It's a pleasure to agree with you old chap...

I'd have more miles on my SPS if

a) I hadn't missed the whole of 2002 after an accident
b) I didn't have 2 other bikes to choose from !

I'll get me coat...

wasn't having a dig mate ... but it probably explains why mine has been merrily eating rockers ..... :sniff: :lol:

Mine was serviced from new by a dealer I trust, and it still needed 12 rockers and a cam replacing last year. Admittedly it has done a few track days, but my advise would still be to get the dealer to prove to David to his satisfaction that everything on the top end was OK before buying. At that price I would expect the whole bike to be spot on.

How much should a full 12k service cost?

The dealer is V&J Superbikes in Bridgwater, Somerset. They aren't a Ducati specialist (the SPS was a trade-in) so they wouldn't be able to do the 12k service. I know them quite well and they are generally on the expensive side so everyone's comments about price doesn't surprise me.

However V&J are just 2 mins down the road from Riders of Bridgwater who are a Ducati dealer. If I fancy the bike I would try to get V&J to have it serviced by Riders first. If they won't, then based on comments here I think I will walk away from it.

Thanks for all your replies everyone.

Dave

I recently paid about 950 quid at Baines Racing for a full service including belts and shims, the cost also included a new front tyre, chain and rear sprocket.

People say Baines are expensive but they're no more than any main dealer - and my word, they do know what they're doing. I was pretty pleased with the cost.

I recently paid a total of approx £700 for my 12,000 mile service which included chain and sprockets as well. This was through an independent, Cornerspeed (our very own Nelly!) and not a main dealer.

12,000 mile service included fork rebuild, (oil, bearings etc) belts etc.

[Edited on 22-6-2005 by TP]

David if they are trying to take £8200 from you and leave the 12k service to you then I would say you need to budget for another £1000 in case.

But that then makes it a £9200 bike and I know people that have acquired 996R's for c£10000 with the service work done and warranty from a main dealer ...

Personally unless they are servicing it (properly) for £8200 I wouldn't buy it.

I agree, £8k with a full 12,000 mile service is reasonable. If they aren't up for that, or £8,200 at a push then I'd leave it.

So services are needed every 12 months/6,000 miles whichever comes first - is that right? How much does a minor (6k) service cost? And - god forbid - how much does it cost to fix a bad rocker?

A minor service including belts (but not shims) probably about 400 quid depending where you go.

A rocker is about 100 quid (I think) - and there are 16 ! hence the worry.....