Anything good to say

[748IOM]

Anyone got anything good to say about Ducati's?

Reading this board over the past few days has become quite depressing and makes me wonder about my decision in buying a 748.

[MarkyMark76]

At the risk of cursing myself for ever, i'll say a word or two.

I bought an '02 748s 18months ago have covered 6,000 miles and it's cost me nothing more (excluding the carbon fibre curse) than two sets of tyres and the 6,000mile service. It starts first time every time and it has never missed a beat. It has done it's first track day and a five day trip to the Nurburgring this year as well as a four day trip to Fort William. It rocks.
:D

[Steve M]

:puzzled: seems to be plenty of good stuff going on to me.


But - I saw a 2006 (yes 06) 999s yesterday - it looked superb, as well as a good few other Ducatis which their owners were having a good night riding and chatting about.

Good enough for me :)

[JPM]

I even saw a free Ducati last night, all you had to do was put the key (which had been left by the owner on the seat) in the ignition and go! :frog:

[Rob B]

I love my 888, even more now I have both the mag Marchesinis fitted.:bouncy:

[Steve M]

Originally posted by JPM
I even saw a free Ducati last night, all you had to do was put the key (which had been left by the owner on the seat) in the ignition and go! :frog:

what a berk ;) who was that?

err - thanks for finding it Gill.

[Harv748]

...thing is...you don't have to say anything...

[Guido]

Give me a few days mate and I might change my current views......emotions still high having been without it for a year

Seems I don't have much luck with these things despite the loving care and attention poured upon them. Guess that doesn't count for a lot. When it wants to sh 1 t itself it will.

Just so happens like last time...it's done it at the worst possible time for me hence my angst over the 'kin thing.

Guy

[Edited on 4-8-2005 by Guido]

[Athelstan]

I'm Happy
I've had a great time with my ST4s these last 4yrs belting around the alps - grand tour of spain n portugal - back to blighty 3 times (one of which was a grand tour to the very north of scotland) - mini outing to austria (only long weekend 4 day'er 1.5k mls). Yep very happy with my Duc, my UK dealer/servicing, and last but not least, very pleased with all the advice and help tracking down things I wanted from members of the DSC and its web site. Long may it last - all I need now is a pint of English Beer:rolleye:

[swannymere]

:saint:Most posts tend to ask for help with problems encountered.If you start a thread with the title 'I love my Ducati because...' it will probably be the biggest thread ever!:devil:

[Monty]

Originally posted by swannymere
:saint:Most posts tend to ask for help with problems encountered.If you start a thread with the title 'I love my Ducati because...' it will probably be the biggest thread ever!:devil:

Exactly, I love my ST4S as well, 25,000 miles on it now, just done a tour of Norway and Sweden this year + trackdays at Brands GP and of course TA4 at Cadwell.:D

John

[doogalman]

I love my Duke. Still get a thrill riding it allmost seven years after my wife buying it for me as a christmas prezzie :-)

[Mr C]

I love mine done 1800 miles in 8 weeks :D and ive still managed to keep it in one peice.

[chief]

Yeh I have

There propper loud and go round corners like their on rails


(down side is they cost more to keep than Kate Moss)

[Mr_S]

Only problem with mine is I don't get to ride it enough. Although I still get a buzz seeing it in the garage on the paddock stands.

If I had the cash I'd have another, so I can have 2. I'd really like an early 916 SP/S

[pedro]

on the mend & aiming to ride to donny next sat for the dd. carnt wait as it WILL be my first ride after breaking wrist june 11. so get one

[Edited on 4-8-2005 by pedro]

[Dave G]

You'll find many people who are quietly passionate about these bikes,whatever model they own.I've got four of the things at the minute (though one is going soon),I love them.Sure they have the odd glitch like any machine but the upside more than balances out any downside.
There are way more satisfied owners who dont appear here or sit quietly and watch the site without saying too much.
They are superb bikes first and foremost,handle better than any other roadbike-period!,they have style and character,more than the current crop of japanese wannabe's,do you need the fastest bike in the world?...in this country?,thought not.
I've had years of positive ownership,I wouldnt be swayed by anyone who's venting their frustration with something on these message boards.
:burn::burn::burn:

[Redsps]

well to be honest, if I look back at all my dukes until present, I've had a relativley good time with only a few issues, no worse than any other performance bike ownership.
But you only need a couple of big problems, and you soon forget about all the good times previous.
You have to make allowances for italian engineering sometimes, but somehow it allways seem to be worth it.:):)
cheers
robin

[748IOM]

I guess I am easily influenced by what I read, not in magazines because they're more than often very biased reviews but owners reviews are very important to me to give me an idea of what to expect from a machine.

