| Author | Message | ||
     G4string |
Ok, this is my second season as motorcyclist. I currently have a Buell Blast. Say what you will about the Blast, but it was a great first bike for me to learn to ride on. But, as you may have guessed.....one outgrows the Blast rather quickly. I am looking at the Buell Lightning 900 or the Ducati 620IE as a replacement for the Buell this season. I am wondering what you guys/girls would think would be a the better of the two as second bike that will last me a while? What I mean by last a while is will it be like the Buell. Will I be bored with the XB900 or 620IE by next year? Also, how easy is it to work on the XB900 vs 620IE? I do work on my machines instead of taking it to a shop. So, ease of maintenance is a factor. I posted this at the Ducati board and had a few Buell voters, so I thought to be fair that I should post it here as well. Thanks guys/girls. As always, your reply is greatly appreciated. | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
I started on a Blast. GREAT beginner bike. Although i had it only 8 months i moved to a XB12R. I enjoy the crap outta this bike and it definately will last my a long time...Just my input...thanks | ||
| Earwig |
Buell owners are cooler ... shame on anyone that votes for the Ducati on this board! | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
They only voted Buell on the Ducati page because thats their REAL FATE!!!!BUELL!!!! | ||
| Buellxb9s |
I have the XB9 and love it.. I have been on harleys my whole life and this is very fun bike.. It's actually a 984.. | ||
| Qball |
Both Buell and Ducatis are kool and unique. I understand that the Ducati's are expensive to maintain, repair, and or replace. I would and did pick Buell. A xb12r/s. Another bike you might look at is the Triumph speed triple. | ||
| Nsbuell |
I don't think he's ready for a Speed3 for his second season on a bike, or even a XB12 for that matter. Too much power for someone with no experience IMO. | ||
| Buellfirebolt31 |
I've heard bad things about the speed triple. because they have the one sided swing arm i heard that the tire wear is actually crooked. they said that the swing arm torques and wears the tread on one side. but hey i just heard it | ||
| Rocketman |
Whatever crap might get told to you on this board by those that don't know, Ducati make great bikes. The 620 Monster is a girls bike though, and the XB9, I assume you're talking about an S, is the choice bike in this case. The 620 is pretty gutless and it's a pretty dated design which is only today seeing the benefit of having the 996 and 999 motors fitted in the bigger Monsters. Though I've not ridden a XB9 I'd fully expect it to out perform a 620 and be a great deal more thrill and fun to ride. Rocket - Buell and 916 Ducati owner. | ||
| Brucen |
I had a Monster 900 before I got my XB12SS. I took a test ride on an XB9s while I was trying to decide which Buell to get. My impression was that the XB9 is about equivalent to the M900, maybe similar to an M800. It will be faster than a 620. The Monster was a great bike. In 28000 miles the only thing that needed repair was an eight dollar relay. The air cooled Monsters have proven to be reliable. Other than valve adjustments, and the fact that there is a chain rather than a belt, the servicing is about the same. The valves are different, but no harder to adjust than those on any other bikes. The two bikes have different characters, but you wouldn't go wrong with either. If you are looking at an XB9 I would compare it to a Monster 800. | ||
| Sweatmark |
Like Rocket says, Ducs are great, the Ferraris of the two-wheeled world. You might outgrow the 620 as quickly as the Blast, so consider diving into the deep waters of 750+cc Monster World... lotsa nice used Ducs out there for a savvy Buyer to sample. The two-valve motors are supposedly fairly easy to live with too, in spite of Web rumors to the contrary. One cool attribute of the XB9 is its broad performance spectrum: from race/track bike to kool kustom (eg. Hellbender, other Euro streetfighter customs). Of course, you're not gonna read too many disparaging remarks about XBs here! Besides the XB9, you might consider an SV650. Mark Oregon | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Now I've never ridden a Monster, but have friends who have them and love em'. I own a 9R and love it. So I'd say whichever one speaks to you. They're both great bikes IMO. BTW, I ride mine hard, and it's solid reliability wise. I just change oil and tires. | ||
| Socalxb |
