Anyone on here ride Ducati Superbikes?

As for the mechanical issues with the 996's, I haven't really been paying attention. I never really bought into the 'Ducati craze', so it's not something I keep up on. I DO know someone that has a 'regular' 996, and he was really disappointed with the 'doggedness' (his words, not mine) of the power delivery. After he had the chip reprogrammed and put on a complete exhaust, he was much happier. But he's never been entirely pleased with it. If I can find his email, I'll give him a shout and see if he's encounted the problems you've mentioned...

Very true Jay. I honestly see no real difference in the Jap manufacturers and honestly the italian bikes are neck and neck with one another as well.

When I by my next bike I think I will go based on what color leathers are available that day..then get the bike to match. :D

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Originally posted by Stoneman
As for the mechanical issues with the 996's, I haven't really been paying attention. I never really bought into the 'Ducati craze', so it's not something I keep up on. I DO know someone that has a 'regular' 996, and he was really disappointed with the 'doggedness' (his words, not mine) of the power delivery. After he had the chip reprogrammed and put on a complete exhaust, he was much happier. But he's never been entirely pleased with it. If I can find his email, I'll give him a shout and see if he's encounted the problems you've mentioned...

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Luckily I never had to put up with the stock "doggedness" that you speak of becuase I bought the bike with the chip and exhaust. And yeah that would be great if you run into your buddy, I would love to hear what he has to say. I love my bike, but if I'm gonna have nothing but problems with it, I'd rather trade it in before it happens.

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Originally posted by Stoneman
TL-R owner here. If it'll make ya feel any more cozy here, I'll be glad to go out and dice it up with ya. Just don't get all pissed at me when ya realize just how 'real' the TL-R is.... :twofinger

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Yup, even with 1998 technology, and a little extra weight, we can still open a can of Whoop-ass if needed....:D

:topic: but :whogives:
A996S - where you from?

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Originally posted by Stoneman
Hell, it's gettin' to be that who ever makes it the color ya want is the one you'll go with...

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so when you getting that hot pink one?
:fairy:
:twofinger

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Originally posted by Nikon
:topic: but :whogives:
A996S - where you from?

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Nashua NH

I have never heard of these Ducati problems. the only one that kinda sucks is the fact that you need to check the valves every 6k.

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Originally posted by PinHead
I have never heard of these Ducati problems. the only one that kinda sucks is the fact that you need to check the valves every 6k.

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You wouldn't happen to know how much dealers charge for the valve inspection would you? This was yet another thing I knew nothing about before purchasing my bike. Just after finalizing the sale, the sales guy said something like, "So since the first maintenance was already performed on the bike, the next thing you will have to worry about is the valve inspection... and good luck trying to afford that!" Next time I will not buy a bike without doing a lot of homework first.

The price on the 2 valve vs. 4 valve is greatly different. I have head the Desmo Quattro's are anywhere from 300-450.00 w/ an oil change.

The Desmo Due's are about 150-200.. Again not owning one I can not say for sure but those were figures I was quoted when looking into purchasing a 996..

The Aprilia's on the other hand.. 35.00 for an oil change and valves adjustments every 10-12k miles.

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Originally posted by RSVMILLE661

The Aprilia's on the other hand.. 35.00 for an oil change and valves adjustments every 10-12k miles.

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Rub it in why don't you. :( Maybe I should just ride my bike up to 5900 miles and then trade it in for a Mille:)

Thats ultimately what I did with my Superchicken..

8500 miles as I pulled into the dealer lot. Whole new world Aprilia vs. Honda..

Or you could just get a Yamaha and not worry about the valves for 26,000 miles:D And you wouldn't have to deal with all those problems that are worriing you:dunno:

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Originally posted by R7
Or you could just get a Yamaha and not worry about the valves for 26,000 miles:D And you wouldn't have to deal with all those problems that are worriing you:dunno:

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Now that I've ridden a twin, I don't think I could go back to an inline 4, nice bikes though.

I own a 900SS and plan on doing the valves myself. If you search around enough, you'll see that there are specialized tools for the job. With clear instructions and a little mechanical intelligence it should take no longer than a weekend from start to finish. And I'm not talking about working all day and night!

