Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: Desolation Angel on December 15, 2005, 10:41:40 AM
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Ducati. Cool looking bikes. Are they any good? BMW sells them near my house. I've been told more than once that if you buy a Ducati, buy a bunch of new tools, too, 'cause you're gonna need 'em! :grin:
Is that true? Buy a Ducati and be broke down a lot?
My favorite...
(http://www.2ri.de/assets/big/DUC_004_2005_00_700x500_DUCATI-MULTISTRADA-1000S-DS.jpg)
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That may have been the case of the Ducati's of the past. I had a new 749 for a while and zero problems. I have friends that have MS 's as well as newer monsters and they have had zero problems. The new ones come with a 2 year warranty. I believe as long as you do the scheduled maintenance you should be fine. Ducatis have come a long way.
The same could be said about Harley's. Harley's of the past had problems also. A fellow employee has a 2003 sportster with 28,000 miles and zero problems.
I guess you could get a lemon, but if bought new you should be relatively safe.
Just my opinion.
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yea all the BS you hear online is just that.. BS
if you talk to the folks who own them, the newer ones are just as good as any other motorcylce. now you will have to get used to spending a lot more money on anything like parts or service compared to japanese counter parts
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Sounds like someones been sowed with the seeds of discontent. :wink:
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No firsthand experience, but (as others have mentioned) Ducati's quality has improved in recent years.
The comment about new tools could be relevant if you plan to do your own maintenance. Desmodromic valves are a different animal, and need more frequent attention than a Bandit. Or, you pay your mechanic lots of $$$ to do the work.
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I worked at a Ducati dealer of several years. I don't recall a single one ever having a mechanical breakdown.
You hear some gripe about the desmo valves, but it's really a great system. You just have to learn a different way to adjust valves and be sure to replace the belt when you need to.
When the ST2 came out a guy bought one and put over 40K miles on the first year. He bought the FIRST bike we got of a totally new model (usually a no-no) and it was flawless.
Nothing sounds better or has more whip-appeal than a Duc.
I'm a big fan.
I do recall one guy brought his M900 (Monster) in for service because it "smoked a lot". Turns out, he was riding wheelies for very long distances and oil from the crank breather flowed up into the airbox, got sucked into the carb and blew a huge smokescreen out the back every time. Pretty damn funny, since he demonstrated his James Bond move up and down the road in front of the shop. :bigok:
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The truth about Ducati is they are operated by former Nazi members smuggled out with the help of the Vatican to Brazil. From there they heavily invested in Pro-Musalini fascist companies to one day control the world from the UFO technology they stole from area 51!!!
Now you know the "truth"!! :grin:
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The truth about Ducati is they are operated by former Nazi members smuggled out with the help of the Vatican to Brazil. From there they heavily invested in Pro-Musalini fascist companies to one day control the world from the UFO technology they stole from area 51!!!
Now you know the "truth"!! :grin:
Mulder always said, "The Truth is out there!" And Scully said, "I got your Truth!".
Then they had a smoke.
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Some day, I will have a Monster. The look... the sound... sexy.
(http://www.blm.at/ducati/news/images/ducati_monster_capirex1.jpg)
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I think they get bad press more from their more frequent maintenance intervals than from reliability. I hear the 4-vavle water cooled (Testastretta) motors are a real PIA to do valve adjustments on, but the lesser engines aren't as difficult. I guess there's a certain mystique to them since they have no valve springs, but in a day when valve spring engines are easily spinning to 17-18 grand without floating valves, what's the point in all that complexity? Just a recent Ducati history thing, I guess, because Duc's haven't ALWAYS been desmodromic.
The do build some gorgeous stuff though! And have a beautiful sound.
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Yeah, ya gotta love that rattlin dry clutch, no thanks I'd rather ride a TL 1000S :stickpoke:
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I don't know about Ducati reliability first hand, but I recall reading an article in Cycle World (or one of those) and they took a ST3 and ST4 for a cross country ride. I recall them talking about stuff breaking on the trip and they were new bikes. I also recall that while a friend of mine met up with a guy with a new ducati 998 (I think). Anyways, he had problems and they had to push start him every time they stopped. Also I have heard of very high prices when it comes to having the dealership do work on your bike.
I worked at a Ducati dealer of several years.
