Ducati pros & cons

[grotto]

I'm considering buying a Ducati, but know very little about them, other than anecdotal stories.

I'm looking at one of the single sided swing arm models, mainly for the looks, but have no idea if there are any differences which will affect me.

I do very few miles, bikes spend most of the time parked in the garage, and when I ride it's usually only a few hours at a time.

Currently ride my VFR400 the most, so HP isn't a big issue.
Budget is under $15k, but I'd rather stay around $10K.

Ideally I'd like something that I can park up for a few weeks, then get on and ride with no issues.

My VFR has been excellent, only ever needs tyres, chain, sprockets, and oil changes, but it's getting old, and a bit more power wouldn't go amiss.

I've seen 748's, 991's, 996's, & 1098's, but don't know the pros & cons of each.

Any advice would be helpful

Thanks

[jim.cox]

Just do it

The larger engines have more low down torque - the 748's like to rev.

For me, I'd be looking for the last of the 998's with the Testastretta motor

But any 'Dirty Unhealthy Crappy And Trashy Italian' will put a grin on your face - guaranteed

[T.W.R]

I'm considering buying a Ducati, but know very little about them, other than anecdotal stories.

[TheDemonLord]

Ideally I'd like something that I can park up for a few weeks, then get on and ride with no issues.

So you're after a Honda then.... :P

[Voltaire]

Just do it

The larger engines have more low down torque - the 748's like to rev.

For me, I'd be looking for the last of the 998's with the Testastretta motor

But any 'Dirty Unhealthy Crappy And Trashy Italian' will put a grin on your face - guaranteed

Don't forget, great to ride round town on, easy diy servicing and cheap parts

[pritch]

I wouldn't associate the word "torque" with any Ducati with the possible exception of the Diavel which I haven't ridden. Unless you are revving them, there's nobody home in the engine department.

Things may well have changed for the better with the last few models, say from the 1098, but prior to that you were supposed to get the bike serviced whether you used it or not. The belts could develop a "set".

Don't judge them by the size either, the smaller ones won't be much, if any, any quicker than your VFR.

One of the two valve models might be OK, Trade Me might reveal a treasure, but as someone else said a Honda might be better for your intended use.

[AllanB]

I purchased a new Streetfighter 848 almost two years ago. Over 10,000 kms on it now. Love the darn thing.

I'm recommend getting the later model that you can, quality and reliability increased significantly a couple decades ago and parallels other brands you may be considering. Service intervals on the later models are 12,000 - 15,000 kms (or each year), belts 24 - 30,000 kms and the cost of a set of belts and valve check/adjusts is similar to a valve clearance check on any Japanese four or Euro twin or triple bike.

Narrow down what you are desiring as per any bike - yes a single sided swingarm is cool but makes fuck all riding difference on the road and if you want to do any of your own basic maintenance, you'll shell out for a one side race stand and a friggen big breaker bar and a decent high setting torque wrench if you want to remove your rear wheel at home. Add to the list of tools a suitable tool for chain adjusting (a big-arse C-wrench) and a decent 1/4 inch socket set with hex-head settings. Ducati like hex heads - everywhere - and the factory covers each one in loctite. A nice adjustable wrench makes life so much easier.

Rear tyres tend to wear out quicker on powerful twins - something to do with the engine pulses apparently - two lumpy ones as opposed to four smooth ones.

They are not for everyone. Fueling can be, hmmm average, at the low end, don't expect a HD stump puller you never rev above 4 thou - expect a engine that is telling you to harden the fuck up and twist the throttle when you are under 4 thou. Around town this can mean a bit of pissing about with gears and rpms. Over this, it accelerates so hard it will rip ya foreskin off if you ride naked.

They are all geared Heaven high from factory, it makes for a gloriously long first and second gear but utterly useless 6th (or 5th and 6th) if you are sitting on a 100. Other than mufflers the most common first change is a tooth down on the front sprocket to make those higher gears useable.

Mufflers - stock is generally nicely audible - but it's a Ducati and apparently there is a law that states stock mufflers must be replaced with boom cannons.

Handlebars are odd bends on some (monsters, streetfighter) you adapt or change them (easy). Seats are firm. Suspension is generally very good but Italian (firm).

Get a battery tender if you park it up for weeks - some models don't appear to like sitting and drain their batteries (no problem with mine).

