Ducati Monster or Harley Fatboy?

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Spittmonkey

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Simply put, I am now on a Honda 400cc. I have the gist of riding down and have been through MSF and quite a few rides with both the sport bike and cruiser communities. I have it down to a few bikes but am for the life of me torn between two.
Ducati Monster S-4 and a Harley Fatboy.

First my riding "needs":
-It will be a "daily" commuting bike that has to go through dense traffic for about 30-45 min one way (about 35mi but eternity where I live)
-I will be riding passengers.
-I live in a corrosion prone area (Island in the middle of the Pacific)
-I am well and capable of "turning a wrench" but would dislike the need to do so on regular basis. Besides my schedule would not allow it.
-Comfort is important to me but not a priority.

That said my "wants":
-600cc+
-Teh Sexay- I want to turn heads. Wether it's with chrome OR something that looks like it would go faster than the speed of light.
-Low end power on tap with fast midrange acceleration capabilities (high end not as important as I am on a small island) I need to go from light to light while being able to maneuver in traffic with ease. At the same time I don't need the bike getting away from me on the slighest tap of the throttle.
-Comfort I do not like the feel of R1's and others due to this (the suzuki is the only sportbike I can feel even close to comfortable on).
-Again, I need it to be passenger friendly.

That said the Harley is a 2008 model and costs upwards of $20k to get on the road here, and I have to wait a few monts till I can get it on the road due to paperwork.
The Ducati is a 2001 that has been kept in immaculate condition and will run me $8k and I can have it on the road tomorrow.

I really don't like the fact that the Harley will be subject and fall victim to the elements here, but am somewhat cautious as to the reliability of a Ducati from what I have been reading.

I have rode the ducati, I have never rode a Harley, but have sat on numerous ones and they feel comfortable.
 
Your comment about you'll be riding passengers pretty much means you don't want a sport bike, it also wont be comfortable for you commuting.

I think both the bikes you listed are way more power than you need for a commuter bike. I'd recommend going wtih an 800 or so, saves on gas but still plenty of power to have fun with and for the expressways.
 
I don't understand how a person could possably be looking at two polor opposites as his choices. Other than both being half a step up from a beginner bike you are looking at a light sporty bike and an overweight antique reproduction bike.

You honda is probably all around a better bike than either.

Do some more looking, you still don't have a good idea of what you want.
 
Harley's don't like sit in bumper to bumper traffic. It will over heat.

IMHO - the Ducati will be uncomfortable in bumper to bumper traffic as well.

I would HIGHLY recommend that you take a close look at a BMW R1200GS. It looks weird, but it is a fantastic choice for your situation. When you get good on it, you will be able to blow away any sport bike in the twisties. Trust me, I just came back from the Alps, I watched GS's take out sport bikes on a regular basis going over alpine passes.
 
Only you know the answer to this. Why ask other people to justify your decision? If you don't pick the bike you want then I guarantee you'll be sorry - you'll be hit with this each time you ride and watch the bike you really wanted go by..... then you won't treat what you have like you should, ------ the unwanted step-child bike....
 
The Monster has great ergonomics. Compared to most sportbikes. Though, it's tank protrudes outward and the seat is very short-pushing you into that protrusion, which can be uncomfortable for the "boys" if you squeeze the front brake a little TOO progressively while riding.

A Harley will overheat, I see it constantly at expert rider training classes, held in parking lots. You need an oil cooler, better air duct routing etc to help it out.
 
Both choices ar good choices. Get what you want. Don't pay any attention to kyle. Harleys don't need oil coolers or any other help. I have an 08 FLHX, he doesn't have any bike.
 
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