Ducati Monster Forum

Is it just me or every ducati owner has problem with his bike?
As it seems in Tech forum even brand new bikes fail with something. [bang]

You are assuming that every Ducati owner has posted his experiences in this forum. What your assumption overlooks is that not every owner has taken the time to post their good experiences. While informative, it would be boring. It is reasonable to consider that when someone has a problem they post here for assistance/guidance/venting, and that is one of the forum benefits, but it should not betaken as indicative of every owner experience. To do so would be an unsubstantiated assumption.

In case this is your first bike forum experience, try logging onto other bike marque forums and you will see similar.

I have bought my Monster new in 2004 and 40,000+ miles later have had no problems with my Ducati.

I have owned 14 Ducati over the last 20 years. On top of other bikes of popular brands.
The defect ratio was not a bit different from the others.
This is the same BS put around when a dork see a guy with an hot chick around, and he thinks she must be a b*tch and dumb, just to calm down his envy  ;D

I've had 15,000 miles on my two Ducs since 2007 and aside from the plastic tank swelling issue the bikes have been rock solid.  They've never left me stranded, never had to walk home or call a tow truck.  I take them in for regular maintenance and do what the mechanic recommends.

Don't feed the troll.  ;D

Mine's got just a tick short of 70K...but it's time for a new engine. Totally worth it.  [beer]

Mine is 13 and 39,000 with no real problems.

JM

24k... normal maintenance and wear & tear items only.

Well... except for a (well documented) replacement tank issue... but only 1.

 It helps to have a competent dealer to do setup and maintenance. An experienced Ducati tech for when there IS an issue is good as well.

I am not troll. M696 my first bike.
Quoted post says no real problem. I had and have car, and bike just don't seems to be reliable transport. Always some problems and hassle.
I just don't see any special quality for it's price, only design .

kokis,  has your bike ever had any attention from a Ducati mechanic?

I dont necessarily mean at an authorised Ducati dealership, but by a motorcycle tech with Ducati knowledge and experience?

Or even a long time Ducati enthusiast do-it-yourselfer?

My bike will soon be 13 years old (bought it new), has 68,000 mostly urban miles on it.  Never been stranded, no major engine repairs.  Runs great.  A gent named PhilB last I heard, about 2 years ago had 220k on his.  A buddy of mine turned 100k on his a year or two ago, still running.  Most folk don't post in tech asking what to do because the bike runs fine.

Look back at the past few months of factory issued recalls. Problems that were present before a bike even left for dealership floors. You'll find every major manufacturer, and all the little ones present. From Harley to Zero to Suzuki, even Kawasaki Police Bikes!

Comparing a car to a motorcycle is apples to oranges.

ungeheuer
No. Ducati is not very popular in 3rd worlds.

howie
again how many minor repairs you had to do?

Yes there are tonns of recalls by another companies.

May be Ducati has not more issues than japs, I don't know. But I do know that ducati is always 30% higher in price. Yes it has superior complectation (armored brake lines, brembo brakes etc). But still you have at least same amount of issues that other similar but cheaper bikes have.
So why pay more?



p.s. I don't try to turn you off by my topic. When I bought Ducati I bought it because I like design and I was ready to pay more for worry free bike. I bought it with 6k miles on it, almost new, right? and in first month weird things started to happen, for example bike just turned off on red light. It did not happened again but wtf was that?

There was a time when Ducatis were cheaper too, depending on currency markets, import protection, etc. They are a premium brand now, (and the Euro) which puts the price up.

My bike has 30,000 miles and is 19 years old. If it had been ridden more and serviced correctly, I wouldn't have had to sort it out in the first 6 months of ownership. Any reliability problems were due to neglect and sitting around from the previous owner, or were small items like the front brake switch (Japanese made) and fuel sender (annoying), and neglect of regular servicing.

Items like cam belts, valve adjustments and dry clutch plates require more regular attention than most Japanese bikes I have owned. But, I would rather do the valve adjustment on a two valve Monster than my Suzuki GSXR 750 any day, even if it has to be done more often.

