Bikes: R1200RT F800GS. Hopefully another Ducati soon
Posts: 2,526
Join Date: Apr 2005
I had my heart set on an SS until the sales man told me that I may not find the riding position comfortable, having sat on one I knew he was right and bought an ST. Very nice sportsbike performance, Red and I can walk when I get off. Personal choice though and surely that can only be made when you have ridden the various models that you fancy. Find yourself a helpful dealer is my suggestion.
Mood: My Jota goes rumpety rump! & I have my wife exactly where she wants me!
Simon
Forget all the research, running costs, blah blah blah etc etc etc and just go and buy what you want or what your heart tells you to.
Most of us buy a Ducati for what it is and not an investment, If your only going to do a small mileage, sod the running costs. If you have to get so tied up in such petty bits and bobs, go and get a nice bland jap bike.
In total, there were 10,317 derivatives of the 851/888 produced worldwide. How many are in the UK, and how many remain is a mystery. The 888 Strada was produced for only a year though, and production ended in 1994. (Prior to this, the 888 was available only in SP form - and there were far fewer SPs produced than the seemingly 'rare' RC30 Hondas).
If you're looking for a bike which will hold its price (and surely increase in value over the long haul) then go for an 888SP - if you can find one! I've covered thousands of miles on mine - without any 'reliability' issues - and to date I've never seen another one on the road. In fact, I've only ever seen one 888 Strada! Conversely, I've seen thousands of 9** Ducatis.
I thank everybody for all their comments......bugger i'm more confused than ever...... As to the comment that i will spend more time looking than riding the bike....well the fact that i ride every day rain or shine speaks for itself. However i would like to protect the large sum of money that i will be parting with so yesshe will only come oput on sunny dry days...Poole quay on a tuesday evening(great evening out ) Thanks once again
Ive owned both (and done good mileage on them), and as an ownership experience (and investment) the 888 wins it every time. As for looks, yes the 916 is just so pretty, but the 888 is every bit as gorg..but just in a different way - if that makes sense..
916 - Elegant, sexy, feminine 888 - In yer face, butch, classic
You'll also get more attention on a nice T8 as theres not many about !!
I thank everybody for all their comments......bugger i'm more confused than ever...... As to the comment that i will spend more time looking than riding the bike....well the fact that i ride every day rain or shine speaks for itself. However i would like to protect the large sum of money that i will be parting with so yesshe will only come oput on sunny dry days...Poole quay on a tuesday evening(great evening out ) Thanks once again
Simon
You can still pick up a reasonably tidy 851 for around £2500, which is pretty good value for money. You can get restricted mileage classic bike cover too, which will all help reduce costs.
As to investment potential, I can sort of see where you are coming from, but I'm with rcgbob on this one. So far as my bike is concerned she's not worth tuppence..............cos I'll never sell her.