Should I trade a Duc for a Sprint?

[fastlaneduc]

I'm hoping you'll have a biased opinion and make my decision really easy for me...I have a 2006 Ducati 749s with carbon fiber this, that, and the other, Ohlins front and rear and aftermarket (Remus) exhaust. I do alot of track days on a GSXR. The Duc is too pretty to wad but not exactly a 'touring' bike for my advancing age...Should I trade it in on a '08 Sprint ST? I used to have a Daytona 595 (sweet) so I'm already a tad Triumph

Faye
Tecumseh, MI

[ricster]

Yes, the Triumph I think is a better everyday street bike and since your GSXR is your track bike....why not. Plus I think the triple engine is the best street engine out there..and even BIKE magazine agreed back in there February edition. Do it and you wont regret it.

[triumphite]

The Sprint as a great all around bike. Fast when you need it, and able to do the long haul.

To me the 749 is a single purpose bike. A dynamic track/race bike, but doesn't seem to be what you would need on the street.

Also, what's the dealership situation by you? Is Triumph close by? Sometimes that has a lot to do with a purchase.

Good luck.

[MVP44]

If you are wanting a better all around bike - you bet, make the trade, but I have always liked the 749s and had a soft spot for Ducs all my life, but never owning one. The way you describe your 749 makes it sound like a very nice ride. Sorry it would be a difficult decision for me. I love my ST and I especially like it being very distinctive from all of the other bikes around the area, but the Duc would have that same appeal as being distinct.

I love the triple sound especially with a 2bro exhaust, but a 749 has such a distinctive note also.

OK seems I have been absolutely no help here - If you want a more comfortable longer riding bike - easy choice get the 08 st

IF it were me - I would keep the 749 (let the thrashing begin I know)

[norcaltriumph]

If you're absolutely set on something more "touring" oriented, you can't go wrong with the Sprint ST.

I will say this, though, think long and hard before selling that Ducati. I had a hard enough time selling my trusty '95 900SS a while back. In fact, I felt like a part of my soul went with that bike, and looking back, I truly can say that I regret selling her . If it were a 749S, you'd have to pry her from my cold, dead fingers...

[bruce19]

I never advocate trading in anything to a dealer. As for the bikes, I have a Sprint RS and a 998. Having done 500 mi. days with camping gear on my 998 I don't agree that a Ducati Superbike is necessarily a single purpose bike. But, I will agree that for most people it probably is. I love my Sprint and think it's a great bang for the buck bike. I use it for 2-up touring and sometimes for solo distance riding if I want to take a lot of gear. I am basically a minimalist. You may not be. Recently I got to ride a '04 Ducati ST4S and dam* that thing was sweet. By comparison a Sprint motor, however functional and lovely, is kind of boring. IMHO, the bottom line is the Triumph makes more sense but the Ducati touches my soul.

[bruce19]

Originally Posted by norcaltriumph

If you're absolutely set on something more "touring" oriented, you can't go wrong with the Sprint ST.

I will say this, though, think long and hard before selling that Ducati. I had a hard enough time selling my trusty '95 900SS a while back. In fact, I felt like a part of my soul went with that bike, and looking back, I truly can say that I regret selling her . If it were a 749S, you'd have to pry her from my cold, dead fingers...

+1

I can't imagine not riding a Ducati. There is nothing like the sound and feel of a desmo twin.

[fastlaneduc]

Good points all...thx I'll let you know - I was thinking 2-up but my daughter is only 8 and the only thing I'd let her 2-up is the lawnmower. So my thinking is flawed.

[GRN]

I had a 996, and logged a lot of miles on a friends 748...... both great bikes for what they were, but also were both uni-functional torture racks compared to the Sprint in my experience. GO FOR IT :-)

[kludge]

Yeah, it sounds to me like you have two track bikes and nothing for long hauls... Mind you, I can imagine how you'd think about selling the Duc in the same way you'd think about cutting off an arm!