So what does it cost to have a dealership check the valve clearances? Or how about a tune up?
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Here's another one I really like...
http://www.ducati.com/bikes/my2006/ducatiModel.jhtml?family=sportclassic&modelName=GT1000-06
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Geez if the factory can't keep em on the AMA course do i need to try? These are for folks that GOT TO HAVE IT!!!! Like the Triumph daytona, looks like a Bandit with a bit of lime on it, to me. just to have the name! Check out the DUCATI site where is the price! if you got to ask the $$$ you can't afford it!!!! :duh:
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The DS1000 motor is very reliable as are many of the air cooled ducks.
The water cooled motors can be finicky and there have been some pretty severe problems with those powerplants. I have many friends with Ducatis and the 996 motors had problems with rocker arms, countershaft sprocket seals, swing arm bearings and electrical gremlins. Last year on the way to Laguna Seca from Alabama a friend had his ST breakdown after being serviced by the one of the most respected technicians in the Southeast. He was so dissapointed with the repeated problems he had with that bike that he left it in Oklahoma, took a flight to Laguna, had the bike shipped back to Birmingham and sold it for parts. With that said, I would like to have a go on the new concept bike from Ducati, the "HyperMotard".
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The DS1000 motor is very reliable as are many of the air cooled ducks.
The water cooled motors can be finicky and there have been some pretty severe problems with those powerplants. I have many friends with Ducatis and the 996 motors had problems with rocker arms, countershaft sprocket seals, swing arm bearings and electrical gremlins. Last year on the way to Laguna Seca from Alabama a friend had his ST breakdown after being serviced by the one of the most respected technicians in the Southeast..
He had GRIT or bigger ones than most! Triumph and for sure DUCa owners that i know only go as far as the trendy spots close, compare bike garb, shop bills and show off their $1,300.00 exhaust systems. They would never think of a 250m ride! :roll:
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The DS1000 motor is very reliable as are many of the air cooled ducks.
The water cooled motors can be finicky and there have been some pretty severe problems with those powerplants. I have many friends with Ducatis and the 996 motors had problems with rocker arms, countershaft sprocket seals, swing arm bearings and electrical gremlins. Last year on the way to Laguna Seca from Alabama a friend had his ST breakdown after being serviced by the one of the most respected technicians in the Southeast..
He had GRIT or bigger ones than most! Triumph and for sure DUCa owners that i know only go as far as the trendy spots close, compare bike garb, shop bills and show off their $1,300.00 exhaust systems. They would never think of a 250m ride! :roll:
Wow, you're making Duc owners sound like H-D owners! :grin: They just can't be the same kind of product that Harley puts out. Surely not! :shock:
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The DS1000 motor is very reliable as are many of the air cooled ducks.
The water cooled motors can be finicky and there have been some pretty severe problems with those powerplants. I have many friends with Ducatis and the 996 motors had problems with rocker arms, countershaft sprocket seals, swing arm bearings and electrical gremlins. Last year on the way to Laguna Seca from Alabama a friend had his ST breakdown after being serviced by the one of the most respected technicians in the Southeast..
He had GRIT or bigger ones than most! Triumph and for sure DUCa owners that i know only go as far as the trendy spots close, compare bike garb, shop bills and show off their $1,300.00 exhaust systems. They would never think of a 250m ride! :roll:
Wow, you're making Duc owners sound like H-D owners! :grin: They just can't be the same kind of product that Harley puts out. Surely not! :shock:
Atleast you can get parts for a H.D. that's over the warrenty period!!! Status Symbol!!
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Yeah, ya gotta love that rattlin dry clutch, no thanks I'd rather ride a TL 1000S :stickpoke:
Hmm, let's see:
Dry Clutch = easy to work on and access if needed. Allows you to happily run non-motorcycle specific oils
TL1000S = glitchy fuel injection and chronic tank-slappers from poorly designed steering geometry and radial POS steering dampaner that together have caused more than a few riders to crash to their death.
You're right, go with the TL... at least it has terrible resale value.
:stickpoke: right back at you :wink:
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So what does it cost to have a dealership check the valve clearances? Or how about a tune up?
The bikes do cost a bit more and service is usually $10-$20 per hour more than Jap bikes, but my dealer sold Yamaha, Kawasaki and Triumph as well.
