Question for you Ducatistas

I'm strongly considering the new 1098 but I've never owned a Duc. I've always had Japanese liter bikes and they are virtually "bullet-proof"...never a problem and require very little service. How are Ducati's servicewise? Do they require a lot of service over time? I'd certainly appreciate any input, such as average cost of maintenance, etc. Thanks!:cheers:

I want that 1098 like no other.

Ducati's require the same maintenance as all bikes...just different intervals

Supposedly all the new 2007 Ducatis have longer maintenance intervals than before. I think 7500-miles now instead of 6000-miles. Something like that. The thing with the Ducatis is that the valves require more often adjustments than other bikes of other makes. When you wring out that much oomph from a V-twin, something's gotta give. As far as electricals and various things go, the Italians and the Brits may have come a long way, but they're still behind the Germans and the Italians. I think that it's a badge of pride to the Eye-ties and the Redcoats to have vehicles with easy-to-fix flaws. My Tuono likes to reset all the clocks and digital settings now and then just for the fun of it.

Supposedly all the new 2007 Ducatis have longer maintenance intervals than before. I think 7500-miles now instead of 6000-miles. Something like that. The thing with the Ducatis is that the valves require more often adjustments than other bikes of other makes. When you wring out that much oomph from a V-twin, something's gotta give. As far as electricals and various things go, the Italians and the Brits may have come a long way, but they're still behind the Germans and the Italians. I think that it's a badge of pride to the Eye-ties and the Redcoats to have vehicles with easy-to-fix flaws. My Tuono likes to reset all the clocks and digital settings now and then just for the fun of it. That's still better maintenance than my old Honda...The valves have to be adjusted every 3000 miles...:lol:

I appreciate the responses....keep 'em coming. The Ducati website states that maintenance costs are 50% cheaper on the '07s. I guess it's a trade-off of sorts. I've had as much as 50K miles on a bike and it never needed the valves adjusted. Fact is, the only things I've ever done to any bike is the routine maintenance...tires, plugs, oil/filter, chain/sprockets, brake pads/fluid.

i was sold on the 07 r1 for sure till all of a sudden this bike came out. I alreayd reserved one i think its def a better bike. very close hp but so much more practical loads of tq. if u want one id get one now, i reserved mine some time ago n there was onyl one left after mne at my dealer.

i was sold on the 07 r1 for sure till all of a sudden this bike came out. I alreayd reserved one i think its def a better bike. very close hp but so much more practical loads of tq. if u want one id get one now, i reserved mine some time ago n there was onyl one left after mne at my dealer. When are you suppose to pick it up?

When are you suppose to pick it up? February. http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/smilies/Banane59.gif

Maintenance is one of those recurring themes with Ducati, and most of it is related to the Ducati desmodromic valve system and realted requirements. The desmo valve system is very precise, and therefore requires precise adjustments to avoid valve problems. The benefit is added horsepower from the engine not having to overcome the force of 8 very stiff valve springs (or 16 in an inline-4 engine). However that carries with it the need to have the valve adjustments done routinely to avoid problems. You might be able to ignore valve checks on a Honda for 30,000 miles and not have a problem, but if you do that with a Ducati you're asking for trouble. 7,500 miles on the valve checks is not bad at all, and I think you'll find that Ducatis are very reliable today if they are well-maintained. And if you do have a problem, Ducati has the best warranty in the business (not just on paper, but in practice). Go for the 1098, but get your deposit down quick before the spring allocation is sold out! I got to see one in person back in August and it literally blew my socks off, so cool that pictures on the internet and in magazines don't do it justice! :cheers:

Maintenance is one of those recurring themes with Ducati, and most of it is related to the Ducati desmodromic valve system and realted requirements. The desmo valve system is very precise, and therefore requires precise adjustments to avoid valve problems. The benefit is added horsepower from the engine not having to overcome the force of 8 very stiff valve springs (or 16 in an inline-4 engine). However that carries with it the need to have the valve adjustments done routinely to avoid problems. You might be able to ignore valve checks on a Honda for 30,000 miles and not have a problem, but if you do that with a Ducati you're asking for trouble. 7,500 miles on the valve checks is not bad at all, and I think you'll find that Ducatis are very reliable today if they are well-maintained. And if you do have a problem, Ducati has the best warranty in the business (not just on paper, but in practice). Go for the 1098, but get your deposit down quick before the spring allocation is sold out! I got to see one in person back in August and it literally blew my socks off, so cool that pictures on the internet and in magazines don't do it justice! :cheers: Good to hear....and can't wait to see a 1098!!!!

Good to hear....and can't wait to see a 1098!!!! :iagree:

February. http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/smilies/Banane59.gif :dthumb:

If I got a Ducati, new or old, I would learn how to adjust those desmo valves myself. Plus, if I was to get a Duck, I would probably get the ST4s.

Feb 9/10 will be the national showroom launch for the 1098! Make plans to visit your local dealer to check a 1098S out in person! :cheers:

Feb 9/10 will be the national showroom launch for the 1098! Make plans to visit your local dealer to check a 1098S out in person! :cheers: NICE! I can't wait.

