Shopping for a Ducati

[Jeff Higgins]

That insane kickstand feature is long gone on this bike. So is the stupid little nanny switch on it. The bike does have a voltmeter already as well. The little details like that are all taken care of.

I cannot believe the fun I'm having on this bike. It is so, so different for this old Harley rider. It's going to take some getting use to. Turn in is so light and responsive that I find myself apexing way too early, the brakes are so good that I find myself slowing way too far ahead of a corner or a stop light, then having to get back on the gas. And those flat slides chirping right under my chin are just something else. Then there is the power, or more like power to weight. Holy smokes; no modern superbike, but far more than I'm used to.

I was rolling up to a stop light this afternoon; one of those with two lanes going through but one ending pretty quickly on the other side of it. My lane was clear, and there was a line of about ten cars in the other. I timed it perfectly, and the light turned green just as I downshifted into second. When it turned green I whacked it open just like I would if I was on one of the Harleys. The front wheel came up so damn fast and unexpectedly, I went past about four cars at full honk with my front wheel about three feet in the air. I felt like a real ass hole, but I was giggling like a little girl. My Harleys don't do that...

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by Wickd89

Actually the retail was $35K, and he got it for 5K off.
I do not know but it had all the good bits. Looks nothing like a regular 1098, it has
tons of great parts!

It must have had a TON of ad-ons! If not, Denis is right, especially for a year old "new" bike (had to be an '07 model, as that edition wasn't available for '08). Even Beverly Hills Ducati has one (yes the Tricolore edition) they are asking $25k for, which is what their MSRP was. I've seen them listed as low as $22k From more competitve dealers, and in the high teens from private party sellers (usually with less than a couple hundred miles on them ).

Also, you might mention to him that there is a recall in effect for a bad batch of drive sprockets.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

That insane kickstand feature is long gone on this bike. So is the stupid little nanny switch on it. The bike does have a voltmeter already as well. The little details like that are all taken care of.

I cannot believe the fun I'm having on this bike. It is so, so different for this old Harley rider. It's going to take some getting use to. Turn in is so light and responsive that I find myself apexing way too early, the brakes are so good that I find myself slowing way too far ahead of a corner or a stop light, then having to get back on the gas. And those flat slides chirping right under my chin are just something else. Then there is the power, or more like power to weight. Holy smokes; no modern superbike, but far more than I'm used to.

I was rolling up to a stop light this afternoon; one of those with two lanes going through but one ending pretty quickly on the other side of it. My lane was clear, and there was a line of about ten cars in the other. I timed it perfectly, and the light turned green just as I downshifted into second. When it turned green I whacked it open just like I would if I was on one of the Harleys. The front wheel came up so damn fast and unexpectedly, I went past about four cars at full honk with my front wheel about three feet in the air. I felt like a real ass hole, but I was giggling like a little girl. My Harleys don't do that...

The transformation of a Harley rider into a Ducati one...

You think the 900SS is quick/light/fast, just wait 'til you try out a 999 or 1098 for size. It'll make your bike seem like a barge. Glad to hear you're having a blast.

[Ray B]

Congrats. Rest easy knowing that Mark built your engine-he's good people. I'm glad we have him in Atlanta now. I still have my cruiser (BMW) for slonger stints/with wife but find myself looking for reasons to blow off work and hop on the Duc for a quick blast. It's nothing like yours, but it makes me smile. Cheers.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Noah930

The transformation of a Harley rider into a Ducati one...

You think the 900SS is quick/light/fast, just wait 'til you try out a 999 or 1098 for size. It'll make your bike seem like a barge. Glad to hear you're having a blast.

It's like going from a mini van to a Porsche. Unbelievable difference. I will, however, always keep a big ol' Hog for those really long, lazy days in the saddle, and those multi day, several state trips. I'm leaving on one this week as a matter of fact. Tent, sleeping bag, camp cookware, and food all piled on the Road King. That's what it's good at. Problem is (just like when on those family vacations in the Subaru Outback) those windy, lonely back roads will have me pining for the (Porsche) Duc...

[Noah930]

Where's nostatic to plug his ST2? Or a new Multistrada? The guy that does all those IronButts has an ST4, IIRC.

[Chocaholic]

I guess this is in keeping with the thread topic. This bike is within 100 miles of me and all the Duc-talk has gotten me thinking. Don't know Ducs but this one looks interesting. Here's the pic and sellers ad. Interested in your thoughts. . .



1993 Ducati 750 SUPERSPORT,Extremely rare Ducati! Only 12616 miles, adult ridden, never raced. Cycle has been covered and garaged since daughter was born 4 years ago. Custom full fairings, steel brake lines, Brembo floating front rotor, carbon fibre pipe canisters. All original OEM (replaced) parts also included. Will include cycle cover, tie straps, and two Shoei RF200 helmets. Cycle needs a battery and tune up before its ready to ride since its been in storage for so long. This Ducati is a classic collector piece in cherry condition. No joy ride. Serious inquiries only. Price is firm. Picture available upon request. $4500

[Jeff Higgins]

[Britwrench]

Jeff, Kie wants the Ducati back because you got it wet.................

[speeder]

Yeah, what's up with the water all over everything? Where did it come from?

