[Ducati] 2 threads in one (touring and bump starting)

[Rich Roberts]

The real distinction here and the point that is missing, granted the Duc is more visceral, more open, a little more raw. the Honda a bit more muted, even refined from an engineering standpoint. My point is this, though some would ride the 900ss or any other Duc across the country  and I would give them  the thumbs up the whole way, a far more realistic choice I think would be the VFR. I am sorry, A Duc would not be my IronButt choice though I know Egan does it. With what amount of prep and support I am not sure. But the Honda will typically take alot more abuse before it leaves you pushing it up the street and for the most part will almost always start and get you home. Not absolutely as I have had at least two Honda V motored bikes give it up over of all things regulator rectifier problems. Sounds familiar huh? But I have also logged 10-20 times more miles on a Honda than any Duc without any issues that I did not create myself. 
  the VFR is a very balanced mix of all things good about Honda and V motors in general. A bit more compact and likely more complicated than the simpler 900SS. Personally I like gear driven over head cams. I liked some of the earlier models before they did the sidemounted rads and were a bit lighter. I still think my all time favorite was that 86 tarriff beating one in pearl white with gold accents or the one year earlier 750 in RWB. Both of which I think would pretty handily spank any 900SS. Does that mean I like the 900SS any less, hardly.  For sheer fun the 900SS has it hands down. By the way my wifes since sold VFR has graced the cover of the Whitehorse press in the past.

Bob Marren <bmarren at bellsouth.net> wrote:
  A friend of mine has a VFR and is fond of saying that its almost a 
Ducati. I ask him if thats like being almost pregnant. Its over his head 
and so would a Ducati be.

Kevin Kachadourian wrote:

>Maybe the distinction should be between touring and long-distance riding
>(and maybe "adventure" riding).
>
>Or, maybe it's like Starbucks vs Mama Cinnelli's cafe.
>
>I've owned 2 Hondas, a CB350 k3 and a VF750. They started every time, and
>ran like dreams (with the VF, I had to get used to the clatter of the cam
>chain). I would never go back to either of these bikes, if it meant giving
>up either the Aly or the SP.
>A friend, who owned a VFR, said it best after riding the SP: "the VFR is a
>great bike, and everything is there; but with the SP, you know you're riding
>a motorcycle."
>
>I sometimes wonder if I should go back to the early kick-start 900SS.
>
>Kevin
>
>
>On 1/16/08, Tony Pagliaroli wrote:
> 
>
>>On Jan 16, 2008 5:11 PM, Kevin Kachadourian 
>>wrote:
>> 
>>
>>>Whether you call it a sport-tourer, a touring sport bike, or a bloody
>>> 
>>>
>>beast,
>> 
>>
>>>it's always good to tour on a bike that you can bump start.
>>> 
>>>
>>C'mon Kevin - I could make the exact opposite argument for only
>>touring on a Honda. If it never fails to start, that need is
>>eliminated.
>>
>>Pags
>>
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Our newest sponsor, MC Stands, has just opened its doors! It's a motorcycle
stand superstore. Every brand, every model, 95% in stock for immediate
shipment. Whether front stands, rear stands, paddock stands, dirt bike
stands, or any kind of stand or lift, MC Stands tests, rates, and discounts
everything they sell. Check them out!

Visit: http://mcstands.com/
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