You bought the "Ferrari of Motorcycles"...since when have Ferraris been worry free?

If you have to ask why you just don't get it. If any old bike will do, you are right, you don't need a Ducati. As far as reliabilty, I've never needed any major (or minor) engine work on any of my Ducati's. I've had them serviced regularly but other then that they have been trouble free. My '96 M900 broke down once or twice but that was because I was messing with the fuel, battery, flywheel, and everything else.

I've only had very minor issues with my 796 after 1 year and 5000 miles - an exhaust valve that needed to be oiled and a rear brake line that needed to be bled. Both were taken care of under warranty.

I used to have a 1970 Jaguar XKE.  It's considered by many to be the sexiest car ever made. The damn car always had electrical issues and it was a pain in the ass synchronizing the two carburetors so it would run correctly. I spent more time working on that car than I did driving it.  Despite all of that, I would give anything to have that car back now.

If your looking for 100% reliability, exotic performance-oriented engines are probably not your thing.

Lucas, the Prince of Darkness  ;)

My Ducati gets loving attention from people who know Ducatis.  And has never had any issues.  I wonder if that's a coincidence.

Why pay more?   

As you identified, your Ducati comes with a generally higher standard of cycleparts...  and there's no doubt that the brand carries a price premium too (perceived exclusivity, and/or heritage....), an "exclusivity" that you bought into too, even in the face of little or no aftermarket support in your region. 

Why pay more?

It's marketing, they charge what they can fetch, no more and certainly no less.  Is it worth more?  Maybe not if you're measuring value against the kinda reliability you're gonna get from a piece of equipment that's not able to get to any qualified or knowledgeable maintenance or support.

Despite the unarguably higher cost of ownership mine makes me smile, YMMV.
 

For me Ducati = Happy . . .

No matter what's wrong with her, it's my bike and many want it, many desire it, many want theirs to look like mine . . .

Dealer, gets me the parts fast ;D

Reliable ?

As much as any other bike IMO. My 2006 S2R 1000 has over 57,000 miles and still runs QUITE well. Only issue was replacing an exhaust valve guide at 48,000 miles.

"in first month weird things started to happen, for example bike just turned off on red light. It did not happened again but wtf was that?"

It's called Character   (http://www.thespeedtriple.com/forum/images/smilies/wtf.gif)

ducpainter - ducati if not ferrari, far far far from that.

It's seems like most of you forgive issues to your beloved bike as men forgive their girls. Some bias may be in this thread.
I think I would receive more support if i post this thread in tech forum and junior members will take time to reply. I am not going do it due the rules.


But ducati is ferrari kinda true from some point. It is like When you love bike more than just a vehicle.
Belts change for some toyota sedan cost 25$ and takes 20 minutes, when belt change on certan ferraries needs to disassemble half of engine and cost 2k$(Moscow prices)
Does ferrari reliable compared to toyota? not sure about that. using ferrari for daily use is bs.
Is it hot. Yes. [bow_down]

Post your question in Tech.


"in first month weird things started to happen, for example bike just turned off on red light. It did not happened again but wtf was that?"

Items you would consider repairs, not maintenance?  Ignition pick up, fuel pump, ummm, I think that is about it unless you want to include head and wheel bearings at 50K or so.  On a bike I consider that maintenance.  Oh, of course, carb needles and needle jets but on a Ducati they are a known wearing part.

Maintenance is another issue, but a look in the owner's manual will warn you about that.

Just remembered, I had to break into the wiring harness to replace the high beam wire.  Surely running a 100 watt high beam had no effect though :P

I'll offer my anecdotal evidence here.  I've owned my Ducati since new for almost 3 years now and I've put 14,000 miles on it during that time.  I owned my previous bike, a Suzuki, for 3.5 years and almost 17,000 miles.  I had zero problems with the Suzuki... and I mean ZERO!  Nothing other than routine maintenance (which was far less frequent and far less expensive).  The Ducati I own now I've had the rear wheel replaced as part of a recall, I had the stator replaced under warranty, I had the starter replaced under warranty, I had a cold stalling issue due to exhaust valves being too tight, I had a broken shifter return spring which I replaced myself and I've had the fuel tank replaced under warranty because of the ethanol fuel problem.

