| Author | Message | ||
     Joojoo |
Hey guys, Im thinking about buying a 2nd bike. I have a 12S now, and want a pure racebike to play with on sunny days. Im not going to buy a Buell 9R, too close to what I have now. I would love a Ducati. Im thinking about a 749....something smaller in displacement from what I have now, that I can wind out more than I can my 12. As well, something with some Buell-like exclusivity. Does anyone know what the Ducati twins are like in terms of reliability? Do they suck? Are they great? Anyone own (or owned) one of these machines? Thanks, Jack (Message edited by joojoo on August 19, 2004) | ||
| Darthane |
The biggest thing that seems to come up with regard to the Ducati's is the valve adjustments every 3K-6K miles. For a sunny-day bike, this is probably not a big deal, and I think most people that have done it would tell you it's not all that difficult. As to reliability, couldn't tell you - I've never sat on one. LOL...ask Rocketman, he has a 916 and loves it. | ||
| Curve__carver |
As long as you do the maintenance, Duc's are very reliable. The problem is there is a lot of maintenance and it is expensive. The valves need parts to be replaced not just adjusted (unless this has changed for the 749/999). | ||
| Reepicheep |
If it were me, I would be looking for a KLR-650 as the second bike, or maybe one of the new 450 4 stroke dual sports (if I had money to burn)... | ||
| Tbs_stunta |
Ducatis need their valves adjusted every 6k, and just like most bikes they have the equivalent of shims that need replacement. Ducatis have two clearances per valve to check whereas other bikes have one. If you're mechanically minded there's no reason why you can't do it yourself. Ducatis are pretty reliable these days. The most expensive thing about Ducatis are the speeding tickets.  (Message edited by TBS_Stunta on August 19, 2004) | ||
| Whodom |
Here's a good site with step-by-step instructions on how to adjust Ducati's Desmodromic valves, if you want to know what you'd be getting into: http://www.ducatisuite.com/valves.html Also of interest, there's a company that makes some improved components (collars?) for the Desmo valve arrangement that supposedly increases the required adjustment interval to something more reasonable like 15k miles. If I was gonna get a Duc, I'd seriously look into that. | ||
| Outrider |
I picked a Buell and a Harley. Now, I get to play anywhere but in the dirt. However, it you are looking for a newer rocket of sorts, I would suggest an R1 (my favorite) or one of the other new Liter Bikes. Hard to beat with both out-of-the-box performance and reliability.} | ||
| Stonecoldbuellin |
 748 DAMN SEKSY!! | ||
| Danny |
As Tbs said, the valve adjustment interval is 6K miles. After the 600 mile service ALL maintenance intervals are 6k miles. Although we suggest that you change your oil(full synthetic from the factory) every 3k, it won't void your warranty if you don't. Some late 90s Superbikes had inferior plating on their rocker arms that would flake off, but we haven't seen that on the 749/999 series. If you have all service records, Ducati is very generous when it comes to out-of-warranty goodwill repairs. FYI, the first time I rode our demo 998 and threw it into a corner faster than I'd ever thrown my S2 in that same corner, the Ducati called me a wussy and told me to wick it up for the next corner. Incredible handling machines, and my service manager says that the next gen (749/999)is even better. Danny 95 S2 02 V-Strom ??06 749Dark?? Saturday only, Parts, sales and demo rides; Modesto Ducati and still Buell, for a few weeks more | ||
| Joojoo |
Good point Outrider, but I REALLY like twins. I've owned some of the large displacement inline 4 bikes, and well...nope. I dont believe that inline 4's feel as "right" as a twin does in a motorcycle. Feels like a little hyper honda car motor jammed into the frame of the bike. I looked at the RC51, and you know, for the cash, it brings a lot to the table, but the look of the bike doesnt do it for me. Still a great twin though. Suzuki has the TL1000, but Im not crazy about the chassis. Way big and too long. SV650, well, Id rather buy a Buell 9R then an SV. Ducati captures the art of the vtwin, and the styling flavour of the italians....Love em. Almost as much as I love my Buell. Maintenance and reliability on the Ducks scare me though..... The VFR is pretty cool, and its a V4....which is closer to a twin than an inline 4. The search continues... Jack | ||
| Tbs_stunta |
So what about an Aprilia? | ||
| M1combat |
RC-51. | ||
| Yellow_xb9s |
I agree with Outrider... I think my next (and second) bike will be a silver/charcoal R1... I'll look at a Suzuki if they go to an under tail exhaust in '05 or '06. I'd love a 999s or a V-ROD, but I can't see spending 20 grand for a bike right now. | ||
| Stonecoldbuellin |
 | ||
| Darthane |
