Of course we all know we drive a superb bike, but sometimes you can't help looking at a few other rides and drooling a bit (kinda sounds like something else too doesn't it?).
Anyhow, a local bike shop had a Ducati test drive day last weekend and so I signed up and waited 2 hours to drive a $17,500 Ducati 999. I'd seen and read about this bike for what seems a year and always liked how it looked. Well in short, it was a great ride. The power was better than adequate, but not overwhelming. Would be a great bike to use in the twisties and personally, I think it looks freeking awesome. In the end, I wanted one bad. I even considered trading the Busa, that is, until I rode my Busa home after the test ride....
Yesiree, the Busa seemed like a Barcalounger on the 30 minute drive home (thought I made a mistake and rode a Honda ST or FJ home by accident ...ok that's a stretch). However, after about 5 minutes tucked down in the fast lane, I knew my little ol Busa was not going to let me forget who it was or why I bought it. The roll on power was instantly remembered and made the ducat seem moped-like. The riding postion and seat was so much more comfortable. And I appreciated the fact that the Busa did not come with a chestnut roasting fire under the seat. Bam, it was obvious - trading to a 999 didn't make any sense at all. Do the math and you are giving up a lot with the expensive ducat. The moral of this story: gentlemen, sometimes the curves of a new beauty are alluring but just don't make it worth loosing your current ride (I expect a nut crunching landing on my next wheelie as punishment.)
Anyhow, a local bike shop had a Ducati test drive day last weekend and so I signed up and waited 2 hours to drive a $17,500 Ducati 999. I'd seen and read about this bike for what seems a year and always liked how it looked. Well in short, it was a great ride. The power was better than adequate, but not overwhelming. Would be a great bike to use in the twisties and personally, I think it looks freeking awesome. In the end, I wanted one bad. I even considered trading the Busa, that is, until I rode my Busa home after the test ride....
Yesiree, the Busa seemed like a Barcalounger on the 30 minute drive home (thought I made a mistake and rode a Honda ST or FJ home by accident ...ok that's a stretch). However, after about 5 minutes tucked down in the fast lane, I knew my little ol Busa was not going to let me forget who it was or why I bought it. The roll on power was instantly remembered and made the ducat seem moped-like. The riding postion and seat was so much more comfortable. And I appreciated the fact that the Busa did not come with a chestnut roasting fire under the seat. Bam, it was obvious - trading to a 999 didn't make any sense at all. Do the math and you are giving up a lot with the expensive ducat. The moral of this story: gentlemen, sometimes the curves of a new beauty are alluring but just don't make it worth loosing your current ride (I expect a nut crunching landing on my next wheelie as punishment.)