As far as the cost, that depends on the bike. A regular, air cooled desmo with only two cylinders and 2 vlaves takes a lot less time to service than a ZX-6 for example.
As far as the electrical issues and such that you heard about, I can't speak to that. But if the battery is dead, it won't take a charge and the bike needs to by push started. Not the bike's fault and not a mechanical failure. That's like saying my brake pads wore out and the bike won't stop anymore. And if things are falling off a bike I imagine vibration caused bolts to loosen and fall out. ( it's a v-twin afterall) If the bolts were not checked at the last service this COULD happen to any bike.
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Hey, I went to check out the new Triumph 675, soI typed in http://www.triumph.com/
Go there and check out the rides...
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Yeah, I knew about that. Some of the girls in other markets are better than ours. But I'll leave you to find them.
www.triumph.co.uk/usa/ is what you initially wanted. :lol:
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I have first hand experience. My first bike was a 2002 Ducati 620IE. It was a leftover. I put about 15K miles on it in the 1 1/2 years I had it. I love the idea of Ducati...the heritage and the exclusivity BUT I actually did have a fair amount of problems with the bike. I broke it in stricktly as the manual suggested and did all the maintanance required.
The first thing to go was the slave cylinder. Not a big deal, but it was under warranty so I didn't (couldn't?) do the repair myself. $80 to tow it because it was impossible to ride in NYC traffic w/o a clutch and I couldn't put on an aftermarket to lessen the pull.
Then there was the service, which due to the warranty and being a REAL newbie at the time I had the dealer do. Definatly more expensive than a jap bike. Once again, because of the waranty and being very new I didn't give much thought to any other way to handle it. I'm sure there are ways, and I'm sure even if you are a beginner mechanic you can perform most maintenance but I didn't.
The worst problem was a cronic and dangerous one. I was never told exactly what caused it and it was never fixed. It kept re-appearing. The first time I noticed it, I was twisting the throttle and instead of the bike surgeing ahead, I was thrown into the tank and bucked back by engine breaking followed by throttle. It was like I shut of and twisted the throttle roughly in a very quick motion. This happened a few times and would get worse over a week. Then the guages died/came back/died again etc. Finally it gave out on me, stalling and refusing to restart NEAR THE TOLL BOOTHS ON THE TRI-BORO BRIDGE! :shock: Got it towed...got it "fixed". The dealer said it could have been the computer going into "limp home mode" I wasn't impressed with this technology. It happened again a few months later ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE QUEENSBORO BRIDGE! :shock: I had to back it off between oncoming traffic. Not fun.
I finally got rid of it because I was scared of it. I still love Ducatis and if I had several bikes, one would be a Monster. It wasn't babied but it wasn't beaten and this is only one mans experience. Take it with a grain of salt.
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...I finally got rid of it because I was scared of it. I still love Ducatis and if I had several bikes, one would be a Monster. It wasn't babied but it wasn't beaten and this is only one mans experience. Take it with a grain of salt.
Not a ringing endorsement. :shock: I guess we could find a Suzuki guy with the same kind of story, if we tried. Anyway, thanks! I see these things all the time in the BMW shop along with Triumphs and they sure look sweet. I've never bothered to read reviews in the rags, though.
I was just curious about them. Thanks, guys!
Now, isn't this more fun than playing video games? So far I've gotten input on the FJR1300A, R1150RT, and Ducs in general. I've got some others that interest me that I have absolutely no experience with. Hmmm, which is next...
:motorsmile: :motorsmile: :motorsmile:
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He had GRIT or bigger ones than most! Triumph and for sure DUCa owners that i know only go as far as the trendy spots close, compare bike garb, shop bills and show off their $1,300.00 exhaust systems. They would never think of a 250m ride! :roll:
Don't tell that to Gary Eagan, who set the record for the North America transcontental endurance record, riding 5400 miles from Prudoe Bay, Alaska to Key West, Florida aboard his Multistrada in 101 hours.
(and only 3 hours sleep!)
And before Gary got his Multisrada, he had a ST4 that he put 118,000 miles on in a year.
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Hey, I went to check out the new Triumph 675, soI typed in http://www.triumph.com/
Go there and check out the rides...
I'd ride that!
