on the back with you?? Yeah the Bonnie is prolly nicer for the occasional two up ride... but I made the mistake of swapping bikes once for the ladys comfort and found myself with a bike that i liked rather than the great bike i sold and she rode with me less than 10% of the time.... so 90% i was on a bike that i didnt enjoy as much as i could have. Not saying dont think of her but dont give up what you want either...
Thanks for all the advice. Sold the monster, and bought a bonneville - a T100, with the full race exhausts (arrows). Is slower for sure, but lighter, more comfortable, and seems weirdly more flickable (bear in mind I am not an experienced rider). Going to keep it and then look for a 748/749 in June as a second bike, or maybe an s4rs if I can find one, for weekend fun. On another note will have monster 1100 standard exhaust for sale, full touring gear including ducati tank bag and rack with ventura bag, paddock stand, original tail (sold it with the tail tidy on), and back protector (ducati-dainese one, never opened!). If anyone fancies them let me know. Thanks again for the info and i'm sure before long i'll return to the Ducati fold, one way or another! Ed
