Should I sell my rare Guzzi... for a Duc?

[Krev]

Hello all,

First off I want to say that I've been a lurker here for a few months, and this forum has an incredible amount of information. Hopefully it'll be of use to me down to the road.

I'll get right to it: I've always wanted a motorcycle since I was a kid. Through my teenage years that persisted, but my parents would've killed me. So I waited, and waited some more. When I turned 20, I started looking more seriously at bikes, particularly at old Honda's and Guzzi's. I was admiring Ducati's at this point, as they were waaaayyy out of my price range. Especially the classic 750SS and Pantha.

Back in April, I came across a listing on craigslist for a Moto Guzzi V50 Monza. It's styling appealed to me, and I love the way Guzzi engines are designed. I went out to take a look at it and as soon as it kicked over and I gave it a rev I had to have it. I had a grin on my face for at least half an hour afterwards. Further research on this bike shows that roughly only 125 Monzas were ever imported into the U.S. Needless to say, I have a very rare bike, even if it is a small block 500cc.

My dilemma is this: I want a Ducati. Every single aspect about Ducati's is awe-inspiring. The design, the headlights on the 748/848 vs the vertical on the 749/999 (for example), and of course the sound that emits from termi pipes. My Guzzi is rare, and a collectible. I am a very small time collector at heart. I like having things that people can't find easily anymore. This is most prevalent with my hockey sticks. I stock up on older models that no one can find anymore because I can and because I think it's cool to own such things. This is how I feel about my Guzzi. But my Monza isn't a Ducati.

My Monza is an older bike, a 1981. It can be very quirky sometimes, just it's nature. It's in perfect working order, I've gone through it myself (took quite a while and a lot of beer), as well has having a professional Guzzi tech go through it. That said, it's just not a good commuting bike; one that I can ride daily to and fro as I please. My Monza is more of a pleasure bike. It's one that I would love to keep in my garage, but I just can't help but think that something better can be there in it's place that I would be able to ride daily or whenever I want. This is further compounded by the fact that Duc Seattle just got in a 2006 749S that is very reasonably priced.

So my question, after all this rambling is this: Should I sell my Guzzi for a Ducati? And if yes, what Ducati should I consider. I really really love the 749S and the 999, and I do live a ways out from town and work so there wouldn't be much stop and go. However, Ducati's are just so damn sexy that any sportbike model would do. The Monster models are less attractive to me, but they've been growing on me recently. The Sport Classics are very nice too.

(apologies for the long post, wanted to give a thorough background)

Thanks for all your opinions and help in advance!

[NSP]

I wouldn't.....but if you want a 749/999 even more, then get it.

[couchflyer]

Keep the Guzzi and buy the 749.

[Secret Squirrel]

Don't sell the Moto Guzzi. You seem to be attached to it and I think you will regret getting rid of it later. Even if it's for a Ducati. The Ducs your considering are really not bikes that you will spend long hours on either. I would consider them pleasure bikes like your Moto Guzzi is. Just save a little more and get the Ducati you want. This is how the madness of collecting or having multiple bikes starts.

[Desmo_Demon]

Originally Posted by couchflyer

Keep the Guzzi and buy the 749.

Plus One.....or +1 to get Metalhead's blood pressure up.

I'd keep the old Guzzi for its rarity and coolness. Sometimes you just can't beat the feeling of being out on a bike that not many people have seen....or even know what it is.

[bubbaduc]

Saw a Monza on the Blue Ridge Parkway about a month ago. Ridden by a lady. I asked he if she knew what she had. She nodded yes. Her husband was riding an old triumph bonnie. Both bikes were pristine.
The Guzzi is a tiny bike, very rare and very beautiful.
Wait until you can afford both. My 2 cents

[Bella749]

Superbikes are awesome for their intended purpose, but do not really make a good all-purpose bike. IMO, if you want a superbike, get one in addition to the Guzzi.

[tempest411]

For day to day commuting purposes, just get a cheap CBR600, which shouldn't cost much at all, then go back to getting a Ducati. You'd feel terrible if you wrecked the Guzzi or the Ducati going back and forth to work.

[Desmo_Demon]

Originally Posted by tempest411

For day to day commuting purposes, just get a cheap CBR600, which shouldn't cost much at all, then go back to getting a Ducati. You'd feel terrible if you wrecked the Guzzi or the Ducati going back and forth to work.

If he goes that route, he may as well get a Ninja 250 as a commuter. It gets 60-70 mpg. A buddy's CBR600RR got high 30's and low 40's when not pushing it. OTOH, my Ducs get 43-50 (Paso gets 30-34) on the commute where as my Harley was getting 50-55 mpg. Since I finally killed the HD (106k+ miles and it needs a top-end rebuild), I've been commuting on my ST2 and my GSXR-1100. The GSXR only gets 36-38 mpg commuting.

[FareWarning]

you should post up a pic of the guzzi to give a better understanding of what it looks like. i like stuff that no one can readily get as well.. seems like you have a real rare one.. if you can afford it keep it and get a cheap commuter. but if you really wanna sell it and pick up a sexy ducati well.... dont count out the sport classics.. it might take you a while to find the right one but when you do it'll knock you on your ass!

ducati has stopped making them so in time they too will be rare..