I am an overly cautious person which some would then say why get a Duke, well the reason is because first and formost I've wanted one since the 916 first appeared and 10+ years on I decided to bite the bullet and buy one. I chose the 748 mainly down to financial reasons and being the right one at the right time in my opinion.

So far I love it and I'm sure that will always be the case but sometimes reading this board unnerves me, yes it could happen to any bike but unfortunately Dukes reputations goes ahead of them.

My intention is to never sell it, I am totally captivated by the magic of the Ducati, I would like to be in a position that when I want another bike (being a 999) then I'd like to be able to buy it and keep the 748.

Thanks guys for cheering me up :bouncy: top forum and definately gonna sign up on pay day.

I may even chat about setting up a region to cover the Isle of Man, then we could have a TT or MGP meet depending on who comes over for them.

[t5mission]

Folks.

Brought my first Duke about 3 months ago. (600ss) A friend was always saying I should get one so I did. I love it to bits they are all everyone says and more.

A

[sye73]

In my opinion,'Harv748' said it all :sing:

[sparkin]

Eight,Eight,Eight:D:D:D

[rcgbob44]

Harv748

I know exactly what you mean.

[Redsps]

bob, if you polish that bike anymore it'll be down to the yellow primer mate;);)
looks like you've even been polishing the tyres too.
Nice though mate.

cheers

[Edited on 4-8-2005 by Red SPS]

[Ian Harris]

I know I could have bought a new GSXR1000K5 plus a 2nd hand Bandit to commute on for what I paid for my 996, but I've wanted a Duke since the 1970's 250 and 350 Desmo singles and, when they put the world's most charismatic motor in the world's most beautiful chassis and bodywork, no other bike would do.

Anyway, here are three reasons I would pay double what it costs to run an IL4 to keep my Ducati:

1/ There is no other bike on the planet that could give me so much pleasure, just looking at it standing in the garage.

2/ Accelerating past 7,000 rpm, with that unique roar growing and growing

3/ Riding on the track (even at my cack-handed level) everything just clicks into place. Riding my first track-day at Brands Hatch GP on my old Firestorm scared the sh 1 t out of me. When I rode the 996 there I realised why -compared to the Duke, riding the h0nd@ had felt like riding a carthorse in the Grand National .

At the end of the day, running a Ducati might be fiscally irresponsible, but what's the use of savings when a certain fat t055er's only going to tax you on them again. Buy a Ducati , enjoy it and spend, spend, spend..you know it makes sense .

[Carbon749]

On my 3rd Ducati .... 748 then 996 and now 749s.

Sold the 748 for the same as I paid for it, sold the 996 for more than I paid for it. No doubt will lose money on 749 as I bought it new.

Apart from servicing, tyres and a throttle cable, the 748 and 996 did not cost me anything or miss a beat.

The 749s was a very early bike and had a few teething problems that have been sorted out under warranty and I am more than happy.

[KeefyB]

Originally posted by sparkin
Eight,Eight,Eight:D:D:D
Nine,Nine,Nine......esssss!:D:D:D

[psychlist]

First there was.....

[psychlist]

When it grew up, there was............

[psychlist]

There was.........

[psychlist]

now there is also.......

[Nattyboy]

Originally posted by rcgbob44
Harv748

I know exactly what you mean.

Well if were all showing off...:lol: Not a bad word to say about my pair..LOVE 'EM !

Nat

[Redsps]

showing us that porn again nat...:D:D

nice.

[Nattyboy]

You know me Robin..any opportunity :lol:

Better put a pic of tother one up before she gets upset..:lol:
http://ee.domaindlx.com/nattyboy/APRIL%2005%20S4R%20PIC.JPG
Nat

[kwikbitch]

Sigh... buying my duke has been one of the most amazing things I've ever done....
I past my test and deliberated for 4 months about what bike to buy...I looked, tested a couple of cheap jap things but could never make my mind up. But then....
I drove by the showroom, saw it sitting outside, did a u turn,stopped the car and put a deposit on it without even test riding it. BEST thing I ever did!
:roll::bouncy::roll::bouncy::roll::bouncy::roll::b ouncy::roll:

The only time it failed me was when the damn datatool (Bad swear word) alarm battery needed changing, and a lighting wire was cut by an overtight cable tie.

