"Best" used Ducati?
Discussion
Inspired by the 999 thread...
I've always wanted a Ducati, but like anything else, the more research I do the more I get put off with various issues, and I'm not that mechanically inclined. Older than 20 years seem to be fairly fragile, then there was the era of expanding plastic tanks, then you get into more modern stuff, which is probably too fast/modern for me anyways. I'm not sure which decade was the worst for electronics...
So for the average joe that can't spanner too much, what is the "best" used Ducati? Not too fragile, no expanding tanks, electronics that work, and decent spares availability?
Personally I'd love a 749R, but someone's post on here put me right off!
I've always wanted a Ducati, but like anything else, the more research I do the more I get put off with various issues, and I'm not that mechanically inclined. Older than 20 years seem to be fairly fragile, then there was the era of expanding plastic tanks, then you get into more modern stuff, which is probably too fast/modern for me anyways. I'm not sure which decade was the worst for electronics...
So for the average joe that can't spanner too much, what is the "best" used Ducati? Not too fragile, no expanding tanks, electronics that work, and decent spares availability?
Personally I'd love a 749R, but someone's post on here put me right off!
I had a '92 851, sold it four years ago after owning it for around 4/5 years. It was as brilliant as it was annoying. Every ride was a dramatic event, the noise was epic (standard exhaust and open airbox). It was also one of the best looking bikes ever, much more brutal styling than the 916 shape. However, It was hideously uncomfortable for someone 6ft2. Reliability wasn't bad for a 20 year old bike, certainly better than the 4 year old VFR800 I had in 2002. I did have to completely re-do the charging circuit but on a 20 year old 23,000 mile bike that's no surprise really. Servicing is pretty easy for routine stuff, the nonsense about belts is just that..nonsense. It was a doddle to do and they were £100 for genuine Ducati belts. If you want one then do it, I'm glad I did. Sometimes I miss it, then I remember I simply didn't fit on it.
As I missed it but wanted something more practical (i.e. bigger) I bought a TL1000R last year, to get another big twin. It's given more trouble in a year than the Ducati did in 4/5. Anyone who says Ducati electrics are bad has clearly never had a Suzuki. It's not just me, on the TL forums there's a reg/rec mod, a headlight mod, a coil mod etc. to get them working. Then whenever there's a breakdown it's multi-connector this and that. On the Ducati it was just keep your battery charged and uprate your battery/starter cables.
So, if you'd be happy with an older bike and everything that goes with that, I don't believe Ducatis are worse than any other brand (except possibly mid-90s and earlier Hondas). Next time someone tells you how bad they are find out whether they've owned one......
As I missed it but wanted something more practical (i.e. bigger) I bought a TL1000R last year, to get another big twin. It's given more trouble in a year than the Ducati did in 4/5. Anyone who says Ducati electrics are bad has clearly never had a Suzuki. It's not just me, on the TL forums there's a reg/rec mod, a headlight mod, a coil mod etc. to get them working. Then whenever there's a breakdown it's multi-connector this and that. On the Ducati it was just keep your battery charged and uprate your battery/starter cables.
So, if you'd be happy with an older bike and everything that goes with that, I don't believe Ducatis are worse than any other brand (except possibly mid-90s and earlier Hondas). Next time someone tells you how bad they are find out whether they've owned one......
sclayto2 said:
Hullo,
Like any Best Of thread, what are you going to use it for?
If it is to bimble into town, Sunday hoon, to bling up, to be a piece of art, track day, etc?
What is the itch you want to scratch?
No track days, just weekend blasts and to look at.Like any Best Of thread, what are you going to use it for?
If it is to bimble into town, Sunday hoon, to bling up, to be a piece of art, track day, etc?
What is the itch you want to scratch?
So to the poster above, I agree that the 848 is a really nice bike, but does it check the 'Italian art' box?
If you don't wield your own spanners, any of them can be expensive to run.
I suspect that goes for other makes too.
It will depend on what workshops are nearby to get work done.
But if you get a good one, don't abuse it and are reasonably lucky, they are not too problematic.
