Trying to decide. Duc or not?

J

JBCleere

New member
Et Al,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I've come to the point where I'm considering getting a 1098. Hopefully the S model. What color I can't decide. Red is classic and hot, if somewhat common. Black is sinister. Yellow is awesome, but I need to see in person to see if the yellow works (I had a yellow CBR and the Pearl paint was really something to look at).

Currently, I have a Daytona 675 in the stable. I have two things which are roadblocks in my path to a 1098. First up is the maintenance costs of a Ducati in general. Second, is the rumored release of a smaller displacment superbike, the 848 or 898 (whatever people have speculated).

Ducati have pushed very hard in their marketing that all Ducati's will require 50% less maintenance. And there has been a very good article written up by the good folks at Bikeland.org and 1098Desmo.com outlining the actual costs of maintenance on the 1098. Which can be found here.

If this is really the maintenance cost for the 1098, then it certainly is cause for celebration. How has everyone's experience been with their dealers keeping to this guideline set forth by DNA? It seems that Ducati has stepped up their game to match the Japanese Big Four. Coming from Honda and Triumph (who have improved their build quality with the release of the 675 to impressive levels), I would like to know if I'm in for any MAJOR shocks.

Also, though the 1098 is an impressive motorcycle and I have literally dreamt about owning and riding one, it may be a bit much for me. I would much rather have the downsized 8xx version, even if it was priced the same. I just don't need all that power. Should I be waiting for the smaller displacement version you think? Assuming there WILL be a downsized version?

Any feedback would be great. Especially regarding maintenance costs.
 
Here's what I think...if you want to be more unique and/or track it then order the smaller bike and be the first to have it. (Not sure if you track yours but I heard that bike is great for it) If you want the badass and now, get the bigger bike. Based on personal experience I don't think it will be too much for you.

Either way get a Duc...and don't let the maintenance deter you either. That's like buying a Lamborghini Gallardo and sweating the service...sure it's a factor but it should not be the bottom line. All my opinions of course...besides he's right, you won't regret it!
 
How can you even question getting the BEST BADDEST SUPERBIKE out for 2007-2008. The question should only be can you get your hands on one?



The S model doesn't come in Yellow only the Base Model.

If you check my pic you will see the base model in yellow w/ minor mods.



Oh AND SIZE ALWAYS MATTERS PLUS YOU CAN NEVER REALLY HAVE ENOUGH POWER.



Go for the 1098 unless you can be the first to own the one of the R versions.

Don't let the cc's or service fees scare you.

Plan ahead!

Proper preparation Prevents poor performance.
 
Regardless of the "50%" fewer maintenance costs, a ducati will still cost you more to maintain than other bikes, i feel thats just a marketing gimmick to get new riders in a ducati dealer. welcome to ducati ownership. Once you ride a ducati through the twisties maintenance costs will be the last thing on you mind.

At least you can see the bike in person and get a feel of it, myself and a lot of guys here bought these bikes from the pictures in the magazines, but being use to ducati's i had no regrets, it was well worth the wait.

The only time you will not enjoy this bike is in traffic and going slow, but if you stay out of traffic and ride above 40mph you will absolutely love this bike, take it to the track and you will love it more. If you get a 1098 don't ride it like your 675 or else it will be on top of you. Im gonna buy a 675 in the near future its a fantastic bike for its size and price, i hope your keeping yours.

This is the best bike / best Ducati i have ever rode, hands down. buy a 848/ 1098 whatever you wont regret it!
 
In the unfortunate event you don't fall in love with the 1098, and do decide to sell it, it's resale value will hold higher over time than the thousands of Jap 1000's (get it?) for sale. A quick check on eBay will show you that even lightly used 1098's are still going for closer than their original sale price than the GSXR, CRB's, etc.
 
If you have to think about buying the most beautfiul, bad ass bike there is with that much doubt in your mind, don't get it. For me, I knew right away and had NO doubts at all. If all you want is performance, by all means, be like all the rest and get another f-n GSXR. But you're in for something different owning a Ducati. Most of us out there, love our Ducs, but there are some that the marriage between themselves and their Ducatis, just don't work. Best of luck in your decision!!
 
Very interesting story (the link you gave), didn't have the chance to read it until now!

Ducati and Ducati dealers have definitely a different view on the business. As Ducati tries to grow and attract more customers (32K bikes sold in 2006, 40K bikes projected for 2007 and 50K by 2008!), they understand that they must align on quality and costs of maintenance compare to Japs bikes (or at least, to shorten the difference).

I can't disagree more on some people that again are finding excuses and saying sentences like "50% less on costs maintenance is marketing hype", "you shouldn't wonder about it" or even worse, "Ducatis are more expensive".

If we talk about the RR, I understand that this is a totally different bike meant for a market that is quiet a niche (60K euros for a bike, that's a different story for a start). However, for the rest of the range, from the superbikes to monsters models, the maintenance prices shouldn't be 3 to 4 times higher than equivalent bikes... this is just plain wrong.

The fact is that dealers were used to "charge a lot" regarding all the work they had to do on Ducatis and now that they should comply with new rules, they are reluctant to do so because it means less revenue for them.

What is sad with that and won't pay off on the long run is they don't understand that all this stuff has only one goal: sell more bikes. When dealers will realize that they will earn the same or more money in a day but not with 10 bikes but with 15 (50% more!), maybe we will make progress.

Now (sorry to be that long), it shouldn't stop you getting a 1098 or 1098s as those bikes are wonderful even if, for the moment, most of the dealers are not complying with the maintenance costs set by the factory. I believe it will get better with time.

Owning a Ducati is a great experience and as a biker, you'll ride one of the most wonderful and powerful bike out there!

40k people can't be wrong!

T
 
I think Ducati is serious about bringing down maintenance costs, but that it will take some time for dealers to get on message. This wasn't a factor in my decision, but it is a good sign for the well being of the company.
 
What type of riding are doing? Also I can give you a better answer after Saturday as I will be taking the 1098 to the track. As of now I have about 2K track miles on my 675 this year and it is awsome. It is however a small bike and is not as much fun to ride on the streets and or hills. Don't get me wrong the power of the 675 is great but unless you are riding hard in the hills it just to much shifting. Again I can give you a better comparo after this weekend but so far the 1098 seems to be a lot more fun to ride. Also I am 6'2" & 200lbs so the 1098 fits better.
 
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