Any Ducati Aficianados in the crowd?

[jbrough7]

Just saw a 2000 Monster in the autotrader with 5000 km. on it - perfect shape, never laid down (never dropped in the driveway!) for just over $5000 obo!!

I was surprised it was that cheap!  I've sat on one at a bike show but don't really know much about them...anybody ever ridden one?

Jim

[RDUBandit]

They're not as expensive as everyone thinks.  They are also easy to work on despite rumors to the contrary.

Dave

I've had my S4R for 1.5 years, put 16,000 miles on her (second bike), without problems.  Sweeeeeet bike.

[Desolation Angel]

The Monster doesn't really do much for me.  Used to, a couple of years ago, but my tastes have changed rapidly.

My favorite Duc is the Multistrada.  Like this one.  



I prefer the black one, though, if anyone's thinking off getting me one.  

[2005B12S]

Those that have read my posts knew this was coming.

 I picked up a mint '92 900SS about 6 months ago, my first Ducati. Always lusted over the 750 F1 back in the mid '80's but could not afford one. Totally different ride, extremely light and flickable-so much that I cannot truely describe. It has a torque curve that will make a B12 owner blush. You have to ride one to get the full effect.

I still like a highly tuned inline 4, been a GS Suzuki guy since 1983, but the Duc is a breath of fresh air for me at 41 years of age. I would not want it as my only bike as I think that defeats the purpose of having one. My SS is a weekend rider that turns heads like no other bike I have ridden before.

Maintence is more expensive than most Jap bikes but not unbearable on the 2v motors. Take one on a test ride, you won't be sorry.



Ride On, Ed.

[RDUBandit]

Hey Ed, that's a real beauty!!!

[aussiebandit]

My wife has a 2000 model M750, she absolutely loves it.  Service intervals are 10,000km - yes the 20,000km is slightly more expensive than the major service on the B12, but there's really not much in it.

She finds the M750 more tempremental than other bikes, and only likes drinking the expensive high octane fuel.

Personally I find the Monsters a bit small for my 178cm/100kg body, not so much in power but in physical size, but it really suits my wifes 164cm (I better not tell you her wieght) body.

[Desolation Angel]

Ed, I love your bike.  'Bout the Monsters, they do seem kind of small to me, but maybe the guy in the pic is just real tall?  Anyway, Monsters are great classic looking standards.  That's why I liked them at first, because they looked like the motorbikes I was used to seeing years ago, but now I've gotten used to the plasticky, ergonomically odd looking bikes of today.  Can't ride most of 'em, but like the way they look OK.

[2005B12S]

Thanks, I am also not crazy about the current Supersport, it looks too plastic like every other modern sport bike today. I have also recently heard that Ducati is dropping the entire SS model soon as it is no longer a popular model. The current styling killed it.

The Monsters are cool and have a huge following, aftermarket parts galore. The new 998 engined Monster recieved excellent reviews in recent road tests. It is a 120bhp animal that comes stock with top shelf Ohlins suspension front and rear. Price is about 14k though. The 2v air cooled Monsters are great bikes and reasonable to maintain.

My personal favorites are the Supersports, the 750 F1 and pre-'99 900SS. Ducati's new Sport Classic line is nice, my next bike purchase will probably be one of these. Would love to have the Paul Smart 1000, but the wife has her limits.

Below is the Sport Classic 1000.

 


And the Paul Smart-this is Ducati to me.

[Dennis]

I love the look of the half fairing SS with the white frame - nice Duc!

[kevinfromrex]

Beautiful bikes my new toy to lust after, never owned one, now at 43 yrs old I want one bad. If wife and kids allow may try for a 02 bostrom, but if a deal came along on a 900ss as clean as 2005B12S's I would have to save some dough.
That multistrada is just plain georgeous!

Ducati rules, huge torque curves and they dice corners like knives.

[solman]

Don't forget that there is the air cooled and the water cooled versions.

[2005B12S]

Beautiful bikes my new toy to lust after, never owned one, now at 43 yrs old I want one bad. If wife and kids allow may try for a 02 bostrom, but if a deal came along on a 900ss as clean as 2005B12S's I would have to save some dough.
That multistrada is just plain georgeous!

Ducati rules, huge torque curves and they dice corners like knives.

Thanks again guys,
I probably could not have appreciated the SS when I was younger, I would have thrashed it and complained about its shortcomings.  I had been shopping one for the past few years, my '92 happen to fall into my lap. I guess good things to those who wait Mine is somewhat rare as it is a half faired SS, most early Supersports were ordered with the full bodywork. It was not until several years later that the cheaper, half faired CR version was introduced in the US. 1992 was also the only year with white frame and black wheels.

The 91-98 900SS bikes are great buys right now, their value is going up every year. Mine is worth about $6000 as is, you can find really nice examples for $5000-7000. The mid 90's half faired CR (cafe racer) version is a good buy in the $4500-6000 range but does not have the fully adjustable suspension and 5.5inch rear the full faired SS/SP has.

A sure classic is the 1998 900FE (final edition). Silver, solo seat and high mount pipes- a fitting end to an outstanding model line. They are scarce but around $7500 will bring a really nice one home.



1999 saw the restyle with the SS becoming more angular and very plastic looking.


I plan to have mine for a long time.

Ride On, Ed.[/img]