Better bike for me....R65ls or Ducati 750 Monster?

[invincibleone]

I have always wanted a BMW R65LS and finally have the funds to purchase one. But I am also considering a newer (2002ish) Ducati 750 Monster. Please read the below paragraph about me and give me an honest opinion of which bike would better suite my needs:

I am a classic motorcycle enthusiast and currently own 5 classic bikes and a 1986 GSXR that will someday be a classic. While I love the vintage bikes, I am looking for something that I can really trust on long highway trips with the old lady. I really like the styling of the R65LS and would like to think of it as a (near) classic that I can use for long trips. Would this be fair? I am not looking for a big heavy touring bike so no need to suggest one; I just want a nice middleweight capable of 400+ mile highway trips.

[steve_wicks]

From a practical and economic point of view the BMW wins hands down ..... from a fun & performance point of view the Duke takes it.

There again, I had a very enjoyable 350 mile ride on a Hyosung GT250 a few months ago!

[beemer]

I think once you get to know your R65LS and have done all the service checks etc it's going to be reliable as any bike,iv'e done so many service items to my bike since iv'e owned it that i would feel happy to take it anywhere,i don't know about Ducati's,but knowing your bike is a great plus on long journey's,at the end of the day though,it's your call,i wouldn't part with my LS though,so don't come knocking!!!
This may help you.
http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/Articles/Buyers-guide/The-UK-Airhead-Boxer.aspx

[montmil]

Are you planning long trips two-up "with the old lady" on an R65LS? On a 750 Duck 2-up?   Monte

[invincibleone]

Are you planning long trips two-up "with the old lady" on an R65LS? On a 750 Duck 2-up?   Monte

Yes, like from Delaware to Vermont.

[larstorders]

I'm a Ducati fan, though currently don't own one. I'm pretty sure from talking to Ducati enthusiasts that very few  would choose a Monster for a 400 mile trip. The riding postion, highish footpegs and a long stretch to the bars, often brings fatigue by the 100 mile mark. However there's always one or two who find the bike just suits them, In the case of the Monster thats fewer than for most other models.
Regarding BMW, of course, almost all riders would agree that 400 miles is very much within the comfort zone for a days ride for an R65. Plus you have a dedicated pannier system, which the Monster can't accomodate.
Be aware also that Ducati models do not have the level of component interchangability found on BMWs and parts can be an absolute *^"*&%"!  to obtain. I'd say, mile for mile, running a Ducati is waaayyyy more expensive and labour intensive than running a BMW. Without good preparation and an intimate knowledge of the model in question, I wouldn't use a Duke for long two up trips.
 I personally see keeping a Ducati in good running order as a hobby in itself. As such I am hopiing to make what will be an immensly fulfilling European trip on a Ducati in the near future.
Hope this helps with your choice Missile

[msbuck]

I can't compare the LS with a Ducati exactly, but I have a standard R65 and a Laverda Ghost Strike - much like the Ducati.  My BMW is my touring bike!  I absolutely love the handling, performance, braking of the Laverda, but I would not trust it on a long trip like the BMW.  I have taken the Laverda on a 400 mile trip and it wasn't bad.  However, I ride solo, not two-up.  To be honest, I can't imagine being a passenger on either bike for a long distance tour.  My hubby and I rode the BMW back from a trip two up when he lost the gear selector return spring in his BMW.  It was NOT a fun trip and I would not want to do it again.

Of course, if your 'old lady' is used to riding like that, it could be a different story.

Long story short - I'd pick the BMW hands down.  

[Lucky_Lou]

Its a no brainer if your touring ones german .....the other isnt!!! its like a choice between an Alfa or a Merc youll have loads of fun with an Alfa but youl get there in a Merc.
Lou

[benita]

I own both.A 83 R65, and a 06 ducati 620.For all out fun and performance,hands down the ducati,but the riding position is something that I would not want to be exposed to for very long.Cramps in hands and wrists.On the other hand the R65 is well suited for ''any'' trip.I could ride it all day.Very comfortable.Its very easy to work on.If you need to.But the R65 is not a quick bike.But its not meant to be.Every bike has its own personality.

[invincibleone]

Alright, Thanks to all for the input. I am going to look at the R65LS tomorrow. I'll let you all know how it went & possibly post some photos. You may be seeing more of me soon.
Regards-
Fissel the Missile

[Bob_Roller]

Just be aware, that the LS will probably require a fair amount of work, you didn't say what year it is, but it's at least 25-27 years old .

Be ready to put some money into it, but once you get it all sorted out, it won't be a problem for years to come .

[steve_wicks]

... and what's to say a used Duke won't require any (very expensive) work?

I bought an '81 R65 and spent double what I paid getting it ship-shape, but it is still less than the price of a 10-year Duke that one has no idea how much work it'll require.

I use mine almost everyday and it is very practical.

[nhmaf]

Of the 2 choices, the R65 is definitely the better touring type bike, while if you were looking for a more sport oriented bike, I'd lean toward the Duc.  Track day or serious twisty bike = Duc[  Versatile, and fun with more leaning toward long term reliability and serviceability = BMW.

If it helps you - I just got back from a 2100-mile trip to the BMWMOA rally and back on my R65LS with nary a problem.  Of course, I've gone through it the past couple years to ensure that it is mechanically solid.  Depending on the state of the R65 you are looking at, it may require some TLC (or not) to achieve that level of dependability.  I have new found respect in that little bike now.  I'll have pics in the photo gallery later this week.

Plus, Suecanada on this forum was also at the same rally also on an R65LS, and she is touring around North Carolina, TN and Virginia this week before hitting the RA rally in West Virginia this coming weekend and then heading back to Ontario, Canada.   Her bike must be close to 100K miles now, and has had the valve seats/valves replaced which is an eventually necessity with the airheads prior to 1985.  I haven't seen to many Ducs with that kind of mileage still on the road.

The one disadvantage of the R65 LS model (not the regular R65 model) is that it loses versatility in the area of fitting different windshields/screens and luggage panniers over the standard R65 model.  The mini-'fairing' thing on the LS means that the instrument panel is also unique to the LS, and  there were only a few aftermarket windshields made that will fit/coexist with the mini-fairing.  If you remove the fairing/cowling thing, then you've got to fit another full faring of some sort or else do something about the instrument covering - as the back of the instruments on the LS are exposed (not good) once the top black cowling piece is removed.   Swapping instruments and headlight bucket with a regular R65 is certainly do-able but expensive.

[nhmaf]

... and the rear cowling on the LS bike will not peacefully cohabitate with any of the pannier frames which also have an integral real luggage rack (grab handles and extended tail shape interfere).  Only the pannier frames that are the separate left/right frames (w/o rear luggage platform) will work on the LS.   This is not an issue with the standard R65.

One could fit a standard R65 tail cowling piece to an LS model if one also changed the seat from the LS-specific seat to the regular R65 seat - the seat pans/shape are somewhat different at the back end.

Oh, the price we (gladly) pay for being unique and stylish !
 

[invincibleone]

Well here it is. But I already have one small issue........Seems like oil is leaking out of the rear diff onto my brakes & out of the drum onto my wheel & tire. Could this be caused by simply overfilling the rear diff or is there likely a bigger issue. The bike was serviced 13 miles prior to my purchase (by BOBs BMW)
I'll post this question in a new forum?