I'm the same, I'll keep the Ducatis I own, but don't hanker after a new one. If I did, I'd probably wait a couple of years and buy a low milage used one, it's worked for me in the past. My Streetfighter S is the only bike I've bought new, simply because it was heavily discounted at the time and a 3 year old one was only £1k cheaper. But there is some other nice stuff out there that I would happily cock my leg over. It no longer HAS to be a Ducati these days. And I'd be delighted if I see a 4.8% pay rise this year. But I'd bet my house that I won't.
Exactly right. As much as I liked my mts, it was obvious that big miles were going to bring expensive issues. Sold with 15k on the clock, while it was still saleable! Would have loved to have a full system exhaust fitted and a quality back shocker, if it had been Yamaha or Honda quality thats what would have happened. But sinking another £2.5k in to a bike that doesnt have longevity didnt seem the thing to do. Maybe the comparison to Ferrari and similar is about right. They just expect customers to have deeeep pockets. Next year will be interesting though as I know two people who will be on the new DVT....they both do decent miles. Lets see if there are any issues. One thing about forums is that you mostly hear about the problems, not the lack of problems. It wont be any help to values IMO, as they are always set for a drop. Just might make the replacement bike decision for my GS a little more difficult! (1290gt, another GS with qearshift pro...or another MTS?) Btw, bought my GS with 4k on it this time last year, now at 12.5k after two Scotland trips and one Pyrenees. Not a single issue and the finish is holding up way better than the Duke. S1r likewise was better quality all round. One thing that has started to piss me off though when changing bikes is bespoke luggage. Seems manufacturers have found another way to extract more money with every model change/improvement meaning new luggage. grrr.
Another way to look at the price is the technology that goes into bikes, rider aids etc. Quickshifters and traction everything is great but it's putting prices up. ABS used to be a luxury, scooters probably have it standard now. I understand reasons for price rises so it all depends on their sales model. How many do they want or need to sell. I'm sure most could have as much fun riding a drum braked old banger around a twisty hanging on for dear life thinking you're doing 100.
My 851 has no electric gizmos , my brain hands and feet gives me the riding pleasure I require,ok it's not putting out big hp figures but it's a fast road bike,and after a long ownership and doing my own maintainance it's now got more than 60 thousand kms on the clock and still looks great,give me the smiles per miles I want,to me that's good value!
@ evoarrow I think your right. More aids = taking more liberties to get the same kicks. My Fz1 of a few years back was an import, no ABS. That was interesting in the alps back when riding with others on abs equiped bikes. Go into a corner too hot on my bike and the back wheel would lift, the other abs fz1 on the trip defo scrubbed speed off in a smoother manner lol. Now, add in traction control and 100+bhp, just twist the throttle and let the electronics sort out your ham fisted inputs. a whole new era but at a cost. I dont think Im enjoying biking any more though because of the rider aids.
Al I see on rides out now are guys with big hp sports bikes all the gear and 2inch bands of unused rubber on the rear tyres!
There are definitely guys out there that can ride fast on the roads, I'm not one of them. But you gotta love a quickshifter. In terms of tech, its lovely. My commuter doesn't have it, so do I need it, probably not. Buyers are demanding race tech for the road and its costing.
Is the amount of used/unused rubber on the rear tyre a status symbol? If someone has a 1299 Panigale is there any guidance as to how they should ride their bike? If anyone wants to inspect the rear tyre on my 848 then they are welcome to as long as they don't tell me what to do.
Melted tyres, yep he's quick A group rider, 1 inch strip, not bad B group rider, 2 inch strip, C group, 3 inch strip, tiddler, city commuter. Official pub classifications for tyres
My strips are typically a mm or two. Just scuffing the edge of the tyre without running off. That's less a reflection of my modest abilities than an indication that my tyre choice matches my type of riding. I think many people choose tyres according to the bike's capabilities rather than their own and the style or type of riding they're actually doing. Anyone can enjoy a supersports bike on the road but there's no point putting on super-sticky track orientated rubber if you don't ride fast enough to get them up to temperature or make full use of the profile. You'll never really get the benefit of the quick turning because you'll have no confidence in the tyre and you'll end up with massive chicken strips and a flat centre. Fit a good grippy sports touring tyre that performs better at lower temperatures and has a less aggressive profile and you'll get better grip at real life speeds, you'll use much more of the tyres width, they'll resist squaring better and you'll probably end up going faster than you would have done with over-ambitious sporty tyres. That's why I like Metzeler M7RRs. They're fast road tyres, not track tyres and I ride on the road (I do my best with the fast bit). Ideal.
Wot he says!^^^^^ I don't frequent pubs much and never on a bike so don't know pub speak about tyres!(do people actually speak about tyres in a pub?) I just think as technology increases skill levels drop,abs,anti wheelie,slipper clutches,auto shifters,lean angle detectors?just to go to a pub? Then there's cars that not only tell you it's safe to park in a given space but actually do it for you!why? 250 2stroke for max satisfaction/enjoyment on a bike,kick start,skinny tyres,great brakes,200 bhp per litre, get a gear change wrong and you suffer(so don't get a gear change wrong) proper skilful experienced riders would make a fool of most modern riders on tech laden bikes on the right roads/track and have more fun/satisfaction doing it,IMO
I did my shift on a GSXR 600 without abs or traction control or any electronic aids. I loved it. I'm not a fast rider cause I don't have the confidence to approach a corner at speed on the road, whichever tyres I have on. I've got Pirelli diablo supercorsas on cause that's what came with the bike.
Just read this thread. Nearly all commodities are traded in USD so regardless of the EUR/GBP rate the costs will be rising for Ducati. Steel, alloy, chemicals will all be affected by the GBP & EUR fall against USD. Ducati have passed this on to the customer. Whether it's the only factor or not will remain to be seen by whether the other manufacturers rise their costs. Ducati are leaders in technology (e.g. the Fireblade and GSXR are only getting most of the rider aids this year that Ducati have had for years). It may however have been a bit early to go with that as USD is not looking to be as strong now that uncertainty exists following the Trump success.
can't make my mind up which new bike to get had over 40 bikes amongst 8 ducati and one ktm 1190 adv got to be honest the ktm was the best bike of the lot for doing everything so not sure id welcome a 4.8 % price hike for a ducati
KTM are giving away the lat of the 1190 Advs at the moment (nudging 10K now, down from 14) because they're being discontinued in favour of the platform build 1090 and 1290 adventure range for 2017. Not as many Adv Rs around and the roadsters and the silver/grey ones shift faster than the Orange ones. Get em while you can. I want one myself but can't afford it because work has tanked this autumn. Gutted..
Not sure if you can get interest free but they won't take trade-ins on discounted bikes. I tried... Well they will do a trade-in but you'd probably get more if you raffled it in the village hall. Cash only for the real deals I reckon..
I was thinking maybe Ducati will work to try and lower the PCP interest rates, say 4-5% instead of 8-9% to try and offset the impact... less cut for the finance company but hopefully the manafacturers still have the upper hand as it's their product people want, not the finance company Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wait til everyone sees the prices increase on Japanese bikes. The pound has lost 30% on the yen in a year. Most Japanese bikes at the NEC have 'price tbc' signs on them and when asked say nothing will be confirmed until January at the earliest. Anyone who thinks this has nothing to do with Brexit is living in their own little perfect world but there is nothing like a bit of self delusion.
