Are your KTMs, Ducatis etc expensive to service?

**mattian** · 10th April 2010, 19:39

more expensive to get serviced than your more common Suzukis and Hondas, etc etc?

Recently I have been drooling over some reasonably priced Ducati's, more specifically, the relatively newer 696's .........beautiful bikes.

It got me thinking. my bike is a commuter bike, and I intend on owning it for a very long time as its my only form of transport.
In terms of reliability, and cost of parts/general serivicing would I be looking at a considerable expense on a Ducati? compared with my current Suzuki?

**Muppet** · 10th April 2010, 19:58

Don't buy an imported Ducati, it will only end in tears.

**slowpoke** · 10th April 2010, 20:15

Originally Posted by Muppet

Don't buy an imported Ducati, it will only end in tears.

I disagree, you just have to be realistic and go in with your eyes open, as you would with any purchase you can't physically touch/ride/see etc.

**AllanB** · 10th April 2010, 20:54

NAH - those piece-o-shite new Ducatis only require servicing every 15,000kms. I mean WTF are they thinking of - they are meant to be upholding the Internet reputation for being expensive, temperamental machines only suitable for europhiles.

IMO you like it - buy it.

The only bike I have ever owned that burnt oil was a Suzuki ............

**nudemetalz** · 10th April 2010, 21:52

My Guzzi is cheap as chips to maintain and keep going. Plus is as reliable as any other bike.

**LBD** · 10th April 2010, 22:01

I dont consider my Duc expensive to maintain....and as for....

Originally Posted by AllanB

, temperamental machines only suitable for europhiles....

There were a few raised eyebrows when I completed my 15 000km in 17 days trouble free on my Duc last month, in all sorts of weather...wet, hail, hot and frosts.

**SMOKEU** · 10th April 2010, 22:04

I went into a bike shop today and they said the only sprockets that are more expensive than for Hondas are for Ducatis.

**Blackflagged** · 10th April 2010, 22:10

The AfterMarket make sprockets. So it must be a world wide conspiracy?

**Headbanger** · 10th April 2010, 22:11

Originally Posted by LBD

I dont consider my Duc expensive to maintain....and as for.... There were a few raised eyebrows when I completed my 15 000km in 17 days trouble free on my Duc last month, in all sorts of weather...wet, hail, hot and frosts.

Fuck me, I'm impressed.

And not because it was a Ducati either.

**Winston001** · 10th April 2010, 23:09

Ducati have raised their game since the 1980s and early 90s. They had to in order to keep up with the reliability of the Jap bikes. My ST4 probably cost me a bit in servicing because I decided I was past servicing it myself and didn't remove the fairings to save the mechanic time. The short answer to your question is that modern Ducatis are lovely bikes and no problem to own. Haven't heard anything bad about KTM either.

**jasonzc** · 11th April 2010, 08:40

maybe ring a duc dealer/workshop and ask?

**ynot slow** · 11th April 2010, 09:23

Same thing for me,was looking at an ST2 with 34000km,rang a bike shop who sell them and had a good talk to the service manager re major services,he stated belts due at 40000km would entail approx $1000 along with the full service as per book,obviouslly any more parts meant price increases.

**Quasi** · 11th April 2010, 09:39

My Duc, like all bikes i expect, costs a little to service , but its not over the top (must learn how to some of that basic stuff myself, i mean how difficult can it be to change the oil) BUT - what price can be put on the incredible pleasure i get from riding her.
have had jappas previously and will never go back. i have the 2005 model and have had totally trouble free riding from her. As said previously, Ducati lifted their game big time from the early days and i personally dont think the newer models are more susceptible to break down then any other modern bike

**2wheeldrifter** · 11th April 2010, 10:44

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

I went into a bike shop today and they said the only sprockets that are more expensive than for Hondas are for Ducatis.

Hmmm front spockets for a ST4's, ST2 and S2R from dealer are, $23.60 for the ST's and 18.00 for the S2R.. is that fucking expensive or are you guys just tight? (that was over a year ago the last one I got)

Originally Posted by ynot slow

Same thing for me,was looking at an ST2 with 34000km,rang a bike shop who sell them and had a good talk to the service manager re major services,he stated belts due at 40000km would entail approx $1000 along with the full service as per book,obviouslly any more parts meant price increases.

That must have including shims for the valves to be done in that price!

Having three of them, ST4'S, ST2 and S2R I have never ever had a problem,front spockets all changed to 14 tooth as all Ducati's 1st gear are tall, all mine were imports! all serviced dy the shop with papers etc. As Winston001 said remove all the fairings saves time and money. The last service on the ST2 at 15000k was just on $634.00, that was,
Oil/ oil filter/spark plugs/ brake-clutch fliuds changed/new belts/valves checked-still in spec/chain lubed-adjusted/ all bearings.. swing arm-head wheels etc all checked etc. and fairings still on... if you wondering why 15000 new belts, as I got the bike at 5000k's with new belts fitted, belts replacement is 10.000k on the newer ones it is 15000k.
So I can live with that, a mate took his Trumpit in for an oil change and check chain etc..... $168.00 so my service doesn't seem to bad to me.

If you want just a little dribble in your pants then buy a Japa.. or full blown wet the pants mess... buy Ducati

The grin factor of hearing your V-twin Ducati with good aftermarket pipes going down the road mmmmm sweetest sound on earth!

**SMOKEU** · 11th April 2010, 11:10

Originally Posted by 2wheeldrifter

Hmmm front spockets for a ST4's, ST2 and S2R from dealer are, $23.60 for the ST's and 18.00 for the S2R.. is that fucking expensive or are you guys just tight? (that was over a year ago the last one I got)

That's what I got told at Budget Motorcycle Spares.