RC-51 ENVY

[JetSwing]

if you like nakid bikes, ducati monster is a fine upgrade. though you will have a find a good shop to take it to for maintenance. but you can find a used ones for pretty cheap.

[Jazzzzz]

I don't like the looks of Ducati's tube frames, they just aren't my thing.  They do sound great, though.  One of the profs in the agronomy department I used to work for had a 996, it sounded like sex on wheels.  He did have some problems with the valvetrain maintenance, though.

I'll stick to jap bikes, and maybe Buells (that's a big maybe) for now - I don't have the cash or the time to throw at an exotic.

[JetSwing]

I'll stick to jap bikes, and maybe Buells (that's a big maybe) for now - I don't have the cash or the time to throw at an exotic.

but you wouldn't mind throwing cash at junk (buell)?

[Lukewarm Wilson]

i'm sorry...i just got wrapped up in duc bashing. no, really. ducatis are fine italian machine.

its just a pity about most of the people that ride them not all of them just most of them. In Aust most of them are like harley riders arogant, unsocial and so up themselfs and the worst thing is spend $$$$$ and half of them can't ride for s**t give me Jap bikes and there riders anytime  

[sprint_9]

The SV is a great step up, it handles and has good power that is managable at all rpm's.  Liter bikes are fast in a straight line but stink at the corners, there just too big chassis wise.

[dynamic213]

yup. ducatis are bunch of pos. my friends yellow monster is just a big fat slow duck...

Well well, looks who's yapping... if it isn't our very own GS crash test rider Mr. Jetswing.  :lol:

Ducati Monster rocks!!! I've owned two Ducati's thus far: 01' M750, and now a 01' M900Sie. I've done some considerable road testing on both Italian machines, and they have been extremely reliable. Yeah occasionally they do need a so called "fancy" valve adjustment every 6k and 12k, but it's a lot more simple, and affordable compared to most maintenace work needed on those Jap inline-4's.

The whole myth about Ducati's being a rich man's bike is wad load of crap if you ask me... that is unless you own a 999R... now that's bling!  

Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.

[JetSwing]

yup. ducatis are bunch of pos. my friends yellow monster is just a big fat slow duck...

Well well, looks who's yapping... if it isn't our very own GS crash test rider Mr. Jetswing.  :lol:

Ducati Monster rocks!!! I've owned two Ducati's thus far: 01' M750, and now a 01' M900Sie. I've done some considerable road testing on both Italian machines, and they have been extremely reliable. Yeah occasionally they do need a so called "fancy" valve adjustment every 6k and 12k, but it's a lot more simple, and affordable compared to most maintenace work needed on those Jap inline-4's.

The whole myth about Ducati's being a rich man's bike is wad load of crap if you ask me... that is unless you own a 999R... now that's bling!  

Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.

ducati this ducati that...go back to where all the rich snobs hang out

what a noob...

[dynamic213]

We ducati peeps roam wherever we please.  :nana:

[Lukewarm Wilson]

Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.

Umm TLR1000, RC51, SV 650-1000, VTR1000, MTO1, Moto Guzzi's even some TRX850's all sound as good with aftermarket pipes just like the ducati's
Only thing they have going for them is they look good and do sound good otherwise the extra money spent is not worth it over a jap bike and at least I know with a jap bike if I dont ride it for 2-3 weeks it will start and not cost me  3 hours of charging or a new battery. (mind you I do have a soft spot for monsters but still wouldn't buy one) also check what a big end rebuild would cost, you will get a big and also a replacement computer for a 748 which are apparently a problem not sure if it was one model or all but my mates one took 5 weeks to source one it also stuffed out and he managed to get a modified one from some bloke that seem to fix it but after having to fork out 3grand on repairs for each thing that broke on his immaculate 748 with 11000 km on it that he owned for six months and got to ride it 5 times when it wasn't being worked on he decided to sell it.
 

[pantablo]

Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.

Umm TLR1000, RC51, SV 650-1000, VTR1000, MTO1, Moto Guzzi's even some TRX850's all sound as good with aftermarket pipes just like the ducati's
Only thing they have going for them is they look good and do sound good otherwise the extra money spent is not worth it over a jap bike...

that is a load of crap. The Tl1000 is probably the best sounding vtwin I've ever heard (when opened up with a/m pipes). Second is the RC51...theyre both beasts when opened up...the ducati's next. the sv650, with a yoshi full pipe sounds just like a monster, surprisingly.

having said that, there is nothing like an italian vtwin (so they say). the 749/999 definitely are better than the 'jap' bikes, as confirmed by loads of magazine tests. But, whether they are worth the extra cash is debatable, beyond the mystical qualities associated with ducati, also confirmed by same loads of magazine tests. Two recent ones come to mind actually, one testing a modded up rc51 compared to (a still more expensive) 999s. both did well. Another tested those two bikes, all stock, and included the Aprilia Mille R (not the Factory R). Same results, more money buys you better bike, but no one is convinced its necessarily worth it. Depends on whether you buy into the ducati mystique.

Either way, there hasnt been a liter vtwin at the track thats been able to keep up with my 600cc inline 4. :dunno:

[Lukewarm Wilson]

[

that is a load of crap.

Which bit?  

[Roadstergal]

V-twins sound great on the street, just burbling along.  When it comes to the track, though, the brawwwwrrrrrrr... at WOT just can't compare to the F1-like sound of an I-4 - Freeeeeeeeeeeeyyywwwwwwwww!!!!!

All IMO.  

Get a Moto Guzzi Breva.  Much easier to DIY the maintenance than a Duc.

[dynamic213]

Besides, no other bike I've heard can compare to that deep, Italian V-Twin growl.

