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For those who jumped on the Italian band wagon

D

DeOz

New member
Joined
Sep 4, 2004
Location
Fremont, CA
Moto(s)
ZX6r, 848 Evo Corse SE
First off let me say I apologize as this will probably be a random stream of conscious post as its hard to put down in words what's in my head so bare with me.

I have only owned and ridden Japanese sport bikes, but lately the Italian bug (Ducati) has taken a hold on me. When the 848 came out I thought it was a pretty sweet machine but never had any serious thoughts about it. But lately one of my co workers who has loved my current Kawi since the first day I rode her to work has been bugging me to buy it. This has spawned the thought process of "what if". The more my mind has chewed on the situation the more I have been thinking the only bike on the market that truly interests me is the 848.

So for the people out there like me that have been strong Japanese sport bike enthusiasts and decided to make the leap did you regret it? Did you decide to sell it after "x" months and get another Japanese bike?

I know the new 848 is using different technology/materials making the service and valve adjustment intervals less frequent compared to the days of old but are you guys still having to play with them all the time? Has your new bike been unreliable? I consider myself pretty mechanically/fabrication inclined so the work does not scare me, but I don't want the wrench to ride ratio to be two skewed, hehe.

So again for those who make the change what differences did you see (besides less money in your bank account due to the price difference haha)?

Thanks for your time :ride

- Dana
 
Read the latest Cycle World, if your eyes can handle it, they do head to head comparo of the 848 and Triumph 675. The Triumph kicked the 848's ass, and you save over $4K. Then the Kawasaki kicked the Honda rr, the Triumph, and of course the Ducati (last amoungst the four) where it counts. Keep the kwak or upgrade to the new one, you're not getting anything more in performance by buying the Duck. But if you want it, then buy it.
 
ducati's are a super pain in the ass to work on.
I would rather have an Ape than a duc.
you have been warned
 
Made the leap from japanese to British and I touch myself just thinking about it.

I just wanted something a bit different so I did a bunch of research as to what's out there. I'm not exaggerating when I say I got maybe 100 yards out of the dealership parking lot on a test ride (Tiger) when I knew this was the one for me. I didn't over think it, I didn't compare specs to other bikes, I didn't whip out a micrometer and measure shit I just went with the overwhelming feeling that it felt so right for me.
 
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Ant said:
Made the leap from japanese to British and I touch myself just thinking about it.

I just wanted something a bit different so I did a bunch of research as to what's out there. I'm not exaggerating when I say I got maybe 100 yards out of the dealership parking lot on a test ride (Tiger) when I knew this was the one for me.
Click to expand...

italian:
isabelifontanaqf8.jpg


british:
54_girl_280x390_552397a.jpg


:twofinger
 
Just get the bike that speaks to your heart and soul. Don't worry about what the latest contest winner is.
 
VaderSS said:
Just get the bike that speaks to your heart and soul. Don't worry about what the latest contest winner is.
Click to expand...

Yep I hear you on that. I am less concerned with who is the recent winner in the magazine war, I was just hoping to get some real world experience from people that made the change. The pretty girl pictures are nice but not quite what I was looking for.

Mille Racer 69: What was particularly hard about working on a Ducati? What model did you own that you had problems with? I would be interested to hear the details could you shoot me a PM?

-Dana
 
VaderSS said:
Just get the bike that speaks to your heart and soul. Don't worry about what the latest contest winner is.
Click to expand...

I think there should be a good balance of heart, logic, wallet to make this decision. I am in the same boat (salivating for a Duc) and am going to evaluate the decision long and hard. Contrary to Vader, I think that contest winners help steer you in a certain way, not based on lap times so much as charecteristics you are looking for. Typically contest winners have the best power deliver, rideablility, and feel. But it definitely is only one ingredient you should consider in your recipe for the decision. Good luck. Keep us posted on your decision.
 
I know the new 848 is using different technology/materials making the service and valve adjustment intervals less frequent compared to the days of old but are you guys still having to play with them all the time?
Click to expand...

What makes Ducati's more maintenance intensive is that they use the Desmo valve train (no springs) and timing belts.

The desmo valvetrain needs more frequent checks and the timing belt needs to be replaced every 12K or so.
 
TTTom said:
Sometimes BARF is like listening to virgins brag about their sexual conquests.
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powned once again.

Mille' Chick can't even service his freaking chain (maybe it's got something to do with the ratio).
 
After owning a dozen Japanese bikes I wanted something different and bought a Ducati Monster. After I wrecked it six years later I had planned to keep an open mind and consider all bikes for the replacement. But I found that there weren't any Japanese bikes that truly interested me. After briefly considering a Triumph I realized that I had to have an Italian bike. I might have bought a Moto Guzzi V11 if someone hadn't snapped it up before I could get there, so I ended up buying another Ducati. Beware that you could become addicted to them.

Who cares about which one is fastest on the race track or in the magazine tests? I want the bike that I'm going to enjoy the most when riding. For me that happens to be a Ducati. And for the record, maintenance costs have never been much of an issue for me - I spend more on tires.

Buy the bike that stirs your soul. :ride
 
DeOz said:
Mille Racer 69: What was particularly hard about working on a Ducati? What model did you own that you had problems with? I would be interested to hear the details could you shoot me a PM?

-Dana
Click to expand...

they don't manufacture/sell sprockets in"his" size for the ducati
 
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