Emerson wrote:Simple: my traffic consists of approximately 2-6 miles each way, each day. My commute is a total of around 45 miles. Options for side streets with enjoyable lack of arrow-straightness are there as well for 95% of the trip. So, I have 39-43 miles of non-traffic commuting.
Not to mention the nearly 10 miles of HOV lane I get to use.
If it was all in an urban environment, all stop-go-stoplight, I would likely choose differently. if I were THAT close to work, I'd ride another bike - the bicycle.
I have been a daily commuter on an 1100S since June of 2008. It is about the easiest bike in traffic that I have rode though I haven't owned that many street bikes. I keep the hard bags on year round, have a 17 mile commute one way and can make it door to door in 23 minutes in moderate traffic. Stop and go is not a problem with the wet clutch and the 1100 pulls from very low rpms up to the rev limiter.
Just don't hit the throttle too hard with a passenger or you could flip it. 16,000 miles plus, 44mpg and no oil to add between 5000 mile changes. Very expensive bike to take to the shop though, helps if you can do almost all of your own maintenance.
I was just thinking about this yesterday while riding home. I work in Seattle and with our warm/dry summer I have been riding my MTS a lot to work - even though I don't buy bikes to commute on (I just got sick and tired of riding the bus).
Yesterday, because I went to VME, I had about twice as many steep hills I had to stop on to deal with as I usually do. Mine is a '04 1000 with the dry clutch and it often complains when submitted to this kind of use. I wear ear plugs I can hear it squealing. Also, the bike doesn't do well at low RPMs, so it is either have the clutch squeal or stall the bike, which I did yesterday trying to not abuse the clutch. Also, I don't care much for the bike under 20-30 MPH in first gear - the engine just doesn't do well with the stock gearing at less than that speed.
There is also the fact that the bike does get warm in traffic, but I have never had it over heat. You do feel that heat from the engine when the ambient temps are hot though - but I think you get it from a water cooled bike too, I know I do with my Husaberg.
Now possibly changing the front sprocket to a 14 tooth and having a wet clutch would improve the manners a lot, but IMO, an urban commuter the MTS is not.
90% of my riding is inner-city Toronto riding, and I love it. Quite possibly I would love it with most bikes, but I love the Multi's riding height which allows me to see over cars in front of me and to see pedestrians potentially stepping off the curb.
It's also narrow and thus brilliant at AVOIDING the stop-and-go here, where most often roads have one lane with cars parked along the curbside leaving only half a lane for bikers and bicyclists to exploit.
I agree with the clutch issues (mine's dry, open and now needs replacing at 20K kms) but I find it worthwhile.
I also happen to think Ducatis are rather stylish which befits the urban environment.
I ride through hard traffic in the heat of Texas with a dry clutch and have no issues. Its a 100 mile commute round trip; 1 hour each way going through downtown Ft. Worth. It gets kinda toasty sitting on a 250 degree bike with hot car engines and hot exaust all around, but its rare. I love it and hate when I have to get in my car, which is rare as well. If I had a hard time in traffic, when I get out to the country and ride the back roads. That usually clears my system.
I commute quite a bit on my 09 1100S. It consists of quite a bit of stop and go. In fact, one of the reasons that I traded my Monster for an MTS was for commuting. I have the hard bags, which I find very convenient for commuting. I find the wet clutch very easy and with the Fat Duc, the throttle control has gotten better. I would recommend a wet clutch version for commuting.
I commute 15-25 mins twice every day. I had earlier M600 with wet clutch and std handlebar. Clutch was heavier, very tiring to press clutch all the time in slow traffic, and wrists also got tired leaning forward in city commuting with it. MTS 1000 riding position is far better, better visibility, no weight on hands, and dry clutch is lighter to use. If I was shorter MTS might be too high in stops, M600 was lower but I am ok with MTS, and the height really gives better visibility over cars. Only thing I would change is smaller 1st gear, maybe I change front sprocket some day.
In my mind the best one in city is still my good old Honda CB350. Light, very upright position and square sitting, easy turning, easy to get feet on ground, short transmission ratio, no excessively dangerous power for sleepy driver... but I don´t want to take it to frequent use ever any more, it is too valuable to break.
