Hello, I am in the process of purchasing my first bike and have no other bike in mind that a monster. I have wanted one since 93'. I might have been a little kid, but I have always loved the bike. I am aware that in general Ducati's are more expensive to maintain than, lets say your common Asian bike. After talking to several people I have recieved many different estimated for yearly cost of the bike. Some people have estimated upwards of $1000, and some have said as low as $200. Lets presume that I'm going to get a base model, 620, 750, or something like that. I don't have the money for an S4R or anything so nice. I would love to know what you people think of the annual costs of owning a monster 1999-2005. I'm not sure this is the correct place for a post like this, but I'm new here and don't know exactly where to put this. I would be thankful to any assistance on this topic. Have a great day.
Here in Canada, Ottawa Ontario, between 600 to 1000 for the 12k and 24k service.
Cooper,
The maintenance cost of a Ducati motorbike depends on so many things: model, year, how you ride, how much you ride, where you live, etc.
I have a 2003 M620s i.e. and the 10000 km service runs about 700 euros, while the 20000 km service runs about 1000 euros, at the Ducati dealers in the Paris area. You can take it to other shops but the main problems are: (1) the adjustment of the timing belts (which should be done acoustically using a Ducati tool) and (2) the adjustments of the fuel mixture and idle settings which need to be done using the Ducati service computer (for the fuel injected bikes).
If you crash (as I often do) then the problem is compounded by the high price of the OEM parts. I have estimated that in parts, my bike would cost about 50 times its original value and I think this is true for all Ducati. On average I spend about 2000 euros per year on the maintenance of a bike, which originally cost me 4500 euros used.
Here is a link where I discuss this topic and one of the horror stories after a crash http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=62237575221 (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=62237575221)
Welcome to the crying club.
Pedro
Don't forget to factor in occasional costs of riding...
Hydraulic fluids, TIRES, brake pads, etc. etc.
These things add up over time, and can nickel and dime you to death
You will also need to factor in the costs of proper riding gear. Helmet, LEATHER gloves, jacket (preferably leather as well), BOOTS...
Dont forget about registration and insurance costs as well.
Here's a link to the best Ducati shop in the San Francisco Bay Area and what they charge:
http://motorcycle.nicholsmfg.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=119 (http://motorcycle.nicholsmfg.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=119)
I get to pay an extra $40 for my ST2 because that's the additional labor cost to take the fairing off and put it back on, since the rest of the work is the same as for a Monster. It would cost $300 every 6000 miles if you keep to the service schedule. I'm assuming you can do your own oil changes every 3000 miles. If the bike needs belts, they charge only for the cost of the belts, no additional labor charge, so the 12,000 mile service would be closer to $400.
Otherwise it all depends on how many miles you ride a year. I ride my ST2 less than 6000 miles a year, so my annual maintenance costs are under $300. I lubricate my own chain and get my own tires installed. Costs for those would be the same for any other bike.
I'm sure that I could do my own service if I really wanted to, but I like visiting with the people at Nichols and when I have them work on my Ducatis I know that things are done right.
You haven't indicated where you live, so service costs might be more. But at least you know what the costs should be at a top notch Ducati shop.
So, I have an 02 620 and did just about everything you can do for maintenance last month.
2 new tires, new chain and sprockets, 6k service, fluid replacements.
Cost me a total of 900 with parts, though I had it done by J.D. Hord who has his own shop in central Ohio.
Shouldn't have to do much other than oil changes for the next two years.
Quote from: cooper01 on June 04, 2009, 08:11:10 AM
I have recieved many different estimated for yearly cost of the bike. Some people have estimated upwards of $1000, and some have said as low as $200. Lets presume that I'm going to get a base model, 620, 750, or something like that.
I would love to know what you people think of the annual costs of owning a monster 1999-2005.
Well, it depends on how much of the work you can do yourself, and if you have the know-how, tools, and proper workspace in order to do the work.
I have my own house, and a nice sized garage that is attached to it.
Currently, I have 7 bikes, plus a sports car that shares that space.
I have to remove the car in order to work on a bike, but that's not a big deal.
