Buying advice

F

French TKO

New member
Hey everybody-
Looking hard at buying another Ducati to ride everyday to keep the miles of my PS1000 (been riding it everyday for 3 months now)- but really I just want another Ducati. Any recommendations? I've been eyeing a local 1995 900SP that is low mileage and owned by a real A type personality. I know a 848 makes sense in some ways-but i'm drawn to the charisma of the older stuff. I'm going to be riding the second bike everyday as a commuter to work and have a nice 30 mile bike road trip to enjoy. Any suggestions?
Of course I just saw my first 888 last night- Sex on Wheels!
 
I love the GT 1000. Can't be beat on comfort and classic looks. If you want a little more versatility, the Multistrada is also nice. Or, wait for the new 1100 Monsters next year. But for daily commute, I would go with the GT 1000 with the optional bags.
 
Both sound and logical suggestions cesarb! The GT 1000 is much too close in nature to my Paul Smart and I'd rather buy the 848 over the Mulitstrada. I guess i'm opening up a can of worms- but does anybody have any experience using a older Ducati superbike as a commuter? I'm aware of the service cost of such an experiment and just looking for feedback from the group. It also needs to be a bipostal because my girlfriend is chopping on the bit to ride on the back.
 
A nice bike for commuting is the Monster, esp IMO the S4Rs and if you really want to be looked at, the S4RS Tri Colorre if you can still find one of the 400 made. It is more comfortable, more upright seating, than the PS1000, but you still get the handling, power, and exhaust note of a Ducati. And Mirrors!

Pjk

Sport1000
PS1000LE
S4RS Monster Tri
999S
1098S
 
IMO...you're on the right track. If it's a daily you want, absolutely 100% stick to the 2-valvers. There's just so much less that can go disastrously wrong. No rocker issues, no water rads, pumps, sensors, etc. The 2-valves are bullet proof and can be tuned to the moon. You're also about 40Lbs(!) less than a water cooled as a result. And, there's only 4 valves to adjust, not 8.

The cost and complication of the 2-valve is soooo much lower than the water cooled 4-valves, it's a no-brainer for daily duty.

My Sp has been an absolute dream. It LOVES to be modified. Actually, you need to. Stock they run like shit, let's be honest. They NEED LW flywheel, ohlins rear shock (to raise the rear as far as possible), and the Dyna coil and regulator upgrades. Those 3 items will give you a flexible, reliable very quick bike that steers great and feels like the entire history of Ducati is surging through every piston stroke.

After that - FCR carbs and open airbox. Whoa.

But, you need the LW flywheel, and jack up the rear to get it to steer, first.

And yeah, the 888 is sex on wheels. Watch some of the YouTube clips...actually don't, or you'll buy one.
 
Very compelling arguement fyamr1! I'm really drawn to the 2-valves for all the reasons you stated. Thank you for sharing the bit on the LW flywheel and rear shock necessities. I'm really leaning towards an SP because I think I'll really enjoy playing with the different tuning options and mods (personal touches) over time. Could you provide specifics on the Dyna coil and regulator upgrades? maybe a list of mods on your SP? Much appreciated and I value your feedback. Went to youtube and watched the 888 clips- It's a toss up between the 851-888 in future for me. The SP is an instant gratification thing!
 
it's like crack

just look at my registry entry and look at all the crap i've bolted on to her. i actually keep updating it because i keep remembering other things i've done!

it's a sickness. and, i can't stop either. i guarantee you i buy something for her today. actually yeah, i'm ordering touch-up paint and some other crap.

and the bike's just such a riot to ride. it pops and farts and spits flames back up through the carbs (only sometimes). it wheelies off the power in 1st and sometimes 2nd, if you get it right (btw, it won't do that stock), and it goes like stink down a canyon road. rock solid. reliable. but they actually turn like shit stock, so you have to pull the forks up through the yokes a lttle and get an adjustable rear. when you get it sorted, it's awesome.

it's loud, it's rude and it's fast.

you have to get the SP, too. The aluminum swingarm vastly reduces unsprung weight, combined with the FA Showa forks help make it a legit modern sportbike.
 
The older ones are definitely more cantankerous than the newer 'superbikes' and imo wouldn't be a very good commuter as well as maintenance costs etc.

Superbikes and Biposta in my books are an oxymoron and just shouldn't BE.

+1 on a 2 valver for commuting unless it's an S4 monster
 
the 916/996 type superbikes are atrociously uncomfortable, and they absolutely hate trudging around town. even with after-market replacements, the clutch is impossibly heavy, they're hot as hell sitting in traffic, the seat's a board, the suspension's rock solid and you're bent ass over tea-kettle.

the fact is, they are thoroughbred race bikes with lights and mirrors. they're miserable commuters.

i know i'm going to get flamed, and guys are going to go on and on about sargeant seats and heli-bars and the guy in england who put 700 bazillion miles on one, blah, blah, blah, but the truth is they're race bikes. they're not scooters with a big motor.

they're expensive, they're uncomfortable and they're finicky.

they're stunning to look at, and pure heaven to ride in the canyons or track, but it's not without it's price.

oh, and 2 up on a SB? that's just cruel and unusual.
 
Well- I made a rash decision-purely out of emotion. I didn't buy the 900ss- but instead purchased a 5000 mile 1993 888 SPO. Quite a big price difference and I'm certainly not going to be riding the SPO as a daily communter. It will be placed in my living room and taken out on special occasions. Amazing-I found the SPO by making phone calls searching for the right 900ss. Anyway- I'll still be using the Paul Smart for commuting pleasure and look at the SPO with an adult beverage in hand. I'll post some pictures of the SPO when it arrives next to the PS. Thanks to all that weighed in on the available choices- This has become a serious addiction-or should i say infliction.
 
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