what is the best ducati forum?

[Rough Edge racing]

  There is no substitute for a Ducati, you accept the  required maintenance, do it your self or pay a shop....I mean guys ignore the flaws/quirks of Moto Guzzi because there is no substitute...

[oldbike54]

Appreciate the feedback Chuck, but... The Norge is up on the ST by 100+ lbs. ,and, having had a Stelvio, I just really don't like that motor. It sounds like a bucket of rocks and runs like crap out of the box. Guzzidiag etc. be damned (sorry Pete Roper et.al.). I just don't have the patience nor the aptitude for such, nor do I think it should be necessary.

 Some of you should reread this post from the OP . This is what some of us , including Chuckie,  were responding to . No one was bashing Ducati , but they are like  Guzzi in that they need some sorting .

 Dusty

[Perazzimx14]

Just curious , did you read what I actually wrote ?

 Dusty

Sure did and you are stating that Japanese bikes are less expensive to maintain than a Ducati because there are more people who maintain/work on them.

"There are more dealers and independent mechanics who are familiar with the Japanese brands than with Ducati"

[oldbike54]

Sure did and you are stating that Japanese bikes are less expensive to maintain than a Ducati because there are more people who maintain/work on them.

"There are more dealers and independent mechanics who are familiar with the Japanese brands than with Ducati"

 Are you disagreeing with that ? The OP wants a fiddle free motorbike , if I understand him . Hard to beat a Japanese product for fiddle free .

[Chuck in Indiana]

Are you disagreeing with that ? The OP wants a fiddle free motorbike , if I understand him . Hard to beat a Japanese product for fiddle free .

And... every time you take a bike to a Ducati dealership it's $400. Plus whatever might be wrong at $125 an hour. At least that's the way it is around here.
*Not* that there's anything wrong with that. You just have to be aware of what you are getting in to. Can you service that ST2 yourself? Absolutely, as long as you have access to the shim kit. How about that new Duck? No.

[Rough Edge racing]

And... every time you take a bike to a Ducati dealership it's $400. Plus whatever might be wrong at $125 an hour. At least that's the way it is around here.
*Not* that there's anything wrong with that. You just have to be aware of what you are getting in to. Can you service that ST2 yourself? Absolutely, as long as you have access to the shim kit. How about that new Duck? No.

  On the shim kits. The air cooled two valve kits are about 150 bucks....I checked the clearance on my 96 900 and it was good as is...And why can't a skilled hobbyist work on his new Ducati? Can't buy timing belts or shims if they are needed?

[Perazzimx14]

Are you disagreeing with that ? The OP wants a fiddle free motorbike , if I understand him . Hard to beat a Japanese product for fiddle free .

Yes I am. Just because there are more shops that service Japanese bikes doesn't mean they have a cheaper hourly rate or can do business for less money.


 

[Perazzimx14]

  On the shim kits. The air cooled two valve kits are about 150 bucks....I checked the clearance on my 96 900 and it was good as is...And why can't a skilled hobbyist work on his new Ducati? Can't buy timing belts or shims if they are needed?

Crazy valve shims are not exclusive to Ducati. Lots of other manufacturers use them. But the myth of high cost and only that only a few anointed mortals can work on them must perpetuate.

[leroysch]

Dawns that maybe I am the only WG'er who has seen your 916 Leroy . Got a pic to show these
guys ? Cool bike .

 Dusty

Not going to have to twist my arm to show her off Dusty...

[oldbike54]

 She is a beauty Leroy 

 Dusty

[LowRyter]

timeless design

[Air-Cooled]

I've owned four Ducatis and six Guzzis. The Ducatis required no more mechanical inclination than the Guzzis. And yes, the Ducati dealer network makes it less likely you will need to service the bike yourself.

[Nic in Western NYS]

Good points - the ST2s and early ST4/ST4s had a fairly aggressive seating position.  They needed bar risers and a better seat to be acceptable.  Did that to mine and it was fine.  ST3s and later ST4S, 2004+ have the ergos sorted but i think the seats are still junk.  i bought a Sargent ($450) for mine and it was great.

My 2004 ST4s seat is great. 
The sport touring forum is at http://www.ducati.ms/forums/40-sport-touring/

[Chuck in Indiana]

  On the shim kits. The air cooled two valve kits are about 150 bucks....I checked the clearance on my 96 900 and it was good as is...And why can't a skilled hobbyist work on his new Ducati? Can't buy timing belts or shims if they are needed?

I said you could work on the ST2. Your 96 is a walk in the park, too. The new ones? Electronic everything, including suspension. I'm willing to be corrected, but I'll bet Ducati diag won't do that stuff. <shrug>

[Perazzimx14]

I said you could work on the ST2. Your 96 is a walk in the park, too. The new ones? Electronic everything, including suspension. I'm willing to be corrected, but I'll bet Ducati diag won't do that stuff. <shrug>

Well this would be a valid point if Ducati was the only manufacturer that was producing motorcycles with "electronic everything" but they are not.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Well this would be a valid point if Ducati was the only manufacturer that was producing motorcycles with "electronic everything" but they are not.

True, but I won't have one of those either. 

[jpv7]

Not going to have to twist my arm to show her off Dusty...

Nice.  I had a '95 also...made no sense to ride it on the street.  I used it as a track bike for about 15 years.  On the track, with your knee down, the bike was in it's element.  No traction control, no abs, no slipper clutch...I swear I felt like Foggy every time.  The pic was just after putting her back to street trim before the sale.  Fastest bike sale ever - the calls just kept coming in...


upload and resize image site

[Chuck in Indiana]

The Kid sent me a listing yesterday..
2003 999
393 miles
$4500