[Wickd89]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

It must have had a TON of ad-ons! If not, Denis is right, especially for a year old "new" bike (had to be an '07 model, as that edition wasn't available for '08). Even Beverly Hills Ducati has one (yes the Tricolore edition) they are asking $25k for, which is what their MSRP was. I've seen them listed as low as $22k From more competitve dealers, and in the high teens from private party sellers (usually with less than a couple hundred miles on them ).

Also, you might mention to him that there is a recall in effect for a bad batch of drive sprockets.

ACTUALLY it did have tons. I swung by the office today, and noticed the sign that the dealer had on it as a "custom 1098" with a huge list of parts. I will write them down and share.
Just found a dumb little video he put on youtube. It is the actual bike in his side yard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZbqU715eYQ

[speeder]

Good god, it's not even an "S"! Or a tricolore.

That's a regular $14,995 MSRP 1098 w/ a dealer paint job to look like(?) a tricolore. They could have at least made it an accurate clone. I'm sorry, but he got raped. Ouch.

[Wickd89]

Originally Posted by speeder

Good god, it's not even an "S"! Or a tricolore.

That's a regular $14,995 MSRP 1098 w/ a dealer paint job to look like(?) a tricolore. They could have at least made it an accurate clone. I'm sorry, but he got raped. Ouch.

Lets be patient. Maybe, but let me give you the list of parts...
Maybe he exagerated the price to us unknowing office buddies...;-)

[speeder]

The only expensive, (and meaningful), upgrade to a standard 1098 would be Ohlins shocks, which cost thousands and come standard on the "S" model. Your friend's bike doesn't have them. The most expensive, (and best), exhaust is ~$2k. You can load these bikes w/ CF parts that are mostly "all show and no go", but I don't even see any of that on the bike. This is a weird story.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by speeder

Yeah, what's up with the water all over everything? Where did it come from?

Its this stuff that falls from the sky up here. We like it. Keeps out the California riff raff.

[HardDrive]

Jeff, that bike is amazing. I have been making the rounds looking at bikes, and that really is in a different class. Might be the finest example I have ever seen.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Truly stunning Jeff, congratulations! What are your impressions so far?

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Truly stunning Jeff, congratulations! What are your impressions so far?

How about "holy crap". That about sums it up. Unlike anything else I've ever ridden or driven.

Seriously, it fills exactly the niche I was hoping it would. It's no long distance, day after day touring bike. It's simply not comfortable enough, nor can it carry anything but me. Which is fine; I have another bike for that. This one is purely for local, maybe single day rides. After work stress relief.

I find it much more engaging to ride than the Harleys. It demands my full attention, while rewarding that attention in equal measure. The Harley is much more of a "daydreaming" machine, allowing the mind to wander kind of a ride. Just totally different levels of mental commitment to ride them. A lot of it is, I'm sure, because it is so new to me. It's much like driving the 911 after getting out of the family car. You just pay more attention to the driving.

It runs very, very strong. It stops like a dog hitting the end of his chain. The sounds, while a familiar V-twin rumble at lower speeds, change dramatically as rpm's and speed increase. While I can always hear and feel each individual power stroke on the Harley, they run together on this bike and change tone into a pretty good bellow at high rpm's. It spins up 4,500 rpm past redline on the Harley. It cruises happily at 4,000-5,000 rpm, where the Harley would shake itself to death maintaining those rpm's for long.

It is actually far louder than either of my Harleys, both the exhaust and mechanical whirring and rattling. Not to mention the induction noise. It does vibrate more than my Road King, but far, far less than my Sportster. And it's more of a buzz than the individual big hits coming off the Sportster motor. The riding position is surprisingly comfortable. The only kinks I get are in my upper hamstrings from bending my legs so high to get on the rear sets. I'm used to flooboards forward on the bike, or footpegs in the "standard" location. That, and the multiple foot positions available on both Harleys will spoil you on long rides. My only recourse is to get off and stretch. I think that will go away with time; it's already better in just my third day of riding it.

Visible build quality is far better than on my old Sporty, but not as good as on the newer Road King. While not enough to make it look or feel "cheap" in any way, there is far more plastic on it than on either Harley. The casting quality, frame welding, and other such visible elements are somewhere in between that of my two Harleys.

The carbon fiber stuff, and the paint job applied to it, is simply stunning. The quality of work is second to none. The detail work on this bike is indicative of a perfectionist that knew exactly what he wanted. All of the aftermarket upgrades meld seamlessly into a whole, as opposed to being a collection of individual ideas. It is very well put together and thought out.

Anyway, you can probably tell I'm excited. I could go on and on about this bike (actually, I already have...). First impressions are that I've made a good move, and am on my way to all new adventures.

[911boost]

I am glad to hear you are liking the bike Jeff.

My wife and I did about 250 miles on my HD today, exactly what it was designed and built for.

I stay away from the Duc dealership for a reason. Not too mention my garage is already full.

Bill

[Jeff Higgins]

I'll be leaving later this week for a week long bike camping trip with a good friend. Me on my Road King, him on his Heritage Soft Tail. Wouldn't (couldn't) even try that on the Duc. Polar opposite ends of the spectrum. Perfect combination.