Someone once said to me that Ducati's are like Supermodels, amazing to look at, a great ride but you just know they are going to cause you grief! But you still would wouldn't you!!! Love both MTSs I,ve owned although both have given me grief one way for another, now... Where's the supermodel to test the theory
With reference to breaking down on Euro trips this is my experience, luckily always someone else in the group; 2008 trip, 4 jap bikes, zxr636 breaks down, turned out to be camshaft position sensor, bike left in France for a fortnight 2009 trip 6 japs, 1 Triumph, 3 BMW. VFR has regulator/rectifier issues. 2 BMWs have brake problems. 2010 trip. Same bikes. VFR 800 has over heating problems. VFR 800 number two has reg/rectifier issues. 2011 9 japs, 1 BMW. Tired battery on a Yamaha, brakes on a BMW. 2013 1 Multistrada, 2 Suzuki, 1 BMW, 1 Yamaha. Yamaha has issues, but down to modifications not Yam build quality. 2014 1 Multistrada 1 Kawasaki, 1 Yamaha, 1 Aprilia. Kawasaki wheel bearing collapses (low miles bike) So the least reliable bikes were Honda, then Kawasaki/BMW .
Bikes are cr@p! You buy one then have to send a fortune getting it fueled, sprung and new stainless fasteners, then hopefully if it does go badly wrong, it'll happen inside the compressed warranty period.
Nothing is perfect. that doesnt help though when its your bike that goes bang. The key to all of this is how well the dealer and manufacturer look after you. granted, I wouldnt be best pleased if my bike gave up on the first day of a 10 day trip (mates KTM SMT), but so far, in most cases, when I've had issues they have been dealt with well. Its really odd that people seem to buy BMW and Honda because of their perceived reliability, but neither seem to be any better when given the same treatment. The only bike I've never had an issue with has been my R1. The cost of parts to rebuild the engine seems crazy. It was when they replaced the heads / barrels / pistons etc on mine a couple of years back (~£5k). The thing is though, this is the retail price of parts, which ultimately (or at least hopefully) Ducati pick the bill up for (or the warranty company). Legally they have to keep parts for a period of time, cant remember if its 7 or 10 years now. There is no requirement to keep whole engines though. Bradders, I have been looking at the Scrambler too. Think I might go for a Trumpet instead though, as they look more retro with similar performance. We shall see, once there is a demo available to ride
Funny you should say that. Irish trip 11 bike including my Multistrada (the only one 2 up) Triumph ST sprint Battery went flat waiting for the ferry, had problems with it for the full week. Mountains and lakes tour of Europe 9 bikes and my Multi (the only one 2 up again) a different Triumph ST sprint over heated up the stelvio pass, after that wouldn't start, my battery was the only one in the group that would turn it over turned out his fans had burnt out his alternator, new one fitted 2 days missed off his trip.
I think your slightly missing the point, of those list of bikes with problems, which one is the most expensive ?
Nope...they are just ridden much more than any other Ducati. This includes my own, 2002 998s with just 12k miles..46k miles on MTS1200... Need I say more. The owners tend to me moaning old gits (like me) and we all love our Multi's so much we want them perfect.
Early K1200's had a combined abs and servo brake unit. Basically a £1500 brick that you can't fix when it goes wrong, and they all will eventualy. I was fortunate to have a 2008 bike where they got rid of the servo brakes, mate of mine was not do lucky, he has still got the bike though, loves his BMW.
I think all the of manufacturers have something worth looking at now, most of which puts Ducati's pricing to shame. This was my first foray into the brand, but what's clear is that the premium buys you nothing over what others offer.
