You haven’t read the thread (and I don’t blame you). I’ve already bought one with about half the mileage and I paid around £10,800, including a fresh Ducati service, new tyres (I went for Rosso Corsa in the end) and new belts. That’s a lovely bike you have though and well priced. GLWTS. As an update to the thread, I found that Ducabike sell a reverse shift lever so I’ve got that ready to be fitted.
Not yet unfortunately as there has been a little issue around the 'import' from one EU country in the single market to another EU country in the single market. Apparently they want VAT as they treat it like a new vehicle due to the low mileage. It doesn't seem to matter that VAT has already been paid when it was new or that it's 16 years old and really not new... This issue should be resolved shortly. With a bit of luck I should be able to ride it today or over the weekend. Sitting on the bike reminds me of the old 400s, RGV, allowing for my probably fragile recollection from all those years ago, insofar as it feels quite tiny, it's much lower than my SP2 (I can easily flat foot the bike) and you feel like you are on top of the front wheel. If the suspension's ok after all these years then it should be a lot of fun.
First ride today. Only a short one but it’s really fun to ride. It feels small and nimble, lots of communication but quite a plush ride. A longer ride is planned for tomorrow.
200km today. My legs are rather sore, which wasn’t the case after 3 days on track with my Panigale. Parked up at a restaurant and noticed the red brake light cover sitting on top of the rear fender… No idea how it didn’t end up in the road. What glue should be used to put it back on cleanly?
Fitted reverse shift and the original open clutch cover. Lovely! I love this bike. I wouldn’t mind changing the wheels and improving the brakes though.
Noticed a strange noise on a ride yesterday, then I realised I’d fitted the open clutch cover… There is, however, a strange rattle from the aluminium chain guard - not sure if it’s touching the chain, frame or rear shock, which it seems very close to. Maybe something has come loose, which would be unusual on a Ducati… The rear does feel a bit loose - maybe it needs adjusting (Ohlins shock) but my only point of comparison is my Panigale SP2, so I’m not really sure what to expect from it.
I glued it and it seems secure, but your comment made me laugh as I remembered that I had also put some duct tape on it so discretely that I’d forgotten it was still on there. I’d like to get it feeling a bit more planted and I do suffer from some paranoia about using tubed tyres (plus the spokes make it such a pain in the backside to check tyre pressure), but on the whole I’m loving the bike and I’m really glad I went for it. It’s got a light and nimble feel to it and looks and sounds gorgeous. On a ride yesterday I went through a village and a young boy indicated to rev the bike and got very happy and excited - in the next village a little girl heard the bike coming, put her hands over her ears and burst into tears.
Here you go, get spending…. https://www.king-wheels.com/shop/alpina/ducati/ducati-paul-smart-aluminium-alpina/
Not too bad, although I'd be tempted to go with something more modern to upgrade the brakes at the same time (and maybe forks). I can get by reasonably happily with stock but the brakes certainly took me back in time. They do stop the bike though - just a bit more effort required.
Found out why the chain guard was rattling - a bolt has backed itself out (hard to believe on a Ducati). Fortunately it’s not fallen out. I’ll need a bulk order of Loctite for my bikes…
