Ducati (ex) owners?

[Capo]

Rather than paint with a broad brush about who and what Ducati owners are (I own a '96 900 SS/SP,) I will give you specific feedback on the Mulitstrada based on riding both a 2010 and a 2015.

In my 'clubhouse' out near the base of the Angeles Crest, where I keep a Triumph Speed Triple for visits to the West Coast, I have a number of Aprilia and Ducati owners, all of whom are passionate motorcyclists. I have ridden a friend's 2010 Multi for over 150 miles up and over the Crest and into Acton and back through Wrightwood. It was a delight, and a well- sorted example of the breed. The owner has not had any significant issues with the bike, and has enjoyed multi- day travel all through California and the West. Is it a little lumpy under 3K RPM? Yeah, but easily manageable and not an issue. I'd own one tomorrow. It handles and rides beautifully, is comfortable, and wickedly fast on the top end...but tractable and mellow enough that you can ride it like an old man with no pressure. I think it looks fantastic.

I also demo'd a 2015 on the same roads, but for a shorter, 40 mile run. It was spectacular, a noticeably more tractable bottom end, and easily one of the more versatile and comfortable machines I've ever ridden. I'll likely replace my Tiger 800 with one further down the road.

Subjectively, running and repair costs may be more than an equivalent Japanese bike, having a good dealer is important, and if you're making the decision by spreadsheet rather than your heart, you likely won't choose the Italian.

[Cormanus]

Slightly off topic, it seems to me that people who own particular motorcycles often like to bash up owners of other brands. We see here, with a certain regularity, swipes at people who own Harley Davidsons and now we've had a swipe at Ducati owners. Why, I wonder? Is it a secret jealousy that manifests through criticism and mockery, or is something else going on?

If we have a forum member trained in psychiatry or psychology, I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Back on topic, I've a friend who has a Ducati Monster which he rides lots and loves. It's a sweet motorcycle.

[the Ferret]

for the record my post was not a swipe at Ducati's or their owners, rather an observation about how the use their bikes in my experience, and Papa Weeleys ownership experience just reiterated what I have observed.

[Papa Weeley_imp]

for the record my post was not a swipe at Ducati's or their owners, rather an observation about how the use their bikes in my experience, and Papa Weeleys ownership experience just reiterated what I have observed.

Fully understood, Mick, and not taken as anything but.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

Slightly off topic, it seems to me that people who own particular motorcycles often like to bash up owners of other brands. We see here, with a certain regularity, swipes at people who own Harley Davidsons and now we've had a swipe at Ducati owners. Why, I wonder? Is it a secret jealousy that manifests through criticism and mockery, or is something else going on?

If we have a forum member trained in psychiatry or psychology, I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Back on topic, I've a friend who has a Ducati Monster which he rides lots and loves. It's a sweet motorcycle.

I am sure we would all be committed straightaway.

[rboe]

We ride motorcycles. We don't need any more treatment beyond that.....

[Papa Weeley_imp]

Slightly off topic, it seems to me that people who own particular motorcycles often like to bash up owners of other brands. We see here, with a certain regularity, swipes at people who own Harley Davidsons and now we've had a swipe at Ducati owners. Why, I wonder? Is it a secret jealousy that manifests through criticism and mockery, or is something else going on?

If we have a forum member trained in psychiatry or psychology, I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Back on topic, I've a friend who has a Ducati Monster which he rides lots and loves. It's a sweet motorcycle.

Amen.
I've "enjoyed" more than my share of the Ducati comments over the years. The most amusing of them have been when I was riding another brand, and the hate-spewer had no idea I was a Ducati owner, too. The looks on their faces were usually priceless when I informed them of my other ride.
Regardless, I have to assume that there must be a halfway decent enough amount of verifiable evidence out there for all of the comments to be based on - from the posturing owners to the lack of dependability and high $$ repairs - even if it hasn't been my firsthand experience, myself. I've found in my now considerable years ( ) that most stereotypes truly do have their basis in at least limited fact.
However...generalizing, like stereotyping, is often criminally unfair. There's just no way 100% of any given faction will behave completely alike. Humans are just too different, and too individual for that to be true.
Maybe I'm just a lot more open-minded than many. A fellow motorcyclist to me is a fellow motorcyclist; I don't really care if you're riding a Yamaha R1, or a Sportster, or a Super Tenere. It doesn't matter. While I may seek out other like-minded owners to ride with, if it comes down to it, anything two-wheeled is fine with me. Now, I may think that a rider may be an A-hole, but I'm guessing that 99% of the time, that has way more to do with the individual than the brand of bike he's riding...
We're all in an odd little brotherhood out here. I just don't get the insults, finger-pointing, and fun-making.

[the Ferret]

I agree with you papa, it certainly isn t true of ALL members of a group, but propensities are easy to recognize. For example.. Sport bike riders ride more aggressively than cruiser riders. BMW riders put more miles on their bikes than Harley riders. Hondas are reliable and have good fit and finish. Buicks are driven by old people. There may be cases, there ARE cases, where each of those statements would be false, but generally speaking I would say they contain a modicrum of truth.

Believe me I have seen so much worse said about Japanese bikes and riders of Japanese bikes by Harley enthusiasts than I have ever seen the other way around. So it is not a one way street, and there is plenty of predjudice to go around. Lions hang with lions and they are not too fond of Cheetahs even though they are both big cats.

Not all pit bulls are mean and will bite you and not all labradors are loveable and will lick you instead, still given the choice of which breed I want around my children, by reputation, I would choose the lab. Long held reputations are usually earned.

[Papa Weeley_imp]

Hahaha - good points, all.

[Riko_imp]

A things is a verifiable fact so I can make a general conclusion everybody can agree on: Ducati's really start up a conversation
And you don't even have to see one up close and personal, a Honda forum will do