dont care what faults they have got
I WANT ONE

Wave,
You have u2u.
FE

Service the bikes properly and they are very reliable. OK, I'm only a weekend warrier and only when it's dry, but, have owned a number of Ducati over the last 6 years and apart from a snapped throttle cable they have all been perfect.

OK, my latest bike has leaking fork seals, but, they are Ohlin's so it is only to be expected :mad:

As for the service costs, shop around and try using the smaller dealers and authorised service outlets etc

If you have the filters done, oil, brakes and full check over you can get this done for around £220. Similar with a belt change for around £300.

Id stay stuff the fact that its an 04, if it has a full history then what's the problem. The 916 had an awful reputation but many people bought them regardless and never heard a peep out of them.
The ride is an aquired taste and they pop and bang at strange intervals which if you have never ridden one before can be disconcerting.
If you don't like it you can always flog it!!!....believe me you won't tho!
I'd say you need the service, whatever the mileage. At least you know then what's been done and that everything is tickety boo!
Go on, go on, go on!
If it's not that one then wait till another one comes along. You never know you may get one on here!

went to look at it today, its was a beautiful bike, service history everything, the Termis sounded beautiful.
then my mate found a tiny oil leak by the cylinder head.
doh

How much of a leak?A puddle?Drip?Fine mist?
Dont let that put you off.It may just be from the crank case breather.(They all do that sir!)
Dont expect a Ducati to be as oil tight as a Jap bike.

i believe it was the breather, just a fine bubble.