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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Organdoner on April 26, 2005, 05:28:19 AM

Title: Ducati
Post by: Organdoner on April 26, 2005, 05:28:19 AM
I'm Thinking about buying a Ducati S2R for my weekend treks in to the hills, what are your thoughts on the Ducati?
Title: Ducati
Post by: 94suzuki500 on April 26, 2005, 05:36:04 AM
I have heard good things about those bikes, the s2r.  I havent had any experience with them but no valve float (desmo) and its a ducati, duals on one side, single sided swingarm.  Looks real good and I would imagine performs well too.  I would say go for it.  But the real bike to get would be a smart 1000.  So cool, lold school looks but a new bike.
Title: Ducati
Post by: scratch on April 26, 2005, 07:42:37 AM
Unless you're going to do your own valve adjustments, price how much valve adjustments are and how often, and multiply. Then price insurance and tires. If there is a Triumph dealer near you, do the same.
Title: Ducati
Post by: fettcols on April 26, 2005, 08:23:50 AM
I'm fond of the 800 supersport myself.. L twin, 77 hp, and just 8 grand..

Anybody looking for modded F?
Title: Ducati
Post by: Mk1inCali on April 26, 2005, 05:01:23 PM
Laura, member here bought an '05 S2R...She should chime in with more info...
Title: Ducati
Post by: poormanracing on April 26, 2005, 07:18:59 PM
i sat on those Duc s at a dealer...

...damn its so nice..

...that, an SV, or a CityX could be a 2nd bike  :mrgreen:

...yeah ive read Laura got one couple of months ago and she had good things to say about it
Title: Ducati
Post by: aplitz on April 26, 2005, 08:23:50 PM
Quote from: fettcolsI'm fond of the 800 supersport myself.. L twin, 77 hp, and just 8 grand..

Anybody looking for modded F?

My TL is a v-twin, 110 hp, just 7700, I think Ducs are cool; however, I never could justify their lack of economy and performance.
Title: Ducati
Post by: Jasco on April 26, 2005, 08:34:12 PM
I second the TL.  I picked up a '97 for about 3 grand with 10k miles on it.  Insurance, atleast for me, is cheap.  450 bucks full coverage on TL and liability on GS.  Total blast to ride.
Title: Ducati
Post by: EDub on April 27, 2005, 12:11:53 AM
I like the 749 dark myself :drool:
Title: Ducati
Post by: Organdoner on April 28, 2005, 02:28:46 AM
Yeah the valve jobs are going to kill me one at 600miles and every 6000 miles after that. I looked at an SV1000S today, and she does not need for 14500 miles, Any one know how thay handle?
Title: Ducati
Post by: fettcols on April 28, 2005, 07:13:51 AM
I have a friend at work with a tiller... I don't think they make them any more... do they?
Title: Ducati
Post by: Gleanerizer on April 28, 2005, 08:42:18 AM
Quote from: fettcolsI have a friend at work with a tiller... I don't think they make them any more... do they?
Nope.  All of Suzuki's 650 and 1000 V-twin sport engines (both DL's and SV's) are derived from the TL's powerplant, though.
Title: Ducati
Post by: Laura on April 28, 2005, 11:21:36 AM
I have an S2R and I LOVE it. :) It was between an S2R and an SV650. I liked the looks of the S2R, I liked the price of the SV650. They both have similar power. I couldn't even get a test ride on an SV650, but the Ducati dealer was happy to let me ride their 800 demo bike. The S2R is certainly more expensive, but it's not outragous. I don't know a lot about the SV650, but from what I read, the Ducati comes with better suspension (although still not much adjustment), better brakes, better rims, better tires, and a slipper clutch. I've read that the old Ducati clutches were heavy and very tiring in city traffic. Mine isn't heavy at all. The Ducati comes with a two year, unlimited mileage warranty. And in the looks department, I don't think there is any comparison. I got my 600 mile service done a couple weeks ago and it was only $180. Seemed reasonable to me. Granted, I didn't take it to a Ducati dealer. I've heard Ducati dealers sometimes charge $300 or more for the same service.

It's a fun bike to ride. I have to concentrate a little bit more to be smooth on it than I did on the GS. But I really like that it seems like I don't have to be that careful about what gear I am in or what the rpms are at in order to get good power. I feel a lot more stable on it at highway speeds than I did on the GS. So I'm actually riding a lot more than I have in the past. If you have any specific questions about them, I'd be happy to try to answer them.

Here are some pictures:
http://lulu.typepad.com/photos/bikes/

QuoteI like the 749 dark myself :drool:
I agree! Those bikes are hot!
Title: Ducati
Post by: cozy on April 28, 2005, 12:13:55 PM
Laura - nice score! Did the dealer come down from retail at all?   :cheers:
Title: Ducati
Post by: cernunos on April 28, 2005, 12:25:59 PM
Big plus for Ducati...air-cooled if I'm not mistaken. And they just have a certain panache about them. Love the little twin 500, Guyana (home of the infamous Georgetown debacle), and this forum.

C.......
Title: Ducati
Post by: Laura on April 28, 2005, 05:33:20 PM
Thanks! Cozy, yes the dealer did come down from MSRP a reasonable amount. I'm quite happy with it. The only thing that irked me a little bit about the transaction, is that I ordered it before they actually were released, and the press material said that the clutch and brake levers would be adjustable. They aren't. Someday I'll have adjustable levers put on.
Title: Ducati
Post by: pantablo on April 28, 2005, 05:39:57 PM
Quote from: OrgandonerYeah the valve jobs are going to kill me one at 600miles and every 6000 miles after that. I looked at an SV1000S today, and she does not need for 14500 miles, Any one know how thay handle?

you dont need valve jobs at those intervals, just check valves. Its possible that adjustment isnt necessary.
Title: Ducati
Post by: Organdoner on April 29, 2005, 12:27:06 AM
On the plus side the insurance is cheep $800 a year for Full coverage.