Ducati M600 (1996) @ RM26k vs Kawasaki ER6N (2009) @ RM29k

"salam bro.sy nak let go moto ducati kesayangan sy.jika sesiapa minat nak main corner mmg best pakai jentera ni.boleh bengkak lutot la bro.moto masih standard dan engine tip top.tayar 90% masih baru.serius sila call.terima kasih mudah."

"Spec Motor ni. (@ modification yang telah dibuat.)

- Custom Head Lamp(Design Rare). (RM600++)Original head lamp set masih ader + windshield GIVI (RM 300++)
- Radiator Cover (Kawasaki ER6-n RM150++)
- Rear Fender mudguard masih ader stok ori lagi
- Exhaust Slip On Yoshimura From USA Siap modified with O2 sensor... (RM2200++)Exhaust Ori Masih Ader...
- Sprocket dan Rantai Baru X-Ring (penggunaan Less then 2K...
-Tayar Depan PR2 and Blakang PR3 Baru (Penggunaan Less Than 2k)

Anda beli motor ni kira Cash & Carry. Rasanya tak payah lagi nak modified and beli barang2 lain.. Semua da lengkap, kalau anda pakai saya gerenti semua mata akan pandang. ;-)"

Seems to be a fair bit of Dear Andy type of e-mail these days, but here goes :


A reader, Syam sent in an e-mail for some advices on his impending bike purchase. He stays in Kajang and travels to KL daily for work. He laments that the traffic jam has been really trying and he is considering getting a touring bike to ride to work; which should shave at least one-third of his traveling time. And so began his daily checking on Mudah.


He came across this Kawasakier6 blog through recommendations from his friend from Ferno, a forum for ER6 owners. He likes the Kawasaki ER6 naked and has more or less narrowed down his search, but also found that the Ducati Monster prices have been decreasing a fair bit since when he was surveying these 2 years back.


His dilemma was, between the both examples that he shortlisted above, which would be a better pick.

Well, Syam, I would have to be truthful to you in that I am a great Italian lover. I love Italian products with all their passion and style in-built into the essense and soul of their products- and some of my previous marques were Alfa Romeo and Fiat, and I particularly remember my Fiat Coupe from the younger days, but I am digressing.


I can't speak for the Ducati; but when I was having the Fiat Coupe, I remember that the bella demanded a fair bit of TLC. Funnily as it sounds now (but less funny back then), was the fact that I used to say a prayer before I started her up so that it would be an uneventful start-up. But on the days that she was driven to her full potential, I always exit with a smile on my face and did a double-take while walking away from her. Thus was the love-hate relationship that I shared with the Fiat Coupe.

I switched on to other more reliable rides as I age, including Honda Civic, Toyota Camry and Toyota Harrier. And starting these Japanese rides were a simple affair of turning the igntion keys, minus the suspense as experienced with the Fiat Coupe.


In fact, when I sold off my Fiat Coupe, I informed potential buyers that they'd best be enthusiasts of such rides or they were going to regret the purchase. A young man told me that he was the one, and he bought my coupe. Oh, did I mention that he has rich parents to support his car hobby? I remember myself smiling when I heard that line.


A Ducati is a fine marque and the Monster is a beautiful ride. The machine above may be from the mid-nineties; but place it side-by-side to the newer ER6N and the Monster wouldn't looked like an ancient relic still. Ah, the Italians have a way with their designs, I dare say.


In fact, many of the naked bike designers must have looked, really hard, at the Ducati Monster while putting their thoughts to paper while designing their newer rides.


As you can see from my words thus far, I have a great love for the Ducati Monster.


But if I was to choose between both the rides above, I would fork out my cold, hard cash for the Kawasaki ER6N. Why so then?


- It's newer (2009 vs 1996).
- It has more advanced technology (fuel injection vs carburetor).
- It has been tastefully-modified (although taste is subjective, the ER6N looked like it was the love-child between the KTM Duke and Ducati Monster- and with both these machines as "parents", you know it ain't gonna be bad).

- Did I mention that it's newer (so you can concentrate on the riding and just the riding)?


I know for a fact that my Hondas and Toyotas always start beautifully when I turn on the ignition. Ditto my Kawasaki ER-6f when I press the push-start button.


Let's all ride safe!