Thread: New Bike for Spring? Help me choose!

I've decided to get back on two wheels this year and have been shopping around as of late. I am mainly a street/recreational rider but with my past bikes I usually have attended at least two track days per season. I have narrowed down my possibilities to two (2) bikes but I am open to other suggestions.


A little history of my past bikes:

2000 748s
-Just about every Ducati Corse part available at the time, Full Termi, Custom tune, Fast by Ferracci 890 kit. Bike made 116 rwhp

2001 996
-Minor mods (Termi, tune); totaled by a good friend of mine, no injuries

2007 1098
-Stock (Bought in 2008 sold in 2010)

My current choices (again, I'm open to others):

2011 Aprilia RSV-4 APRC

2011 BMW S100RR


I do want traction control and ABS, I have found that even testing with the assists OFF I am considerably faster on the track with them ON. Probably due to confidence, but these features are a must.

Harley Road Glide...

Originally Posted by HOLDON

Harley Road Glide...

I'm not looking to buy a Harley anytime soon.

I enjoy track days too much to short myself and buy a road glide

S1000RR is awesome. That would be my pick. I rarely endorse a non jap bike but thats a great piece of equipment.

Just as Acer, I never was a fan of Duc's or BMW. But the BMW is one serious piece of equipment, especially that yellow/greenish color one. Its so ugly its beautiful Hahaha. I never thought I would ever own a Duc, but I actually have one on order ;-)

Just curious what are your plans for the bike? Street Toy, or more track oriented? Power wise the S1R got the bigger stick, dont know if that matters to you that much. The reason I choose the Duc I have on order was, purely that it got me excited. And that thing to me is gorgeous. Being around a Suzuki/Yamaha shop growing up, not that many bikes get me excited anymore. This one did.... :-) So good luck on the choice, what ever you choose I bet it will be pure enjoyment. I still greatly enjoy riding wether if its on a fully prepped liter bike putting down in the neighborhood of 200whp, a Vmax, or a old school GSXR (air cooled,lol).

You can't go wrong with either one of those bikes!!

Ive got a 1098S Tricolore available if your interested. Lowest mile one around I believe at 800 miles. Perfect condition. I always loved Ducati's though, they are just art on wheels, beautiful machines!

I would get the Aprilia for a couple reasons. They are way more rare and they are smaller than any other litrebike. I like the feeling of a light bike that I can flick around like a dirtbike. I would be willing to give up a few tenths in the quartermile for that feeling.

As far as plans for the bike go, it will be primarily a street toy with 2-3 track days attended per year. I do have plans down the road to purchase a dedicated track bike, but as of now I'm really missing the street riding. I will do a few minor power mods (Full pipe, ECU, Filters, etc...), but most of the mods will be focused on making the bike more street able.

D16: I absolutely love the 1098s Tri and the Duc's are very near and dear to my heart, however as gorgeous as they are I do not think I will be going with another Duc until the second or third production year of the Panigale. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every second on my 1098 but overall performance (stock) wasn't any better than the other competitors. Now if I had upgraded the suspension and completed some power upgrades I think I would have never sold it. BTW very good username!

Originally Posted by Veloce

As far as plans for the bike go, it will be primarily a street toy with 2-3 track days attended per year. I do have plans down the road to purchase a dedicated track bike, but as of now I'm really missing the street riding. I will do a few minor power mods (Full pipe, ECU, Filters, etc...), but most of the mods will be focused on making the bike more street able.

D16: I absolutely love the 1098s Tri and the Duc's are very near and dear to my heart, however as gorgeous as they are I do not think I will be going with another Duc until the second or third production year of the Panigale. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every second on my 1098 but overall performance (stock) wasn't any better than the other competitors. Now if I had upgraded the suspension and completed some power upgrades I think I would have never sold it. BTW very good username!

Since the Panigale is out of the picture, of choices you listed I'd get the S1KRR. The bike has proven itself to be extremely fast with 190hp stock, and I like the style and design of the fairings and bodywork more than the Aprilia, especially with the red/white/blue color scheme. Also, having heated grips as an option in cold weather riding is a nice convenience!