Mmmm...999... Were I looking for another sportbike, I'd be hard pressed NOT to spend the money on that one. | ||
| Spyder12s |
nice pic my stone-bro get some pegs on that thing and the could work ....R1C... | ||
| Spyder12s |
but back on topic ..kind of any way ..VFR !! had one (99) loved it. rode my buddys the other day and 01VFR ..I love that VFR as much as my 12S. great all around bike, power, fun, comfy,not an inline ..but the topend of an inline. if you havent already you need to ride one !! | ||
| Slaughter |
I hate to say it considering you're looking at the Ducks but if you're getting a track only toy, you'd be hard pressed to go wrong with an SV650 with good suspension mods. It has NO sex appeal at all compared to a Duck but MUCH less crying when you crash it. It WILL take longer to get the handling sorted out. Motor is incredibly reliable and there's a huge experience base out there with tons of aftermarket stuff. You can use a lot of the same cornering, braking and throttle strategy in riding either the Buell or the SV. I wish I had a Ducati, but I race an SV (in addition to the XB) Newer Ducks seem to have gotten over some reliability issues BUT if you look at HOW the bikes are ridden, that might explain their reliability reputation. I know folks that use rev limiter as a shift reminder... wonder how long a Gold Wing would last if you raised the rev limiter another 20% and regularly bounced the motor off it. Yeah, nobody is SUPPOSED to be hitting the rev limiter... yabbut... | ||
| Signguyxb12 |
fisher anyone?  | ||
| Fullpower |
A modern ducati is a fine machine. wife is having a lot of fun with her M620, darned near perfect streetbike, would recommend one to anybody. if i didnt have an XB12s, i would give serious consideration to the M800 or M1000.  | ||
| Rocketman |
Rocket here!! You know, I always fancied a 916 well before I bought my S1W new in August 98. Back then I was fatter and fancied not been laughed at when I got off the pure racing Italian outside the coffee bar. I've still got a bit of a gut but I don't look like a stuffed pig anymore so I took the plunge and bought a nice 916 off an old mate of mine. Last year I was at the coffee bar and there was this plain well used old 916 parked amongst the hundreds of bikes there that evening. There were no chicken strips left on either side of the tyre and it looked like and probably was the perfect track day tool for sure. The guy that rode off on it later was wearing jeans and a leather jacket. Was shorter and fatter than I, and he looked every bit the part gunning it through the car park. My mind was made up. Before you buy a 916 you'll hear everywhere how fantastic handling she is. You'll also here on BadWeB from those that don't know, how unreliable they are, and how much (difficult) maintenance, that's cost and all, is necessary. Let me say now, NOT FREEKIN' TRUE. Mine's a 1995 registered Biposto. About 250 were sold into the UK that same year. My friend bought this 916 when she was a year old. Chopped in an 851 Superbike for his troubles, and parted with a bucket load of cash. 916's were over £12000 new in 1995! Now Steve is a careful kind of chap, never thrashing the 916 in his nigh on 9 years of ownership. Reality is, he's put about 17500 miles on her and done the usual service at no expense at the Duc dealers thing, to a point. Not only that but he's also added some rather spiffing complementary performance goodies. Apart from the Termi's and chip, nothing has been done inside the motor to improve performance. Does a 916 need anymore? Of course, that's why a 996 and a 998. Oh well, one can't have everything can one. Last year, he loaned the bike to a friend, who took it to an indicated 165mph, and snapped a belt on the front cylinder. No big deal, they hadn't been changed for several years and nearly 6000 miles. Steve and friend removed head, replaced four valves, new belts fitted (same as Renault Clio), and all with no specialist knowledge or tools. I bought the 916 about 8 months and 300 miles later. Was I a mug? Not a chance. What's she go like I hear you ask? It took me a few rides to start getting dialed in. Even slow speed 'gently does' moments felt all but impossible, fearing dropping it at the slightest of awkward foot down times when parking up. Those flick up side stands are a real pain I can tell ya. On the move the environment behind the cockpit felt extreme, supporting all those stories about impossible to ride around town on. How uncomfortable the whole thing is. You can't possibly ride for more than 100 miles without needing to see your chiropractor. All and every thought on the subject has you thinking like this for days. How am I ever going to be able to ride the darn thing? Well that was several months back. I've put about 3000 odd miles on her since. Two thousand of 'em harder than she's ever been