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Stupid to swap R9T for Duc 996?

duck_rider

duck_rider

Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2015
Location
East Bay
Moto(s)
BMW R9t, Daytona 675
I've been toying with the idea of selling my BMW R Nine T for a Ducati 916/996/998. I absolutely love my R Nine T and haven't wanted another bike for the last 6 years but recently have gotten the itch for a change. I really only commute (in SF) and run errands and don't really ride much on weekends anymore - the weekends that I do ride it's usually at the track with my track bike. So a Ducati that will mainly see commuting miles and probably 4-5 weekends/year in the SC Mountains is objectively a bad decision.

But I can't shake wanting it as it's a bike I've lusted after since I was a teenager. I also think my street riding days are limited as I get older and move solely to the track. Am I completely crazy for wanting to pick up the Ducati? I'm in decent shape but would need to get a much stronger core and back to deal with the ergos. What do you guys think?
 
A 996 as a track bike makes sense. A 996 as a city commuting bike makes no sense at all. I had an ST4 for a while as a second bike, and even that was a nightmare in city traffic. Uncomfortable seating position, horrible clutch, I couldn’t imagine commuting in the city on it.

Same as you, I dreamed about that bike (916-998 and 748-749), and I’d get it as a fun track bike or sunny Sunday ride, but for sure not a city commuter. For that you want something closer to a supermoto.
 
Yeah, doesn't sound like it makes much sense.

Maybe rent one on one of those sites where moto owners rent their bikes?
 
Yeah, seating position would be a little worse than my track Daytona 675. It does help that my commute is only 20 minutes but it's obviously not ideal. Definitely dont want to switch to anything like a supermoto, or any other bike for that matter. My R9t is honestly ideal for commuting and for spirited weekend rides. To me it's only switching to a 916/996/998 to scratch an itch.
 
+1 on a second bike and the 916 - 998 not being a commuter bike.
 
duck_rider said:
Yeah, seating position would be a little worse than my track Daytona 675. It does help that my commute is only 20 minutes but it's obviously not ideal. Definitely dont want to switch to anything like a supermoto, or any other bike for that matter. My R9t is honestly ideal for commuting and for spirited weekend rides. To me it's only switching to a 916/996/998 to scratch an itch.
Click to expand...
Lots of owners willing to rent you their Panigales, but no 996.

 
In addition to the ergonomic concerns you're hearing, these bikes are much more maintenance intensive. Be sure you're up for that and that you are prepared to be stranded once in a while.
 
20 minute commute won't do the Ducati engine any good. Get rid of the R9 for the Ducati since you've been wanting one and get some any old bike for the commute. Maybe a Suzuki DR650, plenty around for under $4K, super dependable, simple air-cooled, 50+mpg on pavement, no worries about scratches or even knock-overs, sits you up higher in traffic, suspension makes road surfaces all smooth, narrow for splitting and gives you a chance to go off pavement as you may like.

edit...here's one looks like fun...
sfbay.craigslist.org

2005 SUZUKI DR650 (supermoto) - motorcycles/scooters - by owner - vehicle automotive bike sale - craigslist

2005 Suzuki DR 650 (supermoto) 12k miles - (never taken off road) 17” warp 9 wheels/rotors. Sargent seat. Warp 9 hand controls. All black plastics. Baja tank. Pro Taper bars Led turn signals FMF Q4...
sfbay.craigslist.org sfbay.craigslist.org
 
Last edited:
larry kahn said:
20 minute commute won't do the Ducati engine any good. Get rid of the R9 for the Ducati since you've been wanting one and get some any old bike for the commute. Maybe a Suzuki DR650, plenty around for under $4K, super dependable, simple air-cooled, 50+mpg on pavement, no worries about scratches or even knock-overs, sits you up higher in traffic, suspension makes road surfaces all smooth, narrow for splitting and gives you a chance to go off pavement as you may like.

edit...here's one looks like fun...
sfbay.craigslist.org

2005 SUZUKI DR650 (supermoto) - motorcycles/scooters - by owner - vehicle automotive bike sale - craigslist

2005 Suzuki DR 650 (supermoto) 12k miles - (never taken off road) 17” warp 9 wheels/rotors. Sargent seat. Warp 9 hand controls. All black plastics. Baja tank. Pro Taper bars Led turn signals FMF Q4...
sfbay.craigslist.org sfbay.craigslist.org
Click to expand...
Now that’s something I can think about. Scooter or very cheap supermoto would be cool.
 
tzrider said:
In addition to the ergonomic concerns you're hearing, these bikes are much more maintenance intensive. Be sure you're up for that and that you are prepared to be stranded once in a while.
Click to expand...

This. Totally this.
 
Short legs and a long torso for those is the ticket. That 996 motor PURRRRRS and willl make you happy enough even on a stupid commute, but you’ll go way too fast everywhere and never get out of second gear. 998 is the Testastretta, much easier maintenance—maybe you could get an S4R with the 998 motor? Anyway, I echo the others. GET THE BIKE
 
tzrider said:
In addition to the ergonomic concerns you're hearing, these bikes are much more maintenance intensive. Be sure you're up for that and that you are prepared to be stranded once in a while.
Click to expand...
I have yet to be stranded on any of my Duc's although a flat did... that does not count :x That is about 13 years of riding them.

I had an electrical glitch that had me challenged after riding in a heavy rain. Turns out I pinched a wire on the starter and the water found it.
I did make it home. :angel
 
My experience is with a ‘95 916. It was a long list or issues but the one that got me several times was the regulator/rectifier, until the aftermarket produced one that didn’t catch on fire.
 
Well.. mine were all more modern. The '02 did not get a long riding life so :dunno

But the '12, 15' and now '22 have all been solid. However each was sub 25K when I sold them.
 
tzrider said:
My experience is with a ‘95 916. It was a long list or issues but the one that got me several times was the regulator/rectifier, until the aftermarket produced one that didn’t catch on fire.
Click to expand...

R6's would get get rectumfried too when put into race trim, cause we all mounted them directly to the frame....not good when the QS's goes out lap 2 or so...hoping your (new) total loss ignition will take you to the end.
 
tzrider said:
My experience is with a ‘95 916. It was a long list or issues but the one that got me several times was the regulator/rectifier, until the aftermarket produced one that didn’t catch on fire.
Click to expand...
Was that the time you were being chased by the tyrannosaurus rex but luckily he got attacked by a bigger t-rex ? :twofinger

I like the two bike solution Duc + DR
 
I would never talk anyone out of buying a Ducati, besides, no one talked me out of it.

I had a 2007 BMW K1200s, loved that bike and put many commute miles on it as well as long "sport" rides But yeah, the lust for a Ducati had me trading my beemer in on a new 2012 Streetfighter 1098s. My time in the barrel, I suppose, As mentioned, long list of issues but as a commuter, it was okay. Nine months later I sold it.

So, yeah, follow your lust and you'll have your own Ducati story...
 
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