Are Ducatis really worth it?

[Animal]

The later ones had injection and were apparently good bikes....that's if you can get the styling.

The Paso I owned was one of the early generation, which sadly did have that diabolical carb. I'm an aircraft engineer, so the aerodynamic elements of the styling appealed to me (unsurprisingly) but the bike's performance was really disappointing. It did everything else a Ducati is meant to do, especially in ridiculously tight twisty bits of road, but it always felt asthmatic. I'm fairly switched on in terms of technical things, yet I spent far too many weekends with the bike in pieces, trying to rectify this condition. There's probably noting that I didn't try, and the accumulation of modified airboxes, filters, jets and sundry bits were becoming an expensive pile of unsuccesful fixes. I guess at some point my frustration and disappointment exceeded my desire to sort the bike's lethargic performance out. I'd only had the thing for about a year, then traded it in on an 851. And what a difference that was!

[idb]

The Paso I owned was one of the early generation, which sadly did have that diabolical carb. I'm an aircraft engineer, so the aerodynamic elements of the styling appealed to me (unsurprisingly) but the bike's performance was really disappointing. It did everything else a Ducati is meant to do, especially in ridiculously tight twisty bits of road, but it always felt asthmatic. I'm fairly switched on in terms of technical things, yet I spent far too many weekends with the bike in pieces, trying to rectify this condition. There's probably noting that I didn't try, and the accumulation of modified airboxes, filters, jets and sundry bits were becoming an expensive pile of unsuccesful fixes. I guess at some point my frustration and disappointment exceeded my desire to sort the bike's lethargic performance out. I'd only had the thing for about a year, then traded it in on an 851. And what a difference that was!

The styling has grown on me over the years.
I used to think that they were the ugliest post-bevel ever made but now I'd like one as a tourer (injected model of course 907ie).

[spudchucka]

Check the stats for your bike - if the compression is low you will be better using lower octane fuel - mine is about 9:1 I think and the 91 runs fine in it - 95-98 just fouls the plugs after a while.

My bike starts first time every time - I just use a little choke in the winter mornings.

It's a desmodue you have innit?

2004 Monster, 1000Sie, fuel injected, 2 valve.

Its weird but the engine seems to idle smother and quieter on the 91 octane as well.

[imdying]

The 999 is as ugly as sin... only a current owner would disagree, and then, they'd probably change their mind once they sold it.

However!! Look at the rear cylinder head area, the subframe, the swingarm, the front forks, all beautifully made, and nicer than the 916 series imho.

At the price they are, and that they're a narrow valve head, they're a steal. I'd hit it for sure. Not really much use to me though... I like to modify things, a lot. I'd feel pretty guilty about taking a sabre saw to the sub frame of one of those like I did the SV. But once I get old enough that my garage time becomes limited, and the down time for mods becomes longer, I'll probably buy something along those lines for a hack bike. I know that seems bizzare to a lot of people... jap bike for fun, duke to hack around on, but different things buzz different people in different ways They're pretty, but not blindingly so.

[McJim]

2004 Monster, 1000Sie, fuel injected, 2 valve.

Its weird but the engine seems to idle smother and quieter on the 91 octane as well.

It's a double spark engine too from the looks of things.

Nice.

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/duc..._s_ie_2004.php

compression is 10:1 which is still low for a bike so will prefer lower octane due to the lower flash point of lower octane fuel.

[vifferman]

A question for other Ducati owners:

Have any of you experienced problems with running different fuel octanes?

I've had a bit of a problem with cold starting. I've been blaming the battery as when I had it tested it showed up as being slightly in the weak zone. Its only been a problem on cold mornings though, starting it cold in the afternoons hasn't been a problem. Once started it has run fine, its just the starting that has been a pain.

Anyway, I recently tried running it on 91 octane rather than the 96 - 98 that I have always preferred to run my bikes on. On 91 the cold starting problem seems to have suddenly corrected itself. It still requires a few cranks to get it going, (5 - 10 seconds) but it starts much much better on the lower octane fuel.

Anyone else found this or does my Duc just have a little more character than most?

That's not just a Ducati thing - the VFR prefers 91 in the winter too, even though it's not super cold in D'Auckland. Higher octane gas is more difficult to ignite.

