Ducati Coventry JHP service my bike .Not the most expensive official ducati dealer but not the cheapest either.Then again you always have to pay for quality work. I don't bother with 12 month warranty servicing though.Just every 6000 miles or 2 yrs.I prefer to spend the money I save skipping the 12 month service getting work done not included in service schedule like cams out and checked, rockers checked and alternator nut torque checked.
yea but does that take into account real world prices of 916 v 999 (in the year which each came out) peoples disposable income at the time or that fact that folks were now more turned onto ducs on account of the 916 series or that the 916 line was no longer available new or that many many people have poor taste?
Agreed, If your looking to get the 848.1098.1198 series then i would suggest taking a 848 and a 1098 base model out for a run as you will most definitely enjoy the ride
Aaaaargh, another complication....! Now I need to check how far apart the prices are for 848 and 1098 base models from around 2008/9 Life is never easy....
Oh dear.I think that decision just got harder to make.Less in it than I thought depending on which you like after test ride.Id still test ride a 748 and 996 also.Mine is living proof they are reliable,dont fall apart when you put miles on em and don't cost the earth to look after either. DUCATI 848 | eBay Ducati 1098 | eBay
Thanks :-( I've definitely dismissed the whole 748/996 range but now the 1098 thing seems possibly attainable.... S*** This seems remarkably affordable but the lack of description makes me nervous: Ducati 1098 For Sale in Dublin : €6,700 - DoneDeal.co.uk Ducati 1098 Worth a call tomorrow though I guess...
I think that's pretty key too, putting miles on them is a good thing. Mine was much more reliable when I was running it regularly I only started to have rocker issues etc once it was sat for a months at a time
Ergo:don't buy a low mileage example that has spent most of its life not being ridden. I pretty sure that it takes 90sec for the oil to her to the valves/cam if it has been standing for a few weeks. I have found that things like seals (which need a floating layer of oil to seal, tend to get ripped when dry and leak earlier. They also have a tendency to go hard and inflexible. Tanks also rot and hole from condensation and oil degrades from emulsifying when water vapour enters through the exhaust, airbox and breathers. FE is right about getting a reduced price, but this may be negated if you have to get someone else to do the work for you. However, you will have the reassurance that you know the job has been done, and done well (in the case of you doing it yourself) and the problem may have occurred on a bike from a dealer. I have had 3 dukes, 2 of which had been off the road for over 3 years. The first, a 900 monster had something go wrong every week. My latest relationship has took 1 1/2yrs to iron out problems. I would advise you to negotiate Nichols locknuts to be fitted to the alternator, whatever you buy, and check the clutch nut too. Half my problems could have been avoided if I had stripped and rebuilt it ala FE's approach. My s2r I had in the middle, never faltered once. It had been warmed up on starting, and had the oil changed every 2-3000 miles. Good luck. You won't be disappointed. I will never get rid of mine and remember.....always ride with your hand covering the clutch. Ps wear earplugs so you can't hear any suspect noises.
Pps. Test drove a 899 then a 1199 at (I think) fowlers in Cardiff. They peeped the bikes for me and each had a full tank of fuel. They weren't bothered about time too much and didn't pressure me. When I get my 1199, it will be from them. Louigi moto is a stones throw away also, and he seems to be regarded very highly.
Well thanks to matt#corse bringing up the whole 1098 thing, on Monday morning I'm off to look at a 2007 1098S.... so much for that nice affordable '98ish 748 base model that I started off wanting :-( Apparently it's a two owner with 22,000 km's (Irish bike..). Full history, two keys and "code card" (what's that..?). I'm told it's in mint condition and totally standard apart from an EVR clutch (is that good..?) So, what should I be looking out for? Any specific issues that I need to be aware of and check for? Cheers!
EVR clutch could mean anything really, EVR are a great company so no problems with the product but you could just have a pressure plate which is very nice or a full on slipper clutch which is also very nice. Hope the bike is what your looking for eventually. Steve