Are Ducatis really worth it?

**kneescraper** · 30th July 2007, 18:52

Looking around trademe (ok theres my first mistake), Ducatis seem to have a expensive price tag. Ive noticed this for ages but never thought about it enough to question it.

A old Ducati Paso and they are wanting $7000, late 90's 916 and 996's and those are going for $17,000 +. What mates these used bikes worth so much, Ive even heard that Ducatis make mechanics out of riders. Are they really that bad...and are they really worth that much?

As a young boy I always wanted a 996 however the price tag frightens me alittle, I would hate to see the repair bills if anything goes wrong.

Are they worth it, are they good bikes to ride and are they expensive to up keep?

Personal thoughts on them would be cool...

**canarlee** · 30th July 2007, 18:58

if you do get one dont forget to label all the parts with your postcode!

thats for when they drop off (which they do) people can just post them back to you!!!

*awaits abuse from mcjim lol*

**Scouse** · 30th July 2007, 19:00

Well ya see its like this "Something is worth what ever somone is willing to pay for it" thats it in a nutshell.

**orangeback** · 30th July 2007, 19:18

ive got an old bevel , had her for 11 years , wouldn't sell it as i couldnt afford to as it owes me 21k and it probly only worth 7-9k on a good day , i love riding it, all 69hp, puts a grin on my face every time , it atracts attenion when ever its used (all of twice a year ) its all noise but love it , my thery is if i don't use it , it dont cost me money ,
think of an old europen Car (124 sport Fiat) compared to you'r 120y datsin

**scumdog** · 30th July 2007, 19:23

Depends what you want - if it's character you want (see posts on that by idb!!!) you'll very likely end up with a truck load of same.

But cool bikes with nice note and style baby...oh yeah, loads of style....

**R1madness** · 30th July 2007, 19:31

Actually they are relatively inexpensive to maintain. Its just that you cant get away with skipping services like you can on a Japaneese bike. Things like belts are easy to do and not very time consuming to replace compared to a cam chain but you need to do belts every 20000km and a cam chain should last about 80000km (end cost about the same). Valve shims are simple enough but take a while and some mechanical knowledge is required. But once set correctly they hardly ever need adjustment.
Cost, well thats a matter of where you buy! Try us for a quote when you are serious about buying your 996. You will be pleasently supprised.

**miSTa** · 30th July 2007, 19:34

Originally Posted by kneescraper

I would hate to see the repair bills if anything goes wrong.

A lot of bikes are expensive to repair.

Originally Posted by kneescraper

Are they worth it,

Up to you to decide, for me - yes every cent.

Originally Posted by kneescraper

are they good bikes to ride and are they expensive to up keep?

No, complete and utter myth.

**98tls** · 30th July 2007, 19:36

I wouldnt pay anything for a Paso myself,they were a dog just like the 89 750 sport i had.The old bevel drive dukes,i love them and wish i had the dosh to have a few in the shed,The new ones,well who can fault them really,yes there expensive..well some of them are but they have the best of everything so expensive they will be,look at the new 1098,awsome bit of kit i am guessing but for me anyway doesnt hold any real desire,depends what you want to do with a bike,on real roads in the real world with real world limitations read as cops/shitty roads/cars/trucks etc etc i cant see myself going any quicker than i do on what i have.You only live once go for it if thats what you want..your along time below ground.

**Cajun** · 30th July 2007, 19:40

One of the biggest thing i found, is if you own a duke,

Is make sure who ever does the work on KNOWS dukes, and works on them every day sorta thing, since they don't they do take a bit more work than a japanese bike, but a proper ducati spanner man knows what to look/hear so it is right.

**kneescraper** · 30th July 2007, 19:47

Awesome response's, I love the look of all the Ducatis!!! Style well Ducatis all have style....even the Paso's.

The fact that I require my bikes to by my daily transport it would be used every day. This is just a dig to see if I should keep my dream of owning a 996 alive. They all look like they have been well kept...

I dont see many Ducatis with high KM's, is that because the owners treat them like show ponys or can they not reach high KM's.

Interesting discussion but.

**T.W.R** · 30th July 2007, 19:58

Can't really comment on later generation Dukes like 916/748s Monsters etc and onwards; but all the bevels, Pantah based designs etc are pure class

sure there's plenty of issues to deal with during ownership but when things are clicking into place it's a magic experience

Big open country sweepers on a well set-up bevel with the contis barking & dels doing their bit is sublime

they handle like they're on rails, sound glorious, and get everyone's attention.
Early pantahs brought middleweight sports into another dimension and the likes of 600/650 pantahs and 750 F1s (including Montjuich & Laguna Seca models) ridden well even by todays standards would keep a lot of bikes honest if not scare them a bit.
Many seem to forget about 851s & their many derivatives and what they did for Ducati in WSB racing, instead lusting after 916s which were a step ahead again but have a look at a well set-up 888 SP5 or 888SPS and it's pure lust

Older Bevels with Contis are a magic sound on song

, Pantahs are just purely fun machines, & 851s set the precedent that put Ducati where it is now.
Sure you have to be pedantic about maintenance and they seem to have the most repetitive gremlins known to motorcycling; But they've class, charisma, and ageless beauty and when you're in the groove on one few things come close to the experience