What is the modern biking community's perception of Ducati?

[Newbiker0507]

I sat on a 1198 @ the motorcycle show the other day, and I thought it was a beautiful bike, it stood out for me personally more than any other of its type.

However, I never really see them on the road/being talked about as *the bike to get*, and I just wondered why!

[RS2MATRIX]

Alot of people see them as overpriced, unreliable power ranger posing toys. But that is from the people who cannot afford them
____________________
Reiju RS2 Matrix
Kawasaki ZXR400

[Faldo]

The stigma of unreliability has never really been shaken off, as with anything made in Italy.

You won't see any on the road at this time of year, because, well would you ride a Duke through the winter? If I had one it would only come out in the summer, unlike my shitty Kawasakis.
____________________
Current: ZZR1400
Previous: ZXR 400 L9, ZX-7R P5, ZZR 400, ZX-7R P6, Bandit 600, GSXR 750 Slingshot, DRZ400, DR650, ZX10R C1H, ZXR 750 L1, ZXR 750 L3, '99 ZX7R P4, KTM 300 EXC, ZX-9R E1, TDM850

[McGee]

All I know is I want a 1098 or an 1198 but they are well overpriced here.
____________________
◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
◄◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙►◄◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙►◄◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙►
Its pronounced Jixxer!

[MarJay]

They used to be just a piddling little manufacturer who made quirky niche V twin sportsbikes.

Until they released the 916.

From then on they have been a manufacturer with real clout, unfortunately they sometimes seem to act as if they don't believe people respect their position in the market. They have the motorcycle manufacturer equivalent of small angry man syndrome.

They desperately try to cling to the edge and the cachet that came with the 916, but in doing so they commit some real howlers like the 749 999 unpleasantness. The bikes aren't as unreliable as the reputation might suggest, but they aren't perfect. They are expensive, but only as expensive in real terms as equivalent Jap bikes were ten years ago. Its just that Jap bikes have been getting cheaper because their prices haven't risen in line with inflation.

Personally, I wouldn't not buy a bike because its a ducati. However Ducatis seem to have a lot of traits that I find undesirable in bikes. Like a long reach to the bars, not great comfort and less than ideal reliability. That said, if I saw a Monster 1000 or 1000DS for sale for not a lot of money I might consider it.

But I don't think I'd buy a Ducati liquid cooled sportsbike. Then again, I don't think I'd buy a Japanese sportsbike either...
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Louise]

I would love the 848 in white. Really stands out.
However after seeing one outside shop only a few weeks ago its put me off.
Just looked a bit shabby for a 12k new??? Bike.
Not dirt, just the general look.
The red is more appealing now.
Know some guy who has one 848 white in the work shop having all the carbon stuff added. Brought the Diamond white RX7 GP to go with it - So far the bike has cost him 24k

[Ben.]

haveing owned one i wouldnt own one again vut that is soley because i hate v twins.
If you like the engine then its an outstanding bike, it handles, brakes, looks better than any jap bike ive ridden. It isnt as quick as a jap bike and it isnt as reliable (NOTE IT IS NOT UNRELIABLE it starts up in sub zero temps etc. its just not as reliable as a jap bike), also the rideing position is a love or hate thing. That and parts/ servicing them is stupidly expensive.

only have one if you can justify how much they cost and like twins otherwise buy jap.
____________________
follow my racing season
Race bike - R6
Road bike - sv650

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I like the sound, and they haven't made one I like the look of for a long time.
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Seb]

Servicing costs are the biggest deal breaker in my eyes. If it wasn't for the cambelts, I'd be sorely tempted to give a 749 or 999 a go.
____________________
2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

My next bike will be a big naked, and as much as i like the Monsters i don't think i could afford to keep it on the road. Parts are pricey, servicing i'm told is extortionate. Shame cos its a reliable bike and looks great.

Pat
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[LeeR]

Whilst I always dreamt of owning a Monster I actually bought a V-Strom, I think I'd like to try a Ducati one day though.
____________________
My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[salty21]

[colin1]

I quite like the look of the multi-strada.

https://www.webbikeworld.com/ducati-motorcycles/multistrada-1100/ducati-multistrada-1100.jpg

I have a hunch that it looks that mad because its designed to function well.

I'll probably try one at some point.
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[FASTERTHANSID]

My own personal view on a Ducati is sexy, sleek and styled by people with a passion for creating beautiful motorbikes.

Can I afford one = Yes

Do I trust there reliability = No

A real shame because if this thought was not in my mind I would be riding a Ducati instead of a Yamaha.

[Kris]

Ducati? An effortlessly stylish marque that screams, "Money". And lots of it. A guilty pleasure of sleek and masculine yet stunning bodywork hiding a lightweight minimalist frame. Look further and see the exotica of race-bred suspension that oozes past racing glory and Italian mountain switchbacks.

Yet, on closer inspection, beyond the bright paint and fake tan lies messy wiring and electrical blocks exposed to any nasty weather. Instruments that smile and beckon hide a nasty habit of shutting down and going on holiday. Sidestand cut-out switches fail, causing panicked moments at a bike meet. You think to yourself "How much did I spend on this again?" as you relax in the cab of the AA truck.

They are probably the Italian supermodel of bikes. Temperomental. Difficult, even. And bloody expensive. But boy, can they make you smile.


____________________
NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Clanger]

It's the type of bike I might have bought had money been no object, though which one, I'm not totally sure. I just know if the question had been about a Harley...you'd have got a flat NO!
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Fnatic]

I personally see it as the good looker of bikes. It's like a Ferrari. You want one for a decent Sunday ride but it's totally impractical as a commuting work horse.

Best styled bikes by a country mile though.

[Suitor_Stu]

[Suitor_Stu]

It's however tits like this that make me not so sure I would want to be part of the Ducatisti...

Stu

[Paivi]

[Paivi]

[MarJay]

[G]

I'd say a majority of people on here that like them seem to 'want' them based purely on their looks. Which says something about, err, something.
I reckon they are overpriced for the performance they offer (yes, I could afford one, or I'm sure could have if I hadn't bought a KTM instead, then got another one, etc.)

I'm not a twin fan, so the majority of their range puts me off, though I reckon an S4R might make an ok and very pretty commuter.

They are, I suspect, aiming for the 'Ferrari' image; however Ferraris tend to be a lot faster (to go with their higher price tag), while Ducatis tend to be a little slower to go with their little higher price tag.

Having seen their significant lack of success and significant amount of breakdowns at club level racing, I'm also further put off.
Yes, they do very well at top-level racing, but if you're talking 'using' the sports bike you buy in the shops, it seems to be a different story.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Found these service prices:


https://www.ducatistore.co.uk/ducati_servicing_uk.shtml


Doin' the maths...Mmmm could do it


Pat
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Seb]

I'd suspect valves and belts would add up pretty quick given the mileage I tend to clock up, an 05 or newer 999 would probably work out quite reasonable though. I'd be tempted to do the math but I don't want to be kicking myself for snapping up an SP1 just yet
____________________
2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST