Another motorbike.....Ducati.... am I mad

[Rannsachair]

I know there are a few bikers on here...I am usually a decisive person but cannot seem to make up my mind on my next bike.

When lying in a hospital bed I spent hours watching reviews and am tempted to buy a modernish bike ( my current most modern bike is a 1972 R75 BMW). I do occasionally miss the acceleration, braking and handling of a modern bike, such that I am contemplating buying a Ducati.

I fancied an ST3 which would probably be a sensible selection, though the riding position of adventure bikes I find really comfortable ( ran a KTM 950 adventure for a few years) so I like the idea of a Multistrada 950 (not the S as I would not want electronic suspension).

Pros of the Multistrada are:
1. Its a Ducati v twin and always wanted one.
2. Reviews are pretty good.
3. Think looks ok bar the beak.

Cons:
1. Servicing costs - big service from Ducati is extortionate (over £900), can I do it myself, not seen maintenance manuals for them.
2. Its a Ducati - horror stories of expensive failures and poor dealers.
3. Even buying an early one is likely to be about £8k and I will likely only do 2 or 3k miles a year on it, so depreciation for little use makes it expensive.

I do like KTM's, thought about the 790 Adventure but more offroad orientated, not as comfy and not a v twin. Suppose I could look at a 990 or a 1050 Adventure

I feel I am being a bit mad, though you only live once. My other thought is a newer classic that will be fun but not depreciate, perhaps a Laverda SF750 OR air cooled BMW GS.......

 

[Seadog]

I fancied a Ducati, but realistically it's just not worth it, for me. I only have my front garden to park it, so the chances of it being "borrowed" are high, which will in turn hike the insurance cost, plus weather damage no matter how well it's covered.

I'm still not sure what to buy.

 

[jerrytug]

For each of you, how about a 70's Norton Commando 850 Interstate, with a modern front disc brake modification. It won't depreciate, the spares are cheap compared to Ducatis, service it yourself. Performance similar to a Laverda SF750.

 

[Seadog]

I've had three Interstates. Beautiful bikes.

 

[Ruffian]

Is that the ducati multistrada that has the issue with the rear shock bolt siezeing into the swingarm??

 

[More Amps]

For what it's worth (v little), I've heard some expensive stories about KTM - expensive failures due to poor quality control or trying to squeeze too much power out of underated components...

 

[Hood]

Lots of horror stories abound regarding the Ducatis and KTM's but often you only hear the bad things so...
Shame I am not a bit closer or you could have tried the AT.
NT1100 might be a nice bike AT engine but more sport tourer but as they have only just come out there won't be second hand ones so...

 

[frank horton]

I'd love a Ducati but the running costs are so high......
also found the big'ish modern bike just to heavy for me now.....
Had a BMW 1100 brick, fine for the first 5-6 years but after that found it just to heavy at the lights n moving it around....
getting old is shi te.....

 

[Rannsachair]

I fancied a Ducati, but realistically it's just not worth it, for me. I only have my front garden to park it, so the chances of it being "borrowed" are high, which will in turn hike the insurance cost, plus weather damage no matter how well it's covered.

I'm still not sure what to buy.

I am lucky I live in a low crime area and can lock bikes away out of sight. An ex Triumph employee recommended the Interceptor 650 to me as more original Bonnie like that Triumph's offerings.

 

[Rannsachair]

For each of you, how about a 70's Norton Commando 850 Interstate, with a modern front disc brake modification. It won't depreciate, the spares are cheap compared to Ducatis, service it yourself. Performance similar to a Laverda SF750.

Never really thought of a Commando, always did fancy one though.

 

[Rannsachair]

Is that the ducati multistrada that has the issue with the rear shock bolt siezeing into the swingarm??

Not heard that one, clutch problems yes and gear selection.

 

[Rannsachair]

For what it's worth (v little), I've heard some expensive stories about KTM - expensive failures due to poor quality control or trying to squeeze too much power out of underated components...

Aye, though my 950 was pretty good bar the fuel pump and clutch slave.

 

[Rannsachair]

Lots of horror stories abound regarding the Ducatis and KTM's but often you only hear the bad things so...
Shame I am not a bit closer or you could have tried the AT.
NT1100 might be a nice bike AT engine but more sport tourer but as they have only just come out there won't be second hand ones so...

Was just reading a test on the NT1100 this morning, think a good bike, just doesn't set my pulse racing.

 

[Rannsachair]

I'd love a Ducati but the running costs are so high......
also found the big'ish modern bike just to heavy for me now.....
Had a BMW 1100 brick, fine for the first 5-6 years but after that found it just to heavy at the lights n moving it around....
getting old is shi te.....

I always quite liked the big heavy K series beemers, I had an R1100S for a while. the Honda Pan European or Yamaha FJR also appealed, though am not so keen on the weight now.

 

[GavJ]

A lot of people are put off with the weight of the bigger bikes, but its the seat height that makes the difference. My Rt has the low seat option and I manage ok, 5 ft 8 and 29" inside leg (short ar$e). Was in the car park at Aberfoyle a while back,loads of guys watchin me when I reversed between two bollards and done a 3 point turn, with the boss on the back..... I think they were placing bets that I would topple Doing a 3 point turn on a hill is another story

 

[mtt.tr]

I think I've settled on a gs I desperately miss having a bmw

 

[Rannsachair]

A lot of people are put off with the weight of the bigger bikes, but its the seat height that makes the difference. My Rt has the low seat option and I manage ok, 5 ft 8 and 29" inside leg (short ar$e). Was in the car park at Aberfoyle a while back,loads of guys watchin me when I reversed between two bollards and done a 3 point turn, with the boss on the back..... I think they were placing bets that I would topple Doing a 3 point turn on a hill is another story

I am 6 ft 3, so less of an issue to me, though I could not get the flats of my feet down on my KTM 950.

 

[GavJ]

I am 6 ft 3, so less of an issue to me, though I could not get the flats of my feet down on my KTM 950.

 

[Craig-SM]

I had a Ducati 900SS early 2000's and it wasn’t a great experience. Electrics were the main problem and the parts were expensive. Riding the bike wasn't even that great so the whole thing just put me off Ducati for life.
I then went safe but dull with Honda. The itch for something more got too much and I had to have a KTM. I expected ownership costs to be similar to the Ducati but turned out to the least expensive to run and certainly the most fun. Never left KTM until I gave up riding.

 

[pressbrake1]

Most unreliable bike I ever owned was a ktm, not helped by the dealer Jim aim putting a s/h battery in a new bike. I think ktm had words with them over that
Got a 1200gs 2009 now
It’s funny but I don’t think of it as a bike. Dry single plate clutch, car alternator and a powerband like a DI transit not to mention the weird bmw indicator switches
I do like it though!