I have to ask, do you actually ride your bikes?  And what are these popular brands you're comparing your Ducatis to?  Me, I kind of miss my Suzuki.

I've had my '02 S4 since new, bought February 2003.
Currently at 52,400 miles.

Failures:

Leaky vertical cylinder base gasket at 2,000 miles

OEM Fiamm Battery leaked at 2,500 miles, not a Ducati part, so probably shouldn't even be listed here.

OEM ECU Packed up at 17,400, Replaced with FIM U59 ECU.
Had been running a PCIII since 1,400, perhaps it killed the ECU, I've seen several dead ECU's with PCIII.

Some of the brackets on the Headlight Mount U-bracket cracked, got those re-welded.

Clutch finally got so grabby and squally and noisy at 28,200 that I replaced it.

FIM ECU went wacky at 29,000.
Sent back to FIM, it was repaired for free.

Ne steering head bearings at 33,000.

Replaced the *original* Champion RA59GC sparkplugs after 39,900 miles just because I felt guilty.
Didn't run any different.....

Put a Shorai in at 48,600.
OEM Regulator/Rectifier dead at 49,200.
Coincidence?

FIM ECU went wacky again, at 50,200 miles.
FIM had closed, so replaced with MicroTec ECU.

Tank started leaking at the hinge at ~51,000 or so.

52,300 miles now.
Oh, no flaked rockers, none.

Everything else was standard maintenance: tires, chain & sprockets, batteries, belts, oil and filters, valve clearance adjustments, etc.

So, I can only pin the base gasket leak and cracked welds on the U-bracket firmly on Ducati.
ECU, maybe.... equally likely the PCIII borked it.
Tank leaking at 51,000... maybe.

Everything else that failed was aftermarket stuff.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Picked up a used and abused '98 M750 in June 2011 at 14,900 miles.
Currently at 39,200.

Rebuilt the carbs with FactoryPro parts at 21,800.
Wish I had done it before that, as a 24% improvement in fuel economy would have helped a lot at the 2,600 miles a month i was riding then....

One of the ignition trigger wires went bad at 34,000.

Fuel system seemed to be playing up, rebuilt the fuel pump at 37,600.

Replaced the Brembo Snowflake front rotor at 38,200, as it was worn below spec (was originally installed at 14,400, so got 23,800 out of it)

At 39,200 now.

Dunno.... throw Ducati under the bus for carb rebuild at 21,800?
Trigger wires at 34,000?
Fuel pump at 37,600?

some of them are quite good.  some real pieces of crap.  some of it bought on by bad maintenance, even fairly new bikes.

i'd say as far as known issues go, they'd be no worse than the bmw or mv i used to work on.  the aprilias were pretty good as a general rule from what i saw.  well, the v990 models.  apart from the rear brakes, etc.

we used to joke at bmw new model training about when the first round of recalls were going to come out.  sometimes we got the first of a new model bikes in the crates with "do not release" stickers on them due to recalls being required before the punters got them.  just part of the bmw fun.

i remember one guy who was having a go at everyone he found in the dealerhsip one day when a fuel pump relay (small siemens, occaissional known issue) on his ssie died.  wanted his money back and personal apologies from everyone for this grevious infliction of unreliabilty upon his poor self.  some people are just like that.

Well, we only own the one that we bought new. And it is far from a daily rider.

But it's been dead nuts reliable without a single repair (I don't count the wheel I trashed on a pothole).

It did stall once that I remember, two years ago.

It was cold, maybe I shut the  fast idle lever off too soon, I was approaching a stop sign. Hardly gave it a thought.

Anyway design and build quality seems first rate, performance is great, looks are great.

I don't really care if it was a little more pricey, it's the bike she wanted and we love it.