I started out on a GS500 for a year, moved to a Monster 750 for a year and a half after that, and have just upgraded to a XB12R. I think moving to the Monster was a good progression from the beginner bike. It had far more power than the GS, but not enough to get me in trouble. I could have a blast winding it out through the gears and not feel like it was going to get away from me if I made a rookie mistake. The riding position is a little more aggressive without being uncomfortable and there's plenty of grip for ripping turns. And on top of all that, it sounds wicked with an aftermarket pipe. Having taken the new Buell for a couple rides I'm glad I took the time to get more miles under my belt. With so much power on tap it's tempting to use it and you can get into trouble real quick. Bike feels great and I'm glad I got it, but I can see how some people get in over their heads moving from a first bike to a serious bike in one shot. An XB9 might not be such a big jump so maybe you might be on the right track. A M620 is going to be a little too slow so if you do decide to go Ducati, a 750/800 would be a better step up. | ||
| 12r |
The 620 is a fine machine and the cheapest way to get into Ducati ownership but IMO the S2R (dark) would make more sense. Out of the XBs, I think that the 12 is an easier bike to ride than the 9. The 12 has excellent drive off the throttle and the long-stroke motor means you're rarely in the wrong gear. By contrast the slightly more revvy nature of the 9 requires a skillful rider to get the most out of it. | ||
| Ducxl |
G4string,move up to an XB.I DO have a '99 X1,and an '05 XB12r they're great.Aaaand i have a 2000 model Ducati 996 since new.In the proper hands the 996 "may" be superior in performance.But,the Ducati is much more maintainance intensive.And you have to send to the other side of the world for parts.And i once spent a day in New York on my 996 tooling around with "Jonnylunchbox"(on a Blast),and let me tell you,in the proper hands a blast is ferocious.I had an effort to keep up! | ||
| Jlnance |
as a replacement for the Buell this season. I started on a Blast as well, and I've bought 2 other bikes since then. Each time a new one arrives, I go through some mental anguish as I decide if the Blast stays or goes. It's still in my garage. Consider if you want to hang onto yours. A used Blast is worth about $2200, pretty much independent of the year or mileage. Thats not a lot for a motorcycle and the bike has already depreciated, so you're not loosing much financially by holding on to it. You can always sell it later if you need or want to. But if money did get tight, the Blast's $70 tires and 60 mpg start looking nice. The Blast has it's strengths and weaknesses. If it's all you own, the weaknesses annoy you because you're forced to live with them. If you have a choice, you can appreciate the strengths. After I bought my M2, I didn't ride the Blast for about 2 months. Then I took it out one day and it was so much fun. Last October when I went to the BRAG ride in LaVale, MD, I left the M2 home and took the Blast. The M2 is the faster bike. The Blast is easier to ride. I decided for that trip that easier would be more fun. It was nice to have a choice | ||
| Shortie |
Hey G4, I've just come back to two wheels after 5 years off and I would say go for the Buell if you can stretch to it (financially and height wise) I had my heart set on a Monster ever since they came out  but I couldn't afford them at the time and went through a GSXR400 and a 600 Bandit before work put paid to using a bike. I tested a Monster S2R 800 which was a great price and looks gorgeous. But I also had a go on the XB9SX at my dealers who sell both Marques. The 800 is a bit taller than the 620 and the 9SX is about the same size as the 800 when the low seat is fitted. These were issues for me. Upshot is that the Monster was nice (and probably more interesting than the smaller, slower 620) but it felt fragile, snatchy and didn't handle as well as the SX. You really had to commit to corners on the Ducati and ride smoothly which I thought would get tiresome at times. You gotta love the Buell XB for excellent brakes, smooth belt drive, low centre of gravity and torque. Unless you want to go touring or do warp drive top speeds then it's a great entertaining bike. I bought the SX having lusted after a Monster for years and I was looking at a much better specced one than you so it should say something about how good the Lightning is. The Triumph Speed Triple 1050 is a belter too but a bit big for me so I never rode one. If it fits you though try one out. I suspect of the three it's the one to have. | ||
| Davy_boy |