[bike mad]

I've been on jap and german for 30 years,ps started early, brought my 999s 2 weeks ago and done 2000 miles on it, it come as a surprise to me as I spend so long looking at it and thinking a bout it I didn't think there was that much time left to do 2000 miles. it's started every time and is absolutely beautiful. it's like being tortured in town but when you hit open road it makes sex the second most most enjoyable thing. it's not jap and cant be compared, if you do it's not going to stand up well. but if you want something that's different and you can stand it's short comings. it will make a place in you hart.
To me it's a bike on the edge, the engine the handing, and being on the edge thats were the problems come from and the fun and what makes it special and I love it.
It feels like I think a race bike feels like, I can only compare to the bikes I've owned the last one was a ZX12R,
ps I,m 6;4 and it's the only new bike that fits me

[rcgbob44]

Love that 888 Nat, very nice machine.

[Nattyboy]

Originally posted by rcgbob44
Love that 888 Nat, very nice machine.

Swap you for a weekend on your jota Rob ??! :D

[LesPaul]

I've had (including current stable) 6 Dukes, (touch wood) never had a problem apart from not getting to ride them enough :D
First one I had was a 996 and I've missed it ever since I sold it (I changed jobs and needed a car :( ) so a couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to get this one and this has been my permanent face :D

Darren

[Nattyboy]

Looks like a goodun Darren..nice and original.

Enjoy !

Nat

[ath748]

I've only had the one. Here's me hugging it.....

Only wish I could get out more.

Ade.

[Jasper]

I went from 1000Exup to 851,888,888SP4,748 and now to the bike of my dreams,NEVER to be sold:888SP5!!Oh yes,i'm just going to the garage to go and give her a cuddle now!!:bouncy:

[YMFB]

What can I say except I have had my ST4 one year next week, I have done < 4000 miles on it but I have enjoyed every one. It has so far never let me down and although I would probably like something more sexy and sporty my middle aged shaped body probably prevents it and I havent managed to go flat out on the ST4 yet!

Unless something very unusual happens I will not being going back to a japanese bike, its Ducati all the way for me:burn:

[swannymere]

Originally posted by swannymere
:saint:Most posts tend to ask for help with problems encountered.If you start a thread with the title 'I love my Ducati because...' it will probably be the biggest thread ever!:devil:

I told you,only the problems get reported
For me its the fact,that for no reason i'm drawn to the garage at any time of night or day,just to stare at it,occasionally stroke it and sometimes give her a damn good,hard ride:devil:

[BDG]

Hmm, summat went wrong there with one of the pics so here's Maroc3 again

[BDG]

I'm onto my 5th Duke since 1999 and i love, have loved them all. Great fun to ride, been to some unusual places and clocked up quite a few miles with very few problems.

Happy punter.

[Steve M]

trail riding on an R1 - class

[Clippy]

Some have more problems than others - my 748 was off the road 13 times in 2 years (13000 miles) due to various bits failing.

My SPS had the cush drives go in the 4500 miles (1 year) I had that.

My 998 has done 3,300 miles in the 3 months since I bought it and (touch wood) life is sweet!

Giles

[gary888]

Had mine over 10 years now, it's a sunshine special and has not done as many miles as the rest of you, but every mile is an wonderful assault on the senses. I was lucky enough to get exactly what I wanted and wasn't disappointed. I'll never part with it, even when I'm a really old git and can't ride it any longer. :D

[rcgbob44]

One for Nat.

By the way Nat you need a strong left wrist!

[butch890]

Are there any other types of bikes?


The present Mrs Butcher has hit the nail on the head when she pointed out that my reply to people that ask "so youve got a bike then?" says it all.
whats the reply-"No ive got a Ducati"
For all there foibles there aint nothing better,its not just the bike its the whole DUCATI EXPERIENCE ,some of my best friends i have met through owning my Ducati's ,i may be a little out of the ordinary but anything i do i do with passion(ask my family about me and wine) but the ducati thing seems to reward this passion in bucket loads.
This is borne out with my relationship with my son Chris,we have without doubt become my closer because of our common joy for the marque (witness our fun at DD).
I am fortunate to be able to induldge my love of all things Ducati (makes getting up at 2.30 six days aweek worthwhile) and look forward to adding to the collection.
A very happy,
Butch