I do use my bikes as daily driver, and daily here in CA means 330+ days a year.
I have owned Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki.
For the latter, my last was a 2001 Suzuki Bandit 1200 naked. Which was a champ, after they had to pull the head cover for a leak gasket (under warranty).
I own also what you claim to own, a 2012 1100 EVO, which yes, had to have a trip to the dealer for the rear wheel.
I hardly went b*tching around for neither the Bandit leak repair, nor for the Monster recall.

I'll play.

2001 monster 600. Bought used with 5k miles in 2007.

First summer I owned it the safety relay went out. ~$2 part at autozone.

Have put about 20k miles on since. Not one other issue.


2004 s4r. Bought in 2009 with 19k miles.

Have put on about 12k miles since. Where do I start...

Cush drives failed and ate away my eccentric hub at about 26k miles.

Regulator fried itself at 27k miles.

Clutch slave failed about the same time.

Moisture got into my gauges and caused all sorts of havoc. Immobilizer issues, bike wouldn't start etc. easy fix, pull gauges apart, let dry, clean, put back together. Scared to now ride bike in the rain.


So there you go. Two completely different experiences with the same manufacturer similar vintage bikes.

If I need reliability I'll take the 600. If I want to have some fun I'll take my chances with s4r. I love them both for different reasons.

You still have the Shorai in the bike?  I just bought a Shorai this winter and now you're making me nervous.

I've undertaken a rather lackadaisical refurbishment on the S4, so the Shorai is still on the shelf along with lots of other bits.

It ran 3k miles just fine with the Shorai and new RR, after the original RR died.
<shrug>
I've replaced the failed bit and all seems OK.

8k on a 2013 M1100 - Only issue was the rear brake adjustment screw backing out and dragging the brake until it smoked.  More of a dealer setup issue than a Ducati problem.

^^^
Same thing happened to my brother's S2R. Ruined hub, rear brake, caliper, rotor, axle, bearings.
He didn't notice it, hammerin' up the Mtn. and it was red hot & smoking.
$2500 repair [thumbsdown]
So... yeah... I would call this problem B.S. and a big Ducati fail.

I haven't had any problems (knock on wood) with my '01 900Sie  [thumbsup]

Not a Ducati fail at all.  The stop screw was loose and backed out resulting in a brake drag.  All it cost was a new rotor and pads, that Ducati paid for under warranty. 

It was a dealer prep problem as that screw should have been really tight.  It was also my fault for not checking it sooner as I usually keep a tight watch on all nuts on bolts on every bike I have ever owned.  :-[  Big Twins take even more watching than a I-4 as stuff just rattles loose.

Either way I got no guff at fixing it and the turnaround was only about a week waiting for parts.   [thumbsup]

You want to hear about a real PITA ask me about my 03 Firebolt sometime......  Snapped five drive belts in 20k 3 required an "upgraded" pulley system.  Three stators due to hard to find shorts.  The easy to find short was when the stock headlight bulbs melted through the housings....   [roll]

 

So how does the reliability of new Monsters compare with new Ducati SBK's?

I've had a shorai since ~June 2011 and even after running it flat twice due to stator/rectifier problems it still starts up every day without a fuss.

I haven't been too nice to my 750 and it still works. I think the carbs need some work and the rear master failed, but that was an easy fix. I have about 20K on it and did the valves once. Its cool to look at. Most Jap bikes are just appliances. they work great but most of them aren't very exiting.

My experience was mild BS: '07 M695. Expanding tank replaced under warranty. Discolored and nasty looking heads due to lean running --apparently a known issue but nothing for it. Replaced slave and push rod o-rings due to 'leaking kickstand'. Dealer claimed there was a fault with the thermistor, so replaced that.

The other mild BS was due to what some call 'character': it ran way too lean and hot. Had to add a 14T sprocket and FatDuc just to make it more rideable. Still ran too hot for my comfort. No doubt an oil cooler, chip, and expensive exhaust would've solved those issues, but I just didn't want to invest the $$'s.  I sold the bike this week and miss it already.

My '99 ST2? It ran like crap below 4500 rpm, but fixed it all with a $45 DP chip. And the battery died once.  ;D

mild BS
 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Ding ding ding.

