| Author | Message | ||
     Terrible |
I know that there are members who have more than one brand of motorcycles and I looking for some points of view.I have Buell,Harley,and Triumph.I'm looking to maybe buy a Ducati and was wondering if anyone here has one or had one and your thoughts.I am aware of the maint.and upkeep which doesn't really bother me.I learn a long time ago that if I don't feel comfy doing something I either ask for help or take it to someone who knows.So any thoughts would be helpful.I am looking at an older super bike either a 996 or 998.I do know most of the weak points Like rockers,electrical,slave cyclinder and such.Thanks for your time. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Never been much of a Ducati fan, nice bikes, just don't float my boat. Current ride is a Moto Guzzi Stelvio which I love. (Message edited by Mr_grumpy on June 16, 2017) | ||
| Terrible |
I have a friend who has the Moto Guzzi that looks like a cafe racer,has number 7 plate on it. It is quite the looker,I love the frame color. What is riding Guzzi like? | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
That's the V7 cafe racer , a beautiful little bike. I find Guzzi is a bit like Buell but with some Italian style. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
One of my coworkers once said "Aprilia! Italian flavor without the Ducati aftertaste." I have no experience myself, I can't imagine a bike Id be happier with than a Buell (or maybe an EBR 1190SX..t) | ||
| Joe7bros |
Aprilia or MV Agusta; had an MV Brutale 750. Many of the same traits as an 1125 - light weight, lots of power, fabulous ride and handling, DAMN beautiful, and you're not likely to see another one at every watering hole. And, if you pay attention, much like a Buell they can be purchased at very reasonable prices. Down side - few dealers, some of the same electricals that plague Ducs, as well as parts supplies. | ||
| Joe7bros |
As far as Moto Guzzi, rode a V7 a couple of years ago, and was not impressed, took it back after 3 or 4 blocks; didn't feel particularly "peppy", and my heel kept on getting caught on the framework. | ||
| Damnut |
I am a multi-brand owner, I have 3 Buells and 1 EBR.............. Does that count? | ||
| Terrible |
I like the MV Agusta but they are so hard to find in my area and when you see one for sale $$$$.Ducati is a little more common though I don't see any when I'm out riding.I would say Damnut that you are a multi-brand owner. | ||
| Pwnzor |
  I had a 2003 749S. Loved it for a while, but got tired of my balls getting broiled, along with constant gearbox problems. Would have been a great track bike if only I spent more time on the track. Really wasn't practical for everyday use. (Message edited by pwnzor on June 17, 2017) | ||
| Terrible |
To me the ducati is such a sexy bike.They do have there share of issues but almost every older bike has some,thats part of the charm for me. (Message edited by terrible on June 17, 2017) | ||
| Tootal |
I sort of had a Ducati. It was a Cagiva Gran Canyon and had the two valve 900 engine with 750 valves. It was an amazing bike for short rides. It felt like it was in attack mode at all times. Ran perfect but 2 hours in the saddle was all I could take. To work on it required removal of all the plastic. I had it and my Uly for a little while but ended up selling the Cagiva. I did love that torquey engine though!   | ||
| Sifo |
I think Ducati super bikes were engineered by Rube Goldberg. But they are very refined Rube Goldberg machines. No doubt you will figure out how to do the maintenance on it and become familiar with what needs to be done. I'm sure there will be some specialty tools required along the way, but not an entire tool box full. Many Ducatis go south because the owner neglects doing maintenance. Usually because they don't want to pay dealer prices, but only have the skills to work on their lawn mower. Eventually something like a timing belt fails, and it gets really expensive. BTW, I think most Ducati timing belts have a mileage and age expiration. Just firing up a bike that has been stored for a long time can be a bit risky. While I never owned one, my best riding bud put a bunch of miles on a couple of Monsters. He almost pulled the trigger on a 998, but decided that a Triumph Daytona 675 was far more practical. He actually showed up at my house with the 998 before backing out of the deal. My personal opinion, gleaned from a number of owners, is that the super bikes are great track bikes. That's what they are built for and where they really shine. As a daily rider, they are not the best choice. I did live near a great Ducati dealer for a long time, so Ducatis were not at all uncommon around there. They are however "sex on wheels". | ||
| Terrible |
