Shopping for a Ducati

[Eric Coffey]

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.

Again, have to agree here (sorry for thread hijack Jeff)
Actually, it probably hurts resale more than if it were a standard 1098. I'll confidently speculate that there won't be many prospective 1098 buyers down the road who would want a funky (non factory) paint job and "Southern California Ducati" plastered on the fairings.

Anyhow, decent bike, but your friend is either embellishing his story or he got ripped off. Let us know what you find out.



Also, his video states it as a 1098"M"

The only 1098M's I know of are custom one-offs by famed Ducati racer/builder/mechanic Brad Miller. If that is what he thinks he bought, he REALLY got ripped off. Brad's typically uses the good Ohlins stuff, not just the cheap factory Ducati S/R Ohlins parts, plus TONS of carbon bodywork, and other trick bits (slipper clutch, huge Termi's, data acquisition, etc.). In other words, they will walk on 1098R's.

Edit:
Here, show this to your buddy! This is the last 1098M that Brad built/sold.
That should make him cry if he actually spent $30k on his standard 1098 with fancy paint.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Noah930

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

Busy busy busy...

First off congrats on the Duc, Jeff. Of course this will just be the first one - that's the way it works.

The ST2 is sold, should be picked up later this week. The Aprilia is still in the shop, and a tech from Aprilia USA is going to look at it Tuesday as they shop can't figure out why it is throwing codes and won't run (ha).

I was planning to ride to Laguna Seca to watch some POC races but as of Tuesday of last week I had no bike. I was trying to figure out what to replace the ST2 with and MTS was in the mix. I then saw a KTM that was on sale and did some research at advrider.com. That then led me to ponder BMWs...never owned one.

To shorten the story. Wednesday I went and rode an R1200GS. I then called around to local dealers to see what the scoop was. Thursday morning made a deal for a demo bike with 500 miles on it, Friday around noon I got dropped off at Irv Seaver BMW and rode home on my new GS. Swung by the g/f's house and packed her stuff in the top box, then my stuff at my place, then north to Santa Barabara to stay with friends. Saturday north to Laguna Seca. Sunday back to LA via Hwy 1. 800+ miles for the weekend 2-up. Brilliant bike...

[Rick Lee]

Finally, another GS guy on Pelican. But Jeff's thread has gotten me lusting for a Ducati now.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

Also, his video states it as a 1098"M"

The only 1098M's I know of are custom one-offs by famed Ducati racer/builder/mechanic Brad Miller. If that is what he thinks he bought, he REALLY got ripped off. Brad's typically uses the good Ohlins stuff, not just the cheap factory Ducati S/R Ohlins parts, plus TONS of carbon bodywork, and other trick bits (slipper clutch, huge Termi's, data acquisition, etc.). In other words, they will walk on 1098R's.

Edit:
Here, show this to your buddy! This is the last 1098M that Brad built/sold.
That should make him cry if he actually spent $30k on his standard 1098 with fancy paint.

I was trying to remember who made the great modified 1098s, that's the guy. Those are the only modified new Ducati superbikes that are worth anything. Otherwise, people prefer them stock or race-prepped. They are works of art.

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Busy busy busy...

First off congrats on the Duc, Jeff. Of course this will just be the first one - that's the way it works.

The ST2 is sold, should be picked up later this week. The Aprilia is still in the shop, and a tech from Aprilia USA is going to look at it Tuesday as they shop can't figure out why it is throwing codes and won't run (ha).

I was planning to ride to Laguna Seca to watch some POC races but as of Tuesday of last week I had no bike. I was trying to figure out what to replace the ST2 with and MTS was in the mix. I then saw a KTM that was on sale and did some research at advrider.com. That then led me to ponder BMWs...never owned one.

To shorten the story. Wednesday I went and rode an R1200GS. I then called around to local dealers to see what the scoop was. Thursday morning made a deal for a demo bike with 500 miles on it, Friday around noon I got dropped off at Irv Seaver BMW and rode home on my new GS. Swung by the g/f's house and packed her stuff in the top box, then my stuff at my place, then north to Santa Barabara to stay with friends. Saturday north to Laguna Seca. Sunday back to LA via Hwy 1. 800+ miles for the weekend 2-up. Brilliant bike...

Welcome to the dark side! BMWs have always been one of the premier motorcycles made. They often did not have the style or "flash" of the British or Italian bikes, but they always were far more reliable and well built.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by RPKESQ

Welcome to the dark side! BMWs have always been one of the premier motorcycles made. They often did not have the style or "flash" of the British or Italian bikes, but they always were far more reliable and well built.

Hopefully it'll live up to the reliable and well built part. The style actually is pretty strong with this bike - the artist approves and though it looked a lot better than the KTMs.

