If it were just me riding (no pillion), I'd be looking at the hypermotard rather than those old Multi's. I personally think those old Multi's got beat with the ugly stick far too often during the design phase. Naked is just more fun than faired [emoji6]
851/888 are still just achievable for £4k. Lots of 900SS for that cash too. All the best looking Ducatis have rectangular headlamps! I might be biased though.....
Would you want your missus to have square boobs or traditional round? Curves are sexier than edges [emoji6]
Personally I would probably go 749 as u would prob get a nice clean one for that and they have adjustable footpegs etc that will mean u can set it to a good compromise I would think. A facelift one is pretty as well! I think a monster s4r is the other option, some really nice ones on eBay for less than 4k like this: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=181852611790&globalID=EBAY-GB
Strueth! If you could get your hands on an 888 for less than £4k you should jump at the chance! It will never lose a dime in value. They are also uber cool. Much comfier than a 916, or probably than a 999 even. Whack Termis on and polish it to within an inch of its life and you'd have a stonking Ducati. What a thought.
Did get an 851 for quite a bit less than £4k only 2 years ago and prices haven't moved significantly since. There's been threads on here for others that have too. An 888 has been listed on ebay today starting at £3999 although it has a strange fairing with wrong indicators. Often see them listed for more but do they sell...... Sorry for thread drift.......
I loved my 851 which I bought new and put 50k kms on. I wish I still had it. Not stonking power compared to bikes these days but for what the OP wants it for, more than enough.
Only the 749S has adjustable rearset mount points, the standard 749 and 749 Dark does not. The R also has adjustable ones, but fewer positions & that's a moot point anyway, as we're talking 4k tops. IIRC the Dark doesn't even have a steering damper. The S also has fully adjustable suspension and some more other niceties. So if it's a 749 you're after, go for the S, preferably the later model (red frame & black swingarm). And DEFINITELY go for one with Termis fitted - the sound is truly awesome and in a completely different league than the standard system.
I loved my sp1, prob the best bike I've owned. The usual Honda over engineering makes for a good second hand bike, if upgrades are your thing then fit oh kind all around and a pc111 .
When you say sp1, I assume you mean the big Honda VTR? I've always had a soft spot for the 1 and 2. Lovely bikes. Not that, that helps ha ha. However I have never ridden one so can't comment further.
yip i like em. might have one one day. after i have a holiday mortgage paid of, Maserati. 749 in yellow. retired etc etc