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Ducati Owners or enthusiasts? Come on in.

Discussion in 'Motorcycles & Boats' started by DevonL, Mar 21, 2010.

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  1. DevonL

    DevonL Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2010
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    Devon
    The bike looks fantastic in yellow! I'm jealous! aha

    I did indeed clean the screen too, I made sure to read up on the oil change on DucatiSuit just in case there was something different to look out for. Thanks for the heads up though!
     
  2. BrokeJoke

    BrokeJoke Rookie

    Feb 7, 2009
    8
    Nice Ducs, anyone out here in Vegas? I want to go ride!
     
  3. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2004
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    #53 Ducman491, Apr 11, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  4. DevonL

    DevonL Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2010
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    Now how does your Monster feel in comparison to your former Superbike? How reliable have the two bikes been for you?
     
  5. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

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    #55 Ducman491, Apr 12, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2010
    Well I had the 748 for about 6 years and put about 12k on it. I did 2 track days and most of the miles were "spirited" miles. I felt like I knew exactly what the bike was going to do in any situation. The Monster, I got last year and put about 1500 miles on it so it is still "new" to me. I wanted the Monster because the 748 was just to uncomfortable to do anything but ride hard. I didn't want to ride it to work or the store or anything else. I'm 35 now and comfort matters. Ridden hard the 748 rocked! Crazy fast corner speed and dead stable, on the gas earlier than my litre bike buddies and around a track or twisty bit of road no problem keeping up. The one really fast guy that we ride with actually liked the 748 chassis better than his GSXR 1000 but wanted more power.

    The Monster is less than half of the power of the big bikes but still handles really well. It is a bit slower than the 748 in the twisty bits but fast enough for me. I need a new front tire so I didn't push it very hard last year. We'll see what some new rubber does for her this year. I'll need to get the suspension sorted next year. (forgot to mention that I had Ohlins valving up front and proper spring in the back on the 748) The main thing is that the Monster is so much more comfortable. When we go out to ride hard we are 160 miles of freeway away from the really good roads. Round trip it can be anywhere from 450 - 500 miles in a day. On the 748 I would need a whole day to recover. On the Monster last year I went to watch 4th of July fireworks with the family when we got home.

    They are both really good bikes and great fun to ride. If I had the funds I would have kept the 748 for a track bike and got a Monster too.

    Edit: The 748 only left me stranded once and that was in a downpour. 2 hours of solid rain on the freeway everything got wet. Had to pull off and call for a pick up. I let it dry out for a few days and never had a problem after that. I did go through a clutch pack in about 1500 miles due to a loose alternator nut but I don't consider that really a reliability problem.
     
  6. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
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    #56 rdefabri, Apr 12, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2010
    Isn't that an 888 or is it an 851 Strada? 851/888, especially the later vintage bikes are amongst my favorites.
     
  7. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    #57 ferraripete, Apr 12, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    regular 851...not a strada. you have great taste if you like the 888!

    me and my 888 out on wueste rd. just past the olympic training center.
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  8. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

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    I like all of the bikes older than the 999 series. It seems to me that they were more of an extension of the rider then. Now they are more technologically advanced and too clinical. Maybe i'm just old.
     
  9. DevonL

    DevonL Formula 3

    Mar 13, 2010
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    Any recommendations on a good spark plug to run?
     
  10. Ducman491

    Ducman491 Formula 3

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    My Haynes manual recommends a Champion plug that was only $1.50 at Autozone. I can get you the number later.
     
  11. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

    Jun 4, 2008
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    If you could have 1 bike from the 916 / 996 / 998 (including "S" and "R" bikes), which would it be?

    Which of the non-comp bikes from that range will be the future collectible?
     
