Ducati = high maintenance - rumour or truth?

**Pumba** · 6th May 2008, 21:55

I did a few serches and found a lot of fragmented information scattered all over the place,

So,

I am having strange thoughts about Ducatis at the moment and need to know if the rumors of high servicings costs, faulty electrical systems, and endless issues that result in more time spent on the side of the road than riding are true?

What is all your educated opinions (I know this is KB so it may be wishfull thinking).

Particulary looking at the monster range here.

**Sparky Bills** · 6th May 2008, 22:08

Personal opinion..
Ducati's dont have a fair rep. Ive worked with them for over 6 years now and to be honest they arnt as bad as people think.
Yes, the services do cost more than the jap bikes. No they dont break down all the time.
Services are done every 10,000k's. between them you shouldnt need to touch them. (Id still change oil every 5 though). Every 20k is the big one. Thats when you do belts, valve clearences etc. The 20K services usually cost just over $1000.

The Monsters are great bikes. Very fun to ride, look and sound great!
What model Monster in particular are you looking at?

**JimO** · 6th May 2008, 22:08

Originally Posted by Pumba

I did a few serches and found a lot of fragmented information scattered all over the place,

So,

I am having strange thoughts about Ducatis at the moment and need to know if the rumors of high servicings costs, faulty electrical systems, and endless issues that result in more time spent on the side of the road than riding are true?

What is all your educated opinions (I know this is KB so it may be wishfull thinking).

Particulary looking at the monster range here.

a mate has had a 900 monster for about 3 years with no problems apart from a fuel guage that dont work, get one of these designed by the guy who designed the monster, made by MV Augusta, TL 1000 suzuki engine, lots more power,

**myvice** · 6th May 2008, 22:11

Get a new one, keep up with the servicing and they seem to be as good as any other bike from Europe.
Parts are not cheap!

If you want to never ever have any issue ever, buy a Honda...
But if you want somthing with sole...

**DUCATI*HARD** · 6th May 2008, 22:14

no matter what you ride,,,its gonna cost ya

**McJim** · 6th May 2008, 22:31

I found parts for my Ducati were cheaper....a lot cheaper......than parts for my 250 Honda.

**Mike748** · 6th May 2008, 22:36

Just did the 20K service on mine even though it has only done 12k, it's a Jap import so I gave it the once over and I'm glad I did. It's running heaps smoother with the throttle balancing and smaller front sprocket, the belts needed replacing despite the low K's.
The belt's had sat so long in one place that they were hard and retaining their shape when removed despite the 3,000Km put on it in the few months prior.
I don't know exact cost of the service (too lazy to look for receipt) as I had to repair a damaged rim, get new tyres and get some clutch damage fixed, they don't like impacts on the clutch housing.

I know this hasn't been helpful but I would warn you that these bikes are very addictive, and like any other addiction you'll find the money to get your fix. (no pun intended)

**scumdog** · 6th May 2008, 22:55

Ask idb about Ducati 'character'......

**johan** · 6th May 2008, 23:00

This is my experience, I'm far from experienced, but I've had two Ducatis so far.

I owned a Monster for one year, and I've had my 996 for almost a year now.

I had no big issues with my Monster, it was a 2 valve air cooled injected 900. I changed the break light switch on the front brake and one sparkplug failed. I loved this bike but couldn't afford both bikes and wanted to get into track riding more, so I kept the 996 instead.

The only big issue with my 996 was flaked rockers and the clutch slave cylinder which has been fixed now.

It seems the new generation engines, Testaretta and later, are more reliable when it comes to the internals of the engine (rockers). The electrics saw an upgrade around 1999 I think including the regulator/rectifier/alternator. All these issues are well documented and I'd expect most of them the be dealt with by now on the old bikes.

Here's one overview:
http://www.ducati-john.co.uk/ducati-points.htm
Remember, this is a complete list of all issues found on many bikes, I'd expect to get tops one of these per bike.

I wouldn't be too concerned if buying a ten years old Ducati with high kms, I would be more careful in a few years when those 16.000rpm Japanese engines have been revved for ten years.

I'd take a Ducati engine any day.

They are also very fun and easy to work on, if you're into that?

**Fatjim** · 6th May 2008, 23:17

I found it was the little things on my 998 that used to break, like the spring on the seat pivot, and the o-rings on the trumpets. But it sure looked sexy.

**shepster** · 6th May 2008, 23:38

My S2R 800 hasn't missed a beat. Had it for a year now and it's been perfect and the 10 thou service wasn't to bad on the pocket either.

**Forest** · 7th May 2008, 00:53

A couple of minutes ago I purchased a used Ducati on trademe.

Fingers crossed.

**nodrog:Me** · 7th May 2008, 08:04

i had a 996, i met the nicest tow truck drivers and mortgage managers.

but i still wish i had keep it.

**desmo dave** · 7th May 2008, 08:10

Originally Posted by Forest

A couple of minutes ago I purchased a used Ducati on trademe.

Fingers crossed.

What did you get?

**Pumba** · 7th May 2008, 08:23

Originally Posted by Sparky Bills

The Monsters are great bikes. Very fun to ride, look and sound great!
What model Monster in particular are you looking at?

I rode a 2004 Monster 1000s in Tauranga the wekend just gone, and there was just somthing about it that made my ears prick up, although I didnt think that bike was particulary right for me.

After that I have done some reserch on the Monster models (didnt realise there were so many of the dam things) and I would be very keen on testing a S4R monster, to see how that fitted.