Chain's new toy

Chain · 07-30-2004, 10:18 PM

Here it is.

Edit: I voted the second option only because that's the way I've been leaning. I'm still a bit undecided, however, hence my polling of the board.

NinerPilot · 07-30-2004, 10:24 PM

Cool Deal man! Looks sharp. I voted to lose the Duc. Im as much of a fan of multiple bikes and Vtwins as anyone, but something you've had this much pf a problem with so far, I dont see it getting much better. If you get a second bike in addition to the Kawi, get a Motard, or a dirtbike. Something completely different than the little sportbike that could...
Chris

Bacchus · 07-30-2004, 10:33 PM

I voted "ditch the POS" also! Seems like with Ducs, it is the luck of the draw or something, just not right.

Look forward to hearing one of your verbose, yet enjoyable, write-ups about the latest toy.

I truly hope it makes you happy, and also look forward to hearing about the new horse in the stable in a few months.

Sorry Chain, you know I feel badly (sorta), but just can't help myself! Please fill us in as to your satisfaction quotient in a week or two.

Chain · 07-30-2004, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Sorry Chain, you know I feel badly (sorta), but just can't help myself! Please fill us in as to your satisfaction quotient in a week or two.

Friends can tease, strangers get the plunger.

Thus, you're safe.

Holeshot · 07-30-2004, 10:37 PM

If the Duc is not floating your boat.. sell it. I'm sure someone will be found to give it some love.

Besides.. what problems have you had with it? As far as luck of the draw.. I think there are some that are built on better days than others but Monsters seem to suffer issues more than the higher-priced S4's and SBK's (but none are perfect.. except mine of course).

Chain · 07-30-2004, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holeshot

Monsters seem to suffer issues more than the higher-priced S4's and SBK's

Mine is the S4.

Bacchus · 07-30-2004, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

Friends can tease, strangers get the plunger.

Thus, you're safe.

Dude, you actually got me there for a second, 'til I read the next line. Whew!

Holeshot · 07-30-2004, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

Mine is the S4.

Oh.. you got fooked..

Seriously.. so that's is fooked about the bike? Most of the people I hear whining have the M900/750 bikes and even then it's not much.

However there is a fair amoutn of teech knashing about impalanced TB's on the newer SBK's and some idles that were not properly setup during the dealer's prep. Balancing the newer SBK motors is a new proeecure and some of the shops don't seem to be up to the job.

My appologies.. for some reason I thought it looked like one of the 2v air-heads.

CBRVFR · 07-30-2004, 11:36 PM

Congratulations on a sweet looking ride, Chain. Don't forget that any mod that makes it more enjoyable is a functional one.

I voted to lose the duc, if for no other reason that eating grape nuts 3x per day is contraindicated for motorcyclists that want to stay out of gas stations and rest areas. To say nothing of bushes.

I'll be curious to hear whether it's everything you hoped it would be. I hope it is.

Hamburgler · 07-30-2004, 11:40 PM

ditch the bitch

Hamburgler · 07-30-2004, 11:42 PM

Wow that silver looks so much better than the other colors. Did the seat cowl come free or did it cost $?

CBRjack · 07-30-2004, 11:44 PM

I say get rid of the Duc. I had the chance to ride a 636 a couple of weeks ago in the Santa Cruz mtns. Very sweet bike and the Devil exhaust was one of the sweetest sounds out of a motorcycle I have heard in a long time.

Chain · 07-31-2004, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holeshot

My appologies.. for some reason I thought it looked like one of the 2v air-heads.

This one's the liquid cooled four valver.

No apologies necessary though.

Haywood · 07-31-2004, 12:13 AM

Sell the wife/gf and get another bike!

OSIRIS · 07-31-2004, 12:13 AM

Lose the Duc was my vote. The 636 is a sweet bike

Chain · 07-31-2004, 12:15 AM

CBRVFR, no teasing - you're trying to get me to mod, aren't you?

True to my word, the only mods I have enroute are a Tankslapper and Sato sliders & spools from Dan Kyle.

Hammy, thanks for the compliment on the color. I love silver bikes and this one looks even better in person in this paint job IMO. Also, the seat cowl comes with the bike (as does a rear seat of course).

'jack, I can only imagine what one of these sounds like with a pipe. It's got to howl, because it's pretty doggone roarty with the factory can. Matter of fact, when BIKE magazine did a trackday at Donnington Park in the UK awhile back, they were shocked to discover the 636 will not pass the noise level standard at the track - with stock exhaust!