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cause the 870 miles from cleveland to suches Ga. was not a real ride on my 2000 triumph right? and the 2700 miles five day road trip that ensued is not real riding either? i have ridden almost 27000 miles in 2 1/2 year on my triumph with no more problems then a broken speedo cable which was fixed by the dealer. i have never had any other problems with my speed triple. and i do not ride it gentle. as for the ducks they can be a bit more prone to problems. but the newer bikes are not as bad. what about the thousands of bandit that burned a quart of oil every 600 miles that they let out and then said they were fine just to recall them later? :stickpoke:
mike
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Hmm, let's see:
Dry Clutch = easy to work on and access if needed. Allows you to happily run non-motorcycle specific oils
TL1000S = glitchy fuel injection and chronic tank-slappers from poorly designed steering geometry and radial POS steering dampaner that together have caused more than a few riders to crash to their death.
You're right, go with the TL... at least it has terrible resale value.
I have a friend of mine who had a TL1000S and put a 100,000 miles on it. He didn't have any big problems with it until he reached 100K. What put the bike out of commission was a rod bearing went bad. When the mechanic took the motor apart, he said that everything look fantastic for a bike with that many miles(except for the rod bearing). As far as the guy with the push start problem, it was a brand new bike. If memory serves me correctly, it was his first time taking it out for a run. If the bike had a glitchy fuel injection and was a chronic tank slapper, you sure couldn't tell when he rode it. It also seems after reading some of the other testemonials, Ducati's reliability has some issues. Don't get me wrong, I really love Ducati, I just don't think that I would ever be interested in buying one.
He was so dissapointed with the repeated problems he had with that bike that he left it in Oklahoma, took a flight to Laguna, had the bike shipped back to Birmingham and sold it for parts.
You're right, go with the TL... at least it has terrible resale value.
So what is a resale value of a Ducati parts bike?
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>>So far I've gotten input on the FJ1300A...<<
What kind of input have you had on it? I've been interested in this bike as well, although it's kinda steep for me right now.
I think if I had to choose between an Italian bike like an ST3 or a Jap like the FJ1300A, I'd choose the FJ1300A.
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Wow tis the season rite??? Hey bet you won't ask that again Desolation Angel
Board Homesteader!
The Truth About Ducati...which is?
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Ducati. Cool looking bikes. Are they any good? BMW sells them near my house. I've been told more than once that if you buy a Ducati, buy a bunch of new tools, too, 'cause you're gonna need 'em!
Is that true? Buy a Ducati and be broke down a lot? My favorite...
Hey i'm not knocking the Brits! I owned an 850 Norton back when Honda was Just a pup! I think their big bike was the 175 twin Dream model (remember those) Ducati had a single 250 4 stroker that was the fastest thing in that size & stroke. Then came the 2 stroke Zukster's Kawi's Yama's and the rest most of you know... youngsters!!! Triumph, BSA, Norton, Royal Enfield, and Duc's should be ashamed of them selves to let these folks dominate the way they are.. when was the last time a Triumph BSA Rider make the podium? I wonder if Mat Mladin could on one.. Anyway its like Kmart letting Wallyworld just smash em! Why or how can this happen? :beers:
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>>So far I've gotten input on the FJR1300A...<<
What kind of input have you had on it? I've been interested in this bike as well, although it's kinda steep for me right now.
I think if I had to choose between an Italian bike like an ST3 or a Jap like the FJR1300A, I'd choose the FJR1300A.
Here's one thread. When I find mine I'll post the link...
http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=2077&highlight=fj1300
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Nothing wrong with Ducati's.
My wife has a 2000 model M750 with 21,000km on it. The only problems we have are; she doesn't ride it enough and the registration is due the same month as one of the cars, the telephone, gas and electric bills.
In fact the Bandit has been in the shop more than the M750. Which to be honest is only for servicing, unless you count the little lie down the B12 had about 18 months ago.
Ok yes generally the servicing is more expensive, but with a 10,000km interval as apposed to a 6,000km interval it's really a case of swings and roundabouts.
There's 6 or 7 other people I know who ride Ducatis and there's only two that have had 'major' problems directly related to the bike.