Start test riding. As I said I love mine. I came from a long life of Japanese bikes and was looking for a change, every ride I enjoy and the oddities I've described I'd probably not tolerate on a Honda but embrace on the Ducati as it has re-lit my love of motorcycling when it was getting slightly ho-hum.

Ducati forums tend to wank on like they are gods own design and all others should get on their knees. This is bullshit. They a motorcycle, if you desire and enjoy them they are the same as any other brand one has desired, owns and enjoys.

Don't cover yourself in Ducati logos - you'll look like a poser.

The coolest motorcycle logo of all time on a black T-shirt is the Norton logo. I don't know why, it is just accepted by the masses as so. Which just makes it cooler.

And ultimately any brand of bike or style you buy that puts that smile on your face is just fine by me. I don't give a toss what you ride if you enjoy it.

PS - red ones are faster.

[OddDuck]

+1 to AllanB's post above.

I had my own (brief) experience with getting a wheel off on a single sided swingarm Monster, I was helping a mate change a chain and sprocket set... It was a fairly eye-opening experience. We had a 1.5m breaker bar and similar torque wrench, both in 3/4 inch format, for the job - he'd managed to borrow these off his engineering workplace. The tools were both absolute beasts and I hate to think what they cost... but even these things were barely up to the job. Why Ducati don't use 5-ish fasteners on a pitch circle is beyond me. Or maybe that's an Italian and style at all costs thing.

Also +1 to newer if possible. I have a bike from the mid-1990s and it requires near constant attention to keep going, aside from the usual 20+ y.o. bike issues, frequent service intervals for oil / valve clearances / belt condition and tension etc are normal.

All this said... they're great bikes, loads more character than anything I've seen out of Japan, parts availability (if not pricing) is nothing short of amazing (yes I still have full factory support for my 22 year old bike including replacement frames) and there's a vibrant aftermarket for goodies. EMS will do higher quality than OEM shims and shim retainers, for example.

[grotto]

So you're after a Honda then.... :P

Was thinking that may be the answer, but I've got a couple already.

[grotto]

All good info., plenty to think about.

will do a few test rides, and put up with the sales pitch.

Only do about 3,000 km per year per bike, as I try to use run them all.

[Drew]

There are no pros.

You're welcome.

[Crasherfromwayback]

I'm considering buying a Ducati, but know very little about them, other than anecdotal stories.



Any advice would be helpful

Thanks

Having worked in two Ducati stores over the years, the best advice I can give you is...don't do it.

[AllanB]

There are no pros.

Pro - Drew won't ask you for a ride on your Ducati

[Laava]

I had my own (brief) experience with getting a wheel off on a single sided swingarm Monster, I was helping a mate change a chain and sprocket set... It was a fairly eye-opening experience. We had a 1.5m breaker bar and similar torque wrench, both in 3/4 inch format, for the job - he'd managed to borrow these off his engineering workplace. The tools were both absolute beasts and I hate to think what they cost... but even these things were barely up to the job. Why Ducati don't use 5-ish fasteners on a pitch circle is beyond me. Or maybe that's an Italian and style at all costs thing.

Went thru this myself this week and without the absolutely correct gear, you are asking for trouble. If however you have the correct low profile socket and a decent powerbar for removal, it can be done very quickly. The advice in the owners manual is that it should only be done by an authorized bla, bla, bla... Not many people however will have a big enough torque wrench to correctly nip it all back up! I had advice from a few ducati people and one thing people tend to do is grease the wrong parts on reassembly leading to overtightening. Fuck mine was tight and seemed it needed nowhere near the same force to torque it back up!
There are enough smiles per mile however to make up for all this kerfuffle!

[Voltaire]

I'm considering buying a Ducati, but know very little about them, other than anecdotal stories.

I'm looking at one of the single sided swing arm models, mainly for the looks, but have no idea if there are any differences which will affect me.

I do very few miles, bikes spend most of the time parked in the garage, and when I ride it's usually only a few hours at a time.

I've seen 748's, 991's, 996's, & 1098's, but don't know the pros & cons of each.

Any advice would be helpful

Thanks

As the owner of two Ducatis, if your only buying for looks and doing a few miles a Ducati will be perfect.

My 1983 BMW has a single sided swingarm, makes the the wheel easier to get on and off.

Why do Ducati persist with a redundant valve actuating system that adds complexity and cost with no mechanical advantage?