The only failed part I've replaced on mine is the battery ground cable.  Cost me about $1.50 to repair.  Other than that, everything has been maintenance replacements. 

JM

I stand corrected..

Fuel flange wiring took a steaming pile on me and left me stranded at work.

- which wasn't a big deal considering it was a great excuse to hit a few gastropubs and rack out at the office!-

Got it replaced for a hundred bucks and was back in business. [thumbsup]

Considering i've had two actual "problems" with the bike in 57,000 miles since buying her new, I'll gladly take that without complaining. I love my bikes and everything about them, even their quirks.

Bottom line is : If you don't like what your riding, get rid of it and move on

More than 50 000 km on mine.  ( 1995 900monster)

Often the problem is not the bike but the owner ;D

Ducati owner's for most suffer from what is called  "duca-perso-mod syndrome"
Symptoms are

1- reparing unecessary stuff
2- ordering unecessary part
3- great abillity to resist the "wife naging syndrome "
4- standing still in  the garage  whit a beer in hand
 [thumbsup]

sure...

ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=64888.msg1196255#msg1196255

As I said, looks like owners often forgive issues. I do not.

Time you traded up to something faultless (or at least better value vis-à-vis fault/cost).

http://650nk.com.au/ (http://650nk.com.au/)

Those are much less expensive than your 696, and even if it breaks every second week, you'll still be ahead on the fault/cost trade-off  [thumbsup]

I agree...except some UJM should fill the bill.

If you don't like the bike move on to something you do like.

Just don't try to convince us we shouldn't 'accept' the faults you find so abhorrent.

That makes you come off as a troll.

This thread is close to being done BTW.

Lol .....  memories ....memories   ;D

That's a sad way to go through life. You will always be disappointed. Nothing is perfect. No house, no town, no restaurant, no job, no car, no motorcycle.

I'd add...

no one. ;D

Except, maybe, himself.  ;)

I love my s4rs and have about 30k miles on it.  I hope to keep it forever.  It's been very reliable for the most part, granted it did have a main bearing go out early on and of course there's the plastic tank issue.  But I will say that I've had japanese bikes with chronic issues of their own.

From my understanding, Ducatis are much better quality now than they were some 15-20 years ago.  I recently visited the Ducati factory/museum and the tour guide still felt it necessary to mention that the newer ducatis are much more reliable and better made than the older ducatis.

I'm a FNG to Ducatis. Just picked up a S2R with extremely low miles. There are some things that aren't perfect. I weld thin wall tubing as a profession, so it's easy to be critical of some things I see. But frankly, when you start the bike up, swing a leg over and push off none of that stuff really matters to me. The bike is bloody brilliant. I don't see that feeling leaving either.

I've only been involved with motorcycles for about 7 years and Ducati's for 6.  I picked up a 2000 750 6 years ago.  I had to rebuild the carbs, and had several go arounds with failing voltage regulators frying my battery and sending acid down the side of the bike several times.  That being said, I don't ever recall hearing that Ducati's were bulletproof, run forever machines with no maintenance issues.  They certainly didn't have the low maintenance reputation of a Honda or the bulletproof reputation of a Moto Guzzi. They sound great, handle far better than the Nighthawk I started out on and make me smile when I roll out of the driveway and roll on the throttle into the big right hand sweeper at the end of my property.  With Ducati's reputation of being bought and sold every couple of years by one holding company or another and using up odds and ends parts to finish out runs within models, they are bound to have a problem or two.  If you are looking at a no compromise bike that has no maintenance or design flaws, that cuts up curves like its on rails and runs 14o mph (like my 750!), never needs valves done, etc...   Ducati isn't it - but I don't recall anyone, even Ducati trumpeting about their low maintenance, flawless, run forever bikes.  Some of us have had Ducati's that have been nearly flawless and some of us have had nightmares.  I would hazard a guess that if you looked at any other motorcycle forum, you would see horror stories too.  Some brands may be more reliable or ????, but Ducati's have something the contributors to this forum are attracted to, just like most other motorcycle - the good, the bad and the ugly. 

i've been working on them for 19 and 3/4 years and i wouldn't agree with that.

years ago we had an interstate guy come in who was on a trip with his 900ss carby model (back when they were new).  he absolutely make the beast with two backsing hated it, biggest piece of shit he'd ever owned.  but he'd done 20,000km on it.  and planned to do more.

sometimes you need to just move on.  or not expect sympathy if you don't.

