09-09-2022, 07:48 AM
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.
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.