1. An original 916 which had severe electrical problems, until he had it re-wired, and
2. A ST2 that had a computer malfunction that caused it to make the bike think it was at 200ft below sea level when in fact it was 200ft above sea level. Consequently it ran like shyte. Even though it was out of warranty Ducati Australia repaired/replaced it at no cost, why??? Because they'd never heard of it happening before.
As far as the rattling gun clutch is concerned, some would say it 'adds character' others (like my wife) simply fit louder pipes. That way you can't hear it over the exhaust
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Don't get me wrong...Mick's got a good point. Heck, I've even heard of persistant problems with a Honda Superhawk too, and everyone says Honda's are bulletproof. Just giving my experience. You could find problems with any model/make.
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Don't get me wrong...Mick's got a good point. Heck, I've even heard of persistant problems with a Honda Superhawk too, and everyone says Honda's are bulletproof. Just giving my experience. You could find problems with any model/make.
It is very true that you could find problems with any bike. To me, if I am going to pay top dollar for a bike, I would expect a bullet proof bike and an excellent reputation for being an excellent bike. I am referring to both performance and not being a maintenance nightmare. If I was to go with an exotic bike, I personally would choose an Aprilia. I have never heard of any maintenance issues and they make gorgeous bikes.
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right back at you
Thanks Manny, I was just kidding I always liked ducs, but they are exotic and nothing is as durable as a Jap bike IMHO.
My brother has a TL1000S with about 30,000 miles on it and he tries to break it EVERY time he rides it. So far the only problems he's had were a bad front plug wire at 25,000 miles and the oil pressure sender leaks a little when you feally flog it. As far as tank slappers and stuff I have ridden his bike alot and never had that problem, he never complains about it I'm not sure where that came from but I've never seen it.
BTW maybe Desolation Angel should be looking at a KTM 950 supermoto.
:stickpoke: Right back at ya :stickpoke:
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The big adventure bike? I checked out a black one. It's really tall. Looks nice, though. I heard they aren't that comfortable for on the road, but are unbeatable offroad.
I haven't sat on one. I'm not sure I could put both feet on the ground.
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nothing handles as well as a ducati! First hand experiance. My bandit is getting better but the marshmallow suspension needs help, it seems that ducati start with a better grade of components. service was never a concern, road raced on the same dry clutch for two years. They do love lots of petting, and I don't mind, either! eh
DRGSF1200, 640 Duke II, 750sport (duc) current inventory,
previous duc's 900SSCR, 916
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nothing handles as well as a ducati! First hand experiance. My bandit is getting better but the marshmallow suspension needs help, it seems that ducati start with a better grade of components. service was never a concern, road raced on the same dry clutch for two years. They do love lots of petting, and I don't mind, either! eh
DRGSF1200, 640 Duke II, 750sport (duc) current inventory,
previous duc's 900SSCR, 916
What would you be saying if this were Gixxer Alley site? The Bandit cost 1/3rd of a Duc of comparable power! I see you have some mods, still not close to the $$ for a Duc! How does the gsxr 1000 compare? I think its awesome rite out the box 2nd to none regardless of cost! I M O......... :beers:
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right back at you
... but they are exotic and nothing is as durable as a Jap bike IMHO.
BTW maybe Desolation Angel should be looking at a KTM 950 supermoto.
:stickpoke: Right back at ya :stickpoke:
Yeah, good thing the Bandit never had any issues such as oil burning pistons that require a near-rebuild. :wink:
I test rode a LC8 950 Adventure when they first came out. They are quite fast and a hoot to ride. Not much different than a Bandit actually. Shorter gears make them pretty damn quick and that v-twin has a very healthy way about it. Sounds nice too.
It would certainly be better off-road than a BMW GS, but it's by no means a dirtbike. There is still 200lbs too much weight, the gearing is WAY too tall and it's just got too much power. I think KTM would be very smart to develop a 650 sized v-twin to plug into their 640 Adventure. There you have the right bike with an over worked LC4 thumper. A v-twin 640 Adventure would be da bomb!
Still I would not mind having a 950 since I've already got my dirtbike needs filled. :banana:
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I'll take one of these if ya'll are passin' out bikes!
