Ducatis not as bad as their reputation.

[jjdugen]

Just putting the finishing touches to a 1995 600 Monster. Its been stood, none too well protected, for eight years in a seaside environment. Sure the alloy had furred, engine cases a bit sad, canker on the wheels and the carbs... well, they were welded shut with old crud.
But, a week or so with it all stripped to the last bolt, all allen head and of good quality in that they all came out with little bother.
Replaced the timing belts, of course, a job I thought would be the same struggle as the Firestorm. Ten minutes later, belts on, no hassle, all timing marks clear and simple.
I was told that the charging system had a problem, and to be honest, a single phase alternator did not fill me with confidence, all is fine and hunky dory, charges a treat.
In fact, this has been the absolutely easiest, most straightforward, logical of all the builds I have done.
Even the wiring harness that seems to get slagged is of far better quality than a Jap equivalent, all connectors having an accordian type seal between each half, not left open to the elements.
In fact, the small number of tools required would make one of these an ideal learning process for a newby, lots of spares at very reasonable prices, can't see why they are treated with such suspicion. BTW, the engine makes nice noises, must sound superb with less restrictive silencers.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[Walloper]

I don't think they are as bad as folk say. They did have electrics issues but even that could be the jealow engine working OT. Some folk hate some stuff just because they huvnay got one.

Dealers aye seem near enough. But I don't own a Ducatti.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[pits]

mid 90s Ducati started using a Japanese wiring loom and double insulated it due to the flack they were getting for their wiring.

Most of the "Ducatis are unreliable" rubbish comes from a mates brothers uncle who had one, and it was always in the garage broken because it was poorly maintained and left to sit unused.

I've done 6k miles in about 3 years in all weathers, including snow, it is used regularly, 6k doesn't seem like a lot, but I use it most weekends but I don't do massive mileage between destinations.

Oddly, it did just fail it's mot and I took great pleasure in telling the MOT tester "Actually the wiring loom is Japanese made, and like most Jap stuff it is shit and falls apart, everything Italian on this bike has passed, but that broken loom is Jap"

I assume you have changed the belts before you started it? Don't run it any more until those belts and tensioners are done, 2 years is max life of them, anything after is borrowed time.
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Stinkwheel: You have no right to free speech
00:32:08 Blau Zedong: yes, i am a massive CB400 fan and collector
00:33:00 Blau Zedong: the CB400 is my favourite road bike

[P.addy]

I was kindly loaned use of a Ducati M750.

Nothing broke, it worked and ran superb, it handled better.

Would I own one, probably.

I'd prefer the sportier ones, mean lookers like the 848/1098 or Hypermotard.

[The other Paul Rudd]

I've owned three. My brand new Monster had the front brake master cylinder fail while approaching a roundabout, a pillion foot rest fall off almost causing me to crash and the paint was so soft it chipped off just by looking at it funny.

My brand new PS1000 had so many problems it would be impossible to list them all. The most dangerous one was the engine would randomly run away, it put my life in danger more than once, and put the fear of God in to a mechanic that was test riding the heap. I used it in all weathers putting some high mileage on it and it just fell apart, so I just bought a Bandit to use every day.

All Ducatis are shit heaps and deserve their poor reputation. If you want an Italian bike then buy an Aprilia.

[garth]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[P.addy]

[The other Paul Rudd]

[P.addy]

I have a nice reliable bike with stellar mileage, wouldn't trade or sell it, but I'd not own another Aprilia due to the issues I had with them, Ducati however, seem to be fairly decent in comparison.

Obviously, we've had different experiences

[mysterious_rider]

[The other Paul Rudd]

[The other Paul Rudd]

[P.addy]

I missed the 6k in 3 years.

The poor Varadero has done 12k in 7 months and still going strong at 74k so fair play to it, but then again, it is supposed to be a learner proof 125, not an expensive, tasty Italian sports bike

[UnspeedySam]

Agreed that 6k in 3 years is bugger all, even for a toy. I don't doubt there are reliable Ducatis out there, but it does seem to be a bit of a lottery as to whether you get one, and that is enough to put me off owning one.
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[mysterious_rider]

[P.addy]

Change the oil loads and make sure its not leaking. Sorted.

Mines burning no oil, gets a change every 1k or monthly, whichever is hit first and gets next to no other servicing.

Chain will need to be done again soon, not touched for a few k, but I have a new tyre ready to go on, so 2 birds 1 stone

[Walloper]

[rac3r]

Plenty of Ducati's done 100k miles. Not had any issues with any of mine but then I don't use it for commuting
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[Valentino Mossy]

My 916 is up to roughly 45k now... still going strong.

Breaks down with electrical problems twice in one run going 30 miles...
....Goes to germany,does the ring' and back, doesnt even miss a beat.

lol !
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Ducati 916,white framed corse replica https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=239309
Ducati 160 monza jnr soon to be cafe racer
https://blauschatfroums.freeforums.net/

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

It is worth repeating that Ducati are producing bikes with as many faults and niggles as the the other makers. Check out a Triumph forum. Honda were once held high...depends which model and in what year. Same goes for Ducati. They put out some shoddy bikes in the 80s and into the 90s. They certainly can and produce reliable and well finished bikes too.

Mine had a reg/rec fail. For about £3 I uprated the wires and got a replacement reg/rec for £26.
It starts everytime and has been my main form of transport for 3 years.

Come on Ducatisti....Time to whore the Ducs.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF1725.jpg
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[Nexus Icon]

Most 'bad' vehicles aren't as bad as their reputation. It's generally only those with problems who want to tell the world about them while the silent, yet happy, majority go silently and happily about their business.

Therefore the reputation is built on complaints alone.

If this was a car forum someone would even be along soon to tell you that their old Alfasud didn't crumble into rust the first time it rained.
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Greetings from Shitsville!

[The other Paul Rudd]

[Wave2k]

My late 2004 749S was great.

No electrical issues, rode it rain or shine didnt corrode was piss easy to work on.

Cant say the same for the Japanese counterparts though.

Its an old hangover from 20 odd years ago, time to move on, Ducatis have.

They cost more to service, thats about it
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I suspect Ducati used the same paint on their cylinder heads that Honda use on some fork bottoms.
I wouldn't buy a new bike, and yes they are overpriced...but getting better at pricing them, they are not so small a company now.
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Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project