Tell me about Ducati ownership.

[Eric Hahl]

Ok, we've got a couple Ducati threads going so I thought I'd ask y'all about Ducati ownership.

I'm a complete motorcycle nut, having had some bike or other since I was 6 years old. Mini bikes, dirt bikes, 3 wheelers, quads, more dirt bikes, crotch rockets, more quads, now I'm riding a commuter bike (Honda NC700X). Great mileage, slow, but fun. Actually handles really well.

Anyway, I've been dreaming of getting a sport bike again and really dig the v-twins (had an RC-51). So I'm lusting after the Panigale 899.

What can you tell me about late model Ducati ownership? Maintenance service plan or can they be DIY'ed? My reason for asking is I have Ducati tastes with a Honda budget, lol. I can afford the bike but am worried about maintenance costs as I tend to put many miles on my toys in a short period of time.

Thanks in advance for any input you can give me.

[Jeff Higgins]

I don't know anyone who owns a water cooled, four valve Ducati who does their own major service (valve shimming, belts, etc.). Last guy I talked to about it was quoted somewhere around $1500 for a major service on his 848. The good news is that the major service intervals have been getting longer and longer with each successive iteration of the water cooled Duc, with the Panigale's being the longest ever. I'm not sure what it is (maybe someone who has one will chime in), but I believe it's about triple that of my old 900 Super Sport.

[Rot 911]

Can't tell you much about the newer Ducs. Owned a 2010 Monster, but sold it within a year. Like Jeff, I own a 900SS. I think the 900SS has a great affinity with air cooled Porsche owners. Timeless styling, fairly DIY to maintain, and while not the fastest bike in the straights, holds its own when you hit the curves. Unlike an air cooled 911, is relatively cheap to buy a nice one.

[dos531]

I service ducatis. If you can work on the Porsche you can work on a Duc. The motors up until the panigale are all pretty much the same internally, so once you get the bodywork off, a ducati is a ducati. I use aftermarket belts from cacycleworks.com and replace every 12k or 2 years whichever comes first. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[Eric Hahl]

Thanks guys. I might have more specific questions for you later dos531.

[javadog]

My kid has had a few recent examples, from the 1098 through to the current bikes. He's had a few problems... fuel tanks have been an issue, one of them set a few catalytic converters on fire before they figured out an electronic problem. He still enjoys them.

JR

[911SauCy]

When you own a Duc...

...women, they're like ticks. They just jump on.

[Eric Hahl]

Really 911SauCy, that's all you had to add? Lol.


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[Dan J]

I have a 99 996 S I have a somewhat local independent guy who's super so I let him care for it
Home : European Cycle Services Steve's really good
I don't remember what the prices were but I think that means they weren't terrible
It has been faultlessly reliable but is pretty low miles (3700) It starts and runs perfect every time
I'm a Porsche certified master tech but I don't have any desire to screw it up I mean work on it

[HardDrive]

I also have a Supersport (93). I won't say too much, but it really is worth exploring the aircooled, 2V Ducs. The hp numbers are not a good indicator of just how much fun they are to own and drive. They've got soul. I also had a 2002 Monster S. Fantastic bike. Fuel injected. Just hop on and go.

Don't get stuck with a plastic tank Ducati, and least not one from the mid 2000's. Depends on the model, but in the mid 2000's, they started using plastic tanks. These tanks are vulnerable to expansion issues because of the ethanol in our fuel here in the US. If was a big problem, with class action lawsuits involved. Javadog mentioned this above. Do your homework.

If had to go out and buy a liquid cooled Duc, and maintenance cost was concern, I guess I would lean towards a 749/999. Just my (admittedly somewhat unqualified) opinion. The 996 is widely regarded as one of the most, if not THE most beautiful bikes ever made. I had a 748S of the same genre. They are great to look at, and perform well, but (for me anyway) holy hell are they uncomfortable. Brutal riding position. They also suffered from insufficient chroming on the rocker arm rollers. If caught early, it could be solved, but if it wasn't and it started digging into the cams, throw your damn checkbook out the window. $$$.

Current steed:

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by Eric Hahl

Really 911SauCy, that's all you had to add? Lol.
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Eric, I swear the following story is true.

Years ago, I wanted to buy a Ducati. I had not had a bike since being married. My wife was 100% against it. We were doing well financially, and it burned my ass having her standing in the way. Finally, I said F-it, and went and bought a Monster, with a nice loud carbon exhaust.

My wife comes home, and the bike is in the garage. I tell her, "I'm going to ride my bike" (I also bicycle). I go out, and start the beast up, and go thundering off down the street in blue jeans and tee shirt. I get home, and my wife is REALLY trying to pretend to be pissed, but on some level, I can tell that she thinks the thing is bad ass. I leave it right in the driveway by the kitchen window to stare at.

That night, we go to a party down the street, and my wife, I think hoping to rally the female troops against me, announces that I bought a Ducati Monster. Yeah, well that backfired, because they're jaws all dropped, and (my hand on a bible), one of the soccer moms blurted out, "Are you kidding? That is HOT!".

Not sure what it is, but women who don't know a damn thing about motorcycles know the name 'Ducati', and it makes their heart skip a beat.

[wolds]

I get the same response when the ladies find out that I ride a R1200RT. Well not really.

[froggert]

some mechanically inclined friends do their own valves and belts on 4-valve ducs, so it's definitely possible to DIY. i do the same as a previous poster and prefer to drop my bikes off at ECS for major services.

[pavulon]

Overheard a guy say his girlfriend ovulated every time he started his Duc.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Not sure what it is, but women who don't know a damn thing about motorcycles know the name 'Ducati', and it makes their heart skip a beat.

...and their panties wet


Eric-I felt the need to add more

[trader220]

I owned a succession of Harley's from 1988 until I sold the last one in 2006. In 2010 I bought my first Ducati and I never looked back. I have not done the valve adjustment myself but I have done just about everything else. The only thing I find odd is sometimes when you're removing 4 bolts sometimes 3 will be one size and the 4th another. Its almost like they tapped and installed whatever was closest. Mostly they're on body parts or other nonessentials where I have noted that. I upgraded much of the electrical system to a better grade of wire and component just for piece of mind. Its never let me down. Just about everything has been upgraded by myself or the PO.

[Eric Hahl]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

...and their panties wet


Eric-I felt the need to add more

Thanks brother.

[yazhound]

Originally Posted by wolds

I get the same response when the ladies find out that I ride a R1200RT. Well not really.

lol that's the best. Have R1100R so... but does have the Parabellum screen and has some attitude... ha

[Scott Douglas]

I can remember when my brother and I would ride up to the Rock Store back in the mid-80's. He had a Ducati 860GT with Conti pipes on it.
All the Harley riders would stop whatever they were doing when he rode past and look. They all were wishing their rides sounded as good as his did.

[nynor]

i've been riding sport bikes since i was 17. something like 28 years and counting. i've owned a few and ridden many. i like my ducati the best. rock solid, maintenance for mine has been strictly brakes, belts, oil, clutch. no surprises with this bike. i had the belts done by the shop the first time, but i think i am doing it myself next go around, which is this spring.

one of the best days of my life was when i sold my cafe triumph and bought the 900SS. three hours after i had cash for the triumph, i had the ducati in the garage.

as for women and ducatis, i've put my ducati up for sale and threatened to do it again this spring. both times my wife was ticked off. she has only been on it once.... who knew?