Well I am now at about 8500 Miles on a 2013 M1100.  After a 400 mile ride today I have finally developed a problem with my bike.  It just refuses to wipe the shit eating grin off my face.  [shot] 

I thought it was only a 300 mile ride? Did you do ice house?

May your grandkids have wealthy grandparents one day.


Never a truer word said!

I think a Hayabusa would be pretty friggin' exciting.

Too exciting for me.

Ugly as shit though.

I said most...

That superhawk (fireblade) i had was pretty cool.
The CBR 600 was an excellent machine and about as exiting as a refrigerator

My DR650 is not exciting.

Except when I make the beast with two backs up  [laugh]

The CR250 was exiting the 125 not so much. I had fun on both though.

My Japanese CX500 wasnt at all exciting.  My Italian SD900 was the most exiting bike I ever owned...... whenever I took it out for a ride there was no telling how far I'd get.... before it broke  ;D

(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb347/dapaoli/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-02/FD8A61C7-753D-4E84-B5DD-F4169C24F3F0_zpsd7jxrox6.jpg)
I dont think she's gonna be put off by a few grey hairs Mendo Dave  ;) ;)

Was looking for the like button didn't find it, but, found this,  [thumbsup] nothing but the truth and the whole truth !!!

Go on, you don't like, sell it !!!!

Funny you mention those...  I have lusted after the power they offer, and want one for a long range tourer.  Risers, taller windscreen, my Cortech side & tail bags on.  All day comfort and plenty of passing power!  They aren't pretty though, but I don't really care.  I imagine I'll not care the moment I whack the throttle wide open!

JM

Kokis, SDRider.  Sounds to me like you guys harbor a suppressed desire to be riding Suzukis instead  ;).  Even though they sit way at the bottom of the Japanese Motorcycle Food-chain; IMHO anyway.

I have been hearing the same waffle all my life about Italian Passion Machines (Stallions); and not limited only to Ducati, but also as regards Morini/Cagiva, MV, even Guzzi, Aprilia and more – never mind Alfa Romeos, Lancias and Fiats.  And I have ridden/driven and worked on several of those.  I also went through a stage in my life when I had to ride Jap (Scrap).  But that was when I was young and foolish, and mainly because Italian Bikes were prohibitively expensive and virtually unobtainable in Sarfefrica in those years.  Granted, V/L-Twins were not quite in vogue back then and both Ducati and Alfa had rather dubious Reliability Records, but nothing makes you bond closer to a Marque than one that covers your hands in oil and Elastoplasts.  I had posters and magazine clips of the Benelli Sei and Laverda Jota on my bedroom walls then like I have of the Maserati Quattroporto and Ferrari California on my garage walls now.

Back then we would spend all our time and money on Big-bore Kits, Cams and Slide Carbs to change our Jap Sewing Machines into bellowing and barking Tire-smokers with a ragged high idle that would pop and gargle on decel.  What bliss!  And they would break often for what we did to and with them.  But we never blamed the Japs or After-part Makers for that?

And then along came the Monsters, which just looked, sounded and performed the part straight off the Showroom Floor.  But so many riding them have been whining and b!tching, without end, as too how they surge at low revs, and how you would need the clutch to be slipped every now and then, and for their legs (gearing) being too long and as to them popping and gargling on decel?  And how they cut out at a traffic light once in a blue moon ???.

Unfortunately Ducaudi also reads Forums it seems, and has picked up on the incessant complaining.  The result will be a new slew of friendly, polite and polished Ger-talian Sewing Machines (Mares) – sans Soul and Character – of which the 1200/1200S is the first.  BMW has already been lost down that route.  And it will probably not take long either to launch a Scooter Lineup in order to meet Beemer’s in the Marketplace.  Sacrilege!

