OT Ducati Sportclassic 1000

[RIQUE]

Hey fellas, I am seriously considering getting a 2008 Ducati Sport Classic 1000.
I just love the café racer look. Anybody on the forum have one that could care to comment on the bike?

[shreddr]

Hancock has one and calls it "the rack"

talk to him about it.

[cageyar]

I thought the ergonomics were crap.
The handlebars placed me in the wrong position - I had to look down and back to see the gauges.
If you're shorter than me, 6'3", it may not be as bad.
But then your reach to the bars will be long.
Power was OK but nothing exciting.
Looked way better than it ran.
When the Ducati guy asked me how I liked it, I told him the past is the past for a reason.

[Guest24]

correction Jeff, Hancock had a "rack." It wasn't designed for the Advil Generation, however. A Paul Smart is not so smart for those with aging joints.

[RIQUE]

The bars look very low indeed. Not planing on using it as a cruiser though

[macfly]

You should check out the Ducati foums, as I had the thought to get one a while back, but reading the forums put me right off. They are problematic bikes, expecially the plastic gas tanks that distort and 'spread open' and the owners all complain about the lack of good customer service.

[Corky]

I heard it's a severe torture rack too. I was told even worse than the 848/1098/1198. Ask me how I know... Probably real fun for 100 miles or less. Sure looks nice though. I'd buy one if I found a good deal...

It is a Blast from the Past and beautiful.

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by macfly

expecially the plastic gas tanks that distort and 'spread open' and the owners all complain about the lack of good customer service.

Yup, our old buddy ethanol.

[roger albert]

****ty ergos and susp.
Decent chassis and motors.
Depends on priorities and body type.
worse for shorter guys than longer guys.
Seem optimized for that wide swathe of riders between 5'10 and 5'11, assuming they have long torsos -- otherwise, not them either.
They look all *****in and stuff though.

[muzza]

Took one for a test ride, to say I was disapointed would be an understatement
That engine is so out of date- love the look but everything else was a negative and I could'nt justify it on looks alone

[Ciocc]

I've never ridden one, but love the looks. The ergos would have put that one out of consideration, but the GT1000 holds the aesthetic appeal, without the punishing ergos. If I had room and excess cash laying about, I would certainly have given this one a look.

Ciocc

[chewie]

know a guy with one

he must be 60 and he doesn't ride it much though he did ride it to the island from here which is 300km each way

he was bent over it like a half closed pocket knife, didn't look comfy at all, but my Mrs says "there's no comfort in fashion" maybe this is the same?

[jgrm1]

Gorgeous bike, but agree the low bars are way too extreme for the type of riding you'd use it for. That engine, the same as in my Monster, is an incredibly fun engine for the street. It makes about the same power as the R1100S, but is strong throughout the RPM range. Paired with the light weight and nimbleness of the bike, it is an exciting package. Great noises, too. The bikes do come from the factory running extremely lean, which results in jerky low speed operation. This can be cured with an O2 modulator, ECU remap, or Termi Exhaust/ECU package. Best to find one that has the goodies already thrown at it or use the stock condition as a bargaining chip.

Ethanol in our fuel attracts water, which is absorbed by the material (P6?) the tanks are made from causing them to swell. Ducati is replacing tanks under the 5-year emissions warranty (I'm on my second one) and better have a permanent solution by 2013 when I will be out of warranty because I plan on keeping my Duc for a long time. Some have coated their new tanks with Caswells liner with positive results.

I turn my own wrenches, so my customer service experience has been excellent. In other words, other than the warranty tank replacement, my Ducati has never been back to the dealership.

For the right price, I'd have a Sport Classic if it wasn't my primary ride.

-Jeff

[RIQUE]

Thanks to all for input. I let one pass 8000U$ with 35Miles. If I can get cheaper one I will dive in. I'm riding my S1000RR a lot so riding position is not that much of a concern.

[Bob Hancock]

Better ride one. The reach from seat to bars has you stretched out quite a bit. You can't look around cos you're looking down. It's more than a sporting position, it's a race tuck. I got it because it is beautiful....sold it cos my knees hated it. Dan Greene has it now. Ask him.

[Tirebiter]

Havent riden one but a buddy races his......tricked out photo op follows....



BTW, he paid less that $6K for his at a clearance sale....no miles at the time

Brock

[RIQUE]

[QUOTE=Tirebiter;6124735]Havent riden one but a buddy races his......tricked out photo op follows....



BTW, he paid less that $6K for his at a clearance sale....no miles at the time

Brock[/QUOT

nice

[dadicool59]

The non S version without the fairing has higher bars in the later models but doesnt look as good.

[RIQUE]

I can see the handlebar swap to be a good option. Still looks racy but a tad higher. No ducs on ebay to purchase though.

[RIQUE]

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

Better ride one. The reach from seat to bars has you stretched out quite a bit. You can't look around cos you're looking down. It's more than a sporting position, it's a race tuck. I got it because it is beautiful....sold it cos my knees hated it. Dan Greene has it now. Ask him.

Bob, how tall are you? I'm 5.8 so I figure I will fit well. Do you know if you can
mod the rear sets and bars to a better riding position? thnx