  12. kiesan

    kiesan Formula 3
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    #62 kiesan, May 18, 2010
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  13. kiesan

    kiesan Formula 3
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    #63 kiesan, May 18, 2010
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  14. abrussich

    abrussich Rookie

    Dec 10, 2009
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    Houston, Tx.
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    Al "phonse" Brussich
  15. ExoticSpotter

    ExoticSpotter Formula Junior

    Jun 1, 2008
    685
    916 made the biggest impact so that's my vote
     
  16. tundraphile

    tundraphile F1 Veteran

    May 16, 2007
    5,083
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    #66 tundraphile, May 18, 2010
    Last edited: May 18, 2010
    In order (IMO)
    1. 998R. Only 50 bikes imported into the US, only made in 2002. The "ultimate" version of the 916 family.
    2. 996R. Not sure if any were actually imported to the US for 2001, but a few are around.
    3. 916SPS. Actually 996cc, the best Ducati could make in a street-legal bike in the late '90's.
    4. 998FE. After a haitus for 2003, the 998 Matrix and 998FE returned for 2004. Ohlins and carbon for the FE sets it apart. Basically a slightly uprated version of the 2002 998S.
    5. 748R. Even more highly tuned than the bigger 916SPS, the 748R featured some unique bits (shower injectors for example). I'm not even sure if these are technically street-legal, but there are many with plates running around. But the street probably isn't the best environment for these bikes.
    6. 916SP. A 955cc bike built in very limited quantities in '95 & '96. Most were trackday playthings for wealthy enthusiasts. Again, true DOT legality is murky, but it did come with lights and turn signals.

    That is the common list of "most desirable" bikes. But for me the headache of dealing with the unique aspects of many of them, along with the near unobtainable status is several critical parts for specific models means I probably wouldn't want any of them.

    For me a 2001 996S "Pista" would probably be the bike I would want. The standard desmoquattro motor is well-known and parts are plentiful, plus I have the tools to work on it. The 2001 S model (along with the standard) had more attractive five spoke wheel. The S also featured upgraded suspension versus the standard. Finally, most red bikes from that year had factory graphics in red/green/white that sets them apart a bit from a standard 916.
    http://data.motor-talk.de/data/galleries/497155/168530/-die-996sps-pista-welche.jpg
     
  17. jmuriz

    jmuriz Formula Junior

    Dec 9, 2003
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    Arlington, VA
  18. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Great post - thanks!
     
  19. kiesan

    kiesan Formula 3
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    #69 kiesan, May 19, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I think its called Sahara Yellow. I just acquired it, a '72 1-owner 914 with 83k from a family who's grandmother bought it new and just recently passed away. A dealer stamped service booklet all the way up. Insanely original, unmodded and bereft of rust. I have since sourced a set of hubcaps which had come up missing.

    Yeah the MH900e does have a well deserved rep as being a torture rack. Great fun for blasting around on 30 minute trips though as long as you are of reasonable size/weight.
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  20. Air_Cooled_Nut

    Air_Cooled_Nut Formula Junior

    Nov 25, 2004
    952
    Portland, Oregon
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    Toby Erkson
    I've owned two. I love them! Keep it original, it's rare in that form :) I do recommend using a gel cell (sealed) battery so you don't have the hell hole to repair (most likely rusted anyway). Great find!!
     
  21. Seth

    Seth Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2004
    1,551
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    #71 Seth, May 23, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  22. DriveAfterDark

    DriveAfterDark F1 Veteran

    Jan 1, 2007
    9,148
    Norway
    I wanna get the exact same bike as my first bike! Cheap and cheerful.
     
  23. Seth

    Seth Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2004
    1,551
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    Its my first as well, I really like it. I did my bike test on a Yamaha XJ6, and prior to that had only rode small 250 dirt bikes and a 625 KTM. When I first rode the Ducati I was blown away by how much better it handled than the XJ6, granted the Xj6 is a lot bulkier, but hands down the Ducati felt amazing compared to it. Only problem now I want to get an exhaust on it.
     
  24. 360C

    360C F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Pretty good summary there, I have had a few on that list myself.
    One small point re the 916 SP, the 955's (916 SPA) are exceedingly rare as only a small run of 54 bikes was made to homologate the 955 engine for WSBK racing. The vast majority of 916 SP's are the normal 916 cc capacity.
    The 998R would have to be my pick of the street 916 versions.
     
  25. DriveAfterDark

    DriveAfterDark F1 Veteran

    Jan 1, 2007
    9,148
    Norway
    They sound a lot better with the right exhaust.
     

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