I couldn't afford it at the time, but it has been my dream to own a Desmosedici ever since they came out. I have had a bit of a bust-up with my business partner this summer but the up-side is that I should come out of it with some cash ... and though ownership will be a stretch it is probably now or never so I am seriously thinking about a purchase I'd really appreciate some advice from those with experience as to which of these they think would be the best buy and why ... £45,000 - 25 miles on the clock - top yoke number 1195 - a Euro spec bike coming from the Lebanon. Offerred with a 2 year Ducati warranty which seems a bit odd - and on closer questioning turns out not to be available after all. £38,000 - less than 100 miles on the clock - a very late one (close to headstock number 1500) so any defects typically found on early numbers should not be present I would guess. This one is fitted with a tracker. £37,000 - 3,200 miles on the clock. A relatively early bike (top yoke number under 500) but I would have thought that any defects would have shown-up by now given the mileage. £32,000 - 4,500 miles on the clock. Seems like a big saving over number 3 above. Don't know what headstock number this one is (again have asked) but I would have thought that any defects would have shown-up by now given the mileage. All are in excellent condition, with FSH and completely standard (I'd be looking to make some recommended mods re exhaust, wheels etc.) Also any recommendations on the best insurers for a Desmosedici and any other recommended forums or other sources I should check out for more good quality advice on this bike? Cheers
Ducati insurance are about the only people you'll find that will insure a Sedici. Would prob avoid #3 'cos the early numbers did have issues with throttle bodies and springs. Oh and you will have to fit a tracker to get insured. I've got the race pipes which came with the bike fitted which are great, and you get better mileage and the cat doesn't cook yer leg. The GP7 exhaust system is expensive and hard to find now, though there is one for the team version on eBay at the moment for £5k. Desmo Dave on here is probably your font of knowledge as he has experience as an owner and as a dealer. #4 seems reasonable but find out if it comes with all the bits it should:- rear paddock stand, cover , battery charger, decal kit, race exhaust and Ecu (or road versions if race fitted) data logger kit, possibly owners plaque ( though would be in original owners name). Hugger is a good accessory not fitted as standard.
Number 2. Insured mine in France and paid 580 euros fully comp. i really don't think the insurer knew what it was. I had no 1479, no issues. Mega bike but not my favourite road bike also too expensive to track. Enjoy it. Greg
Number 2 and haggle on price. Reason would be late model and almost new at 100 mile. Just be nice to own an almost new one.
Throttle bodies and other fixes on mine were all done under warranty. Owning one is special, but it is just a bike and not a terribly practical one at that Dave, fuel range is a pain in the ass as is oil consumption.
Curious Roy how much oil you talking about? Wonder if more or less then panigale as that apparently also drinks oil.
Don't think for one minute the plate on the yokes indicates the build number, you may recall the first Desmo to be delivered as featured in MCN a very good friend of mine and his was number 126 from memory.
Thanks Roy. What number was yours? Which of the four above would you say is the best buy? Take a peek in my garage and you'll see that 'impractical bike' is my middle name - though this could be upping the stakes somewhat :wink:
Thanks Freak - I'll see if I can get build dates from the factory. Which of the four bikes would you reckon is the best buy?
Just learnt that number 1. above is headstock number 1195 but that the 2 year warranty offerred actually isn't available (no surprise there).
I'd probably go for 3 or 4 they've both done a few thousand miles, plaque number doesn't mean anything, I'd be more interested in servicing, where, and making sure that you get all of the accessories that came with the bike
Thanks Roy All of the bikes for sale have the supplied race kit fitted. There are loads of these things out there - two more have appeared on the UK market in the last few days - guess a lot of owners are getting out before they have to pay for servicing. I've been told by one dealer to budget £300 for minor services and £1000 for major services - I wonder how accurate that is?
I'd be tempted by 2 for the sake of the low mileage. The fuel range would be the biggest pain in the arse for me. My Baines Imola had the same range as stock and I got it modified to make it usable. Before then rides were a case of get to 50 miles and start looking for fuel, no fun at all. And that was a third of the cost of a D16!
VERY! Major service is around 20+ hours labour so you're into a grand before you've swapped any parts!! All UK bikes have to have a tracker to get insured so make sure they all have one, that's another 150 quid per year to factor in also.
My local dealer Parkinson's have one for sale Been there for ages so could be a deal to be had Parkinson Motorcycles - Motorcycle Dealer, Ducati Motorbikes, Suzuki Motorcycles, Colchester, Essex, Kent, Suffolk
