Are Ducatis really worth it?

**bimotabob** · 1st August 2007, 17:53

Originally Posted by DUCATI*HARD

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

Hit a nerve with you I see - fair enough as I insulted your bike.
I like Ducati's actually as they usually have the kind of style
Itailians are known for.
I only dislike the 999 because the model before and the model after
Are so much nicer to look at.
I think you can't wait to get a 1098.
If the first person to hate my bike rides a 999 then so be it

We'll let time decide the fate of your treasured ride, mine has already weathered 15 years and I get good comments all the time.
What do you mean by whale? it weighs 180kg that's not too bad even now.

Kind Regards
BB

**imdying** · 1st August 2007, 18:51

It's worth noting for people that haven't had the pleasure, that the 999 is a whole heap fuglier in photos than it is in the flesh. On that note, saw the new Kwaka Buell rip off thingy a couple of nights ago... looked pretty cool, in a twisted sort of way... the next night I saw a photo of it... ugliest bike... evaarrrr... huge difference between photos and the flesh... biggest I've seen yet.

**spudchucka** · 1st August 2007, 21:59

Originally Posted by McJim

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.

Yes, its the dual spark model.

**Edbear** · 2nd August 2007, 07:49

Originally Posted by imdying

... huge difference between photos and the flesh... .

Yeah, I look much better in the flesh, 'slong as most of it is covered up with clothes...

**Masterchop** · 2nd August 2007, 08:53

Originally Posted by Drew

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!

Drew Im not sure about the S4R, but all the Superbike model Ducatis (748,916,996,998,999) have adjustable everything,
Thats Ride height adjust,steering head angle adjust,Preload,compression and rebound front and rear.

Some of the very first base model 748/916 didnt have the steering head angle adjust.

**Crisis management** · 2nd August 2007, 09:54

Originally Posted by Masterchop

Drew Im not sure about the S4R, but all the Superbike model Ducatis (748,916,996,998,999) have adjustable everything,
Thats Ride height adjust,steering head angle adjust,Preload,compression and rebound front and rear.

Some of the very first base model 748/916 didnt have the steering head angle adjust.

According to mister Falloon (my ducati oracle) the 916 and 748 shared the same running gear until 2000 when some base model 748's were cheapened for usa sales removing the adjustable steering head and utilising a lower spec suspension package.

The later Monsters were based on the ST4 frame and suspension, so not as much adjustment available as the Hypersports, but the later S4R uses the full Ohlins suspension package.

I have to agree with others about Terreblanches styling, I hated the photo's but the more I see in the flesh the more it grows on me. I see his styling as offering a great base for further modifying, he has hinted back to early Ducati styling in lots of places and these components need bringing out.

Fairly typical Ducati isn't it? Create a very popular model and replace it with one lots of people hate; 860 GTS, early Pantah, Paso.

**ipod1098** · 2nd August 2007, 10:20

Ducati.WSBK champions.Is that good enough?

**imdying** · 2nd August 2007, 10:26

Originally Posted by ipod1098

Ducati.WSBK champions.Is that good enough?

By that logic, Yamaha would be better than them, them being MotoGP champions and all. And Honda would be better than Yamaha, having had more MotoGP championships in the last 20 years than everyone else combined. So they're a lowly third if that's the credentials that matter..

**Masterchop** · 2nd August 2007, 10:27

Originally Posted by Crisis management

According to mister Falloon (my ducati oracle) the 916 and 748 shared the same running gear until 2000 when some base model 748's were cheapened for usa sales removing the adjustable steering head and utilising a lower spec suspension package.

Yup your probably quite right,I couldnt remember the exact year they did it,but figured making somthing up was just as good.
Thanks for clarifying that.

**et al** · 2nd August 2007, 12:21

Sorry to have come in a bit late on this - others with good taste have already said it for me..... but in my opinion the answer to Kneescraper's question is: YES, they are worth it. Although if anyone has to ask the question in the first place then maybe they are a lost cause already.
If I was looking to buy right now I would not say no to owning a 999, next or maybe equal on the list for me would be a 748R.
And re the Monster Suspension - if you want the full Ohlins fruit then you have to go for the S4RS:

**Drew** · 2nd August 2007, 15:56

Originally Posted by et al

And re the Monster Suspension - if you want the full Ohlins fruit then you have to go for the S4RS:

Cheers, I looked for the compresion damping adjuster on the front of the S4R again, and it aint there. I also looked at a 749, and couldn't see it there, but didn't have as good a hunt as the monster, so I'll take the word of those saying they do have it.

**Mr. Peanut** · 2nd August 2007, 19:06

Originally Posted by McJim

I like the 749 and the 999 - mainly because other people don't.

Baaaaaaaa.

I like the 999 because it's different. The 1098 feels like the American revival of old design. Crawling back to the old, cause they lost their balls (need to make a profit

).

I'm glad others don't like it, keeps em cheap for me

**DesmoJohnny** · 2nd August 2007, 21:26

Originally Posted by Drew

Cheers, I looked for the compresion damping adjuster on the front of the S4R again, and it aint there.

Drew,
The compression damping adjustment is accessed through the bottom of the fork,up through the axle.

Cheers

**et al** · 2nd August 2007, 21:30

Originally Posted by Fumeux

I like the 999 because it's different.

Agree with you re the 1098 - it does not quite inspire me enough to want one yet although in time I may get to like it, just as it has taken some time for me to start liking the 999 design which I had the same feeling about when first released. I guess the problem is that the 916 design was so awesome and ground breaking that Ducati were always going to be on a hiding to nothing with whatever they did next. Against the 916 and
the 1098 the 999 now stands out as being unique in its own right.