Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Neilp wrote:

hoffy wrote:pffffttttt.... S&W

OK then, lets strip down a 50k old kawa motor compared to stripped down 50k old ducati motor..no comparison.

I have seen this done in euro bike mags and the jap bikes have better designed engines with better tolerances and better design by default.

Back in your box knobhead !

Quick to knock them, have you actually owned one?


Neil

why would I downgrade....seriously.

I have had 4 ducatis with the 2001 900ss being the newest & I will never go there again because of the cost for servicing & parts was a killer
plain & simple..... & for the older ones the availability of parts was another problem

Hey Snorky... I guess what might help in some serious responses is:
Is it just going to be a weekend bike or will it be a commuter as well?
Is it going to be used for track days? (or any other specific purpose)
How long has he been riding? (licenced or not / dirtbikes etc)
If your not that keen on him getting it and he's still at home you could always start charging him board

Duc's are lovely bikes but I think test riding a number of options for him is the next step! I guess you could always do a ring around and get a couple of servicing quotes on different bikes from various dealers Id hate to think how much I would have spent on parts by now had I owned a Duc

i had the opposite reaction in some ways when i considered getting my Hyosung. A lot of people were saying it was too CHEAP an option as opposed to expensive.

i've gotta say, there's nothing more satisfying than beating the pants off some pretender poser through the corners and have them positively gobsmacked when they find it was on a Hyo, a seemingly inferior product.

i guess what i'm trying to say is along the lines of what the definitely more wise have posted so far. buying a Ducati won't make him Casey, and it truly depends on what he wants it for. research is the key. keep the ear to the ground for weeks or even months before buying a specific model, let alone a manufacture. if there's more chance of something being a problem, then it might be wise to pipe up and steer him clear. if there's no apparent problems or issues with the model, then maybe he's making the right call.

i know that if my dad had approached me with a more reasonable "head before heart" approach to buying a bike, i'd have actually listened to him and taken what he had to say onboard..

hoffy wrote:
why would I downgrade....seriously.

Seriously?
Ok then. They are a single minded and focused vehicle. They are designed to a brief and are not designed to please the masses - or Mass as this case is with you.
On the other hand the Japanese are keen to please everyone. They do an exceptionally good job at this. I am with Dutchamawhatsit - I understand what he meant.
It would be pretty bland without them though.
Downgrade for a day Hoffy and go test ride one just to see how good they are - expand your horizons- they really do handle well and are a completely different kettle of fish.

Wish I could have my old 450 "Silver Shotgun" back.....

I have a 749s as my main bike and its a very focused machine and great for twisty country roads but not good for city riding, thus I use my ZX6. I believe if you can't afford to look after a ducati properly then you shouldn't buy one as they need looking after properly, if your son is buying solely on looks then disuade him if he has done his research and understands what is involved with owning one then go for it.
I don't think they are that dear to own and it does depend on which model you have, 4 valvers are dearer to service than 2 valvers.Be warned about early 748's and 916's as they have issues with rocker arm chrome flaking off, and one needing a rebuild would be worth a small fortune.
If he is looking at a monster they can be a cheap bike to own and enjoy as I am looking at the new 1100S as my next main bike as the 749S is a little to track focused for me.

PS: S&W saw your report on the sc1000 I know heaps of guys that have them and love them, the 1000 DS motor is bulletproof aparently.

DJ

in the late 80's i had a sd600 duc 78 and was too rich for me then when servicing ,,,,,,tell him to go green,,,,hoondas weren't much better nor were suzies or the fj1200,,,,,,,but carn't complain about the 12r ,,,,,,it's a big plus when you get looked after by a dealer very well(bikebiz treats me extremely well),,,,my 2c anyway

with you 100% rob with duc parts and service

hoffy wrote:

Neilp wrote:

hoffy wrote:pffffttttt.... S&W

OK then, lets strip down a 50k old kawa motor compared to stripped down 50k old ducati motor..no comparison.

I have seen this done in euro bike mags and the jap bikes have better designed engines with better tolerances and better design by default.

Back in your box knobhead !

Quick to knock them, have you actually owned one?


Neil

why would I downgrade....seriously.

As usual your talking shit!!! You make off the cuff remarks about things you know nothing about, well in my opinion your 2 cents is worth well 2 cents! How many Kms have you clocked up on Ducati's to make these informed comments???

Neil

are you suggesting the quality and ride of a 20k ducati can match my 15k zx12r, and maintenance be cheaper, if so its a matter of opinion.

I dont like em , i like my 4 cylinder grunt.

cool, dissention in the ranks. Maybe heshould go for the ultimate in power, performance and price. Imagine sitting in front of your fav coffee shoppe sipping your doublefagalatte with extra fag and having this baby parked out the front....... Chick magnet

The Service intervals on the new Monsters I think are every 10,000km (correct me if I'm wrong) at that rate the servicing could be twice as expensive as a Jap bike and work out the same in the long run, I'd love another Ducati! but I'm fairly committed to a Dual purpose bike now having ridden one for 2 years and the Hypermotard or Multistrada don't cut it in that area
as has been said already it's Horses for Courses, I was an "Outcast" 'cos I rode a Duck and now I'm an "Outcast" 'cos I ride a Chookie ... I guess I don't just bow down to pressure (like all these people that say Ducatis are crap when they've never even owned one! )

Don't forget fellas 30 years ago you would have all been saying "A JAP Bike? I'd NEVER buy a jap bike! Unreliable, cheap crap!"

oh and if you think a Ducati service is expensive don't go buying a KTM!

12000k's now Paul.

Everyone told me not to buy a shitty old fiat 124 sport when i was younger.
I brought it and even tho it fell apart around me THAT car was the reason I first drove for pleasure, first drove on car club events, learnt so much and developed my love of driving!
Why?
THE EXHAUST NOTE
LOOKS
FEEL
CHARACTER
THE REAR SLIDING AROUND
TWIN CAM
GOOD GEARBOX
4 WHEEL DICS
HIGH-REVVING

What had nothing to do with that car decision was
COMMON SENSE
FINANCE
COMPARISONS TO OTHER CARS
RUST
RELIABILITY
SPARE PARTS


Now I have a Japanese car, but offer me $5000 to take away owning that Fiat and I'd never take it.
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Look, to be honest, if you're all so smart and wise and financially savvy in-tune why do you own repair and insure a motorbike as well as a car? Especially highly tuned expensive race bikes?

I spent $3000 on a recent reliable and immensely fun bike. You don't see me telling you guys you all wasted your money on a ZX12R, and I'd never buy one. WHY? Because I know that one day I'll probably ride one and say
DAMN, I WANT ONE OF THESE.

And that might just happen if you ride a Ducati.

SOOO, I say listen to peoples well-intentioned genuine experiences and knowledge, ignore the rest.
If an extra $1000 a year while he doesn't have to pay rent and isn't saving for a mortgage deposit means he LOVES RIDING AND OWNING HIS BIKE and rides it every weekend instead of I SETTLED FOR SOME KAWASAKI MY DAD WANTED ME TO GET then more power to him.