[Shawn C]

I really want a Cafe Racer, However it has to be comfortable too. My daytona 675 was a back breaker. I think I am going to pick up one of these. Ducati Sport 1000 I'm about 90% sure I want it.
Im more for looks and handling rather than HP as most of the bikes time will be just cruising with minimal highway riding.

I also like the Ducati Monster 696 too though.

and the MV Agusta Brutale

 

[Santorino]

Unless you're picking up an 1198, don't bother with Ducati. Service costs are ridiculous, and my Aprilia Shiver 750 that I'm selling completely spanks that 696. Seriously, 696/796 have to be THE WORST buys on the motorcycle market today. Agustas are gorgeous with plenty of grunt. Check out Aprilia's Shivers though, seriously. Unfortunately I'm having to depart with mine. She's been really good to me though.

 

[FMS]

One of the best bikes i have rode that was both really comfortable as well as nimble and quick would be the multistrada. you can pick them up for pretty cheap now.

 

[mrmikey32]

I was about to say, get a benelli, or an aprillia.

I am biassed to harleys, but have you checked out the buell line? They are super cheap here(factory shut down), and most dealers are payed money to sell them.

Nothing like the tq and sound of that v-twin, but the handling of a sport bike

 

[yamahaki]

Go with the Ducati.Service isn't as high as some state.
The swingarm is connected to the engine case.That means
that for the service,afew bolts are removed and the engine can
be rotated down to access the valves on the rear cylinder.
The belts are made by gates,so your local auto supply house carries
them for 1/4 of the cost of what Ducati charges.The only expense
thats more frequent is the dry clutch.It needs replacing about every 7k miles.But again,the cost is nominal.I owned and raced ducatis for over
20 years.A very solid,classy bike.As with most of the sport bikes out today,they can carve any road.Displacement doesn't matter on a curvy road.Besides,99% of the riders out there can't do more than 50% of what the bike is capable of doing.

 

[Santorino]

Regardless of what it is, it's $1200 every 7500 miles. Some can handle the expense no problem, some can't. Just putting it out there.

 

[JGiefer]

My uncle's an avid rider and lives by Ducati. He's had other bikes, but always says he comes back to the red. I believe Snowflake just got a 696 so he could elaborate a bit more about that specific bike.

 

[DestroyTheSuRF]

So I would go for the Ducati Monster 696.

I think this will help

 

[H Bomb]

i love the MV but if you go with the Duc i would def get something bigger then the 696. i know you said you don't care about the hp but the 696 is a dog in my op

 

[DucMonster]

youll get tired of how slow a 696 is ,i hear, the 800 is very nice tho. i got mine a few weeks ago and love it! although that sport 1000 is amazing, if i was to get a strictly crusing bike that would 100% be it. the 800 is a great daily driver also

 

[Bignmz04]

nobody is going to get tired of a 696 anytime soon or I will see you at the next ama race as a sponsored rider......roads have turns...master them.
that being said...most of the monsters are dogs in my opinion..but thats my opinion now after a bunch of high high hp bikes....the service cost of a monster (s4r not included) vs the performance ratio is just not there.....might as well get a sv650,sv1000 or get the best naked bike there is in my opinion...aprilla tuono. if you only wanna go straight...get a b-king..

 

[thefinest]

ducati monster696 for sure

 

[bartvdb]

cagiva raptor .
1 rare
2 italian style (same designer as monster)
3 japan reliability
4 deep V-sound
5 sister of the MV-group

if you need high speed in a straight line not an option for all the rest 100% fun

greeetzzzz

 

[Zack]

Just add ST2 handlebars risers and you will be fine... never had any problem with my Ducatis... and I have 20 bikes right now... from 900 Mike hailwood to Desmo16rr... nothing will give you the pleasure of owning an italian lover... nothing.

 

[GodSpeed]

nobody is going to get tired of a 696 anytime soon or I will see you at the next ama race as a sponsored rider......roads have turns...master them.
that being said...most of the monsters are dogs in my opinion..but thats my opinion now after a bunch of high high hp bikes....the service cost of a monster (s4r not included) vs the performance ratio is just not there.....might as well get a sv650,sv1000 or get the best naked bike there is in my opinion...aprilla tuono. if you only wanna go straight...get a b-king..

I have the '08 B-King with over 160 HP and almost 100 Lbs torque and it is surprisingly nimble for such a beast.

It is not a cbr 600 etc. but for 545 lbs wet its amazing.
Its also awesome b.c no one recognizes it.

 

[Spdu4ia]

i currently have an Aprilia Shiver and LOVE it. I'm not an old guy but I prefer the upright stance for comfort. My wife has an ER6n and is trading it in on a monster 796 , I haven't ridden it yet so I don't know how peppy it is compared to the ape. That being said.... my next bike will be the sportclassic. I absolutely LOVE that thing. If you can't pay to play then you don't want an italian period.

 

[shadow 1]

The MV Brutale is nice, but isn't it more of a naked superbike? If the daytona was breaking your back, maybe avoid this one?

 

[Spdu4ia]

The Brutale has a way more upright seating position than a superbike. Nothing compared to the crouch of a daytona