which of these 3 motorcycles should i buy?

Question

The 3 motorcycles i'm interested in are the Suzuki Hayabusa, Harley Davidson FXD super glide, and the Ducati multistrada 1100. I know these bikes are in 3 completely different classes but I can only get one for now. I'm torn between them and cannot figure out which one to buy. Any help is appreciated. Whoever gives me the best true reason to buy a particular bike wins. Thanks in advance

Answer 1

If you picked a 1098 Duc I wouldve thought you are just trying to fit into one of three posing crowds. Ask yourself what kind of riding do you really enjoy ie: putting down the road, making long trips, corner carving, etc and then pick the bike that does what you like most best. If you like riding in parades dont buy a sport bike, if you like corner carving dont buy a cruiser. Granted you can do these things on bikes that dont do them well, but it doesnt pack the enjoyment.

Answer 2

I was actually in a similar situation earlier this year. I was swaying between 3 completely different types of bikes. I can tell you this:
1. The FXD will handle the worst of the three. Anyone that claims different is an idiot and knows nothing about how to really ride a motorcycle. (seriously no offense to anyone out there but there is no way you can claim that a Harley FXD can out do a Hayabusa on a twisty road...even if the bikes were the same design, the power to weight ratio of the hayabusa would have it running circles around the Harley on the straights in between the twisties).
2. If you haven't ridden a motorcycle before, I would recommend getting a buel blast or a ninja 250 or something with WAY less CC's to start with. Heck even a 600 cc sportbike would be a better start than jumping right in it. I know...my first bikes were an intruder 1400 and a v-max.
3. Ducati's are EXPENSIVE to maintain. Dry Clutches on motorcycles don't make sense either, especially with the way the MSF folks teach you to feather the clutch.
4. If you are experienced, I would answer these three questions: 1. How fast do you really NEED to go. 2. How far are you going to go and 3. are you going by yourself or with someone. The answers to those questions will really point to the right bike for you.

Answer 3

Of those 3, only two are even close to each other as far as form and function go. The short answer is, if this is your first bike, then none of these.
If you have been riding some years, then you should know if you like that leaned-over feeling you'd get on the 'Busa. Its fast, and it corners fairly well. I've never owned one, I have a CBR954RR, a Harley Deuce, and a Triumph Rocket III. I had a Katana 750 once, and found that it was a great all-around bike.
If your looking for comfort and the ability to ride the twisties, then the Ducati is your answer. If your looking for comfort and a bunch of "new best friends" then you need to look more closely at the Harley.
If you want all three of those things, let me throw the Rocket III into you mix. It'll outrun everything but the 'Busa in the 1/4, it handles very well, and it even gets respect from the HD clan.
Try this, what is the warranty like on each bike? What is your dealer like? These need to factor into your decision.
No matter which bike you choose, you will enjoy it. Please buy a helmet and riding gear to go along with it. Ride Safe!

Answer 4

Those are three VERY different types of bike, though the Hayabusa and Ducati are more closely related.

Cruisers are comfortable going slow, since that's all they can do. It's about style and low-speed comfort and long distances.

The Hayabusa will tear your arms off before you highside into a brick wall unless you are a VERY experienced sportbike rider. It won't be comfy on long trips, but you'll get there very quickly!

The Duc looks funny IMO, but is a very practical and functional motorcycle. Still very powerful, it is not for the first time rider (none of these are). But you can sit more upright, go touring on it, as well as have fun in the canyons and go fast in the straights. It is a good all-rounder.

You buy a bike based on your personality, the bike's comfort, and your skill level as a rider. Whatever makes you happy is the best bike, no matter how much you spend or what other people are riding.

Just be sure to budget a good chunk for full riding gear, including a full-face helmet, because any bike can toss you.

Answer 5

The MultiStrada will out run them both in Traffic and on twisty roads. It wheelstands and does stoppies with ease. The super glide is limited to cruising and the Hyabusa is old school now. A new R1 has almost the same power and speed and is more fun on track days.
Hyabusa and Harley are large and heavy. The Ducati is svelte. It's a no brainer get the Ducati but wait until July when the dealers give freebies. Yes I had a Multistrada and loved it.

Answer 6

I would choose the Harley, actually I did and don't regret doing so. It is just the pride of owning a motorcycle that is manufacture here in the United States. Harley Davidson has the largest band of owners of any vehicle in the U.S. and have always provided dealer/owner support to all the Harley Owners as a appreciation for buying Harley Davidson Motorcycles. Their biggest seller beyong the motorcycles are the Harley memorbilia and clothing which promote Harley Ownership Pride and continued support. There is no other motorcycle group out there with as much pride and support for their members. It's also the pride of buying and supporting the oldest and longest manufacture of American Motorcycles. Harley in appreciation for their support, sponsors various fund raisers for groups such as MDA etc. They sponsors the bike weeks in various cities throughout the U.S. and has the largest member support group - "Harley Owners Group". So it is not just "I owner a Harley" it's a pride of being apart of the Harley Family.

Answer 7

If you want to beat anything that moves and have a bike that thousands have, buy the suzuki....if you just want to ride and never touch the bike buy the ducati ...if your a gearhead and want to have a bike that you can make yours.and actually wrench on and enjoy...buy the harley.I had a few bikes(ninjas,a two stoke rz 500, i had gsxr 1100 it was wicked fast, but nothing compares to the old shovel harley i ride now, it gets more attention, more conversations, and way more women.and the harley at 60mph is way more enjoyable than the gixer was at 130 +...

Answer 8

First thing you need to do is check on insurance for the Busa. I am 36 yrs old and started to buy one 3 years ago. I have had motorcycles since I was 7, so I have ridden for a while. The insurance on a Busa was 3200.00 a yr. So I got a Marauder 1600 instead. 250.00 a year. I would recommend the Marauder or Kawasaki Mean Streak for all around riding. Good for about 125 MPH. 48 mpg. More than enough chrome to spend your extra money on. I've ridden 950 miles in one weekend on mine and was ready to keep going, but I had to go back to work. Great on the back roads where you can take your time and enjoy the scenic routes. You can get a new mean streak for around 10K Harley about 18K, you do the math. Just my .02

Answer 9

I ride a Harley FXD super glide. I use to ride foreign bikes but ever since I got the Harley my love for riding has increased 1000 fold. My preference is cruising and this bike fits perfectly. I've never experienced any mechanical trouble, the ride is comfortable, it delivers good gas mileage and the sound can't be beat. I would recommend the Harley FXD. That's just my opinion.

Answer 10

my first bike was a cbr600... my second is a ducati monster s2r1000.... they both have aggressive seating positions and are only comfortable for short trips.... but they are fast and fun... i am not to impressed by the ducati desmodronic motor... my next bike will be something comfortable so i can go cruising all day on the back country roads... price is important as is comfort.... the Harley is made in the USA so you are supporting American jobs... i would be torn between the harley and ducati.
good point tymber... check the insurance... i have heard of some outrageous rates for the fast superbikes.

Answer 11

Sounds to me that you TRUELY do not know what you want out of life! Time to see the Motopsychologist first...... what do you enjoy about riding??? ;-)

Suzuki will give you bragging rights on the street/strip, and is fair in the twisties - good for sweepers. The Harley will give you bragging rights at the pub, good for nice leisurely cruises. The Duc will give you bragging rights on the trail, and would be pretty good on tight twisty roads. Ask yourself which place do you do the most bragging (showing off?) - then get the bike that fits.

Funny how many folks on Harleys MUST convince you that it is what you need. After plunking down all that $$$, I think many are still trying to convince themselves... ;-)