Poocati Dealership

[Steve H]

I've been in the market for a new bike for a few months now and have had my fair share of test rides including a Blade, R1 and GSXR 600 and all have been pleasant events from how I was dealt with by whichever dealership I was visiting to the overall test riding experience. The added benefit was that all have been within a 10 mile ride of my house.

Today before taking the final plunge I thought I'd give a bit of exotica a chance to charm me - As my local Strip Club only opens between the hours of 12.00am and 12.01am (it's clientele are all members of premature ejaculators anonymous) I decided to have a crack on a Ducati 749s.

I had a quick look online and found that the Dealership with the most selection of new and second hand Duke's are approximately 60 miles away from me - most of the pre-owned stock is described in an enticing way ie 'Stunning', 'Excellent, 'Nice Example', etc. and whilst I'm not drawn in by flamboyant marketing I thought at least there might be something in their used stock that might take my fancy. I called yesterday stating my intentions to visit the Dealership (lets call them 'Daylesbury Ucati' for arguments sake) and rode the 60 miles this morning to have a gander and a test ride.

What did I find? 5 or 6 (there may have been more - I gave up looking!) 749's in various states of disrepair. Headlights broken, wing mirrors smashed, fairing panels hanging off, Bolts missing, Bird Shite everywhere, Corrosion on parts that any dealer worth his salt would've addressed prior to placing the bike on the forecourt. I spent 15 minutes there at most and hopped back on my Bike for the 60 mile return journey.

So, to summarise. A 120 mile round trip to a Dealership that hasn't got the intellect to realise that they're not gonna move any bikes unless they make them look relatively appealing to prospective purchasers - I mean, I know it's Ducati which is a name that conjures up all sorts of sex appeal for most (premature ejaculators annonymous notwithstanding) but they could at least clean the Bird Crap off 'em.

Still, at least the A40 provided some decent riding and scenery
____________________
Mellow Yellow
The BCF Top TEN - 2010, 2009, 2008, The Original.

[Jack_Cheese]

Sure they weren't the ones awaiting repair? Maybe they were abused demo bikes? Maybe the rest of the stock was infact inside...
____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[Yeti]

Im not suprised to be honest, birds love poocati's just about the best thing that could happen to one is to get shat on.

Ive heard seriously bad things about poocati's customer relations.

Over rated, over priced piles of crap IMO!
____________________
Lifes a Beach!

[Steve H]

[G]

Pegasus Kawasaki (who also are a Ducati dealer) in Reading have a decent stock I believe.

Not sure about their service, but their bikes are shiny from what I remember .

From what I've seen, a lot of Ducati owners/wannabes just 'want a Ducati' and seem rather blinkered to anything else.

[-Ali-]

If i could i afford it i'd buy a ducati over any yamaha r1, etc. The jap bike maybe faster, cheaper and better handling, but a 749 with a termi exhaust and some carbon parts just looks soo good, and it would still ride well just not as good as the same model jap bike.

[Steve H]

[bazza]

[crm250]

LOL makes me laugh reading posts like this. its a shame that certain dealers dont make more of an effort to attempt to sell bikes as you are right, it does turn people away when they see corroded tat at top dollar prices.

Now for the sceptics - i bet a pound to a pinch of shite no-one has ever owned one, or dont tell me, your mates uncles brother dogs sisters cousin told you they were crap ?

I traded a blade in years ago for an old early 916, and for 3 months i wondered what the hell i had done. then sudenly it all fell into place, the handling, the sound, the quirks. Sure they have issues i wouldnt disagree there, and can be costly to run (more below) but when right they are sublime and IMO for me anyway are the reason i like bikes, they are fun.

I was going too quick on the blade, it didnt go round corners and was a fat top heavy lardy lump with as much soul as a cabbage. but it was 100% reliable, cheap, easy to live with and a "safe bet"

So years on i still have the 916 and have done over 21000 miles on it, yes its let me down 3 times, twice with rectifier and once the clutch slave cyl popped. so no real stress or costs just a pain in the ass. However it has given me the best fun in biking i have ever head, my little NC30 is almost as quick up top, so its hardly fast for a superbike, but it packs a punch low down and is a joy to ride and own.
Poorly maintained bikes can be expensive as can low mileage used ones. i would rather buy a well used one that been well maintained by an independant over main dealer.

I also own a few other bikes inc a RC30 and new 600RR5, and i will say the CBR will soon be sold, its utter soul less junk, not even reliable or well built like old honda's. I now know an inline four just isnt for me. When going to the garage its always the ducati's keys i go for each time.

Anyway a ducati twin is not for everyone but to dismiss it without even attempting to live with one is crazy, i was the same, but am glad i took the plunge or i would have missed out on some great times on 2 wheels.

[G]

Have a read through the forums and see how many people 'want' a Ducati when they have no idea what they're like to ride or own.

I don't feel any need to defend my crap bikes, so right back at 'ya .

[crm250]

bet i have more crap that you, i will see your crap bike and raise you a 1999 Mille with bendy crancases

[hairychipstic...]

agreed totally with G
tis mainly an image that people want seemingly
i found the 749 to be appaling in everything besides its brakes and maybe stability
it felt slow, boring, heavy, rubbish to turn in and was pants on the track compared to any recent 600 ive tried
the 999 was better but still was inferior to the japanese bikes in everythin but the brakes and its ability to make a different noise
they dont look great either
the 916/996/998 was much better at doing what ducatis do best
the 1098 looks like a nice proposition tho, even if they lied about the power crazily

[mistergixer]

[crm250]

our first 1098 was stripped in 4 hours, blueprinted by geoff and gtech and made just shy of 170 at the rear wheel with some slight fueling issues. now that aint bad for a 4 week old 1098S and a good engine rebuild with some minor cleaning up only.
should fly next year with its current pilot in superstocks.

[G]

[MattEMulsion]

[Steve H]

[G]

Try buying a van, wasted loads of my time (and seller's) because they have totally mis-described pretty much over the phone.

I don't expect an amazing van for under £1k, but I am going to look over it (as I tell them) so saying no problems, great condition, all lights and electrics work, etc; then finding it's leaking oil badly, broken tail lights, head lights don't work (going to look/pick it up at night) crack in wind screen etc etc etc takes the piss. If people are honest in the first place, at least I know what to expect for the money they have it up for .

[Zimbo]

[Zimbo]

[Adam_P]

[Zimbo]

[crm250]

i bought my CBR600RR new in may last year, and in that time and 6000 miles its been recovered from the side of the road twice with breakdowns.
first time they replaced the ECU and lockset, second time they had no idea as it started after 2 days.
now you wonder why i trust an old 916 more than the new CBR ? they certainly dont build em like they used to

[Jess]

When I was looking for my first big bike I was recommended to look at Monsters. Wandered into the local showroom in passing so wasn't on the bike - was in there at least 20 minutes and all the staff continued to gossip at the counter and ignore us. Guess what - didn't buy a Duke!

[hairychipstic...]