@Robarano exactly. My main concern is the fact that the bike has, from reading his reports, is that it has been ridden rain or shine and that maybe it maybe was not looked after as well as a real owner would have. The track days dont really worry me. Was the engine run in properly or with little care? that is more of a worry to be honest. Anyway, ill be going to see it again on Saturday. I will make a final decision then. If i see any problems, ill be asking for deposit back. Otherwise, will stick with it and probably p/x it in 2017 when the warranty runs out.
This looks like one guy has used it as a long term ride though, a bit different. How do you know anything about a 2nd hand bike if you have no knowledge of the previous owner? In this case we know a little. If the bike is right, I can't see the problem. It's all about the condition and price. If it's not right, find another. If it's a good bike, happy days.
I get a company car which is long term (6 months) and i don't look after it as if it was my own. My own stuff gets pampered as its my interest to do so come resale. Sometimes a little knowledge is worse than no knowledge. The OP must have doubts otherwise there wouldn't be thread. All im saying is that based upon my 13 years ish motortrade experience and things ive seen it wouldn't be the bike for me. Others may see it differently...
The bike is still under warranty so any issues should be fixed by Ducati at no expense and to be honest, how easy is it to thrash a 1299 on road or track unless you are Chaz Davies? No doubt the bike at J&L would make a better buy but its more expensive and a long way to travel. Buyer has a choice to make.
You seem to be playing Top Trumps and you seem to think your opinion counts for more..... I get a company car every 11 months amd treat it as if it were my own. I'd have no problems buying it at the end of my term. It makes no difference to me financially how I treat it during my tenure, but it's the way I like to do things. I treat my bikes in the same way, that is to say, very well. I don't however handle them with mink lined gloves as some on here seem to think we should. They are motorcyles ! Sometimes you can't win. If a bike has been used, it's scrap. If it lives in a atmospherically controlled bubble, it'll cause problems as it's not been used. I've got 25 years experience working for a motor manufacturer, mainly body and paint based. I see cars in various states of repair on a daily basis and they haven't even reached their 1st customer yet. I've also been to plants in Japan and Europe to benchmark and I defy anybody to tell me much about the manufacture of vehicles. Yes he has doubts, hence the post asking for advice. To discount the bike as it's been a long trm MCN bike is narrow minded if it's a good bike. My local dealer had HRH Prince William's old 1198 in a couple of years ago and even that had the odd mark on it. A scratch than can be repaired, one that can be polished out and bodywork that doesn't line up correctly, probably as a result of someone having it off to clean the bike. All very minor unless the bodywork doesn't like up for another reason. The price is good and if the bike is good, there's no problem. You lost me at "a little knowledge is worse then no knowledge" though.
The history of the bike is in black and white it has lots of write ups you know what it's been through A vehicle is usually reliable when it's been in use not just parked up its been run in for you They guy who had it seemed to fall in love with it and take good care of it Follow your instinct if it says no then follow it
I hope your not one of those who doesn't care who he parks next to and what he scratches if you treat your company car with no care
Do you not fancy a Tricolore? Yeah it's older and an 1199, but I love the colour scheme and a few years down the line should be worth more if the prices of the 1098 Tricolore are anything to go by. Tricolore Tricolore
Top trumps? I was merely stating on what basis it wouldn't be the bike for ME. You seem to be the one who thinks there is a correct/ wrong answer to the OP question. My opinion is as valid as the next person, no more so. Now go and read all my replies and read where on every occasion its clear its my "opinion". This opinion is because i know how cars can be treated . I'm not saying every single car, but im talking on a whole. An ex press car wouldnt be for me. Are you getting this yet? Now if you want to go buy one im not going to stop you , but ask me for a OPINION im going to give it to you and state why. Fair? If you are motor trade then i'm sure you have seen how things are treated in the trade and if you tell me that every demo/courtesy/rental/press car is treated wonderfully then you are either one of two things.... full of nonsense or you work for the manufacturer in a dream world. All my opinion of course
Oh and my reference to "knowledge". If he didn't know it was a ex ducati bike he may of purchased said bike and be happy with it. The fact he knows a small amount of history has made him question the decision.
Really appreciate everyone's opinions on this. I think that I will just have to wait until Saturday and have another proper look at the bike before making any final decisions.
@shyboy, you say the fairings are misaligned , that would do it for me, :walking::runner::walking::runner::runner::runner:
i went to look at a private sale 899 before i bought mine in July. It had 1k miles and described as mint etc. The bike was really nice in person however the nose cone was slightly out from underneath. Only when pressed the seller coughed that he had dropped it into the wall and had it fixed. Put me off striaght away. Some people it wouldnt, but it did me.
So assuming i go back on Saturday and all of the cosmetic problems have been sorted, you would still not be happy with the bike? Again, just asking. Im going to be 100% honest and admit that i don't always look after my bikes cosmetically. I.e i don't wash them as often as i should and if a drop it and scratch a cover, i would touch it up with a little Hammerite paint rather than change the whole case. However, mechanically, i look after them 100%. So, if the bike is back to as near top condition cosmetically, my only concern would be how well this guy looked after the bike mechanically. I know human nature and therefore well aware of the possibility that it was abused as its not his, but reading a little about him and some of the reports, i think he may well have looked after it ok(ish).
Personally I wouldn't be too bothered if it's got Ducati warranty left and they are tidying up the issues u mentioned, I recently lent my bike to a bike mag, as many do, and lent my own 250 to them and it came back fine and when chatting to the guy (I actually know him quite well) he was saying that the only time they get to 'rag' stuff is on press launches when it's on the manufacturers insurance, he said they just can't afford to crash a bike on their insurance these days. He also got a little touchy when I said it must be great to not need to care about them, he said that they treat every bike like their own because if they go back to manufacturers wrecked they don't get offered any the next year, it's that simple. I'm just relaying what he said to me, which btw was after he returned the bike so had no reason to lie.
His write ups are good and seem more mature than that of somebody who's simply ragged the bike about. If it's very cheap comparatively speaking to the next nearest 2nd hand bike then I'd buy it. If they can sort out the paintwork etc I don't see an issue
