Ducati Racers

[theducman]

So I want to get a track/race bike at some point I hope next year. I really wanted an EX because its cheep. But I know the EX is really only good at NHMS. And I want to do more track days at a few other tracks. I also want to race, not every weekend maybe twice a year .

My question to your ducati racers is, How are these bike to race? Do thay break down quite often? I have a 848 and by no means a noob to ducs but I just dont want to get something that is always down for repair. I was thinking of looking for a SS. I need something cheep, and I know that does not belong with ducati.

Any input would be great.

[PPS26]

sv650 and i have one for sale fully prepped

[DucDave]

So I want to get a track/race bike at some point I hope next year. I really wanted an EX because its cheep. But I know the EX is really only good at NHMS. And I want to do more track days at a few other tracks. I also want to race, not every weekend maybe twice a year .

My question to your ducati racers is, How are these bike to race? Do thay break down quite often? I have a 848 and by no means a noob to ducs but I just dont want to get something that is always down for repair. I was thinking of looking for a SS. I need something cheep, and I know that does not belong with ducati.

Any input would be great.

For what you want to do, get some track skins for the 848 and have at it...

[Mr. Kurtz]

For what you want to do, get some track skins for the 848 and have at it...

Yup.

For the amount you're actually going to ride it, a dedicated track bike it overkill.

[theducman]

For what you want to do, get some track skins for the 848 and have at it...

I have thought about that. But, if I screw up my 848 I will have no bike to ride at all. I cant have that.


PPS26, if I had the cash today

[Nazo]

Out of curiosity why do you think Ducati's are always down for repair?
I race an 848 and its been bullet proof. I also had a 996 with approx 14K miles and the bike ran great all the time.
Ducati's in my opinion are designed for track use....you understand that once you get into wrenching them and see how they engineered them. The parts that Ducati uses are usually on the higher end.
In terms of longevity I think a lot of parts on my Hondas and Yamahas wore out faster.

As for racing one...I know a lot of people like to race in the lightweight classes and the Ducati SS seems to do really well. As you know they come in many engine sizes and since they are air cooled they qualify for lightweight races.

The 848 is a great choice...once you set it up for Loudon, which takes a lot.
It all depends on what class you want to race in. If you want to mix it up with all the 600's then start ordering parts for the 848 and I can help ya out

[theducman]

[QUOTE=Nazo;969477]Out of curiosity why do you think Ducati's are always down for repair?
I race an 848 and its been bullet proof. I also had a 996 with approx 14K miles and the bike ran great all the time.
Ducati's in my opinion are designed for track use....you understand that once you get into wrenching them and see how they engineered them. The parts that Ducati uses are usually on the higher end.
In terms of longevity I think a lot of parts on my Hondas and Yamahas wore out faster.

As for racing one...I know a lot of people like to race in the lightweight classes and the Ducati SS seems to do really well. As you know they come in many engine sizes and since they are air cooled they qualify for lightweight races.

The 848 is a great choice...once you set it up for Loudon, which takes a lot.
It all depends on what class you want to race in. If you want to mix it up with all the 600's then start ordering parts for the 848 and I can help ya out[/QUOT


I say they are down for repari because from the people I have talked to who track/race them have had problems. I love my 848 its my second duc, but to put her on the track to race kind of scares me (still making payments on her). If I had a bike that was ment to be a track bike and only a track bike I think I would have less fear of messing a bike up.

[darkduc7]

800ss.

thats what im looking for too

2v air cooled motors are bulletproof and simple to work on.

ready, set, go!

[Doc]

I've had a 750ss, a 900ss, a 800ss (race) and I currently own a 998 and a 748.

I don't think the Ducs are any worse maintenance wise than most other Jap bikes, as long as you do the work yourself.

But if you want CHEAP get an SV or even a Hawk (yes I had to throw that in) V-twins so much like a Duc without the Duc price. (I see 800ss's going for $5000 and SV's/Hawks going for $3000 or less.)

[theducman]

I thought I could snag a race only SS or some sort of duc for around 3k, guess not

[MotoFreak]

I got an SV for sale too...she's not pretty, but stickers and paint don't make you fast. She's got a fresh motor and all the right parts to do you right. And its CHEEEEP!

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...tml#post969506

[theducman]

I got an SV for sale too...she's not pretty, but stickers and paint don't make you fast. She's got a fresh motor and all the right parts to do you right. And its CHEEEEP!

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...tml#post969506

Oh I saw that one. I like it alot, but my wife got laied off. Sadly no money this year unless you want a mustang in trade lol.

[Doc]

I thought I could snag a race only SS or some sort of duc for around 3k, guess not

Not that I can find.

You really need to pick up Freak's SV.

[scottieducati]

You can absolutely find an SS for cheaper, but likely $4k... freak's SV can't be beat tho.

[Doc]

You can absolutely find an SS for cheaper, but likely $4k... freak's SV can't be beat tho.