The biggest shock to me was the purchase experience. Best vehicle purchase ever. Respectful salesguy, no bs. We negotiated a fair price on the phone, did the paperwork mostly by fax. I showed up to pick the bike up and it was sitting on the showroom floor prepped and ready to go with my name on it (literally). Dale (the salesguy) walked me around the shop to show me the lay of the land (they've got the 1st BMW ever built along with a bunch of other cool old restored bikes), introduced me to other people who worked there, then we signed the papers, he showed me the various aspects of the bike and I was off.

And get this. I had wheels swapped before purchase (came with cast, I wanted spoke) and during that swap and the 600 mile service they forgot to calibrate the tire pressure monitoring system (the new wheels didn't have the sensors installed). I was already 50 miles away when I called them to ask about the error message. They profusely apologized and said to bring it right down and they'd sort it quickly. I was already on my way out of town so I said I'd bring it in next week. The next day I got an email from the salesguy apologizing again and offering to come pick up my bike at my office, take it back down to Orange (about 45 miles away), have the work done, then deliver it back to my office the same day. I said I'll ride it down later this week as I want to look at farkles

[Chocaholic]

I've always felt a certain "attraction" to the tall GS, but the off-road design element always put me off. Never understood why an off-road enthusiast would buy a 1200cc 600+ lb bike for that application. I've perceived a "compromise" for both street and dirt, which may be an unfair or simply uninformed perspective. Definately a cool bike and tremendously capable. I often see people touring on them 2-up. But the bike is very tall with huge (almost unnecessary) ground clearance....at least for the street. Anyway...enough rambling. Interested in your take regarding the GS for the street. Are you off-roading it at all?

Thanks.

[Rick Lee]

The GS is not 600 lbs. It's more like 450. I've dumped mine plenty of times in the desert and had no problem picking it up even in the sand.

[VincentVega]

Weight - Dry 439 lbs.

I expected it to be heavier too.

[MotoSook]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Finally, another GS guy on Pelican. But Jeff's thread has gotten me lusting for a Ducati now.

Go for it Rick!

[speeder]

*Bump* Can someone learn me-up real quick on a 1995 900SS? Is it a desirable year/bike? Waht to look for, the good/bad etc...? TIA.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by speeder

*Bump* Can someone learn me-up real quick on a 1995 900SS? Is it a desirable year/bike? Waht to look for, the good/bad etc...? TIA.

If you're getting another good MN deal, like last year...clue me in!!!

[speeder]

Minnesota is the land of milk and honey. For me, anyways.

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by speeder

*Bump* Can someone learn me-up real quick on a 1995 900SS? Is it a desirable year/bike? Waht to look for, the good/bad etc...? TIA.

SP or CR? The CR was decontented somewhat in terms of suspension, but honestly, either bike is a nice ride if a) the ergos work for you ( and don't kid yourself, they work for everyone for 30 minutes) and b) the electrical issues and other maintainence has not been blown off. Look at the primary wiring from the regulator-is it melted? Starter sprag is another issue, not a big deal to fix, but a hundred bucks or so for parts and a days work. Starter should engage firmly.Belts done recently? Around 350 or so at the dealer to have em installed. Tank-lower corners are below the pump and hold water, are they rusted? Easy to fix, even cowboy, but if you want a new tank they're several hundred bucks. Other than that, its pretty standard motorcycle stuff. 3500 bucks or so is mid market.

[VincentVega]

Frame cracks are common, make sure to check the welds.

[Flatbutt1]

SOMEBODY PLEASE!!! Won't someone please help a middle class , ADA card carrying working man reach this one dream? It's all he asks, nothing more ever!



pleeeeeeeze! I have some money set aside. oh pleezpleezpleezpleez.you can have my niece she;s hot and has a good job.

[speeder]

Thanks, Greg! How do I tell if it's an SP or CR? What's the difference?

And FB, that's a hot-looking bike. Almost too much motor for the frame, from what I've heard.

[VincentVega]

Good SS resource http://www.ducatitech.com/info/buyers_faq.html

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by speeder

Thanks, Greg! How do I tell if it's an SP or CR? What's the difference?

And FB, that's a hot-looking bike. Almost too much motor for the frame, from what I've heard.

SP's have a full fairing and CR's have a half fairing. SP's have an aluminum swing arm, where the CR's are steel. SP's have Showa forks, CR's have Marzochi's.

Update on my bike: A couple of weeks into ownership, I have only failed to ride it on two different days. I continue to be just flat amazed by this machine. Now that I'm getting familiar with it and its handling and manners are becoming ingrained in my sub conscious, I'm finding it is every bit an "early 911" of the motorcycle world. It does what I'm thinking without me really having to tell it to, very effortlessly and intuitively. I'm really looking forward to getting to know it even better, and to become as familiar with it as my Porsche and two HD's. It's fitting right in and fulfilling the role I envisioned for it quite handsomely.