I like the refined Rube Goldberg machines.That maybe the best way explaination of a Ducati I've ever heard. I would hope that someone who buys a super bike doesn't do it to have a daily driver.Learning the bike maintenance is what I look forward to if I buy one.I enjoy the learning part of a "new" bike.Sifo its funny you mention your rider buddy has a Daytona I have a Street Triple and it a bll to ride. | ||
| Sifo |
The wife had a Street Triple. Fantastic bike with a crappy saddle IMO. That's easily fixable. I had a 1050 Sprint ST too. Sold it prior to moving. Hated to do it, but probably for the best. The wife currently has a Guzzi Griso 1100. It's a pretty awesome bike that doesn't easily fit into any defined category. | ||
| Aesquire |
Like any bike, or car, there is a kind of brand philosophy of construction. Suzukis are built with the people with the smallest hands in Japan.  The now long gone original Norton was a brand that really put an effort into shrink wrapping the aluminum around the moving parts. With a pretty good understanding of what had to be there, and what was extra. Ducati, in my limited experience, ( last one worked on was a '80s 650 ) is fanatical about moving motion and theoretical efficiency. Rube Goldberg isn't all that off. Just look at the Desmodromic valve train. Valve springs of the day were not up to high rpm, so they mechanically opened and closed them with rocker arms & cams. Very clever, and works, but disassembly is third or fourth place behind precise mechanical control, light weight, and some theoretical notion of thermodynamics. So you may have to take a lot of bike apart to get to the periodic maintenance thing, and there may be some tricky way of putting the belt back on, involving giving it a half twist and tucking it behind some flange that makes no obvious sense, but other than that, easy to work on. ( and it would turn out, if you but knew, that internal flange adds stiffness to the case, saving half a pound of aluminum.} Stylistically, they follow the Norton deal of shrink wrapping the alloy around the spinning bits, then add fins for extra cooling. The body work tends to be the vision of one person, as opposed to the Japanese committee approach, so it's either gorgeous, or ugly. ( depending on you.... taste is taste ) | ||
| Terrible |
The Japanese committee approach is what keeps me away from the bikes.To me they all look the same. thats why I have Buells and Triumphs,they have there own look and personality.As for the seat on the Street Triple,I thought that some of the Buell seats were bad but now I know different. | ||
| Rick_a |
The latest models have improved significantly as far as maintenance intervals and reliability. Anything prior to the early 2000's will be a constant project. Dropping one is an expensive proposition if not properly insured. Blowing one up may as well be a total loss as far as repair costs are concerned. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
1125cr April's ETV1000 BMW s1000rr Suzuki DL1000a | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
1125cr Aprilia ETV1000 BMW s1000rr Suzuki DL1000a | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Sifo, if the Stelvio ever goes, a Griso is high on the replacement list, only thing is I'd have to get a comfy chair in the garage to sit in while I stare at it's beauty. | ||
| Sifo |
The Griso certainly is a unique piece of Italian engineering. | ||
| Nm5150 |
I had a 2004 Multi Strada brand new that I really loved but the dealer I bought it from went out of business and there are some things like resetting the computer after an oil change so the light goes out I didn't know how to do.I really like Ducati and if you think Harley people are a cult wait until you run into a fellow Ducati owner on the road but it is like having a high maintanence girl friend.It usually gets you plenty of attention though. | ||
| Ourdee |
For now I have Lil Red the 08XB12Scg, And a 1966 Honda 160 that hasn't been started in 30 years. | ||
| Ducxl |
I am a Ducati Specialist with over $7k worth of Ducati branded tools.I am on my 8th set of timing belts according to the maintainance schedule.I LOVE my Ducatis' but they're a lot of work.You may be disappointed.My TWISTED 996 Superbike makes maybe 130 RWHP..Lame compared to today's 180+Hp bikes.A Ducati is a lot of work | ||
| Ourdee |
I've never rode a Duc. Any kind of soul in it? | ||
| Ducxl |
Ourdee.....The Ducati SCREAMS from 7k-12k RPMs'.......Yeah,But my Buells' are primitive(or..so to speak,compared to desmoquattro) and lightweight...They'll last my lifetime | ||
| Odd |
Ourdee is that a baby dream 160 ? | ||
| Ourdee |
1966 Honda CA160 Touring Yes, the black and chrome with the square rear shocks. Has plenty of rust. | ||
| Rick_a |
A Ducati Streetfighter 1100S is one of the most entertaining bikes I've ridden. Enough that I told the dealer to never let me ride it again. | ||
| Terrible |
Well with Ducati up for sale I'm rethinking my idea of a Ducati.I already have a brand that can be challenging to get parts for.I may just look at another Triumph.I realy do like the looks of a Ducati though. | ||
| Odd |
ourdee, that was my first bike, in 1973 |