I have an st4s, which has been very good over the last 10 years or so.
ST's are relatively cheap to buy. Anything much older or newer tends to be dearer.
If you don't like the Sport-tourer style, then Monsters or the Supersport range might be worth a look?
Bear in mind the 2 valve motors are not all that powerful by modern standards.
I suspect that goes for other makes too.
It will depend on what workshops are nearby to get work done.
But if you get a good one, don't abuse it and are reasonably lucky, they are not too problematic.
I have an st4s, which has been very good over the last 10 years or so.
ST's are relatively cheap to buy. Anything much older or newer tends to be dearer.
If you don't like the Sport-tourer style, then Monsters or the Supersport range might be worth a look?
Bear in mind the 2 valve motors are not all that powerful by modern standards.
I worked with a guy that had a 1098, epic thing when it worked but electrical issues saw it get recovered back to the dealer 6 times in the first year. Sadly the dealer was in Glasgow and he lived in Aberdeen!
One of my mates has a 996 that he’s owned for over 15 years. Just after he bought it there were issues that required an engine rebuild, but it’s been faultless since.
I bought a crashed ST2 with the intention of modifying it. The bike had obviously not been looked after but it’s been very reliable now that I’ve cleaned up the electrics, it is 22 years old so I’d expect some similar issues with anything.
Essentially they’re much like anything else, get one that’s been looked after and continue to look after it. It’ll probably be fine!
I’d certainly have another, even the st2 makes a lovely noise and has a lot of character (you could also call them flaws) that makes it more if an event to ride than other bikes.
One of my mates has a 996 that he’s owned for over 15 years. Just after he bought it there were issues that required an engine rebuild, but it’s been faultless since.
I bought a crashed ST2 with the intention of modifying it. The bike had obviously not been looked after but it’s been very reliable now that I’ve cleaned up the electrics, it is 22 years old so I’d expect some similar issues with anything.
Essentially they’re much like anything else, get one that’s been looked after and continue to look after it. It’ll probably be fine!
I’d certainly have another, even the st2 makes a lovely noise and has a lot of character (you could also call them flaws) that makes it more if an event to ride than other bikes.
Speed addicted said:
I worked with a guy that had a 1098, epic thing when it worked but electrical issues saw it get recovered back to the dealer 6 times in the first year. Sadly the dealer was in Glasgow and he lived in Aberdeen!
One of my mates has a 996 that he’s owned for over 15 years. Just after he bought it there were issues that required an engine rebuild, but it’s been faultless since.
I bought a crashed ST2 with the intention of modifying it. The bike had obviously not been looked after but it’s been very reliable now that I’ve cleaned up the electrics, it is 22 years old so I’d expect some similar issues with anything.
Essentially they’re much like anything else, get one that’s been looked after and continue to look after it. It’ll probably be fine!
I’d certainly have another, even the st2 makes a lovely noise and has a lot of character (you could also call them flaws) that makes it more if an event to ride than other bikes.
That is a VERY nice modded ST, I'd love to see a few more pics of that....... currently thinking about buying an ST3 to have a mess around with ( already had the 2 and 4S versions )One of my mates has a 996 that he’s owned for over 15 years. Just after he bought it there were issues that required an engine rebuild, but it’s been faultless since.
I bought a crashed ST2 with the intention of modifying it. The bike had obviously not been looked after but it’s been very reliable now that I’ve cleaned up the electrics, it is 22 years old so I’d expect some similar issues with anything.
Essentially they’re much like anything else, get one that’s been looked after and continue to look after it. It’ll probably be fine!
I’d certainly have another, even the st2 makes a lovely noise and has a lot of character (you could also call them flaws) that makes it more if an event to ride than other bikes.
dibblecorse said:
1100 Hyper slow and tame? What are you riding a MotoGP bike? Love people like you...
Modified 990 SM - far better bike (even standard) IMOHave you ridden both ?
Everyone said the Hyper feels like you are sat on the tank - it's weird because if you just sit on one it feels ok but when you ride it the ergos aren't right
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