(04-14-2022, 04:53 AM)Gone in 60_imp Wrote: Ferret's comment reminds me of a conversation I had with a lady a while back. I was admiring a Ducati at a cars & coffee near my house. A lady walked up to it, and we chatted a bit. Turns out she was 72, had been riding for years. She said that she sensed she wouldn't be able to ride for very many more years, and wanted her last bike to be something really fun. Gotta admire that!

I asked her how she liked it. She bought it new, and had been riding it for six months. When I asked her about reliability, she said it was excellent. "So far, it's got a few thousand miles on it, and I've only had to replace the starter and a few other things."

(04-13-2022, 09:47 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Might be the best thing that ever happened to you (missing out on a Duc). My son has one. Ducati Monster 696. Bought brand new in 2009. He has 2 names for it (1) his " 50 mile bike" ... because he won't ride it more than 50 miles from home...round trip and (2) his "Italian Harley" because of the oil leaks and electrical problems.

I hear there are guys that consider Ducati's as reliable as Japanese bikes. My son isn't one of them. If he actually wants to go someplace he rides his Yamaha.

(04-13-2022, 09:38 PM)jimgl3_imp Wrote: anyone tried to buy a Ducati? good luck. it's the most ridiculous thing I think I've ever experienced. We should have some coming in, but don't know when, but we'll take a deposit. when it comes in you'll have 3 days to get here and purchase it or it goes to the next guy/gal. don't they know people work? I've already missed out on one because I couldn't get off work. I want to tell them to take the bike and stick it, but that would be shooting myself in the foot.

(04-14-2022, 10:34 PM)Django_imp Wrote: Back in 1983 as a student (electronic engineering) I had a Ducati 500 cc twin for 2-3 months.
I was in love and had to have it. Then I learned my lessions:
1. Other than the Japanese motorcycles, I had before, it did not start after a night outside..
2. Standing few days outside it developed rust at many places
3. At the first multiple day trip, at the second day the left piston went stuck, the piston rod broke and sliced up the cylinder wall.
(I discovered that after trailering it home and disassembling.)
Well, that was a total loss.
I have been cured since then.

(09-09-2022, 10:57 AM)m in sc_imp Wrote: local dealer in charlotte had plenty of stock a few weeks ago when i was there. Having had 3 750 monsters in my garage and my favorite, an 09 sport classic biposto, I -never- had reliability issues, also didnt find it hard to service myself, including belts or valve adjustments.

Only issue the sc had was a defective regulator, but i got a new one the 1st week i had it, was a known issue. had it 9 years, rode the snot out of it. sold it and havent really missed it...

but i do have a hankering for another carbureted 750 monster. None of the new stuff I looked at really appealed to me.

(09-09-2022, 07:48 AM)Henrik_imp Wrote: This may be an issue that is more specifically related to Ducati dealers in the US. I have not found there is any such problem here in Switzerland.

As for reliability, it is true that Ducati does have a long-standing reputation for being a problem. Honestly, I can't say that was my experience. I had a 2000 Ducatis ST2 which is probably the best bike I ever had. I rode it all year round, in sun, in rain, and even in the snow a couple of times. In winter, on salty roads, I would give it a wash a bit more often, but there was never any rust or oxidization. I had it for four years and rode absolutely everywhere, and every day. For me, it was the perfect touring bike, and commuter to go to work each day. Maybe I just got lucky.

On the other hand, the Honda Varadero that I had just before, and traded in for the Ducati, was one of the worst bikes I have had. After one winter it looked terrible with oxidized metal parts all over. The engine was replaced after three months, and I regularly had small nagging problems with it. For that one, I think I just got unlucky.

Last year I was looking at getting a Ducati Scrambler 1100, but in the end, preferred the Triumph Scrambler 1200. But I really did like the Ducati Scrambler, and the dealer was very good all through my tests and other discussions. Before that, I had also been looking very closely at the Ducati Super Sport, which again I found amazing.

I certainly would not hesitate to get another Ducati someday if the right bike for me comes out.