(http://www.ktm.com/EN/images/4687.jpg)
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I met a fellow at Deals Gap who had an older generation ST4. He said his bike had metal shavings in the oil. Not your normal break-in thing, I'm talking pieces and chunks. Said ducati would not do anything about it. I also hear about weak slave cylinders on ducati's clutches and that they develope clutch problems quicker than most other bikes. Mitch Boehm, editor of Motorcyclist Mag has been riding a S4R. He reported that many mornings he had to get his wife to pull him behind the car to get the thing started, said the alternator just couldn't handle the job. I could go on....
Having said all this, and knowing I've riled somebody out there, know this: I'm going to buy a Ducati someday anyway. Boehm also loves them. And it's true that buying a duck doesn't gauruntee problems. I know people who love these bikes. To me they are the most gorgeous motorcycles made. My biggest problem would be deciding which one to buy? Ok, I can't afford the 999. Well, I can afford it, I just can't afford the insurance and maintenance. Actually, the classic duck has to be the Supersport 1000, a decendant of Paul Smarts own Imola 200 winning 750 Supersport in 1972. Ducks have big garage appeal too. I could just move to the garage and drool over one all night. BTW, I hear the ST3 now uses a wet clutch ( I like that one too! ).
Warren
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I think they get bad press more from their more frequent maintenance intervals than from reliability.
The old 2 valve air cooled engines have far less frequent services than many Japanese bikes (certainly far less frequent services than a Bandit).
TL1000S = glitchy fuel injection and chronic tank-slappers from poorly designed steering geometry and radial POS steering dampaner that together have caused more than a few riders to crash to their death.
You forgot the suicidal tendencies of the gearbox at around 20000 miles.
All the best
Keith
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Anyone here read Motorcycle Consumer News?
If so, did you see the article in the Jan '06 issue entitled, "Sophia's Demise" by their resident Ducati man, LT Snyder?
Or his earlier piece on Sophia in a 2004 article called "Trust"?
Sophia is/was a Ducati ST2 (two-valver) that belonged to LT's friend, Greg. To make a long story short, the bike was not a good advertisement for Ducati reliabilty and after 40K miles and many $$$ in repairs, Greg finally tired of the money pit and got rid of it after it stranded him again, this time with an output shaft bearing failure in Kansas while he and Greg were on a road trip from Alabama to Monterey for the MotoGP.
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Greg was a former business partner of mine and he had many problems with his ST2. Some of which could be traced back to abusive riding, cavalier maintainence and an overtightend drive chain with loose countershaft sprocket. Greg's long time friend LT only got his hands on it after the ST2 was past hope. Greg did own a fine 1999 B12 and to this day he said his impulse sale of that bike to a needy friend was the greatest mistake he ever made. Reduced finances and shaky credit see Greg riding an old goldwing these days. Greg and LT are long time members of my riding club, the Floribama Riders. In fact, LT is the founder of the FBR.
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say what you want to about them i have a few guys i ride with with ducs with over 30 to 40k on them they have had no real problems. there are bikes of any brand that are nightmares. i still would love to get my hands on a new monster s2r 1000. the guy who is doing my bike that owns a duc shop just got one in and is replacing his 999 with it. he has a lot of goodies to bolt on cant wait till he gets it done maybe i can sneek a ride on it.
mike
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Wow! :shock:
I never would have thought someone here KNEW Sophia, Greg & LT! :banana:
It's interesting to hear your take on it Lloyd! From LT's articles, I was left with the feeling that Sophia was just a lemon. Not a victim of abuse & neglect.
Ducatis do have a style & character that makes them lustable.
OTOH, you can buy a bike that performs as good or better for less money.
Kinda like how one views the opposite sex, I guess. :motorsmile:
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well yes, it was a lemon, but it did have more than it's share of bad luck with shoddy service and several crashes. Greg picked up a 99 CBRXX last week. So I guess his late 70's goldwing will take it's place in the Calhoun museum of misfit toys along with his Alazura without a title and his never finished CB750 springer front/hardtail rear chopper project.
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Hi
A friend still uses his old Ducati Pantah as a track day bike.
http://www.traxpics.co.uk/SHOW-20030827-ThreeSisters/Thumb712/Full/img_1218.jpg
All the best
Keith
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This used Multistrada popped up near me. This is the Duc I like best. What do you think about the price?
http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/5/0/82198150.htm
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For that price you could have a Touring B12 and a Streetfighter B12. :wink:
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very nice! has all the good stuff!
eh
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This used Multistrada popped up near me. This is the Duc I like best. What do you think about the price?
