fwiw if its of any interest I bought a 998bip for just over 5k [very close to xmas ect buyers market], ive got it into workshop an stripped it down to get to know her see what I got, I recon ive got about 2k to put into it to make it a real nice one, that's me doing the work myself so just parts ect, if I was to pay ducati to do it it id be into big £££ then I have exhaust to find add on to the cost ! I missed 2 around the 8.5k mark because my insurance company were messing around which looking back I should've jus bought an then worried about insuring it my opinion, you get what you pay for, if it is genuinely a good one with the bits you want on it, an its what you want, pay for it if need be, prob work out cheaper in the long run than buying a cheaper one an having to bring it up to std just my opinion an experience so far, im by no means anything close to an expert on the subject
I've come to same conclusion. Looked at cheap 851 sp3, spoke with well respected independent specialist who said budget £2.5/3k to get mechanical sorted. Once you put time/headache/money against buying a sorted one it normally not worth it. Unless you enjoy the process, I just want to ride the bad boys.
To be honest i'm slightly torn between buying one of these and a mv f4 1078rr. I'd kill to get my old 749r back!
Not all of them are There seems to be a desire to push prices up to the point where they aren't useable.
I see the 998 +\- S as a completely different purchase to a 1198 +\- S and not comparable in costs. Obviously newer technology equals improvements there it goes without saying as a riding machine there is an improvement 916 through 999 to 1198. But that does not mean they are more desireable. The 998 is the last of the iconic shape and designer. The 1198 is the last of the trellis frame, but I doubt will ever be as iconic as the 916-998. People who know nothing about bikes recognise the 916 shape and even I owning a few of this shape, when I see another out and about or in a magazine feel the same internal excitement as when I step in my garage. Obviously I want a 999S/R and an 1198 also but for different reasons. They are all great bikes, but there are newer bikes I would use and abuse over my 996’s, 998’s. I know there is the point of view bikes are there to be used, but replacing them are getting harder so look after them. There are newer better replaceable bikes for abusing, or using as they should be. Finally I think if these bikes were your poster bikes as a kid (as they were for me) the love was before and beyond riding them which is just a bonus the way they make you feel in all ways.
It can be ok buying one that needs recommissioning. As long as the purchase price reflects the work needed then it's nice to know what's been done, and when and to what standard. My 748 bore about £2k of recommissioning, the MHR not far off double that. The finished jobs are not overpriced bikes. So I understand what you're saying but as long as you are clear about the cost of things and you have a sensible deal and a realistic (pessimistic) view of the value of the end machine then it can be a savvy way to end up with something sorted. Ducatis are not as cheap to keep fed and watered as they are to buy though, and I think that's where it's easy to get tripped up.
Totally agree and anyone holding on to a nice 998R or even a 998S should PM me immediately for a quick and painless cash purchase. NO Yellow ones....
Recommissioning can be good way of having fun with a bike that isn't too precious or going to town and making a few pennies. I know of a 996SPS and a 998R that were bought and had my mate who is a ducati specialist go to town detailing them etc and put a couple of £1000 in doing it and both were sold for a big profit, i.e. the 998R, I think cost about about 16k and sold for 30k, and a lesser extent the 996SPS. Back to my previous point, I think I am a bit weird though my head ( bank balance ) and heart work in peculiar ways, as I don't care about the value so much as the bike itself. So I didn't care taking my brand new tuono factory around a track when it was 1 month old with 1000 miles and as it was easily replaceable, but wouldn't taken my 998S as I would be scared of dropping it as it too precious to me regardless of the value, it took me ages to find a decent one, and because I would be tip toeing around I would probably drop it, so won't take it on a track. But I know that is ridiculous as it was designed to be ridden on track.
https://www.ducati.ms/forums/56-sup...ngine-748-916-996-998-1098-r-1198-engine.html Have a quick read up about it.
The bike looks well but i’d Be surprised if a 998S Biposto sold for that. Might be worth it if it were a genuine mono.