Shopping for a Ducati - Page 3

Jeff Higgins · 08-19-2008, 06:08 AM

Well, tonight I'm going to go look at the one Hard Drive posted on page one. I spoke with the owner last night - turns out he is a Porsche mechanic, and owns a '74 with a '78 3.0 in back. We have some mutual friends in the local Porsche community, and he had actually heard of me. And he is still letting me come look at his bike. So, if it's as nice as Hard Drive describes (and I'm sure it is), it should be mine in a few days.

There are a couple of other bikes locally as well, if this one does not pan out. I spoke with Kie last night as well about the one he posted above. It sounds like a great bike, albeit possibly more of a hot rod than a Ducati virgin might need right away. There is also an FE at Ducati of Seattle that looks very clean, with under 4,000 miles on it. They are asking $7K for it.

So, I have options. The white frame models are at the top of my list as far as cool factor, soul, and other intangibles. The FE would be the "practical" choice in a very impractical range, but the gray on silver color scheme isn't my first choice. With the position this bike will assume in my life, it has to "speak" to me. The white frame does just that. Wish me luck...

cnielsen · 08-19-2008, 07:13 AM

Good luck Jeff and keep me posted!

Here is mine, bad picture but the only one I have at the moment. I am partial to the white frame and wheels myself!

Jeff Higgins · 08-19-2008, 07:48 AM

You're the one who started all of this, Chris. You and that darn bike. You just had to fire it up for me, didn't you?

VincentVega · 08-19-2008, 08:03 AM

Maybe prices are going up on these things. I was watching one on ebay that just sold for $4500, I bet it was 4k last year.

cnielsen · 08-19-2008, 09:34 AM

Sorry Jeff, I think I have that affect on people...

Got 7 patients to buy Porsches...

One friend bought a Unimog...

Now you and the Ducati

These bikes deserve more credit than they are given and I think that is changing. They definately are not as fast as some of the Japanese sport bikes but they have a soul that cannot compare. Kind of like an old 911...You'll love it!

kiesan · 02:53 PM

Jeff that yellow '99 looks pretty decent for sure.

I'll just say this. You owe it to yourself to see this '93 that I have. It has been modded yes, but nothing that makes it not user friendly or unreliable. Our motorhead enthusiast dentist built it to be reliable for 2-week trips to Central Oregan and Northern Cal. It can easily be used as an every-dayer or weekend blaster with the occasional track day thrown in.

The motor was built by this guy (Mark) when he lived in this area:

http://www.ducshop.com/about_ducshop.php

Did I mention that I am flexible (downright rubbery... elastic one might say) with regards to the digits/price?

Jeff Higgins · 08-20-2008, 06:12 AM

Kie, I'll be in Seattle tonight around 6:00-7:00. Mind if I stop by that late? I'll give you a call when I'm down there.

Scooter · 08-20-2008, 06:33 AM

Did you look at the one on Queen Anne?

Jeff Higgins · 08-20-2008, 06:59 AM

Yup. Stunning. It's everything Hard Drive said it was. Essentially a showroom new '92, like it's been sitting in a time capsule. Not a mark on it anywhere, not a spec of grime, nothing. All records from new, with the known problems addressed (cylinder studs, charging system, etc.). I'm going to look at a couple more in the next few days anyway. Never hurts to look. Unless something else just absolutely knocks my socks off, though, I'm relatively sure it's the one.

kiesan · 08-20-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Kie, I'll be in Seattle tonight around 6:00-7:00. Mind if I stop by that late? I'll give you a call when I'm down there.

Works for me.

Warning... there may be beer

HardDrive · 08-20-2008, 10:22 AM

Another thread hijack. I looked at this one.

How about this beast?

$4750. Its a 1999 Monster 900S (not a chromo) with 17,000. Belt service done @ 16,000. Custom billet wheels. The tank is custom. The guy took his standard tank and had it nickel plated! The guy is a complete gear head. He had a beautiful Cobra replica and a new Triumph (his new bike) sitting there.

Jeff Higgins · 08-20-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiesan

Works for me.

Warning... there may be beer

I've made made some of my more salient motorcycling decisions while drinking.

gtc · gtc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

...

Neat!
What is the low end of the Monster price range these days? I drink enough Bauhaus coffee, maybe it's about time I start riding a cafe racer...

kiesan · 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I've made made some of my more salient motorcycling decisions while drinking.

Quit trying to confuse me with those big words! Does that mean you will be ripe for the picking?

http://www.lostinseattle.com/LIS/motorcycledealer/map_redlabelmoto.html

kiesan · 08-20-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtc

Neat!
What is the low end of the Monster price range these days? I drink enough Bauhaus coffee, maybe it's about time I start riding a cafe racer...

The M900 came out in '94 for the US. The '750 in '97. There is also a 600, 620, 695, 696, 800, 1000. Air cooled, water cooled, 2 valve, 4 valve, etc. Lots to pick from!

The lower end used Monster from the 90's or early 00's should be around $3500. Any less than that is a bike with a story.

My shop is just a few blocks from Bauhaus, stop by sometime~

Jeff Higgins · 08-21-2008, 07:30 AM

Well, the search is over. I stopped by Kie's place last night and he made me the proverbial "offer I couldn't refuse". It really is a remarkable motorcycle; wanting for absolutely nothing in the way of trick parts and, at least equally important to me, "soul". It ws a rider's machine for sure. No garage queen. Good, honest patina that one would expect from a bike that got to go out and play, and play often and hard.

The allure of the white frame on the '92 was strong. And, like I said, it is everything Hard Drive said it was, and more. Stunning in every way. But this '93 just has so much more going for it from a rider's perspective. It has every goodie I would eventually hang on the '92. I would have to darn near double my investment in the '92 to bring it up to this level. So, in the end, it was an easy decision.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I was in Victoria, BC over the weekend and saw a guy on a Duc just like Cnielsen's. It sounded AMAZING. While sitting at a red light, a passerby complained to the rider about the noise. They exchanged words and the passerby took out a notepad and wrote down the license plate #. What a douche. My isn't a bike person and she even commented how awesome that bike sounded.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 08-21-2008, 07:51 AM

Congratulations Jeff!

What are all these mods? Seems like it would be a perfect template for my 93.

Pics? You can't buy a bike and not post pics!

Jeff Higgins · 08-21-2008, 08:14 AM

From Kie's website:

This 1993 Ducati 900 Supersport is a one-owner bike from new. I have known personally the former and only (not counting Red Label Moto LLC) owner of this particular bike since 1995. No expense was spared to create what was the owner's vision of a perfect road-going 900 Supersport.
Every piece of bodywork on this bike including the fuel tank is carbon fiber. Most of these pieces are no longer available, and the cost involved with obtaining them over a decade ago was quite staggering. Custom paint by Terry Afdem, the bike is a stunner.

Custom, professionally built high performance motor my Mark Sutton of The Duc Shop. The engine features hi-comp Cosworth pistons, Keihin flatslide carburetors, custom headwork/porting, etc. Mark has built many Ducati racing motors, including some for Mat Mladin and Troy Corser. This bike is a strong performer. Click here Duc Shop for more info about Mark and The Duc Shop.

Custom Fox shock, full floating Galfer rotors, braided brake lines, revalved front end, Marchesini front wheel, etc., etc.

greglepore · 08-21-2008, 08:52 AM

Sweet bike. Probably close to 3k in the carbon body alone, and I love the paint. Enjoy!