Find me one.

[csmutty]

I got an SV for sale too...she's not pretty, but stickers and paint don't make you fast. She's got a fresh motor and all the right parts to do you right. And its CHEEEEP!

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...tml#post969506

I wish I had the money to get that. Such a good deal.

[Alvecchio]

I say they are down for repari because from the people I have talked to who track/race them have had problems. I love my 848 its my second duc, but to put her on the track to race kind of scares me (still making payments on her). If I had a bike that was ment to be a track bike and only a track bike I think I would have less fear of messing a bike up.

I'm by no means a ducati/motorcycle racing/track day specialist and don't know anything about the people you have talked to but I figure I'll chime in with my experiences with just cars/mechanics/racing in general...

People love to blame machines. I've seen SO many people with cars especially that love to blame their clutches when they burn out at 15k. It wasn't the 7k rpm launches at every stop sign or trying to rev match first gear, it was the clutch...ya right

When people start modifying their cars/bikes (engines especially), they love to rule out the possibility that they screwed something up. Strangely enough, I have a neighbor with a 2005 STI that he hasn't touched. Literally NOTHING done to it. Its only been in the shop for scheduled maintenance. I have 2 other friends with WRXs, one is the same exact car, the other is just a WRX, and thye're constantly chasing down little shit. Vaccuum leak here(boost gauge), idling issues there(blowoff valve). The point is, Someone can have issues with something(especially in racing) that were solely caused by them. Go to the drag strip and talk to bracket racers. The best ones run basic setups, designed for consistency. I'm sure ducati has lot's more R+D then any one person's experience racing.

Long story short, we're talking about racing a bike, not just riding a bike. And cars or bikes, If you push it/beat it its bound to have some sort of issue whether it be rider caused or not. Just my $0.02.

[Kurlon]

Pasta Rocket was able to keep his Ducs on the track using nothing more than hammers and occasional RTV... how much simpler can you ask for? : )

[theducman]

I'm by no means a ducati/motorcycle racing/track day specialist and don't know anything about the people you have talked to but I figure I'll chime in with my experiences with just cars/mechanics/racing in general...

People love to blame machines. I've seen SO many people with cars especially that love to blame their clutches when they burn out at 15k. It wasn't the 7k rpm launches at every stop sign or trying to rev match first gear, it was the clutch...ya right

When people start modifying their cars/bikes (engines especially), they love to rule out the possibility that they screwed something up. Strangely enough, I have a neighbor with a 2005 STI that he hasn't touched. Literally NOTHING done to it. Its only been in the shop for scheduled maintenance. I have 2 other friends with WRXs, one is the same exact car, the other is just a WRX, and thye're constantly chasing down little shit. Vaccuum leak here(boost gauge), idling issues there(blowoff valve). The point is, Someone can have issues with something(especially in racing) that were solely caused by them. Go to the drag strip and talk to bracket racers. The best ones run basic setups, designed for consistency. I'm sure ducati has lot's more R+D then any one person's experience racing.

Long story short, we're talking about racing a bike, not just riding a bike. And cars or bikes, If you push it/beat it its bound to have some sort of issue whether it be rider caused or not. Just my $0.02.

Good points

[jtaylor719]

I've been racing an SS for several seasons now.

Doubt you'll find anything worthwhile for 3k or under. 750ss isn't competitive, a 1000 or built 800 is the way to go.

[theducman]

Does anyone race a monster? Just asking after I saw the thred about penguin school

[mauro#749]

Dude just get a sv!.....for the money and performance is the best out there....

[darkduc7]

http://nh.craigslist.org/mcy/1955228154.html

[Mike McCloskey]

This is my first year racing. I brought my Aprilia RSV-R to the track and lowsided it twice. That's when I decided I needed an 'insurance bike'. I tracked down a 1999Duc 900 SS, with an aluminum swing arm, adjustable forks and a few other street goodies for $2K. 23xxx miles on it. I stripped out the lights, wired it, and put on some take off rubber for less than $100.

Been through several track days, 4 Penguin classes, got my CCS license with it and have never had a breakdown, or any issues with it. I crashed in turn 9 last month. Between sessions my girlfriend and I put the muffler back on, straightened the clip-ons, bent the gear shifter back, laced the head fairing with tie wraps and off I went, 2 more sessions.

Lesson here? For less than half the cost of one street bike crash you can get an older Duc and have a blast spending very little money. Do the suspension over maybe put a big bore kit on it and you can beat the hell out of it all day long and be very competitive. my $0.02.

[senecak19]

... and when your all done getting advice i have a race ready GSXR600 ready to sell that put down faster times then Nazo's 848.

Just busting ya buddy.

Listen to Nazo when he talks about setting the 848 up for London. He had to work that thing over to make it competitive. I dont know crap about lightweight or SS's so listen to everyone else.