[Minksy]

I did it – I bought a bike. I ended up *not* getting a 600 cc. I got a used Ducati Monster 750 Dark. I didn’t think I would be able to afford one but found a local sale on Craigslist, checked it out, had a buddy check it out, and rode it home today. The seller was motivated to sell it and I think I got a real steal — it only has 5,010 miles on it, and it’s a 2002. (The guy has two R1’s and this was his “toy” bike.) The bike is amazing — power and torque seemingly at will, as compared to my past rides, handles like a 250, and a resonant, throaty growl comes out of its carbon fiber cans that sounds as if it started somewhere past the bowels of the bike and from deep inside the Earth.

And, no one told me that the thing turns heads. I’ll try to put up some photos. But it’s a real pleasure to ride. Haven’t taken it out on the highway yet but that’s coming soon.

[Minksy]

WeaponZero, you actually raise a good point about riding environment that I hadn’t thought of before. In my previous riding experience, I didn’t have a choice about where and how I could ride, but since I’m back here (in Chicago and environs) there is alot more variety. I guess that is another factor I’ll have to consider. Obviously I’d like to cruise around Chicago and do longer weekend rides, so maybe a supersport isn’t the best choice. (And I don’t think my SO wants to ride pillion with her ass sticking up the way it would on a CBR or RR.)

I do feel better about being able to handle a more powerful bike partly because it opens up so many more choices. I’m limited on budget so I don’t think an M696 would be the best move right now. (Is that you on a Monster?) I spent some time reading about the ER-6n and I like those streetfighters as they remind me of the Hornet I rode in Japan.

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