Hi all. I'm considering swapping my 2010S Touring for a 2013 model but am finding the extra cash needed a bit of a stretch (dealers offering £7500 to £8000 px for mine). So I'm wondering if an ABS model would do just fine? I want panniers and heated grips, but that doesn't seem to be a huge problem. I only ride solo and hardly ever fiddle with the suspension settings on my S model and just wondered if anyone had ridden both and had any thoughts re the missing Skyhook system? I'm hoping to keep the next one a few years so also thought there'd be less to go wrong long term. Any thoughts appreciated.
Spend a couple of hundred with K-Tech or someone like that to get the suspension properly set up to your weight etc., and you probably would never notice the difference.
Hi mate. That's exactly what I did. Firstly, the engine is very different to yours. Very smooth now and the riding modes are even more individual. In sport it really does pull your arms off and you have to be on your guard. The standard suspension is great. I then spent £30 on a professional set up by Alpha. Lights now work a treat as well. They didn't make it a different bike but improved various bits and bobs, mainly the twin spark engine. Genuinely happy at my decision not to go for Skyhook over standard. That's not to say it's not worth it, just that the standard is very good as it is and I was also very concerned about possible problems with the Ohlins after the warranty expired. Good luck with your decision.
I don't know, the difference in the suspension between the modes is something I use all the time. Specially going from urban to touring. Personally I would try and sell second hand, you will get more money for it and then you can look.
If you have to go trade in, and depending on miles, that is a sensible price. The standard suspension works great. If your only going from solo to +luggage then you should be able to wind the preload to a sensible compromise. A friend of mine has a non abs 2010 bike and his does just as well as my S Touring. The twin spark engine is a good step forward, and if you really cant afford the extra for an S Touring, the ABS is a good choice to get a new one in warranty. Ducati were offering free panniers before christmas, you might still get that deal. Centre stand is an easy bolt on if you need it. Adding heated grips is a bit more of an effort as its a tank off job to plug the connectors in, but still not a major issue.
Thanks for the replies. I didn't really want the hassle, but I might put it on eBay at a sensible price and see what happens. Dealers seem to want to make a good £2k on the trade-in, on top of the profit on the new one. Such is life. I'm guessing if I could get either a new or nearly new ABS with panniers and heated grips, I probably would be happy with the suspension once it's set up for me. Useful advice, thanks.
No problems on the suspension on my 2012 ABS, I carry a pillion too, just crank up the pre-load a little.
I don't think Ducati use them as demo bikes and i suspect owners are very happy with them so have no desire to trade in.
I think you're dead right. I guess if you're thinking of a new bike every couple of years so you're always in warranty, the huge mass of electronics to go wrong won't be such an issue, but if you're thinking of say a 4 or 5 year plus ownership, it just might be.
Hookey, I disagree regarding electronics. If i'm thinking of keeping a bike for a longer time I can justify spending more for a higher spec (more complex) for two reasons: its depreciation is spread out over longer, and I need to be happy with it for the duration. Many of the issues were highlighted in the first year the bike was out. Sure any bike can go wrong out of warranty, but thats a decision on wether to keep it that long, not which variant to go for when buying new. Nothing on the suspension is particularly a big bill. A rear TTX shock rebuild is ~£160. Its similar money for a pair of forks. No idea of the cost to replace the actuators, as I don't know anyone except maybe aircontechnical that has had to do so. If the suspension ecu goes wrong, fit the Ohlins one for £250. I bought an S Touring in 2010 with every intention of it being a keeper, or at least 6 years anyway. It would have been too if I wasn't offered a cracking deal on a new unreg'd 2012 touring. Personally I would have the S every time, but if your on a budget mate you need to cut your cloth accordingly :wink: Only you can decide how important having a new bike in warranty vs an older higher spec bike is to you. i would suggest there are fewer base model bikes because they sold fewer. These were also probably to people on a limited budget, which means they are likely to hang on to them for longer because they cant afford to, or dont see the need to change.
I bought the ABS for none of those reasons. I test rode both the touring and and ABS back to back before buying and had the cash for either. I honestly could not tell any difference between the two for one up riding, which is where the bulk of mine is done. I thought the standard suspenders were so good that it made my decision a fairly simple one for me. The panniers were a promo from Ducati and I negotiated in a centre stand, heated grips, tank pads and the first service for nothing. I have since had the skyhook as a loaner a couple of times whilst mine has been in for service or had some work done, and I still cant notice any difference. No doubt two up may be different, but for one plus luggage the ABS is superb. The money I saved is funding my trip to south east Europe and back this year
Psy read what I wrote the first time mate, I agree its a great bike. Undoubtedly though some will have bought the non S model because of the price difference. hope you enjoy your trip
Sorry I missed your earlier post John. The the ABS does get overshadowed by skyhook (due to marketing) and is seen as a cost compromise. Whilst it may be for some, with the right deal it can be a lot of bike for the money. Either of the models are brilliant and wont disappoint. just thought I would add some rationale from the ABS camp. :wink:
All fair points and I guess individuals have their own reasons for their choices, but I can't help but agree that the ABS model would probably be more than good enough for your average solo rider. Especially if you're not in the habit of adjusting the rider modes anyway. And it could free up some cash for other goodies if you've not got a bottomless pit of it. Again, on a practical level I can have a choice of a few 2013 S models for around £13000 to £13500 (dealer) or a brand new ABS since they're very thin on the ground nearly new. Whatcha think? Think I've all but sold my 2010 S, which is nice..