Keep the Bandit to fetch parts or to see for yourself how the shop is comin w/repair on it!!!! LOL........ Its SWEET!!! GO FOR IT... You owe it to yourself... ***Traitor*** :beers:
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This used Multistrada popped up near me. This is the Duc I like best. What do you think about the price?
Keep the Bandit to fetch parts or to see for yourself how the shop is comin w/repair on it!!!! LOL........ Its SWEET!!! GO FOR IT... You owe it to yourself... ***Traitor*** :beers:
I'm awful fond of the Bandit. It's a keeper. I'm thinking second bike. I had three last year, but down to one now. Or maybe I'll pick up one of these air/oil cooled cruisers, you know, just to be different...
(http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/colorVariations/500/S83K6_aBlack_000000.jpg)
This one (S83) has less of a Harley look to it, to my eye, and more of just a chopper thing going on. Used to be called the Intruder. I liked those best as far as choppery lookin' bikes go. Plus, it'll likely start every time I get on it! :grin:
It looks more like an evolution of the Suzuki GS "L" models or the early '80s than some other cruisers.
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Yep! The H.D. riders will do that start to wave thing and stop half way, pull back and act like they don't see ya! I know i have an 01.. Jeted with drag pipes it has taken all of em but the ones i knew better than to mess with!!! Like the Bandit after you get it rite!!! All it will do is run rite!! Can't take the place of the B12.. It never gets riden anymore and the resale $$ make em sit.. Great all around bike, its the one under the cover in the back!!!
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/3285/picture0681og2iv23xy.jpg
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Or maybe I'll pick up one of these air/oil cooled cruisers, you know, just to be different...
(http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/colorVariations/500/S83K6_aBlack_000000.jpg)
This one (S83) has less of a Harley look to it, to my eye, and more of just a chopper thing going on. Used to be called the Intruder. I liked those best as far as choppery lookin' bikes go. Plus, it'll likely start every time I get on it! :grin:
It looks more like an evolution of the Suzuki GS "L" models or the early '80s than some other cruisers.
If you're into the custom metric chopper thing, check out some of the Suzukis & Yamahas that Germany's Thunderbike (http://www.thunderbike.de) puts out.
(http://www.thunderbike.de/images/bikes/vs_slides/spookyslide1.gif)
(http://www.thunderbike.de/images/bikes/xvs_slides/kid_slide3.jpg)
At least they aren't the same old Harley lumps.
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Someday I'd like to drive a Suzy cruiser. I clearly remember what my 1340 Lowrider drove like and I'd like to see the difference. :grin:
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(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a243/GS750ED/P1010215.jpg)
The TL picked up a bad reputation when it first came out. This was due to not being fitted with a steering dampner. Lets look at the stats:
55in wheelbase
high aft CG (due to the 90 degree twin design)
app. 450 lb weight
100+ bhp
aggressive steering geometry
All of these coupled together with no steering dampner made the bike a handful. Later years, mine was a 2001, were fitted with factory dampners to correct the headshake problems. Even then, it was not a novice machine as it had a pronounced tendency to spend most of the time in the first three gears on the rear wheel alone.
But neither is the Zx-12 or GSXR1000 a novice machine.
The rear remote shock on the TLS was about the only gripe I had as far as design faults go. It was a fun, maximum bang for the buck, bike. I will say this without offense, my 2001 TLS with RS3 Yosh race cans and FI remap would absolutely suck the side covers off my 2005 B12S with pipe and jet kit. Both bikes make max hp at about 8500 rpm, the grunt on the TL below 6000 rpm would make a B12 owner blush.
Resale value is low due to the bad reputation they incurred and the large number of trashed bikes on the market. Finding a clean used example will be a challenge as most were stunted for their ability to wheelie.
Ride On, Ed.
2005 GSF1200SZ
1983 GS750ED
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BTW, the only Ducati to have is the 900SS unless you can afford one of these: :lol:
(http://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-motorcycles/paul-smart-1000/paul-smart-le-limited-edition.jpg)
(http://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-motorcycles/paul-smart-1000/paul-smart-1000.jpg)
Ride On, Ed.