[07fatboy]

Hi there fellow Kbers,about 3 weeks ago i had the fortunate chance to test blat thenew 1098...lets say i'm still shaking now,this is 1 beast of a bike and i,m tryna figure out how to get a black 1 of these babies parked in the lounge without getting divorced,if i cant pursuade her to get 1 of these i'll tell her i'll get the smaller capacity 800 when it comes out it'll go slower hehehe

[Guitana]

Hi there fellow Kbers,about 3 weeks ago i had the fortunate chance to test blat thenew 1098...lets say i'm still shaking now,this is 1 beast of a bike and i,m tryna figure out how to get a black 1 of these babies parked in the lounge without getting divorced,if i cant pursuade her to get 1 of these i'll tell her i'll get the smaller capacity 800 when it comes out it'll go slower hehehe

Do what I did Bro!!!

Send the missus on an all expenses paid trip to a spa for the weekend and get her pampered!
So when she comes back after two days she 'll feel so good she wont give a rats arse about the new 1098 sitting in the front room!!!

Or so I thought!!!!

Yes the dukes have a style all of their own !! But you need to have the money to support the habit!!!!!!

[bimotabob]

That's classic , The money you save on services you can put towards spare parts that need to be made from scratch. know a guy that cant get insurance cover because of availability of bits.
Not that accidents happen (getting cut off at roundabouts to name one of many shitti things that can occur)

Taste is in the eye of the beholder.
I love my 999 ,you don't .. that's fine

Ducati number 4 ,not one breakdown, maybe I'm lucky ....or maybe its not the eighties anymore.

Yeh I agree fully with the taste bit, each to his own.
I'm sure they are an reliable bike as Ducati have come a long way since
the good ole nineteen eighties!

One off parts are cheaper actually, I know as I have spent a fair bit of cash
with F1 engineering with my last bike.
I just got a new H/bar made for $60 - fair price I thought.

I also was surprised when I went to get a new indicator as mine takes
the common Ducati ones, $35 inc bulb genuine!
Suzuki ones eg bandit go for about $100 genuine.
Are parts often this well priced - or was it just good luck?

Regards
BB

[McJim]

Yeh I agree fully with the taste bit, each to his own.
I'm sure they are an reliable bike as Ducati have come a long way since
the good ole nineteen eighties!

One off parts are cheaper actually, I know as I have spent a fair bit of cash
with F1 engineering with my last bike.
I just got a new H/bar made for $60 - fair price I thought.

I also was surprised when I went to get a new indicator as mine takes
the common Ducati ones, $35 inc bulb genuine!
Suzuki ones eg bandit go for about $100 genuine.
Are parts often this well priced - or was it just good luck?

Regards
BB

I had to get a new Speedo cable - $40 complete genuine part. Lost an indicator to a stone chip a few months ago too - integrated indicator (not on a stem) $50 incl. bulb.

Apart form a repair due to a previous owner's negligence my Ducati is costing less to run than my VTR250.

[Wannabiker]

Yep $35 for a Ducati indicator is bout right... $55 for a Hyosung indicator. Side mirrors not too bad either. $80? compared to $170 for a Hyosung GT250.
That Ducati Indicator does quite a few models too!

[janno]

I've got a heart condition , honest I have ! Gaz.

Ooooh, we have a millionaire in our midst, do we? !

[desmo dave]

I had to get a new Speedo cable - $40 complete genuine part. Lost an indicator to a stone chip a few months ago too - integrated indicator (not on a stem) $50 incl. bulb.

Apart form a repair due to a previous owner's negligence my Ducati is costing less to run than my VTR250.

make you laugh.Ive seen people wanting more for a 2nd hand part than a new 1.Where are all the ducati knockers, seems very quiet on here.

[DUCATI*HARD]

Yeh I am qualified as I have taste.
Mine looks fast and sleek, it has style the right colour and lines as well as lower service intervals due to the Yamaha engine.
The 999 sucks and you know it -I'm not getting at Ducati - Bimota have made shockers - the mantra for example.

Regards
BB

yeh i am qualified=LEARNER
i have taste=BAD TASTE
mine looks fast and sleek=A CROSS BETWEEN A TORTOISE AND A SNAIL
has style the right colour and the lines=A WHALE
lower service interval=YOU SURE
the 999 sucks=GAS AND TYRES
im not getting at ducati=JUST THE PEOPLE WHO RIDE EM
bimota have made shockers=GOT THAT RIGHT,YOURS INCLUDED

[Drew]

Where are all the ducati knockers, seems very quiet on here.

I'm forced to withdraw any knocking I've done. Except to say, I'm still bemused, as to why Ducati dont have fully afjustable suspension on all thier sports bikes. Not even the S4R, which I'd still very much like to own, has compression damping adjustment FFS!

Little things like that get to me when paying a premium for the premium. (Forgive the misuse of the word, but it was damn near poetic, and I like to document anything I can pass of as witty).