961 as your only bike...

Fast Eddie

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
20,587
Country flag
I was recently asked my opinion on having a 961 as an only bike.

Personally, I wouldn’t, I think there are too many issues that will definitely arise, if it’s just one bike in the stable such things can be handled leisurely, if it’s an only bike, it’s a guaranteed route to stress and aggravation.

But... I know there’s a couple of guys on here that do (Richard-7 you don’t count as you practically have dealership support)!

So, who does have a 961 as their only bike?

And what’s the consensus as to whether or not it’s a good idea?
 
Me, certainly had issues in the early days and even the not so early days! But now I have no hesitation in swinging a leg over without worrying it won’t get me home. Admittedly it’s not exactly factory stock!
 
Moir ! Apart from the gearbox crunch a year ago at 16,000 miles I have confidence in the bike , & 4 years ago when the bike was 8 weeks old With a 1000 miles on it , I flew it to Canada & USA for 8,500 miles , only real hic up was me filling it with diesel on the first day ( well green hoses are for diesel there & black for petrol) not my fault they got them back to front
961 as your only bike...
961 as your only bike...
961 as your only bike...
961 as your only bike...
961 as your only bike...
 
Moir ! Apart from the gearbox crunch a year ago at 16,000 miles I have confidence in the bike , & 4 years ago when the bike was 8 weeks old With a 1000 miles on it , I flew it to Canada & USA for 8,500 miles , only real hic up was me filling it with diesel on the first day ( well green hoses are for diesel there & black for petrol) not my fault they got them back to front
View attachment 17311
Moir ! Apart from the gearbox crunch a year ago at 16,000 miles I have confidence in the bike , & 4 years ago when the bike was 8 weeks old With a 1000 miles on it , I flew it to Canada & USA for 8,500 miles , only real hic up was me filling it with diesel on the first day ( well green hoses are for diesel there & black for petrol) not my fault they got them back to front
View attachment 17311View attachment 17312View attachment 17313View attachment 17314View attachment 17315
Pity you are not endowed with a better sense of smell and had a sniff of the hose before you attempt to fill her up.
 
Also , aren't the nozzle of a larger diameter for Diesel ?
Possibly Tony , but like all 961 owners I’m practical & made it fit , & my sense of smell is fine , it was my eyesight maybe , but a made a friend at the gas station who helped me sought it
 
Personally, I wouldn’t, I think there are too many issues that will definitely arise, if it’s just one bike in the stable such things can be handled leisurely, if it’s an only bike, it’s a guaranteed route to stress and aggravation.

I think you hit the nail on the head.
No matter how attractive, or enjoyable the ride, if it's constantly down due to a variety issues, or parts that can't be had without long waits, it becomes a bitch.
Of course if someone has a personal inclination to take on challenges (a masochist), then the 961 may be the perfect choice.

Only joking, a little bit.
 
Regardless of whether it were my only bike, IF it gave me regular grief then I'm not one for reinventing the wheel, there are hundreds of other bikes to choose from. I know a lot of you like a challenge and have access to vast hoards of cash and/or fully fitted workshops but I don't have access to either.
 
Showing a lack of commitment there Mx, clearly you could sell your other bikes, remortgage your home, get the kids a paper round and the wife a weekend job! ;) . Me? I think it makes an awesome third bike! Need No 1 to do more than carry me on a Sunday blast, it’s gotta go distance and carry baggage (including the wife - hope she doesn’t read this). Can’t see me circumnavigating Aus on my CR! No 2 needs to be able to stray, tentatively, onto the dirt. Strangely, all three of my bikes are keepers but only the Norton will be buried with me:)!
 
Also , aren't the nozzle of a larger diameter for Diesel ?
I believe it is the other way around so the petrol nozzle wont fit in a diesel filler and risk ruining an engine. Petrol engines will survive ingesting diesel as BlightyBrit/SF proved.
 
Moir ! Apart from the gearbox crunch a year ago at 16,000 miles I have confidence in the bike , & 4 years ago when the bike was 8 weeks old With a 1000 miles on it , I flew it to Canada & USA for 8,500 miles , only real hic up was me filling it with diesel on the first day ( well green hoses are for diesel there & black for petrol) not my fault they got them back to front
View attachment 17311View attachment 17312View attachment 17313View attachment 17314View attachment 17315
Actually everything here in the USA is backwards.
I believe it is the other way around so the petrol nozzle wont fit in a diesel filler and risk ruining an engine. Petrol engines will survive ingesting diesel as BlightyBrit/SF proved.
diesel nozzles are larger.
gasoline nozzles are smaller.

I’m a mechanic and service a large natural gas company.
to often the employees get used to driving there dump trucks or diesel crew trucks. And they sometimes switch to a gasoline crew truck and try to put diesel into the gasoline truck but find that the diesel nozzle it to big to fit the filler spout.
ive also had them put gasoline in diesel dump trucks. It’s a pain in the ass to flush the gas out of the diesel fuel system

but when diesel is in the gasoline engine it will run poorly and smoke like a forest fire until the gas cleanse the diesel fuel out.
 
Fast Eddie
I couldn't have the 961 as an only bike because I enjoy riding too much. I own a few bikes that I enjoy working on, and I bought them knowing they were bikes to work on. When I bought the 961, I didn't expect that it would be one of them, but it has been due to the poor build quality. Thankfully I've got several bikes that are very trouble free. Like you, my Ducati's have spoiled me. You haven't made the plunge for a Harley Davidson yet, but I've ridden Harleys for 48 years and wouldn't be without one. Nobody on this forum wants to hear it but I've put over a hundred thousand miles on two and my 2013 is close to eighty thousand miles. When I bought the 2014 Commando I was expecting hand built quality and trouble free riding to go along with the beautiful bike.... I was disappointed. It is easy to work on and looks great, fun to ride and unique, but not as an only bike. I'll still keep it and enjoy riding it but I'm patient and stubborn.

Charlie
P.S. Blighty, One summer years ago, I ran across three different Goldwing riders at three different times and three different places that had each filled their tanks with diesel fuel. I just chalked it up as a Goldwing thing.
 
As my old stepdad said, horses for courses, donkeys for sand. He biked for over 40 years in all weathers, didn't even bother with a car licence. Brought his kids up with sidecar outfits and the odd 3 wheeler. Back to he subject, not an only bike, no, but a definite must have. Like a thoroughbred she is, out on her yesterday and after a quick groom and a gentle warm up, sweet as a nut. Maybe not more but as many smiles per mile as any.
 
I only have 3 bikes. 2 are 140D Triumphs. That said, the 961 is my main ride. 13K. No. A one and only bike it should not be.........unless you have a boat.;)
 
It is nice to have more than one bike and the more I talk with bikers when we chat at various cafes, most seem to have at least two. I don't have the time, patience or skills necessary to take my bikes apart, the most I can manage are oil changes and fitting new parts occasionally. I think when I retire, I will get several more and get better on the tools. Love riding the 961 and hope to keep it for a long time but I do find myself hankering for something like a ktm super duke 1200r or the new ducati street fighter to feel that ultimate acceleration through the gears. Maybe next year I will add to my small collection. Saying that, may well be taking a contract lease on an alfa stelvio quad so that may be enough for me
 
Definately a bike that you have to want to own regardless of how many you have. Only a hand full of dealers on this side of the pond. If it gets under your skin, like it has mine, the bike will be around for a long time.
 
Back
Top