Winter hack suggestions

Loz said:
That's a shame.

I'll still offer you £500 for it but at that price you'll need to deliver.
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You are too kind Loz and this willingness to take one for the team sums up all that is great about this forum and its members. You big Guinness!
To be honest I enjoy the whole process of looking for a cheap bike for the winter, using it and then selling it and this is the first bike that's been a disappointment so I'll do it again next winter.
Anyone looking for a cheap Italian sports tourer to actually own and enjoy would be better off with an ST imo though.
 
Dukesox said:
A little more but not much which I'm sorry to say is down to the bike which is best described as disappointingly disappointing.
It's extremely capable and comfortable but just no fun to ride at all so rather than look for reasons to ride it I find reasons not to.
Unless of course anyone reading this wants to buy it in which case it is bursting with Italian charm and has all the character you would expect of a v twin.
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Are you saying whilst it does everything you bought it for and well, It doesn't give you the same unreliabilty that Ducati gives you and you miss that. :unsure:
 
Noobie said:
Are you saying whilst it does everything you bought it for and well, It doesn't give you the same unreliabilty that Ducati gives you and you miss that. :unsure:
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Tbh I've been riding Ducatis since 1983 and only had 2 serious problems in that time and the second of those was in 1991 so I can't go along with the unreliable reputation they had/have.
Other than that, yes it does everything well but it's so dull while it does it. No sense of occasion at all, even my wife's Suzuki Gladius 650 is more fun.
 
Dukesox said:
Tbh I've been riding Ducatis since 1983 and only had 2 serious problems in that time and the second of those was in 1991 so I can't go along with the unreliable reputation they had/have.
Other than that, yes it does everything well but it's so dull while it does it. No sense of occasion at all, even my wife's Suzuki Gladius 650 is more fun.
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I’ve had nothing but ducati since 1992 an was going to say the same, but didn’t want to jinx it
 
I`m very pleased to say that the oh so dull Futura has a new owner as of this morning with the buyer being something of an Aprilia fan, this will be his third.
I`m not doubting the ability of Aprilia bikes but with apologies to BMW owners I really didn`t expect an Italian 114bhp 1000cc v twin to be less inspiring to ride than a Boxer twin. Much less inspiring.
Anyway, I made a little profit on the bike so will treat Mrs DukeSox to a slap up fish n chip dinner with a delicious bottle of wine this evening.
Rock n Roll !
 
Dukesox said:
I`m very pleased to say that the oh so dull Futura has a new owner as of this morning with the buyer being something of an Aprilia fan, this will be his third.
I`m not doubting the ability of Aprilia bikes but with apologies to BMW owners I really didn`t expect an Italian 114bhp 1000cc v twin to be less inspiring to ride than a Boxer twin. Much less inspiring.
Anyway, I made a little profit on the bike so will treat Mrs DukeSox to a slap up fish n chip dinner with a delicious bottle of wine this evening.
Rock n Roll !
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In the words of Postman Pat, "fucking result!"
 
Nice one. Winter is (hopefully) over soon so you’ll not need to think about its replacement until towards the end of the year.
 
Its Winter Hack time again and as you can imagine I`ve spent the last few weeks scouring the internet for something suitable that fits my criteria. Namely a big fairing, heated grips, comfortable , preferably not boring and under £2k. Previous hacks have included an 1100 Moto Guzzi Breva which was brilliant, a BMW R1100RS which was good, a BMW F800 which was ok and last years Aprilia Futura which failed on the not boring test.
This year I had my eyes on a local ST4S which looked lovely in yellow and had panniers to boot. I intended to bid on Ebay in the last minute but a sudden lack of WiFi ruined that for me so I missed out and it went for just £1650. Bargain for the lucky new owner !
Not to worry team as instead I have picked up what appears to be a very good Aprilia Caponord 1200 which fits the bill apart from sadly being over my £2k budget. Never mind 4 out of 5 isn`t bad . Its a 2014 bike and comes with the travel pack which includes luggage and electric suspension . I`ve managed to squeeze 300 or so miles into the last 10 days between work and bad weather and so far so very good . Really comfortable , quick enough for me without being scary and definitely not boring.
The only bad point is that the fairing which despite being huge always diverts wind at my crash helmet regardless of adjustment. I have now fitted a Palmer Products frame which moves the fairing further away from me and bingo , its almost perfect now.

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Dukesox said:
Its Winter Hack time again and as you can imagine I`ve spent the last few weeks scouring the internet for something suitable that fits my criteria. Namely a big fairing, heated grips, comfortable , preferably not boring and under £2k. Previous hacks have included an 1100 Moto Guzzi Breva which was brilliant, a BMW R1100RS which was good, a BMW F800 which was ok and last years Aprilia Futura which failed on the not boring test.
This year I had my eyes on a local ST4S which looked lovely in yellow and had panniers to boot. I intended to bid on Ebay in the last minute but a sudden lack of WiFi ruined that for me so I missed out and it went for just £1650. Bargain for the lucky new owner !
Not to worry team as instead I have picked up what appears to be a very good Aprilia Caponord 1200 which fits the bill apart from sadly being over my £2k budget. Never mind 4 out of 5 isn`t bad . Its a 2014 bike and comes with the travel pack which includes luggage and electric suspension . I`ve managed to squeeze 300 or so miles into the last 10 days between work and bad weather and so far so very good . Really comfortable , quick enough for me without being scary and definitely not boring.
The only bad point is that the fairing , despite being huge, always diverts wind at my crash helmet regardless of adjustment. I have now fitted a Palmer Products frame which moves the fairing further away from me and bingo , its almost perfect now.

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My x father inlaw has a friend with an Aprilia Falco and loves it, i have heard and done a bit of research on them and they sound like a great fast comfy and not boring all rounder.

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Dukesox said:
I`m also going to need a couple of rare cooked rib eye steaks with a selection of sauces , one for you and one for me. Is that a problem for you Loz ?
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Yes, it's a bloody problem. You don't put sauces on a decent steak, just a pinch of salt and of pepper, if you absolutely must.

Deal is OFF :mad:
 
Back to reality @Dukesox do you always recoup your outlay in the spring? I only ask as, if not, would it be better to keep a hack for a few years until it 'expired' naturally. Or is it just win some lose some as you like a new hack each year?
 
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Hugo Magnus said:
I doubt that it's about the money. You're as bad as A/C
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I agree but was interested as to the hassle involved in buying, taxing, insuring and selling twice a year. If money was recouped it may make the hassle worthwhile, or just the desire to try different bikes regularly 👍
 
Barry Hell said:
Back to reality @Dukesox do you always recoup your outlay in the spring? I only ask as, if not, would it be better to keep a hack for a few years until it 'expired' naturally. Or is it just win some lose some as you like a new hack each year?
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I didn`t realise we had departed from reality, when did that occur ?

Its just fun really and an excuse to spend hours researching bikes and then fannying around in the barn as well as riding them of course and if any are really good I do keep them longer .
 
Barry Hell said:
I agree but was interested as to the hassle involved in buying, taxing, insuring and selling twice a year. If money was recouped it may make the hassle worthwhile, or just the desire to try different bikes regularly 👍
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I have a multi bike policy so generally as these bikes are low value its £30 ish to add them on. I sorn the Monster so tax neutral and as mentioned earlier, I enjoy the whole process so no hassle . Surely similar for you when you got your Honda Pantyliner ?
Generally buying late October and selling April/May makes it hard not to get your money back unless you buy an ST3 with revolting personalised paintwork like I did 2 years ago, who can forget this little beauty ?

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