i have a 1000ss, they are extremely reliable. the newre the better. the voltage regulater has been fixed in the later bikes and the older ones have aftermarket fixes that are bullet proof. check out
www.ducatimonster.org www.rc51.com (use pull down to find the duc part)
www.ducati.ms for info. with the skyrocketing prices on the asian bikes, the Ducati's are becoming more of a value and they hold that value way better than the asian's. the mainteance is not anywhere near what you think....it can be expensive but i found that it is not a heck of a lot more than the Jap bikes (if you do the services as they require, which most don't) Don't discount the monster because of what people say here...triumph's are gonna be a pia to get parts for btw check the sites i gave you out, BEFORE you buy