I also have all the tools that I need in order to do the following services on my bikes, plus those of my friends who ask, here in the Denver area:
Oil and filter changes.
Brake pad and rotor replacements.
Clutch and brake fluid flushes.
Wheel removal (both normal swing arms and SSS).
Tire changes.
Valve adjustments.
Fork removal and rebuilding.
Swing arm maintenance.
Clutch repair and replacement.
Timing belt replacement and adjustment.
Carb synchs (using actual mercury sticks, not some engine oil in a bottle craziness).
So my yearly costs vary on the bike being worked on, and typically only require the cost of parts.
Tires are the largest factor. Some bikes go through tires every 4k miles, while others last 10k miles.
Valve clearance checks cost me nothing, and I tend to do one at every oil change, or every other change, just so I can see what's happening.
Plus they are fun for me. ;)
If I need to replace a shim, or several, then its just my time, plus the shims that I need to get the bike back into spec.
Belts only need to be replaced every 2 years, or 15k miles, whichever occurs first.
I would ask when the belts were last replaced with whatever bike you buy.
If they were done recently, then you have 2 years/15k miles.
If they weren't, then its going to cost you somewhere between $50 to $100 per belt.
For me, no labor costs.
Oil changes are easy.
Price depends on what you buy, and where you buy it at.
Brakes are wear dependent.
About $40 for a single set of pads.
So you're talking between $80 to $120 for a complete set of pads on the bike.
If you can do the work yourself, I highly recommend it.
Plus, you will have a deeper respect for your bike in the long run.
BC.
wow, thanks for all the quick replies! I am about to relocate to Stillwater OK to get a pHD at OSU. I will be riding the bike about 2 miles to school and back every day and in the weekend ride through the countryside. Many of the bikes I look at purchasing have already had the large services associated with the mileage. I have seen some 750's around 5 or 7 years old that I would really like. I'm 6'4 and don't want to get on a bike that is to small. In the next week or so I will be in Austin and able to go to a dealer where I will be able to get on different sized bikes. Hope that helps. I just really wonder if the 620 gets to be a little weak after a year or two of riding. Do any of you have that happen?
Quote from: cooper01 on June 04, 2009, 11:42:35 AM
wow, thanks for all the quick replies! I am about to relocate to Stillwater OK to get a pHD at OSU. I will be riding the bike about 2 miles to school and back every day and in the weekend ride through the countryside. Many of the bikes I look at purchasing have already had the large services associated with the mileage. I have seen some 750's around 5 or 7 years old that I would really like. I'm 6'4 and don't want to get on a bike that is to small. In the next week or so I will be in Austin and able to go to a dealer where I will be able to get on different sized bikes. Hope that helps. I just really wonder if the 620 gets to be a little weak after a year or two of riding. Do any of you have that happen?
I'm three inches shorter than you but I feel that the Monster riding position folds my legs up just a bit too much. It's only a real problem if I ride more than 100 miles. I now have an ST2 which has much more leg room and works way better for longer distances.
The 620 should have enough power if you're not too heavy. The biggest advantage to the larger engines is how they behave at lower engine speeds. You don't have to shift them as much.
Quote from: cooper01 on June 04, 2009, 11:42:35 AM
I just really wonder if the 620 gets to be a little weak after a year or two of riding. Do any of you have that happen?
After 2.5 years of riding, my 620S i.e. is starting to feel too weak for me. That been said, I am glad that I bought a small bike to begin with. As many other people, I paid my dues by crashing a couple of times, and in a bigger bike, there might have been bigger consequences. I am 5'6" & 140 lbs. and my 620S i.e. is just about perfect for me (size wise), but for a tall guy like you, I think that it would be too small. The saddle height in my bike is 30.3"; the 620 dark and that bigger engine monsters have a saddle height of 31.3" which will help someone your size.
Finally, if this is your first bike, I would strongly advice you against buying a new bike. If your experience is similar to that of many other new riders, (1) you are likely to crash, and (2) you are likely to develop a riding style that will dictate a different model than the one you would buy now based on looks only.
Enjoy and be safe.