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Originally posted by cbrburns
I own a 900SS and plan on doing the valves myself. If you search around enough, you'll see that there are specialized tools for the job. With clear instructions and a little mechanical intelligence it should take no longer than a weekend from start to finish. And I'm not talking about working all day and night!

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Thanks for the tip. I will certainly look around for the tools and info then

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Originally posted by Nikon
:topic: but :whogives:

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Nikon..if that was directed towards me....:madfawk
Edited because of bad words.....:D

Now...Scotty how does the "R" compare to the "Factory"
I hope you got to sample both?
and forgive me if this is too far off topic....

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Originally posted by TLRMan
Nikon..if that was directed towards me....:madfawk

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Err I think it was directed towards himself, for asking where the dude was from...

We need some warm weather, stat...think Parked Motorcycle Syndrome is starting to affect us all...

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Originally posted by TLRMan
Nikon..if that was directed towards me....:madfawk
Edited because of bad words.....:D

Now...Scotty how does the "R" compare to the "Factory"
I hope you got to sample both?
and forgive me if this is too far off topic....

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Mark the R is now the Base model. It is still a kick ass bike has the same power but again does not have the ohlins, all of the carbon fibre, and the OZ wheels. Also it is a Bi-posto.. Yes I rode both.. in the test loop i rode them it was not only wet but 2 brand new bikes.

I did flog them as much as I could and they were both spectacular. The biggest improvement is the power to weight ratio and how the centralized more of the mass. It feels to have a much lower center of gravity and the turn ins are as quick as that of a 4 cylinder machine.

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Originally posted by RSVMILLE661
Mark the R is now the Base model. It is still a kick ass bike has the same power but again does not have the ohlins, all of the carbon fibre, and the OZ wheels. Also it is a Bi-posto.. Yes I rode both.. in the test loop i rode them it was not only wet but 2 brand new bikes.

I did flog them as much as I could and they were both spectacular. The biggest improvement is the power to weight ratio and how the centralized more of the mass. It feels to have a much lower center of gravity and the turn ins are as quick as that of a 4 cylinder machine.

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You got 17 grand I can borrow until my Brother staightens out?

He's "Hunchback"

Ahhhh regarding the quote to Nikon...Oooops....:drink:

The base is only 13,999 the Factory is 17,899.. can't go wrong either way..

Your going to hear a lot of bullshit about the valves on your Ducati, and thats just what it is.

My ST2 has 23,621 miles on it and I just adjusted the first valve ever on it, only had to do one out of the four. The 748 race bike had its first valve adjustment after this past race season and it has 9876 miles on it.

They say you need to check the adjustment every 6k, not that its going to need to be adjusting. To check the valve clearances is no big deal, adjusting the 4 valvers does take a little work but the 2 valvers is a piece of cake.

You need to get to BCM in Laconia and talk to Bruce.

Also Ducati is standing behind the rockers your talking about.

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Originally posted by duc106
Your going to hear a lot of bullshit about the valves on your Ducati, and thats just what it is.

My ST2 has 23,621 miles on it and I just adjusted the first valve ever on it, only had to do one out of the four. The 748 race bike had its first valve adjustment after this past race season and it has 9876 miles on it.

They say you need to check the adjustment every 6k, not that its going to need to be adjusting. To check the valve clearances is no big deal, adjusting the 4 valvers does take a little work but the 2 valvers is a piece of cake.

You need to get to BCM in Laconia and talk to Bruce.

Also Ducati is standing behind the rockers your talking about.

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Thanks. That makes me feel a bit better. I've been meaning to get up to BCM but they close so damned early on Saturdays (my only regular day off). I will definitely get up there soon though. By the way, whats the big deal with BCM? I hear people talking about that place all the time. Are they some sort of big deal in the world of Ducati? I'm new to Duc's so don't rip into me for this question.

season :D

BCM is the #1 dealer in North America for parts and service (Ducati). You won't find a superstore type dealer with a bunch of salesman after you there. You can have have your bike worked on, stand there with a cup of coffee and watch the whole thing, best people I ever delt with. Every part that you can think of to put on that 996S is prob there.