Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > High mileage sps...

[gary-g]

Does anyone have any experience of owning an sps or similar with 18k miles + on the clock?
I realise that the usual rules apply to proper regular servicing etc., and the resale value will be low, just as the purchase price is now.
'trouble is, the general view on mileage is that most folks won't touch anything with what used to be considered the average of 3k a year, least of all, a Ducati.

I have also heard it said that if you look after the top end, the bottom end will look after itself, but what about the rest of the bike?

Any advice from high mileage owners (if any!) will be appreciated.

Cheers

[Rattler]

Service History - if its got it from reputable Ducati Dealer / specialist and you can check it, there's no reason why you shouldn't buy the bike.

There's plenty on here who do higher mileages than that and as long as regular "proper" service schedule is stuck to, you'll be fine.

Tim

[weeveetwin]

18k = high mileage!!?????

My SP4 is showing 24,000mls, and the engine is still an absolute gem.

There's a train of thought which says Ducatis, more than most bikes, need using on a regular basis to give of their best. And in my experience this is true. I'd be more afraid of buying a 3,000ml Ducati which had been standing about for years than one with 18k on the clock.

Steve

[BDG]

My mate bought my old SPS and it has done 18,000 miles without any major trauma. It needed a new sprag clutch as the starter takes some stick firing it up with the hi comp pistons.

Early on in its life it had a few rockers replaced but none for the last 11,000 miles (and they were checked recently). Use a good 15/50, warm it up properly before riding and its been looked after by Cornerspeed and no problems since.

I still enjoy riding it now when we swap bikes.

The only other things done to it are general things that need doing on higher mileage Ducati's, i.e. set of clutch plates and the coolant header tank tends to leak a little on the seams, as its a complex moulding round the headstock and after a few years and repeated heat cycles they seem to give up the ghost, but from memory they're only about £35. I've had the same thing on my 996R recently as well, so its not just a SPS issue.

A good full service history is essential.

I personally wouldn't be worried about buying another as long as the history was right.

[Nige]

There's a train of thought which says Ducatis, more than most bikes, need using on a regular basis to give of their best. And in my experience this is true. I'd be more afraid of buying a 3,000ml Ducati which had been standing about for years than one with 18k on the clock.

I am testiment to this - I bought a 3500 minter - garaged for 5 years - looked like it had just been assembled from the crate.....................It went bang. The output shaft bearing through lack of use developed a bit of rust, one of the ball bearings then became a little flat, this started to cause minute vibrations in the bearing and because of the nature of the beast was undetectable until it imploded.

Some new gearbox internals and some precautionary extra work later - shes back.

Conversly - i know a lad at work who has a firestorm that has 86,000 on the clock and a 748 with 41,000 on the clock, he services them both himself and gives them to the dealers for big stuff.

They both still look mint and neither have ever caused him major mechanical problems.

FSH - And a good chat - you will soon know if someone is bulling you - A good owner knows everything about his bike.

The story falls apart when you get too many not sures, can't remembers, and I've misplaced it.

[gary-g]

Thanks chaps.
I was going to give the seller a call to check it all out in fine detail before going to have a look, as it's a fair journey.
On the face of it, the bike has been looked after pretty well and photos look ok., so if all stacks up i'll probably go for it.
It's the full spec model with ohlins all round, so might be worth it.
I am going to have a word with Alf tomorrow as well, to see if he has any other pearls of wisdom.

Cheers

[butch890]

gary,it might be worth asking a DSCer close to the bike to pop round and have a preliminary look for you,could save you a long journey.
Butch

[Mello-Yellow]

got 32,000 on the 996 (00), and over 40,000 on the 916 (94). Both run fine, no major props. they do to get better with more use.

As folks have said before check service history and keep it up when you get the bike.

my 96 although not an SPS has c34k on it now, 1200 miles on it when i acquired it, usual traumas of Rockers etc will be dealt with in the main by 18k, if all the details stack up, then go for it ....

[Rattler]

Originally Posted by DIBBLE

my 96 although not an SPS has c34k on it now, 1200 miles on it when i acquired it, usual traumas of Rockers etc will be dealt with in the main by 18k, if all the details stack up, then go for it ....

Trigger's broom!!!!