Started 1972 Honda CB350, bought new, still runs
Then Ducati M600 -99 from -01 till -07,
Now MTS1000 -04 since -07
I recently switched to an 05 MTS 1000 (w/ 1080 kit) from an 04 ST4s ABS, which I had for a few years. I've also owned other bikes for several years such as Triumph Trophy 900, Suzuki TL 1000s and Katana 750. I won't bore you with the other older models.
The MTS is a much better all-rounder (duh) than the ST4s. However, the 996 motor is amazing to me though twitchy around town. You basically never get out of 2nd gear and the bike is geared tall, which is a common problem for Ducati's stock gearing but an easy fix. Dry clutch doesn't bother me. ST4s was dry, too.
But, the MTS def runs MUCH hotter. ST4s great away from urban traffic plus stock model has HID headlight, center stand, rear hugger and well-integrated bags -- all things missing on the stock MTS. And I'm not a fan of the OEM bags on the MTS. I'll still go throw a leg over the MTS for short trips but often hesitated with the ST4s as it's not as comfortable as the MTS and has a shorter seat-to-peg reach so can feel cramped. I think the MTS 1000/1100 is a fine urban tool but may stll be more bike than some folks need. But I have no complaints from touring and riding urban. Also, even with a full exhaust it's quieter than the booming 996 and I like being able to look at the "clean" aircooled motor while liquid-cooled motors are just not attractive to look at. I miss the 996 but happy with the MTS for greater all-round utility. Oh, and I'll probably have to replace the MTS stock pegs and mirrors as they both suck but never had problems with the ST4s ones.
Wow, I didn't realize people could be so picky. So, if I have to drive in traffic I have to have a Honda? ...
With all due respect, the Ducati is a thoroughbred. It does everything, but some things better than others. I have never had a problem with mine in heavy traffic, even in hot conditions. Is it the best under these conditions? ... maybe not. But, it isn't bad. (I even sort of like that dry clutch rattle. Remember, nothing's going wrong)
Even in the city at rush hour, there are those moments when the traffic opens up and you can give the Duc a little squirt ... waaay better than the Honda! Then, there's everything else: The highway; the secondaries; the off-roads; the late night runs.
mercury wrote:Wow, I didn't realize people could be so picky. So, if I have to drive in traffic I have to have a Honda? ...
With all due respect, the Ducati is a thoroughbred. It does everything, but some things better than others. I have never had a problem with mine in heavy traffic, even in hot conditions. Is it the best under these conditions? ... maybe not. But, it isn't bad. (I even sort of like that dry clutch rattle. Remember, nothing's going wrong)
Even in the city at rush hour, there are those moments when the traffic opens up and you can give the Duc a little squirt ... waaay better than the Honda! Then, there's everything else: The highway; the secondaries; the off-roads; the late night runs.
I too live in DC. If I hear one more native of The District crow about how great the city planning is here, I'm gonna lose it. Almost none of the lights are timed, and because of the bone-headed wagon-wheel street layout, there seems to be another (red) light every 35 feet. Completely took the fun out of riding my Monster when I moved here. The upright position and lighter clutch of my 620 MTS make it bearable. However, I must confess, the combination of zero tolerance for lane splitting in the District, and the relatively small metro area, have made me opt for the bicycle more and more. Because the bicycle allows me to run a few lights and signs (within reason), I can suddenly get anywhere in the city in 10 minutes instead of 25.
Even on the MTS, I've had several hot muggy summer days where the engine temp climbs above 280 while sitting at yet another light. Really pisses me off as I sit there with nothing to do but think about the engine wearing out prematurely. So, I would agree--if you do the stop and go every day, not just when you get randomly caught in it, I'm not sure any Duc really makes sense, but if you must, go with a wet clutch.
Here's all I have to say to you in response:
"L'Enfant died in poverty. He was buried at the Green Hill farm in Chillum, Prince George's County, Maryland. He left behind three watches, three compasses, some books, some maps, and surveying instruments, whose total value was about forty-six dollars.[34]"
