Are Ducatis really worth it?

**98tls** · 30th July 2007, 20:22

Originally Posted by DUCATI*HARD

once you go duke,theres no going back

I did,and with absolutly no regrets.

**kneescraper** · 30th July 2007, 20:37

Hahaha they cant be that bad, can they? What made the Ducati experence bad for you 98tls?

**T.W.R** · 30th July 2007, 20:47

Originally Posted by kneescraper

Hahaha they cant be that bad, can they? What made the Ducati experence bad for you 98tls?

Originally Posted by 98tls

I wouldnt pay anything for a Paso myself,they were a dog just like the 89 750 sport i had.

Mike must have got a lemon 750 sport

sure they took a lot to learn to ride with small fat wheels either end and they weren't endowed with heaps of poke, but once learnt they're great fun in tight country

Two Wheels test in 89 is reflective of that when Anthony Seymour took one out for the test and had one of the best battles he'd had on a bike

he was up against a GSXR11 and totally embarrassed it in the tight going but once anything more than a 300m straight was had the GSXR just reeled him in

**DUCATI*HARD** · 30th July 2007, 20:48

Originally Posted by 98tls

I did,and with absolutly no regrets.

well the man went backwards thats what happened

**98tls** · 30th July 2007, 21:01

Originally Posted by kneescraper

Hahaha they cant be that bad, can they? What made the Ducati experence bad for you 98tls?

It was never bad mate it just wasnt all that,i grew up with an old man who had an 860GT/78 900 ss/80 900 ss.i was in awe of those bikes when i was young and there was always going to be a ducati some day,i had a 89 750 sport in the tight twistys it was fun but i just got over it and moved on...before buying my TLS i rode a few later model 900ss and for my money the TL is twice the bike,i can understand people that have them loving them,i loved mine but as i say i just moved on..hell if i was a few years younger a 1098 i would seriously consider,but i am not and am having to much fun mucking about with what i have.

**McJim** · 30th July 2007, 21:10

I wouldn't commute on a desmoquattro Ducati but I would (and do) commute on a desmodue Ducati.

The 2 valve engines are pretty bulletproof and cheap to maintain but even with a basic Ducati you get the sort of brakes, wheels and suspension that you have to fit aftermarket to jappas.

I echo previous sentiments though - once you've ridden a Ducati....there's just something about them.

Test drive one if you get the chance. and You'll see what we're talking about.

I personally don't have any use for excessive straight line speeds so the little 600ss is fine for me.

**Mr. Peanut** · 30th July 2007, 21:15

999s are surprisingly cheap for what you're getting.

Seeing them for 16-17k on trademe.

**spudchucka** · 30th July 2007, 21:30

I got my Monster off Peter at Emoto. http://www.emoto.co.nz/

Its the second bike I have purchased through them and I reckon they are well worth a look. If they don't have what you are after then contact Peter and he will try to find what you want.

I enjoy the Duc heaps more than either the VTR or the TLS that I have owned previously. The jap bikes probably are better in some aspects but the Duc puts a bigger smile on my face.

**kneescraper** · 30th July 2007, 21:32

I love the look of your 600SS McJim, how much did that set you back and whats the overall condition of the bike?

**McJim** · 30th July 2007, 21:53

Originally Posted by kneescraper

I love the look of your 600SS McJim, how much did that set you back and whats the overall condition of the bike?

10 year old bike. Mint fairings, mint frame, mint wheels bought with 37,000km on the clock. NZ New with full service history - all services done - I just had to get the 40,000km done (Belts and Tappets plus oil and filter).

No signs of a drop BUT one nasty hidden surprise. At some point a previous owner had over tightened a chain which had snapped at pace and knocked a hole in the engine above the front sprocket. It had been repaired with bog or kneadit or something and painted silver so I didn't spot it until it started leaking oil.

Got some pieces of aluminium cut and fitted to the hole and it's good as new

I paid $6,750 which might have ben a wee bit over the odds for a 600.

Bear in mind the payoff with the reliability of the desmodues is a lack of power.

My 6 hundie only puts out 53hp but it has a lot of torque which is very useable.

the 900ss is still only about 80hp but again puts out a lot of torque and delivers it early so it's a lot of fun in the twisties.

reasonable prices for these bikes below:

900ss 1994 - $7,000
900ss 1997 - $10,000 (F.E) special edition that year - last square headlight.
900ss 1999 - $9,000 (new shape)
900ss 2000 - $10,000

Or let emoto know what you're after.

**Dooly** · 31st July 2007, 08:18

I love my Ducati, something about it.
Neat noise, goes well. Wont outrun litre jappas but can stick with them on the twisties etc, and grips the road awesome.
It has low kms so maintinance has'nt come up yet, but does'nt look to be too bad.
I will be updating to a 1098 I reckon. Dunno when yet.

**imdying** · 31st July 2007, 08:48

Originally Posted by McJim

with a basic Ducati you get the sort of brakes

Yep, phear the single disc front end!! ROWR!

**young1** · 31st July 2007, 09:22

I compare owning a Ducati (I had a 2000 SS750 for 4 years) to having Jennifer Anniston as a partner. Lots of up keep, expensive to maintain, needs regular maintenance but great to look at, fantastic lines and what a ride!!

**Kflasher** · 31st July 2007, 09:46

I had the 748R 00', loved the look, maintainence was not a huge issue.
I would suggest to check out the v-twin power characteristics first prior to forking all that dosh.
I preferred the inline four, hence the trade.
But all in all a great machine with shite loads of torque.