Where are all the Ducati guys?

[lopycam]

So, I am 6'4" 220lbs and I am considering a Ducati 1098s. This would be my first ducati and I know nothing about them. Can any of you educate me on anything on these bikes? Can you point me to a good ducati forum? I like to be educated on what I am getting into. Service? Problems? Etc.

Thanks,
Nathan

[jwm2k3]

Exotic and expensive. I personally hate the dry clutch, some love it. As far as a forum....google ducati forum.

[Dannyf]

I have an 1198. I'm 5'8" 195 pounds and the reach is a little on the long side for me. Check out ducati-superbikes.com. some good info over there. As far as maintenance and problems check the forums it seems like most people have had good experiences a few have had problems.

[DucDave]

http://www.ducati.org/forums/northeast/
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/index.php

[Wanderer]

Ducati.ms will be a great mine of information.
Do the services.
Find a good dealer near to you - depending on where you are in NH I'd suggest Seacoast Sport Cycle (Derry NH) as being one of *the* best out there.


Damnit Dave, I type too slow

[NPDCPA]

Ducatis are like that insanely beautiful chick you just met at the Chatham Bars Inn. Looks great sitting next to you, feels great under you, but costs you big time for every date and a royal bitch when it doesn't get it's way. But in the right hands and at the right events, think Gina Carano with ballet skills.

If you like it, just buy the frikkin thing and stop thinking about it. You only live once.

[whynot]

Check out this New England Ducati forum:

nedoc.org

[jwm2k3]

You only live once.

YOLO....

[darkduc7]

There's nothing quite like them. I've been addicted since day one and nothing else really scratches that itch. They actually aren't overly expensive to maintain these days, the maintenance intervals are longer than in the past, and things seem to break less. However, the services are on the pricey side once you need them. Not a big deal because you know when its due and save for it, right? Most valve adjustments cost around the same, dealerships don't give shit away. I do all my own services, so it's a non issue for me. The biggest difference I guess is your average bike mech might not be familiar with desmodromic valves, so you are stuck with dealer charges unless you learn to DIY.

Aftermarket parts is what will flatten your wallet. Yeah, you can get sweet flush mount blinkers for any bike, but the usual carbon, titanium and unobtanium bits for ducatis is another story.

You'll also notice that most original components on the 1198 are much higher spec than many bikes oem parts. You should just go buy it. Be the snob you wanna be.

Ducati.ms is the best resource for info.

[duey]

Ducatis are like that insanely beautiful chick you just met at the Chatham Bars Inn. Looks great sitting next to you, feels great under you, but costs you big time for every date and a royal bitch when it doesn't get it's way. But in the right hands and at the right events, think Gina Carano with ballet skills.

If you like it, just buy the frikkin thing and stop thinking about it. You only live once.

Can't explain Ducati any better than this.

[timmyho414]

Check on the cost of the major service, valves and belts. If you can live with that, buy it.
As far as I know there are no real issues with the 1098s, not that I'm an expert but I like going on Ducati.ms and NEDCO.org. The only thing people complain about are the gas tanks swelling due to the ethanol in the fuel. Ducati will replace them if under warranty, I'm not sure if they "good will" them or not once out of warranty.

Talk to Seacoast Sports Cycle about it.

[Dannyf]

So I now have 550 miles on mine, here are my findings so far
1. This thing drinks gas like a bar full of drunks drinks Guinness on st pattys
2. The seat is useless but that's a simple fix and I knew it going into it.
3. It goes and feels like pure sex. The amount of torque and the way its distributed across the rpms is amazing.
4. It has a awkward feel at low speeds, feels very top heavy. However once you get moving its amazing.
5. Everybody you run into will talk to you for 15-30 minutes about it.
6. Everybody you run into seems to have a ducati at home, theyre just riding their current bike because the duc is only for nice days.
7. Did I mention this things thirsty?

[Doc]

Rick is a tall guy and he has a 1098, seemed to fit him well... I rode it and liked it, wheelies in 3rd gear coming out of 12 (well just a little one cause I shopped the throttle lol)

I have had a Duc since I was 26 so all this "for old rich slow guys" is bullshit, I was young slow and broke. Now I am old, slow and out of debt and I still have a Ducati

I've owned a 750ss, 800ss, 900ss, 998 and S2R1000.

[whynot]

So I now have 550 miles on mine, here are my findings so far
1. This thing drinks gas like a bar full of drunks drinks Guinness on st pattys
2. The seat is useless but that's a simple fix and I knew it going into it.
3. It goes and feels like pure sex. The amount of torque and the way its distributed across the rpms is amazing.
4. It has a awkward feel at low speeds, feels very top heavy. However once you get moving its amazing.
5. Everybody you run into will talk to you for 15-30 minutes about it.
6. Everybody you run into seems to have a ducati at home, theyre just riding their current bike because the duc is only for nice days.
7. Did I mention this things thirsty?

I hear ya. Back in my younger days, I had a Monster S4R, and it did all the Ducati things you cite. Then I added the full Termi system with open airbox, the gas mileage dropped, and I sold it.




So since I was older and wanted better gas mileage, I bought a KLR and lots of hi-viz gear. This gave me 60mpg, and that's about it.




Still, I was missing the Italian attributes and benefits of the Ducati, so I also got a Moto Guzzi Griso, which gives 45+ mpg, plus chicks dig Guzzis.




So, my advice to you is, screw the gas mileage, get the Ducati.

[PinHead]

If you are looking at bikes with big fuel savings in mind, go buy a scooter. Or do what I do, stop to get fuel every 100-120 miles on a bike I love and could give a rats ass about the mileage on.

[Dannyf]

If you are looking at bikes with big fuel savings in mind, go buy a scooter. Or do what I do, stop to get fuel every 100-120 miles on a bike I love and could give a rats ass about the mileage on.

I'm in no way complaining about the fuel mileage. I went into the purchase knowing they were fuel hungry. I commute with a diesel F350 getting 18mpg so the 30mpg this gets is truly helpful.

[PinHead]

My Hemi 5.7 gets about 13mpg, I feel your pain. I did complain about the mileage there though, lol. I ended up buying a Camry to commute in that gets about 27mpg. Now the truck is the toy hauler weekend toy.

[whynot]

I wasn't really complaining about the mileage either, but the fuel range became a problem, that particular superbike motor in the Monster chassis with it's 3g tank, meant fuel light at 75 miles, outta gas within the next 15.

(The KLR with it's 6g tank has a 300 + mile range. Sure is heavy, and top-heavy with a full tank. And it's not a Ducati.)

[Wanderer]

My only gripe with my Multistrada is the fuel range too. Given its competing with wide range of bikes that get a good 200mile range, and was touted by Ducati as being able to do this prior to launch, its a bit of a shame the mileage is actually so bad.
Getting it looked at next service though, possibly new software.

[Mr Bread]

I have had a monster 600, s2r800 and a 999. Yeah the maintenance costs suck, and the gas milage sucks, but everything else the bike provides outweighs those two points. Just get the duc and start enjoying life sooner than later.

[PhilB]

The 1098 is a fine bike, but be aware that it is very focused -- don't expect to strap on the soft bags and go touring unless you are a particularly hardy individual. The S version might have an aluminum tank; some did. If so, that would eliminate my only real concern with buying a recent Ducati. I have an older Duc, and I have been exceptionally happy with it over the 18+ years I've been riding it.

PhilB

[jwm2k3]

What about an MV Agusta?? Me loves thoses bikes