I`ve just come off Ducatis after six or seven years of them,from SS`s to Monsters and Multistradas to 888s and I can safely say reliability has never been an issue.I came home on a recovery truck once in all that time and that was due to a puncture on an old 600ss,I had a rectifer fail on my T8 after 20000miles but was never left stranded(limped it home)
I do have "issues" with Ducati in some instances
but I voted with my wallet and spent my money else were(time will tell if this was a good decision or not,but at the moment I`m loving it!)
But all Ducatis handle well and thrive on been ridden hard(And I was no exception
) and to some extent that`s the problem,tracks are where these bikes come into there own(And big jap sportsbikes for that matter) these bikes handle and brake so well they can flatter a "lesser" ride and that can lead to trouble,I`ve seen it first hand,but been lucky enough not have had to phone someones wife or girlfreind and have that awful conversation,a lot of people in this club have ridden bikes since they were teenagers and are now in a position to afford these great bikes and appreciate them,so go careful fellas and ride as far as you can see
Getting back to the servicing,that was one of the reasons I swapped brands, as I wanted to service my bike,myself,without having to spend a fortune on special tools,shims etc.Having a "do it yourself bike" is fine,but with technology comes more speed and power and visaversa,my bike is now slower,but a lot more fun and I feel like I did twenty years ago,going for a ride on me bike cos I don`t like being in a car!!!
I don`t care if a rice burning bike half the size of my pushrod powered lump comes flying past and can lap Snetterton 5secs quicker than me,I really ****ing don`t,I can just grab me leather jacket and lid and go for a ride without dressing like a power ranger or feeling pressure to bury my knee into the tarmac at every oppitunity.
And when I order parts for my bike they are normally here in 10-14days not 10-14 months!!Take note Ducati,and from a lot further away!
My last 5000m service cost me £35,that`s Oil,transmission oil and a filter.and a couple of hours in the shed,fantastic!!
But hate Ducatis,
Never