Umm TLR1000, RC51, SV 650-1000, VTR1000, MTO1, Moto Guzzi's even some TRX850's all sound as good with aftermarket pipes just like the ducati's
Only thing they have going for them is they look good and do sound good otherwise the extra money spent is not worth it over a jap bike and at least I know with a jap bike if I dont ride it for 2-3 weeks it will start and not cost me  3 hours of charging or a new battery. (mind you I do have a soft spot for monsters but still wouldn't buy one) also check what a big end rebuild would cost, you will get a big and also a replacement computer for a 748 which are apparently a problem not sure if it was one model or all but my mates one took 5 weeks to source one it also stuffed out and he managed to get a modified one from some bloke that seem to fix it but after having to fork out 3grand on repairs for each thing that broke on his immaculate 748 with 11000 km on it that he owned for six months and got to ride it 5 times when it wasn't being worked on he decided to sell it.
 

Wow, sounds like someone has a case of Duc hate'n here.  :guns:  But then again this is a Jap rice site after all.

Every bike sounds different with different exhaust. It all boils down to personal prefference at the end, and for me, the answer is pretty obvious

In terms of battery life, I've left my Ducati un-ridden for well over a month when I was over seas. Came back, hit the ignition and she fired up right up. (Here's a tip mate, try a battery tenderizer... if you ever leave your bike unridden for a while, it's always a good idea to hook that puppy up. Batteries are meant to discharge electricity. Yes, that happens even when the bike is off... can you believe it?!?  So, I wouldn't blame it on "ducati's" for a natural event like that. That's like saying "I sneezed today and it was all God's fault").

Fortunately, I've never had to experience an engine rebuilt, nor do I see that happening anytime in the near future. But I am certain that it is an expensive job no matter what kind of bike you own since they all require the same amount of time and labor.  Let that be Jap, Korean, Chinese, Italian, German, British, Moon, Mars, Venus... well you get the point.    

I don't know where your buddy's been getting his repairs done on the 748, but it sure didn't sound like a place I'd be dumb enough to keep throwing gold coins at every other week. There are tones of independent shops that can work on exotic bike who are just as qualified as the certified dealers who are much cheaper. I have never taken my Ducati to an actual "Ducati dealer" for any kind of repair or maintenance. It's common sense to realize that the sole purpose of those "dealers" are to rip you off and tear you a new one every time you step your foot in the door.  

It sounds like you've had a few isolated events that have unfortunately scared you for life. I'm sure there are many Jap motorcycle owners who have encountered just as much problem as you and your friend have. After all, it's just a piece of machine, and they are meant to break down sooner or later.

I'm not saying I'm a rice hater, I love Jap bikes, but I was never able to afford one that I'd actually liked. Plus there are just wayyyy too many of them on the street.  :lol:

[pantablo]

When it comes to the track, though, the brawwwwrrrrrrr... at WOT just can't compare to the F1-like sound of an I-4 - Freeeeeeeeeeeeyyywwwwwwwww!!!!!

All IMO.  

mmmm, hell yeah.

[Lukewarm Wilson]

yeah all the above is true and true ducati fans will always point out that the electrical parts are jap so its not italys fault :lol:
and yes it probably is isolated instances but isolated to all the ducati's ive known personally but admittly thats only 4 duc's but 4 out of 4 is not a great average.
I do like the look and sound of ducati's they are a work of art  and i respect there linage and history so don't get me wrong I don't HATE them just very weary of them. No my biggest issue with them is there riders (see prevoius post) yourself excluded of course over here most are just so arrogant and care nothing for other riders or bikes as I was able to find out from the Victorian Ducati Owners group what a BOAH now I know not all Duc riders are cahns but 99% of the hundred or so were in this group this was even confirmed to me by a member of the NSW chapter who I work with.
No I don't hate ducati's just harleys :lol:    

[Maduro Mistress]

Pantablo I read that article too - I can't remember which mag it was in - I subscribe to about 6 of the damn things! I wanted an Aprilia RSVR for the longest time - I still do, but you can't get any of them. The boyfriend wants a 999, and I've sat on an RC-51 - very sexy, but very hot. I gave up, I'm just going to get a new R1

[rtcpenguin]

I've read that the RC51 sucks in terms of performance compared to all of its I4 competitors (1000RR, GSX-R1000, R1 etc, ZX-xR)

[Alphamazing]

I've read that the RC51 sucks in terms of performance compared to all of its I4 competitors (1000RR, GSX-R1000, R1 etc, ZX-xR)

It's a twin. The "performance" you're probably looking at is peak horsepower. What you're probably not looking at is the torque and power curve. The torque is much more useable on a twin than an I4, and they arrive sooner so that you don't have to rev it to the stratosphere. Twins are much more street ridable with more USEABLE power.

[pantablo]

I gave up, I'm just going to get a new R1

same here. I'd get the R1 over any of the vtwins, including the 999. that R1 is the sexiest bike on the earth. :mrgreen:

I've read that the RC51 sucks in terms of performance compared to all of its I4 competitors (1000RR, GSX-R1000, R1 etc, ZX-xR)

you'll see that at the track too. more useable power perhaps but heavier to turn and down on outright power. the I4's rule at the trackdays, but it has a great deal to do with the rider. There are guys running sv650's kicking ass over literbikes.

[wsmc27]

Either way, there hasnt been a liter vtwin at the track thats been able to keep up with my 600cc inline 4. :dunno:

Here, lemme post as an arrogant Ducati rider ( ) and say...

near stock 749's have been running 26's at Willow since last season...25's this year, and 999 (and my friend Jack Pfeifer on an Aprilia Factory) have run 23's and better.

mylaps.com can verify this

Your inline 600cc inline 4 hasn't gone quite that fast, has it?  :dunno:

:mrgreen: sorry, hafta keep the truth out there, you local socal guys should know better

Riding twins is great fun.