OSIRIS · 07-31-2004, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chain

thanks for the compliment on the color. I love silver bikes and this one looks even better in person in this paint job IMO. Also, the seat cowl comes with the bike (as does a rear seat of course).

I'll second that! I thought the bike was fugly when the pictures first came out of the bike...then I saw one at the local Lowe's (in silver)...

That bike is awesome looking in person.

Tavish · 07-31-2004, 12:50 AM

Nice bike Chain, I am saying sell the Duc. I have never been a big fan of them, I know a lot of people are, but I just don't think they are worth the price. You seem to have gotten a very sour one anyways, so, why now ditch it to save cash and do what you do best with the new toy

deez · 07-31-2004, 1:55 AM

Get rid of the Duc man. You want the truth? It's just like Bacchus said, it's a hit or miss thing with them. Holeshot's runs great, like a bike should, only with expensive valve adjustments

I read as much as I can @ work when I'm bored, and with Ducatis, you get a good one or you get a problematic one, that is just the way it is. Sell the ****ing thing

bwhip · 07-31-2004, 1:59 AM

Ditch the Duc!

Everyone knows that Ducatis are unreliable, overpriced, heavy, poorly designed, elitist, overrated poser bikes! What the hell were you thinking when you bought that POS?

Nice new bike, BTW. My favorite of the 600's. Ride it in good health.

Latebraking · 07-31-2004, 2:00 AM

Ditch the Duc. Hopefully, you can get out of it what you put into it, but I fear you'll only get a percentage. Those 636s are a riot, but need suspension work - and a tachometer that you can read. Not since a Honda sportbike have I experienced a stock suspension with so much high speed compression damping. Sort the suspension and you'll have a rippin' middleweight!

stegen · 07-31-2004, 2:25 AM

i say just buy a bike and ****ing stay with it

*Mo Noyz* · 07-31-2004, 3:18 AM

Ahhhhh..................

Dearest Chain, perhaps you will remember this from a PM dated 6-1-2004, where Mo Noyz said:

"Reformed I4 guy indeed. You'll be back.

They always come back.

"

Heehee, couldn't resist.

ratter · 07-31-2004, 5:20 AM

The amount of exhausts, color schemes, mods or bikes chain goes though makes me think law enforcement must really pay well in the states or chain gets paid in brown paper bags with unmarked bills

cbr99xx · 07-31-2004, 7:14 AM

I usually push addition rather than subtraction but in this case... lose the Duc (as long as you don't lose your butt $$ wise).

The 636 is a nice looking bike and the silver sets it off nicely. I've always had a soft spot for Kawi's since my (very) early days on their bulletproof 100cc enduro.

929_Nupe · 07-31-2004, 8:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamburgler

ditch the bitch

I'm with you !!!!!!!

The Duc's gotta go.

The silver is sweet. if you do decide to get back on the grape nut to mod it out no one will be mad and you

Chain · 07-31-2004, 9:34 AM

ORISIS, thanks for the compliment on the bike, it is a handsome machine indeed. Believe it or not Kwak's Arrest-Me-Orange is great looking on that bike in person too, but I'm too conservative to own it.

Tavish, that's probably good advice and what I'll likely do when I get the bike back from the dealer. I just hope it's before Thanksgiving, but with a new computer coming from Italy, who the hell knows how long this will take.

And no teasing about modding.

Between you and CBRVFR, hell, it's like you're eating chocolate cake in front of a fat kid!

Booth, you're absolutely right IMO. A guy either winds up with a Duc that's bulletproof or one that's being worked on constantly. I know a guy here with an SBK and he can't break it even if he tried. Whipper's having pretty good luck too. Me OTOH, well, you guys know what I've been going through. Japanese machines are, on total anyway, much more reliable - or so I believe. I feel very fortunate to have had enough success in my career that I can afford to get back on one for the interim between "Duc Death" and "Duc Sale".

whip, "Ride it in good health" - you're talking about mental my health, aren't you!

Latebraking, the good news on this bike is, Kawasaki completely revised their spring rates and damping on both ends of this motorcycle for the model year 2004. The difference in ride between this one and a 2003 is remarkable. For a guy who rides mostly on the street, the '04 is the only choice IMHO. For a track only bike that's being ridden on near perfect pavement, you could probably live with an '03 and be totally happy.