Hi all, a newbie here and here's my first post, so be gentle! I'm on the cusp of buying my first Ducati and want something a bit special to cherish rather than use as a daily hack or track day bike. As I'm in my late 40's and not having had a sports bike for quite a long time, this bike will have an easy life. I've half convinced myself that either a 996SPS or a 1098s Tricolore might be a good bet but I wondered how useable and rider freindly these two are? I don't want an over cammy bike that surges and hesitates in traffic, feels tempermental and delicate but I also don't want a mundane bike either. Thoughts? Thanks Mike
If you want an investment then the SPS, but if you want to use it and put miles on it then I'd go for the Tric. This really is a case of which super model would you like to sleep with
1098 will be far more refined, better around town, easier on the wrists plus easier to ride. The SPS by comparison will be terrible round town (although gearing changes will help no end) heavy on the wrists etc. if its for a sunny day and an investment it has to be the SPS
Thanks all, Looks like the SPS might be the one then. Do people think the 1098 Tricolore will drop further in value? 6 years since launch, they still command £10k.... I had feared that the Tric would be quite evil in its road manners and that I'd be intimidated by the power and the torque but this doesn't seem to be the case. The SPS has spades full of appeal as a real special classic but its downside is that it seems to be far more in need of constant upkeep. The Tricolore I suppose is the opposite of that and I like the idea of the more robust and refined Testrasetta engine. Thanks Mike
I might be looking to see if there is much difference in servicing costs? Especially if your going to ride it a bit.
Indeed, that is a factor and included in my concerns regarding maintenance etc but I'll only be using it for sunny Sunday rides and covering probbaly 2k miles a year maximum
Plenty of advice here, Advice needed in selecting the "right" Ducati - PistonHeads http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=1245309&mid=62790 http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=1244833&mid=62790
I'm biased as the 996SPS was the bike I always wanted and after having one for 4 years its about the last thing that will go and does it all for me. Though a 1098s Tricolore would be nice to share some garage space. You might find it harder to get a good SPS, but it will be worth it everytime you ride her.
If you are only doing low mileage I cant see the maintenance costs being that dissimilar really. Parts will be harder to fnd for SPS, well some will, although panels for a Tric are rocking horse rare
Yes, they do make such a perfect combination :smile: I've had my 916SPS for 14 years, during which time I've had 2 1098S Tricolore - 1 written off, the other stupidly sold and much mourned :frown: The Tricolore is smooth, civilised, handles and stops well and is comfortable for a Sportsbike (I'm 6'1"). The SPS is animal raw, handles and stops well (with P34 upgrade) and a pain in the...well everywhere, if you ride it too far, but it's a hoot in the twisties and on track. For me the SPS has character and is the keeper, the Tricolore was a nice bike and I wouldn't mind another one day, but only to compliment the SPS, not to replace it
Yip, I noticed too that that's the same OP... hence the referral to a more knowledgeable site. :smile:
I'm guessing you haven't ridden them both. You really should do so - they are quite different and a ride will make up your mind for you.
Nice garage Bianchi! yep, I do need to try both of them to make up my mind. a 996/8R would be perfect but there's none for sale and I think even if there was, themed be beyond my budget. If anyone has something interesting for sale, do get in touch. Do you think Tric prices are falling or have stablished?
SPS without a doubt, part of the appeal is the delicate maintenance and unconditional love that machines of this era command and equally deserve.
The tricolore isn't anything too special, it's a 1098S with a paint job and cans, the SPS has all the bling internals etc my guess is tricolore prices will drop to about 8k at some point and sit there, you can get S models for that now so as the years roll on I think they'll stabilize about there but that's my guess
1098 / 1198 represents far better value for money , a much better bike to ride and far more reliable . SPS is already over priced , and far more common than people think . In fact the 999R is well worth a look as they still feel very modern to ride and can be had for the price of a SPS . If you really want the Tamburini classic , then go for the vastly superior testastretta engined bikes . Remember that the last of the trellis framed super bikes are cheap at the moment but will be just as collectable one day .