The Duc is a nice ride but they require more servicing then the Buell . Also look at insurance rates , here in Jersey if you have Rider they rate all Ducs as sport bikes and charge accordingly . That's why I bought the 12s and it is a great reliable bike . Glad I made the Buell choice . | ||
| Grndskpr |
I understand that the Ducati's are expensive to maintain, repair, and or replace The Duc is a nice ride but they require more servicing then the Buell Its been established numerous times that the Ducati and the Buell have about the same cost of ownership. The 10k maintienece cost about the same for both bikes, and there care intervals are about the same(they were within $50 US) So go ride both bikes(if you can) and decide based on what you like Dont base what you are going to buy on anything else other than a test drive, again if you can. There both great bikes, that do great things It would be tuff to go wrong R | ||
| Diablobrian |
It is hard to buy a truly BAD motorcycle these days. Buy what moves You. There will obviously be a Buell bias here, but it looks like pretty balanced opinions. | ||
| Sik_s |
Is it the sportier 996 and 999 that has valves that have to be adjusted every 6,000 miles? | ||
| Smokescreen |
All Desmo engines require the 6000 mile valve adjustment. Still waiting to get mine done on my 750 Dark. The cost isn't my issue with the Duc, it is the service you get form the dealer.....NONE!  | ||
| Race_pirate |
I would do a Big bore kit on the Blast before I bought a 620 Monster.... A good friend of mine bought one to replace his EX500 in Production Twins, The ancient EX500 is a better bike. And not to get lit up I like Ducati's just fine. My first pick as a reccomendation would be the XB9SX City X, then from there its a power or ergonomics call. To me the City X and S series have a great riding position and the best usable powerband on the planet(along with top notch braking and handling) | ||
| Brucelee |
The SR2 is simply one of the most stunning bikes I have ever seen. The issue is, the local Duc dealer won't allow you to ride it before you buy it. He doesn't sell many though! | ||
| Torch |
ducatis are wonderful bikes,ive owned two.that said id go with the buell.nothing ive ridden compares.if you outgrow the 9,you can always punch it out for more oompf.i love my 12.wouldnt trade it for anything.just my opinion.good luck | ||
| Buellfighter |
620? Talk about a lame duc. My bud reams his Ducati Monster 900 and I can't believe he doesn't have problems with it. If it weren't for Buell I would be riding one too! The power band and delivery feel like a big bore dirt bike but with 900cc's. | ||
| Jimidan |
Coming off of a B-LAST, I would definitely go for the XB9...it is just so much more bike than the little Duck, which is basically an economy bike. But you didn't say how tall you are, and most folks who can ride a B-LAST are vertically challenged on a big bike with tall seat. That should be a consideration. The suspension and other components on the 620 are bargain basement, as is the SV650. You will grow into the XB9. The recommendation for the Speed Triple is a bit optimistic, as it is a superbike that can get you into trouble. I think calling any motorcycle that is not pink a "girl's bike" is a product of testosterone poisoning. There is no such animal. jimidan | ||
| Schmitty |
Hey G4, Check out the Ducati website. The M620 is being replaced this year with the M695, it picks up about 10hp. All told I think you'd probably be happier with the Buell. The riding position of the Monster is a bit of an acquired taste. Secondly, the Monsters with the dual pipes (one on each side) don't have much for ground clearance when you're moving at a good clip, such as a track day. You'll have to try pretty hard to touch anything down on a Buell!! That being said, get out there and ride them both if you can. It will be the best investment of time that you can make, and will definitely pay off in the long run. The last thing you want to do is buy a new bike and hate it in 2 months. Good luck, Schmitty | ||
| Jcbikes |
HERE IS A COOL VIDEO OF A LAMBORGHINI vs A DUCATI 999 http://www.metacafe.com/watch/88786/lamborghini_vs_ducati/ | ||
| Grndskpr |
All Desmo engines require the 6000 mile valve adjustment Actually it says check them at 6200 miles, they dont always need to be adjusted, at least mine didnt, and i beat the crap out of it till it was totaled Now talk about a difference, thats the one price for parts, ducati parts are very very expensive, that would be the only thing holding me back from getting another that and space R |
