Ducati costs

cmyk

Hey folks, completed my IBT at end of last year and I'm considering a ducati scrambler as a first bike. (Insurance is reasonable as I'm in my 40s)

Are there many independent mechanics for ducati and what sort of real life costs are involved? It seems to be the main issue regarding ownership.

Alkers

Are you in Dublin?

Moto Technic in Dublin are independent specialists and highly rated. I had some work on my.sv done there (they are local to me).

Was chatting to the guys in there as I've always fancied a Ducati. They totally put me off saying they are not cut out for year round frequent use. I was doing 300km a week at the time, nothing I'd have considered major but they advised against it.

If you're not planning on big miles / year round use it might be a different story

This was maybe four years ago but always stuck with me.

Cienciano

Moto technic are great. Assuming you're not buying to commute daily. I wouldn't get one to commute daily. I had a hypermotard and it was the same as any other bike to service. Belts need to be done, but cheap enough, think it cost me €110 supplied and fitted.

cmyk

Interesting, thanks for that. I thought the scrambler was built for the likes of daily commuting. I had assumed it was a little more rugged.

Bluefoam

Owning a Ducati is a bit like owning a Volkswagen (made by the same people) you pay a premium for the pleasure... Many would say it's worth it.

Other bikes worth considering would be Moto Guzzi V7 (I'm biased), one of the many Triumph Bonneville configurations, Fantic Caballero, Husqavarna 701...

Hotblack Desiato

There's a guy who works in a big legal firm next to my office who commutes pretty much year round on a Panigale... seems to change his bike every year or so though, had a couple of S1000XRs before that.

D3V!L

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119181644#Comment_119181644

Owning a Ducati is like having an 18 year old Italian super model girlfriend. Great to look at, a fantastic ride but will empty your wallet and wreck your head in a short amount of time.

Hotblack Desiato

Whereas owning a Harley is like having a mid-life-crisis affair with your neighbour's fat wife 😁

D3V!L

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119238341#Comment_119238341

She'll be good for a ride the odd time but never keep up with the younger fitter women !!

Hotblack Desiato

Hey, the deeper the cushion, the sweeter the pushin', you know what I mean.

blade1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119238415#Comment_119238415

And pushing is what you'll be doing 😁

cmyk

This took an unexpected turn. : )

galwaytt

A friend of mine has commuted on Ducati Multistrada's for several years, but it is an ongoing maintenance project. He's had good experience with them, but there again he has a full workshop, does his own belt services etc etc.

Recently though, he changed to a Guzzi V85 and it seems to be working very well, and still got a nich Italian cachet of it.

I know 3 others similarly running contemporary Guzzi's (e.g. V7, V9) and nothing negative to report on any of them.

Bluefoam

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119320363#Comment_119320363

The Guzzi's are great: Shaft Drive, so no chain maintenance. Air cooled, so no expensive cooling systems, servicing should be simple. Transverse V Twin, so has an awesome feel...

H_Lime

I think OP should match expectations of usage to expectation of care and costs required. If yer loaded and dont mind waiting for recovery trucks rock on.

CJhaughey

The Motorcycle equivalent of commuting in a Maserati would be a Ducati.

Lovely looking and sounding but if anything isn't maintained or goes wrong then you best bring the money bucket and some spare lube.

cmyk

It's ok, you've all successfully talked me out of Ducati ownership!

H_Lime

Nothing wrong with it, you just have to know what your getting into, esp if buying a newer one and Robbie in MT cannot talk to the ecu etc.

Fwiw I'd love a 999 or hypermotard but i wouldnt be commuting on it.

CJhaughey

You mean we have saved you some money and grief.

Now where do you go next is the question?

W800 modded or similar?

H_Lime

Always fancied a scramblerised 955 tiger.

CJhaughey

Not a Trump man myself but I can see the attraction.

One of the nicest modded bikes I have seen is a Dommie same year as mine.

Low key and very original looking.

cmyk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119322175#Comment_119322175

I don't like grief. I've only done my IBT and never had a bike so modded are out.

Others on the shortlist: XSR 700, triumph street twin, svartpilen 401 (I'd borrow a bike for test). MT07, I did the IBT on one, just prefer the look of the XSR.

CJhaughey

I hear you! I do like the XSR, plenty of punch too. The CP2 motor is an absolute peach and rock solid as well.

Lorddrakul

OP: Don't mind the nay sayers.

I had an ST4s (996) that commuted on every working day for 8 years. Apart from the usual stuff, it was very reliable. Like any manufacturer, there are weak spots, but if you are aware of them they will not leave you stranded. I've had Hondas and Kawasakis all my life, and even a Yamaha once! ;)

On Ducatis of the 2000 era, oil pressure switches often failed. Charging needed an eye kept and regular topping up, and starter solenoids had to be bought in pairs. But just like 90s Hondas, where reg/recs, stator connectors and a few other bits are pieces were weak spots, Ducatis were otherwise reliable.

+1 for Mototechnic, Robbie is the man for Ducatis. If you want to commute on a Ducati, do it. Just be aware that a commuter needs looking after in a different way to a shed queen. :)

H_Lime

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119325068#Comment_119325068

You sir are the exception to the rule and most def an outlier. I and a friend were tempted to buy your st4.

Lets face it, you whipped thatbike into reliability submission. You did all the prophylactic fixes ahead of time and were an active an informed home mech.

In a similar way i did the same to a caponord etv1000 and a friend bought one who adjusts chains and it broke his fookin balls and his wallet. Therafter he fell into the loving embrace of a fazer1k and spits everytime he sees my capo or hears of one.

This explains why i say to the likes of the op who is (no offence intended) similar to my buddy

H_Lime

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119322343#Comment_119322343

Lovely! Whats the tank offa?

Have a mate who does up dr bigs in a bsa guise similarly.

CJhaughey

NSU Fox or Max