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Makes perfect sense to me. The Monster is arguably the bike that created the naked-standard class, it's not a sport bike either. The Triumph Speed Triple being the other. If I was going to spend 15 large on a light weight sporty bike with a more comfortable seating position than a true sport bike these two absolutely deserve comparison. But then I also think the choice is clear. I'm taking the more horsepower and better suspension over a replica every time.Frankly I don't really see the need to put these bikes against each other at all. They keep trying to call the FTR a sport bike. It's not. It's a naked standard flat track race replica. It's sporty for sure, but it is not a sport bike. So there is that.
To me the Monster is just a very different kind of bike. To try and compare them doesn't really make sense.
I like that this guy is a Victory Rider....Makes perfect sense to me. The Monster is arguably the bike that created the naked-standard class, it's not a sport bike either. The Triumph Speed Triple being the other. If I was going to spend 15 large on a light weight sporty bike with a more comfortable seating position than a true sport bike these two absolutely deserve comparison. But then I also think the choice is clear. I'm taking the more horsepower and better suspension over a replica every time.
I hadn't paid close enough attention to the FTR to know about these accessory packages. So just WTF is Polaris thinking? "Hey for 20 grand you can have an FTR with spoke wheels and dual sport tires just like a real adventure bike!" Um...or I could just get a real Adventure bike with money left over for gear...those are good for 500 mile days.I like that this guy is a Victory Rider....
As we were saying in the FTR thread, there are several motorcycles in the 'sport-standard' or 'vintage-standard' category that are cheaper and more potent than this new Indian. Even in the same price range, there are bikes that offer a lot more.
No matter what 'package' you add to the FTR or competing bikes, it's going to be tough to get 500-mile-a-day comfort out of bikes in this class. That level of comfort is very important to me. I will cease to enjoy myself when my ass starts hurting....
That has been the knock on Ducati for a very long time. With all of their development and so on, you would think they would address that at some point. But it still persists. I have thought hard about making some changes to the lineup to get a Multi into the stable, but the cost of ownership keeps driving me away.If I had to choose between these two I would go with a Vision.
The FTR is not going to be fun long term for me and I can't afford the maintenance on a Ducati.
I would hope so! Of course you never know. Sometimes you think it's a good idea to do something or it is driven by impulse or momentary passion, and then later on remorse can set in. So far this has not happened to me.Bikes like these are swell, but after the swelling goes down and you have to live with the bike day to day, will you still love it?
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of my bikes. None get abused and none get neglected. I love them all and I ride them all. I love being able to choose which one gets ridden on any given day. Ultimately I feel like I will have to trim the stable down to just 2, and that will be when the GSX goes toe up. But it may never go toe up! This thing has the heart of a Lion. But if it comes down to it, I will most likely make the tough choice and retire the GSX unless something unexpected happens.This is why I haven't bought myself a second bike. I will ride the new bike a lot at first, but after a couple of months I'll take the Kingpin out and remember how comfortable it is, how glorious the engine is, and how nice it is to carry stuff... Then I'll be looking at the new bike thinking, "Why did I buy that?".
The Vision IS an Adventure bike!!If I had to choose between these two I would go with a Vision.
The FTR is not going to be fun long term for me and I can't afford the maintenance on a Ducati.
Dont forget @Rollin . He has done some crazy stuff on his Vision. Somewhere here there is a video of him going up and mountain and falling over because of the large rocks he was going through. He had a snow tire rear and a knobby front.
I remember!Dont forget @Rollin . He has done some crazy stuff on his Vision. Somewhere here there is a video of him going up and mountain and falling over because of the large rocks he was going through. He had a snow tire rear and a knobby front.
No lie! That's a great shot.You ain't doing this on a Chieftain! Haha.
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Exactly how I feel about my XC.Bikes like these are swell, but after the swelling goes down and you have to live with the bike day to day, will you still love it?
This is why I haven't bought myself a second bike. I will ride the new bike a lot at first, but after a couple of months I'll take the Kingpin out and remember how comfortable it is, how glorious the engine is, and how nice it is to carry stuff... Then I'll be looking at the new bike thinking, "Why did I buy that?".
I'd love to ride the FTR for a couple of weeks... the Monster too... but I don't want to OWN them.