http://www.bikeland.org/story.php?storyID=30661

So dealer service should run about $100 every 1000 miles? Assuming that the average Ducati owner does not put 15K miles on his bike in 5 years, that is short money. Always thought they were out of my league. I think that I know what brand my next bike is........

Of course, this does not apply if you have a $72K Ducati Desmosedici......lol

Any idea though what a number would be for any sport bikes from the big four jap crowd???  I'd like to see a comparison of dealership costs.

Wait for it.......

Wait for it........






















































Ok Terry tell us how great Ducati is...

Quote from: bombadillo on May 20, 2008, 03:07:26 PM
Any idea though what a number would be for any sport bikes from the big four jap crowd???  I'd like to see a comparison of dealership costs.

I work @ a "Big 4" dealer  Service prices are going to depend on the Hourly rate and the hours required to preform the maintenance. For example:  I know that some bikes we do an oil change on its like $24 or so, others can be close to $100 due to the need to remove fairings or other crap. I can deff see where certain bikes cost alot more to work on/maintain  than others. Even simple KTM parts are EXPENSIVE... KTM has some of the most expensive OEM replacement parts in the industry 

Quote from: scottpA_GS on May 20, 2008, 03:48:01 PM

Quote from: bombadillo on May 20, 2008, 03:07:26 PM
Any idea though what a number would be for any sport bikes from the big four jap crowd???  I'd like to see a comparison of dealership costs.

I work @ a "Big 4" dealer  Service prices are going to depend on the Hourly rate and the hours required to preform the maintenance. For example:  I know that some bikes we do an oil change on its like $24 or so, others can be close to $100 due to the need to remove fairings or other crap. I can deff see where certain bikes cost alot more to work on/maintain  than others. Even simple KTM parts are EXPENSIVE... KTM has some of the most expensive OEM replacement parts in the industry 

What does a 600 mile service run on a GS500F? I see some similarities between that and the 1098. For instance, they are both twins.....

Initial services on the testretta engine bikes are insane and there are only a handful of qualified techs on the d16rr and 1098r. The 2v engines aren't bad at all to service yourself. Just get a good manual and be ready to relearn valve check procedures. Even at a dealer, valve and belt check should only run 4 hours of labor for a 2v. I'm in charleston right now, so I'll write more when I'm at my laptop later tonight. Wreckhog, feel free to Pm me with any dickie related Qs, I'm happy to help introduce someone to the Italian side of riding.


I think I'm gonna pick up a mid 90s m900 to add to my stable later this year, I've toted with trading in on a newer one but ive bonded with 750ss too much.           Yeah, an m900 with the 944 HC kit would look killer next to the 750ss.

Well in that case maybe I should consider the three I've been drooling over.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/687240829.html

And this S4RS





This is the most realistic of all though

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/660027748.html

Bucks: the S4RS is a testeretta engine and thus any maintenance at a dealer is going to be insane, think $7-800 labor fees every 6k miles.  The testeretta engines are also much more 'delicate' than the 2v engines.  That M900 is going to as bullet proof as Ducks get.  If you can do valves on a GS you can do valves on a 2V Duc, it's a little more time intensive and definitely different but really no harder. It is pretty rare for a valve to need adjustment. Opening shims are a cinch, it's as simple as flicking a cam stay open and sliding the opener off to replace the shim.  Closing shims are a little more in depth and require some attention to detail so you don't drop a valve into the cylinder.  Timing belts are a cinch and there are many 'cheats' for correct tension on the belts.   

I wouldn't suggest the S4RS really, unless you're gonna keep another bike for daily use and just ride it occasionally.  We won't even go into the fact that it can put around 140rwhp down without a problem.

Yeah, the more I think about it the more I think I'm gonna keep an eye out for a good project M900.  I smile every single time I walk into the garage, I wonder if the smile will be twice as big then? 

Honestly, anyone that's debating about a 2v Duckie and has a decent amount of mechanical ability should just go for it in my opinion.  Just remember, 2 valve, doesn't matter if it's an ST, an HM and SS or a Monster, the engine is basically the same and overall not that big of a pain to work on.

aye, ive worked on many ducs, some a pita, some as terry said, not so bad

Bucks: that M900, f%$k that.  You can find em under 4k all day long, she even admits she wants more than blue book.  Unless it has carbon Termi's and a 944 HC kit, you can find a better deal.  As far as that 916 goes, it sounds to me that someone got in over their head and didn't realize the extent of maintenance required on a Testy engine, I would expect it has had very little of it's prescribed service and with that engine probably needs new rockers already if its been neglected.  Just the vibe I get.  Also, I don't think the color scheme was offered for the 916 so I would bet it's been down.  The only positive thing I'll say is it appears to have aftermarket Marchesini rims.

that last bike has Buddha Loves You written all over it plus it is too much money.

well so does terrys    , sorry terry i couldnt resist 

Quote from: spcterry on May 20, 2008, 09:38:26 PM
Bucks: the S4RS is a testeretta engine and thus any maintenance at a dealer is going to be insane, think $7-800 labor fees every 6k miles.

Throw that on top of the $12,500 the guy's asking, and you gotta be pretty well off to ride that.

Looks like all my duck googling was for naught. 

12,500 is pretty good for an S4RS depending on mileage, etc.  You have to remember that it is a race bred bike, Brembo Radials, marchesini rims, 998 superbike engine and stunning looks.

Quote from: spcterry on May 21, 2008, 07:36:28 AM
12,500 is pretty good for an S4RS depending on mileage, etc.  You have to remember that it is a race bred bike, Brembo Radials, marchesini rims, 998 superbike engine and stunning looks.

That's what attracted me to that bike, all the bling top of the line parts.

I doubt I'll be looking for a new bike anytime soon though, gotta pay for school.

if they made a gs only bigger.  A nice 75-90 hp parallel twin in the 750 cc ballpark.  Even a vtwin would work but then you'd have an sv.  I like the air cooled factor of the GS but want some more oomph.

75 is easy to squeeze out of a Duc 750ss.........new pistons,a  full exhaust and an ECU map will do that.  90, not so much, though there is a guy over on Ducati.ms that turbo'ed a mid 90's SS and is getting crazy hp out of it.

Oh man special terry really is getting abit special over these Ducks. Its a Duck for godsake, constructed from scafolding (by a scafolder no doubt due to some stupidly designed frames), painted red with the equivelant of a nike badge on the front. Still got two wheels a tank and an engine. There are much better top of the range bikes than settling for an older duck for some sort of 'prestige' it may hold. Its not like your riding two hot italian women, then it would be worth the money.

  

Terry:  Kasumi: 

Quote from: Kasumi on May 21, 2008, 03:54:50 PM
Oh man special terry really is getting abit special over these Ducks. Its a Duck for godsake, constructed from scafolding (by a scafolder no doubt due to some stupidly designed frames), painted red with the equivelant of a nike badge on the front. Still got two wheels a tank and an engine. There are much better top of the range bikes than settling for an older duck for some sort of 'prestige' it may hold. Its not like your riding two hot italian women, then it would be worth the money.

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