2005 GSF1200SZ
1983 GS750ED
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I hate to keep hearing about the maintenance thing. Really disappointing. This is so cherry! Literally!
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/DesolationAngels/01_800.jpg)
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my brother has a 95 900sscr tha the loves! has had no problems with is so far! it is a nice bike, i actuly went and looked at it test road it and jewed the guy and road it home for him! my thoughts on the bike, the thing was bloody spendy! i thought it would be faster than it is, after all it is a duck! but it cuts a cornner like it is on rails!
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All of these coupled together with no steering dampner made the bike a handful. Later years, mine was a 2001, were fitted with factory dampners to correct the headshake problems. Even then, it was not a novice machine as it had a pronounced tendency to spend most of the time in the first three gears on the rear wheel alone.
The '97 was the first and only one to come without a stock steering damper and they were recalled here in Aust to have them fitted.
I had a '99 that was a beautiful machine that suffered a design problem you failed to mention. The small problem of the frame cracking. I had mine a few months, put it in for a service and was told it needed a new frame because it had cracked. Suzuki paid for it so it was all good.
I loved that bike...
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Speaking of Intruders, I've been watching this one for days. Very tempting as a companion to the Bandit.
An '02 with only 1,400 miles. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-INTRUDER-1400-ONE-OWNER-LOW-MILES-PRISTINE_W0QQitemZ4606278289QQcategoryZ50031QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
(http://photos.ebizautos.com/4968/859616_21.jpg)
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Yeah, I've always liked the looks of the 1400 Intruder. Should be a low maintenance bike too. I've also heard it's pretty quick for a cruiser.
Warren
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Hey they are as trouble free as you have heard! Chrome is not the best, spoke wheels are a constant challenge to keep up. Other coated aluminum parts (brake cyl reservoir etc) can get funky peely lookin. The seat is too soft but a $225.00 corbin will fix that. They handle as good as some sport bikes on corners. With a performance set of pipes and just needles in the carbs with the pilot adjusted they rip! Not too many H.D.'s can hang with em!! Those folks always have nice bikes at a great price i see... :beers: :motorsmile:
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I don't know about Ducati reliability first hand, but I recall reading an article in Cycle World (or one of those) and they took a ST3 and ST4 for a cross country ride. I recall them talking about stuff breaking on the trip and they were new bikes. I also recall that while a friend of mine met up with a guy with a new ducati 998 (I think). Anyways, he had problems and they had to push start him every time they stopped. Also I have heard of very high prices when it comes to having the dealership do work on your bike.
I worked at a Ducati dealer of several years.
So what does it cost to have a dealership check the valve clearances? Or how about a tune up?
I saw the same article, and in it they mentioned that the rest of the staff joked that they must be off their rocker, doing a Ducati road trip without a chase truck.
I have also heard electrical problems are an issue with them.
They are sexy, handle very well, not as fast as Jap sport bikes, a small fortune to fix, and at least where I live, a very limited supply of dealers to choose from. Oh yes, and you better check insurance rates, as where I live, they share the same insurance dilema as BMW, due to very expensive parts if you happen to drop one. And also, the salesman at my local dealership tells me they really don't hold up to depreciation any better than a Suzuki.
It's like comparing a Ferrari to a Toyota I figure, Both will get you from point A to point B, only one will do it with practibility, the other with style (and grief)
I just did never see the reason to spend huge dollars on a bike that at the end of the day, will not do things any better than lets say a Suzuki.
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I've got to agree with you Bazza. But before I go any further let me check that my M750 riding wife isn't near by......
Good she's not.....
the Ducati's are like Harleys....a status symbol....hey look at me I can afford an Italian bike.....
Although, if it weren't for Ducati my wife would be stuck riding Jap cruisers which really aren't her style.....the Monstor range of bikes are good for those that are on the short side of average hieght. The M750 is actually shorter than a Honda VTR250 but, unlike the VTR250, it keeps up with most of the sports bikes particularly in the twisty stuff.
The wife has had her M750 for 3 trouble free years and probably won't part with it until she can afford an Aprilia Tuono or a Triumph Speed Tripple....Yes my wife has expensive tastes when it comes to bikes.
Oh, and by the way your analagy of the Ferrari and a Toyota was fairly close to home.....we are the proud owners of a Toyota Camry - makes sense since she now works for the local dealer.