I'm now in the same boat mate. Wanted a Duc since I got into bikes 15 years ago and always said they were too expensive etc, servicing etc, etc.

I brought a new '04 749S for NZ$28,000 + Termi $3,500 and finance costs etc came to NZ$34,000 odd two years ago. Trade in value now would be about $17,000 or $20,000 private sale. I've taken a kick in the pocket of approx $7,000 - $8,000 per annum. This excludes servicing, consumables and insurance of around $2,500 per annum.

The secound hand value has not been helped by the number of muppets importing Duc's for Japan that are due for the 2 year services and flicking them off around 15-20% less than the market value.

Now here's the painful part. I would like a '05 999S which are selling for around $34,000 second hand so I need to fork out between $14,000 - $17,000 (Could buy a new '05 Suzuki GSXR1000 K5 for that and keep the Duc!).

If I traded the 749 in on a '06 R1 it would cost me $4,000 to change stables. If I then trade the R1 in for an '08 model in couple of years I'd get around $13,000 as a trade in. Approximate cost per annum $4,000 or half the cost of the Duc. Servicing and insurance would also be cheaper.

I need to keep the 749 for another 3 years or so just to make to make the Duc $$$$ work with the wife. The above costs work against Ducati' in terms of turnover and cashflow.

At the end of the day my Ducati's more expensive than I ever though it would be. While cost and value are obviously different I'm struggling to realise the value of the Duc in this light. Anyone else in the same boat?


[Edited on 16-5-2006 by sbwells]

Lets face it,Ducati's have always been expensive,...to buy and to keep running.Blimey an 851 Strada cost £10,500 in 1992!My 916 was six months old and cost me £11,750 in '94.Compare that to the latest Japanese Superbikes,..you can buy the latest CBR,ZX,GSXR,etc for around £9000.What Ducati Superbike can you buy new for around the same price?
The base model 749,.....go figure.
I think one of Ducati's problem is they are making too many bikes and the quality is suffering because of it.Imagine how a new Ducati owner feels when all the paint falls off his 1000DS motor or the owner of the 999 that wont start because the neutral light connection has fallen off.
I recently borrowed a Sport Classic and the joins around the engine casing were appaling.Silicone gasket goo had squeezed out of the joint and then wiped off badly with a finger.The goo was also smeared around the crankcase.That to me is just not good enough.You can buy a brand new Chinese 125 off Ebay for under a grand with a better finish than that.
To justify the prices,I think Ducati ought to make fewer bikes of a better quality.Make them more special and exclusive if you like.
AK is also spot on about the seat height.My wife could easily reach the floor while sat on the 888 framed Monster or the carbed SS.She has got no chance on the latest bikes.I think that Ducati need to keep the SS range alive.At the moment,only the 1000DS is available in the UK.A lower and lighter bike with the 1000DS motor along the lines of the NCR bike would be good.620(695?) and 800cc versions could also be made.
I kinda hope the new 1200cc (rumoured to be nearer 1100) bike is styled like that MCN mock up.Imagine all the 749/999 owners saying,'ooh its not as pretty as the old bike' or 'Please Mr.Ducati make a new version of the 999!':lol::lol::lol::frog:

[Edited on 16-5-2006 by KeefyB]

I have to say that I am struggling a bit. I love Ducatis without a doubt but I really don't like the shape of the 999... until it's in race trim when I think it looks stunning, i guess it must be the mirrors :puzzled:

But as said above the hit on buying new is too much to take, it's hard enough on a second hand bike, but i can't face it on a new one.

I had almost decided I was going to bite the bullet and buy a 999r until some daft bugger went and crashed it :o and now I am back to considering something that I don't have to pay much attention to and the servicing is cheap and easy :(

how many bikes can you buy that you could put bayliss or lanzi on and hardly tell the difference between it and the factory bikes look at pedros picture (great that mate) no one says bayliss bike looks ugly i think its the best looking bike on the grid and i love mine:D:D:D:D

Blade, Gixxer Thou, ZX10. Ther race bikes look the same :puzzled:

The value thing is simple. Once upon a time I didn't mind paying >£10k for something that was special and didn't depreciate hugely. Now they are less special, they depreciate hugely and I do mind paying >£10k for that.

If i want a 749/999 now then I'll go the route CC took - low miles, 2-3yrs old, letting someone else take the huge depreciation hit and taking it for servicing to a good small independent. The trouble is that it does not help Ducati at all. But, what would you expect me to do? I'm not a charity of a mug.

[Edited on 16-5-2006 by twpd]

[Edited on 16-5-2006 by twpd]

That's what I'm talking about boys and girls

Being Ducati enthusiasts does not make us responsible for the future financial success of the brand. Look at Yamaha who lost ground with the '03 R6 because for whatever reason, it could not compete with the other 600s which were either faster or looked better in most peoples eyes. Now they have the best selling 600 because as ever, the market decides that the bike is gorgeous and is fast enough. It's up to manufacturers to compete with each other and launch products which sell. Ducati must realise that the 999 is not a winner. It just doesn't have that "wow" factor. The 916 shape still looks beautiful to me but I love riding my 749s. It's a bike which does it all for me and every time I get off it, I have a smile on my face.

Hypermotard
 

There is one Ducati that I would consider buying new as a stablemate for my 996SPS - this one. However, I don't think it will have the mass appeal necessary to revive the company's fortunes.

and those headlights :o

[Edited on 16-5-2006 by david.hicks]

The company has lived off Monsters for a long time. I didn't realise that there had been some significant changes - if as has been said they made them taller and heavier, thereby reducing the appeal, then that isn't a very bright thing. Is it?

I do think the model ranges are confusing too....Darks, Bips, S, R ...blah...blah... blah. And if I had bought a 999R in 2003 or 2004 then I wouldn't have been very happy to find it become an S the next year - talkabout crapping on your customer base!

Back in the good old day it was Bip or SP :)