Ducati 400M

**gixermike** · 15th March 2007, 11:57

we were looking for one for my gf before christmas coz she lurves ducatis.... only found a couple and they were relatively high priced...but within her budget.

Main prob I had was as they are imported 2nd hand, there seems to be absolutely no history/warranty for them at all...so no idea if it's even had an oil change etc.. not a big deal on a jap bike as they'll put up with a lot, but on ducatis the servicing seems to be the key to keeping them going, and if you let it lapse it gets very pricey.

In the end we got her a bandit 250, and even with somewhat 'hobbiton' leg dimensions (she's 5 foot...erm, and thats it)it is fine for her. Actually lower than her old CBR125 in the uk, and the seats not too wide either.

she'll still be getting a 600M next year though...girl has expensive taste...
mike

**placidfemme** · 15th March 2007, 12:59

Originally Posted by vifferman

How about a Cagiva then? They're 'Italian' so have the styling, but have Suzuki engines, so they're reliable and lower maintenance than a Ducati.
My wife sat on a Cagive 650 when we were looking at helmets in Colemans, and she could sit flat-footed on it (she's not tall - about 160cm, I think.)

Yeah we've considered the Cagiva... Noel mentioned it to us when he popped over once. Main problem with them is that they are fairly new... and so out of our price range by a couple or grand...

**JimO** · 15th March 2007, 14:39

Originally Posted by placidfemme

Yeah we've considered the Cagiva... Noel mentioned it to us when he popped over once. Main problem with them is that they are fairly new... and so out of our price range by a couple or grand...

there were a couple on tardme the 1000 are the same size as the 650, i like mine

**Riff Raff** · 15th March 2007, 16:19

I took a 400M for a test ride 2 years ago and wasn't impressed. It really didn't feel much different to a 250 so I would have been bored with it pretty quickly.

**desmo dave** · 15th March 2007, 20:02

Originally Posted by Jimmy B

Hi PF, thats a reasonable point of view and one that I shared as well but you know tastes change and the more Monsters I see the more I am kind of liking them. There is a Chicky that has an M900 and she parks not too far away, I walk past the bike most days, sometimes if I am lucky she rides past. The bike sounds and looks really cool, this has helped. The one that I would have in my dream garage of about 10 bikes is this:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-85246807.htm

I think you would have to do something with those wing mirrors though.There must be so many forsale at jap auctions.

**YLWDUC** · 16th March 2007, 23:53

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ghlight=ducati

Have you seen this one advertised for sale? I'm not sure if he's still got it, but with the chrome tank it does look pretty sweet.

That said, if you want to try a 400 Duc on for size, I should be at the ATNR in west auckland on a semi-regular basis

**JimO** · 17th March 2007, 06:38

Originally Posted by YLWDUC

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ghlight=ducati

Have you seen this one advertised for sale? I'm not sure if he's still got it, but with the chrome tank it does look pretty sweet.

That said, if you want to try a 400 Duc on for size, I should be at the ATNR in west auckland on a semi-regular basis

i paid that for a new 1000 cc cagiva

**desmo dave** · 17th March 2007, 06:55

Originally Posted by jimjim

i paid that for a new 1000 cc cagiva

I wouldnt pay even half that.

**laRIKin** · 17th March 2007, 08:08

Originally Posted by desmo dave

I wouldnt pay even half that.

Well at the end of the day the 400 is a small bike.

But I must and feel I must say.

For a small bike it was a lot of fun to ride and I was surprised at how much I liked riding it.
It just did the basics real well, it stopped and turned a treat in the hills and was so light and flickable.
And would give bigger bikes a run for there money.
I would have one in my shed if money was no problem.

**desmo dave** · 17th March 2007, 08:27

Originally Posted by lemans

Well at the end of the day the 400 is a small bike.

But I must and feel I must say.

For a small bike it was a lot of fun to ride and I was surprised at how much I liked riding it.
It just did the basics real well, it stopped and turned a treat in the hills and was so light and flickable.
And would give bigger bikes a run for there money.
I would have one in my shed if money was no problem.

Lucky you were on a hill aye. shit loads forsale at Jap auctions later modles even have injection.

**laRIKin** · 17th March 2007, 08:37

Originally Posted by desmo dave

Lucky you were on a hill aye. shit loads forsale at Jap auctions later modles even have injection.

I'm sure I would not like to ride one on a tour.
You could if you wanted to, after all some people tour on smaller bikes.
But here on the Port Hills I would ride it all the time, in and out of town and maybe as a track bike.
Like I said I found it great fun to ride, so small, so light and so flickable.

**TonyB** · 17th March 2007, 08:58

Originally Posted by vamr

although seems a wee bit heavy and would hardly be an upgrade powerwise (not to mention the single disc front brake) from your zxr

On the track there isn't much of a power difference between the 400 and my 750. I guess on the road the 750 would be easier to ride, but going hard out, the 750 only has slightly better acceleration. My 750 also has just the one disc, its not an issue, the thing has ample stopping power and doesn't fade. Remember, the brakes are all Brembo gear, and Brembo really is as good as its reputation.