ridden in her life I should imagine. Hell, did 600 miles in a day a couple of weekends back. Yes I did ache! So now? Well I can ride in a straight line at crawling pace with my feet perched up high and rearwards on those Harris rear-sets. I've found the balance. In a word, I can kick her head in proper. I know what those Super Bike guys go through. This thing is easy peasy to push along on. Just give yourself time to adapt, and never forget, open the bloody throttle hard when you can. That's the only way you'll ever enjoy a 916 proper. So what maintenance have I done since. I've topped up the oil once. Topped up the battery once. Cleaned the plugs. Checked the throttle linkages and butterflies. Adjusted and lubed the chain several times. Apart from that I've had to straighten the small bracket that holds the side stand. It bends a little far sometimes which makes the bike lean over to far when parked. Other than that I've had to play with the wires on the non stock indicator lights. That's it! My confidence is that good on her now I can fire out of corners whilst still on her side, with the front wheel lofted in the air. I can dice with others in the corners, changing tactics and line with confidence. I can turn up the wick as Ducati meant it to be turned up and you know what, you never never forget it's a V twin that's tweaking your adrenalin glands - it's that good. My recommendation? Buy one whilst they're still affordable. A Japanese 'four' in comparison is like dragging on a cigarette as opposed to a joint. A 916 will get you high! Rocket | ||
| Fullpower |
a 916 will get you high.. very nice rocket, well put. wife says of her M620 "i look for cars to pass, its FUN now" | ||
| BadS1 |
I was at one time under the impression that the Duc's were expensive to maintain.Not to bad really and better if you can do it on your own.Rocket I've never ridden a 99 monster 900 and I have got a buddy that has a 999S and I've ridden it and its a gas. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Rocket, wonderful read. I admit to a lusting for Ducs, but there really is only one Duc I truly want (have ridden several different models but not a 916) A Supermono...I got to sample one when they first came out...It litterally was everything I wanted in a point and squirt trackday bike. That was the bike I modeled my Ninja after in Hawaii when I put the CR500 engine in place of the 250 twin lump. It came close, but it still wasn't the Dogs Bollax  Thanks for the report, very enjoyable read | ||
| Rocketman |
Well I hope non of you are minding my 'Tales From The 916'. Let's face it, it's not an 04 R1...........thank the lord! I'd considered changing my handle though, just to pizz you all off. 916RocketSquid sound ok? Hehehehehehe!!!!! Rocket | ||
| Kaudette |
Full - get your wife some gloves...! As for the Duc - 999S with heli bars & a new seat... Then the open Termi's @ 54mm and you have a 130 hp twin. Stock it is already as fast as Dyna's R1 on the track and street - yet has the italian style & sound. Pretty expensive way to go for track days only but if you've got the dough, why not. The 749 is a nice bike but lacks the torque of the bigger displacement so you would want to ride it before to make sure it fit your requirements. try speedzilla.zeroforum.com if you want more insight from duc owners & riders (not a plug for that forum, just advice) | ||
| Opto |
I thought the XB handling would leave most Ducati's for dead, am I missing something? I did own an old Desmo once. Don't miss it but still respect it. My idea of a 2nd bike would be a super-motard. Maybe a KTM LC640. | ||
| Glitch |
Rocket, I wish I could write as well as you. | ||
| Mikej |
Rocket, Thanks for the read, good words indeed. Turns out the local gucci-type bike shop near home has tire prices comparable with the so-called discounters around here, so thanks to you I may have to test-sit a couple of bikes while in there maybe this afternoon. A question: if one were contemplating a 5,000-10,000 mile trip on a bike would a Ducati twin need any service beyond fresh oil and a filter during the trip? And if so would it be a campground tentside type of service, or would it require a larger assortment of tools than what one would normally carry on a cross country jaunt? Glitch, Language is a tool, and like a tool improvement comes with practiced use.  | ||
| Trenchtractor |
Opto, I'm hearing you... Here is my last "second bike", built, not bought...  I was going to buy one of these...  Compared, the LC4 KTM handles like a Vespa, not that there's anything wrong with Vespa's... I nearly bought the 'Berg, but I could tow a pillion on the XB. You's be surprised how well these things go, 112kg dry mass, 650cc single, 32omm disc, huge caliper, competition suspension and all for $5,000 AUD LESS than the XB. I know i could ride the 'berg quicker than Ican the XB. |