I order the 1098 tricolore... At the time for delivery I will have to sell my mom and dog. \ Serious...I will need sell my hayabusa. And I love my busa but I own other Ducatis and not using much the Busa. I think the Italian hold the value. the japs are high produced. Bike is about passion not reason.

. Bike is about passion not reason. :yup: and if you can pull it off, sell the 'busa and your mom, but keep the dog. :wink:

I order the 1098 tricolore... At the time for delivery I will have to sell my mom and dog. \ Serious...I will need sell my hayabusa. And I love my busa but I own other Ducatis and not using much the Busa. I think the Italian hold the value. the japs are high produced. Bike is about passion not reason. Post pics when you pick it up.

The new maint intervals on the 1098 are 12000 miles...twice what they are for the older Ducs.....mostly due to better processes and closer tolerances. This will make the 1098 compete both on performance and service.

The new maint intervals on the 1098 are 12000 miles...twice what they are for the older Ducs.....mostly due to better processes and closer tolerances. This will make the 1098 compete both on performance and service. :dthumb:

The new maint intervals on the 1098 are 12000 miles...twice what they are for the older Ducs.....mostly due to better processes and closer tolerances. This will make the 1098 compete both on performance and service. Just another "+" for the 1098!

Heard a sound clip of the 1098 with Termi pipes...God, what sweet music!:dthumb:

Heard a sound clip of the 1098 with Termi pipes...God, what sweet music!:dthumb: WHERE? :tt:

The new maint intervals on the 1098 are 12000 miles...twice what they are for the older Ducs.....mostly due to better processes and closer tolerances. This will make the 1098 compete both on performance and service. Where'd you see that 12,000 mile figure? :idk:

Where'd you see that 12,000 mile figure? :idk: What is it then?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp9xPyI8mCY Hopefully, this link works and is of the Ducati 1098 soundclip. I'm an absolute moron with all this high-tech stuff:idk: Keep your fingers crossed:dthumb:

Where'd you see that 12,000 mile figure? :idk: Actually, I believe I read it in the Motorcyclist review...but when I checked the Ducati website, the pdf file of the owners manual states 12000 kilometers....thats 7500 miles.....my bad (I think).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp9xPyI8mCY Hopefully, this link works and is of the Ducati 1098 soundclip. I'm an absolute moron with all this high-tech stuff:idk: Keep your fingers crossed:dthumb: Yea, the link works great and pretty much sums up half the reason to spend the extra $ and buck a Duck. The other half is how awesome it is when you ride it. Ducati's are like no other bikes ( I have a 996 and 998 Bostrom) and you will feel the same way too when you get one. Thank god they ditched the old styling. Have fun and good luck with whatever you do.

If you don't want to be like every other fool... get a Duc or somin else that has some soul in it!

sp9xPyI8mCY Hopefully, this link works and is of the Ducati 1098 soundclip. I'm an absolute moron with all this high-tech stuff:idk: Keep your fingers crossed:dthumb:[/QUOTE]

I just jizzed in my pants!! :drool:

Let me motivate you some more and show you the Baddest Sickest Duc on the Planet!!!:yikes: :yikes: :yikes: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/ovr200/Durbahn_V2-Pic8.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/ovr200/Durbahn_V2-Pic13.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/ovr200/Durbahn_V2-Pic5Version1_PVM.jpg

Let me motivate you some more and show you the Baddest Sickest Duc on the Planet!!!:yikes: :yikes: :yikes: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/ovr200/Durbahn_V2-Pic8.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/ovr200/Durbahn_V2-Pic13.jpg http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/ovr200/Durbahn_V2-Pic5Version1_PVM.jpg I cant believe somebody would steal my bike and put the photos on the internet like it was theirs!!!!!

Hijacked but.......... JAREL Did u ever get the 650R turned into the Sv killer yet? Has it been holding its own, or turning faster laps then u ever got on the SV?

Hijacked but.......... JAREL Did u ever get the 650R turned into the Sv killer yet? Has it been holding its own, or turning faster laps then u ever got on the SV? Hi Scott - Yeah, I raced the 650R all year, it's an awesome bike! I never won a race since I suck at starts, but I got several podiums. It handles better than the SV, was just a little down on power. And yes, I set new personal best lap times on it over what I had done on the SV. I did succumb to peer pressure from my fellow Ducatisti though and I sold the 650R in December, I'll be racing only my Ducati this year. My 650R is now being raced at Willow Springs by the guy who bought it. I was definitely sorry to see it go, it was the easiest bike to ride fast. My teammate who won many races this year on his SV could go faster on my Ninja when I'd let him ride it. He rode it in one race when his bike was having problems, and he won the race. Also Doug Polen (4-time world champ) rode my bike at race practice at Motorsport Park Hastings last September and was very complimentary of it. I think eventually there will be as many 650R's on the grid as SV's, it's a better race chassis than the SV. Here's Doug Polen talking about how the fastest way between two points is a straight line! ;) http://www.ducatiomaha.com/images/MPH20060924.JPG

Hmm Willow springs is California right? I need to make it to a real amatuer race, all they do here are track days no real racing.

Yeah, California. Definitely go check out a race some time, club racing is a lot of fun and you can see all kinds of cool stuff walking around in the paddock.