New Owner - Advice please....
Hello.
I am seriously considering buying a 999. I have had v twins in the past (SP1, SP2, Mille RSV-R) but changed to a CBR600RR a year ago when trying to get a part for the Aprilia that was being replaced under warranty took over 3 months. I love the little CBR, great fun on the track, but am missing the V Twin thing and having considered all options the 999 appears the only one.
Before I place an order I thought it best to draw upon your knowledge and experiences so I don’t do the wrong thing. I have a couple of questions I would greatly appreciate your views on.
1.
It was my intention to buy a 2005 999, but I have also been offered a new 2004 999S for virtually the same money (£250 more). I have ridden both, the power on both seemed similar but my impression was that the fuelling on the 2005 bike was slightly better. The 2005 bike felt slightly more solid and better built, and reliability is important to me as I tour and don’t want to be stranded at the top of the Alps on a single cylinder on a Bank Holiday Monday. However the fact the 2005 bike had 200 miles on it and the 2004 bike had 1800 miles on it maybe explains this. It was cold and wet so I couldn’t test the Ohlins-v-Showa difference. In your experience is the 2005 999 an improvement over the 2004 999S, or is the 2004 bike a better buy?
2.
I do a couple of continental tours a year, about 1500-2000 miles in a week. I was intending to go for the Bip so I could strap a tail back on the back, but I don’t take a pillon. The plan was to get the single seat tail unit for the Bip and fit that when I am not touring but the more I think about it the spring on the Bip is probably heavier than on the Mono and for solo riding the Mono would be better. The alternative might be to get the Mono and fit a ventura kit, only fitting the rails when I am on tour so I don’t spoil the looks/Lines at other times. Have any of your had this dilemma, and which option works out best?
3.
And finally, I live in Guildford, Surrey. The closest dealers are P&H in Crawley, DLS and Pro Twins. All equally inconvenient to get to, but I got the feeling that Pro Twins in Godstone are the most professional and would prep and look after the bike better than the others. (P&H also wound me up by making me hire the bike for a test ride rather than giving me a demo..never had that before, and up to that point I was going to use P&H). What’s the view on whom is the best out of the three, views on pros and cons from your experience would be welcome.
I would really appreciate your comments and advice. I am about to sign on the dotted line but want to make sure I am not about to do the wrong thing, order the wrong model or use the wrong dealer.
Thanks…Gareth