View Full Version : What have I done?
No big speeches but..........I've been a member of this Forum for three years or so and in that time have made a few contributions read some amazing threads which have saved me a kings ransome in main dealer service costs. In fact I've saved so much dosh that I think its time to move on and it could be time to get something totally unreliable, fragile, temperamental and as stressed as my missus at the wrong time of the month:( Yes, it doesn't take much working out that I've decided to to invest in a 748 Ducati - and as I've already said in the title "WHAT HAVE I DONE !!":(. Just hope I'm m amking the right decision. One lucky owner picked up a £1500 "INTERIM" service bill and when he questioned it the nice chap behind the counter glibly said, "You bought a Ducati - you knew the risks"......GULP !
Here's my beauty if you or anyone you know are interested.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=260200013520&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=016
These SV's really are great bikes and if it doesn't sell I won't be too upset:D
If you need the bike day in day out, keep the old bike for a month or 2 while you're checking the new one out.
I spoke to a bloke who commuted everyday on a 748, I think it had around 50,000 miles on it and said it had been trouble free.... What they really don't like is sitting for ages then coming out of retirement......
Jambo,
Thanks for that - yes I agree. Anything mechanical likes to be used. Hate to draw a distinction but when I try and start my petrol lawn mower in Spring..........:(
Jambo,
Thanks for that - yes I agree. Anything mechanical likes to be used. Hate to draw a distinction but when I try and start my petrol lawn mower in Spring..........:(
Agreed, unfortunatley everything electrical on a Ducati doesn't :lol:
Good luck with the 748, you should have fun on one of those :thumbsup:
fizzwheel
09-01-08, 12:10 PM
What they really don't like is sitting for ages then coming out of retirement......
Agreed. Liz 749 had a load of little niggles on it caused by the fact that it hadnt been ridden and had been stored. Once we got those sorted its been trouble free.
Pedrosa
09-01-08, 12:11 PM
Personally I think you are mad buying a Ducati!
:---)
tomjones2
09-01-08, 12:17 PM
From what I been told Ducati are great is they are used and serviced regularly, it seems the expensive servicing might have put some owners off. Am I correct in saying that the servicing is more complicated than your average jap stuff and not so suitable for the average home mechanic?
good luck with the bike, one day I will own one.
Let it warm up nicely for a minute or so before riding off, otherwise the rockers will wear away. At 80 quid a time plus labour they aren't cheap. My mate bought a 748SPS that only had 3500 miles on the clock, his first service bill came to well over a grand because he needed 5 new rockers as well.
It's these kinds of stories that put me off buying a Duc ST4S and into buying another SV.
From what I been told Ducati are great is they are used and serviced regularly, it seems the expensive servicing might have put some owners off. Am I correct in saying that the servicing is more complicated than your average jap stuff and not so suitable for the average home mechanic?
good luck with the bike, one day I will own one.
Yep spot on tomjones2. Dukes must have a FDSH and yes it is the horror stories of servicing bills and all the old wives tales that put potential owners off. Basically I'm doing loads of research and talking to as many owners as I can. Its amazing - and you learn something new from each and every conversation.
As long as you build a main service (£600) into your budget and put away £50 / month religiously then job done - its like getting your annual service for free! and after all what's £50 P/M these days.
The ducati forum (www.ducatisti.co.uk (http://www.ducatisti.co.uk)) have put me onto a business called Moto - vation near Cheltenham. This guy is a Ducati trained enthusiast and has been servicing Dukes for over 20 yrs. His rates are less than half of a main dealer and he has been known to put bits and pieces on customers bikes right for free - would yoyu get that from a main dealer ?:( Italiaqn electrics are a bit suspect but by now the rectifiers have been sorted. Most of the problem bikes are those that have been left out in te rain - so what do expect ?
So for me its no rush - look at loads - its going to be a Sunday morning play thing and a long term investment. Not long ago they were £11,000 new. Now you can get a 2002 748 with FDSH for £3,500 ish - so its do-able:p
I'd suggest keeping friendly with these guys as well:
http://www.ducatisportingclub.com/index.php
They're the Ducati owners who use their bikes regularly, not keep them as garage ornaments.
Thanks for that - looks like a great site. I was looking for others but didn't come across this one. Like everything in life - take an informed view, do your research and don't junp at the first thing you see. That goes for SV's, BMW's Aprilia's, houses, boats, women..........:kiss:. The SV is an amazing bike - you rarely see a bad word written about it and you only have to look at how many are about. Like I have said - if I don't sell I won't be shedding too many tears:p
northwind
10-01-08, 01:54 PM
748 is a great machine, I rode one of the boring spec ones ages back and, well, the suspension felt tired (it had 30000 miles on it!) but it was still a great piece of work.
plowsie
10-01-08, 02:11 PM
Fock me, doin well with the sale of yours :D
ASM-Forever
10-01-08, 02:40 PM
Fock me, doin well with the sale of yours :D
£1950 and reserve not met....i would be kicking myself if that didn't go on to sell!
Of course as its ebay hopefully the high bidder isn't a time waster.
plowsie
10-01-08, 02:42 PM
IMO (remember i am sayin IMO) - You should take off the reserve, thats a bloody good price for a curvey SV.
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