Ducati = Grin Factor.

I like you  [thumbsup]

Let's talk cricket  ;D

I feel about the Proteas (Sarfefrican Cricket Team for those who might not know and/or might just care – don’t ask) right now like one would feel about a brother in jail.  I still love the b@stard but I really do not want to talk about him.

Ja, I understand....  :(

So....... lets talk about cricket  ;D

There is not reason whatsoever, to compromise beauty for excitement/speed.
For example, Ducati 1198:

(http://www.top2best.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/darya-klishina-2012.jpg)


Hayabusa:

(http://cache2.asset-cache.net/gc/90302514-jarmila-kratochvilova-of-czechoslovakia-400m-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=X7WJLa88Cweo9HktRLaNXv4cR5XbRxi8yEKyC3WJATbZd27sGr4W1CNw71Ku3NnlWKEW7Ld4iN8MTg3%2b%2fDMY1A%3d%3d)


OK, I lied, the first one is a jumper, but you get the idea  ;D

I am starting to agree with these haters.  My POS Duc ran out of gas yesterday!

You better get something else then. Maybe a Maximog.

 [laugh] [laugh]  I would never actually own such a monstrosity, Sure would'a been fun building it though.  I did own a Pinzgauer though!

Kokis I have resisted posting until now because this thread has been such a good read ... but I will try and clarify things for you.

Yes, you did fall for the marketing hype.
Yes, you did pay more than you could have for another marque.

The issue is that you say you were willing to pay more for the design, but what you really wanted to be paying more for was bulletproof reliability ... sorry to disappoint you but you didn't buy both. Considering that you bought from a relatively low production marque with an even lower market penetration (in your home market) ... it appears reasonable that you were always going to pay more. But you paid more to get what you wanted - and that is the key.

Most of us have willingly paid that premium to get what we wanted ... and we did that knowing what compromises we may need to make. Were we expecting more reliability for the money? No - most were just expecting the thing which you say you wanted: design. Perhaps you purchased without the clarity that hindsight has now provided you and you are frustrated by your own decision or lack of research - perhaps you are trying to make yourself feel better by seeking others that feel the same ... I don't know and you will need to be honest with yourself to know as well.

So, in short - yes you fell for the marketing hype (or bullshit as you so eloquently put it). If you feel guilty about that I'm afraid you have come to the wrong place looking for sympathy.

Gladly leaving my Honda 2001 VFR800 behind for a 2001 Monster, I can understand the shock people feel when you need to do more work to keep her in tip top shape, than you would for a Japanese bike. The VFR (bought new and properly maintained) was flawless. The Ducati, although the same age, was certainly not properly looked after.

I totally agree with my good brother koko64,  that 99% of the issues with my bike that we sorted together, were totally the result of poor mechanical work done by others.

Clutch cover bolts done up sooo tight they rounded when trying to take them off, same for one of the belt pulley bolts, bad adjustments of just about everything you can imagine; valves, air fuel screws, TPS and so on. Even though I love my bike, that first year or so of trying to sort everything out was a right royal pain in the butt!

In your case, a cut out and red light once, hardly qualifies for the concerns you have raised. In the big scheme of things, you've done pretty well.

I assume from your post you're in Moscow. I imagine Ducatis there would be pretty rare!  [thumbsup]

Even though I freely admit that my Ducati costs me more to maintain than any other bike I've owned, of all the bikes (see my signature) it's easily the one I enjoy riding the most. It just has a 'soul' that the others did not.

I hope you can come to a love of yours, the way we here love ours!

GK

Here's all you need to know ^^.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDW0ZnZxjn4

honda...no toaster

suzuki....no toaster


yamaha.....no toaster


harley.....no toaster


buell..... no toaster


mv........no toaster


aprillia....no toaster


indian.....no toaster


royal enfield.....no toaster


ural....no toaster



ktm...has a toaster but it's dumb



ducati...has toaster

^^^
Does Ducati offer these?

(http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o508/jobo12/emoticons/ktmrubbers_zpseaabfaa8.jpg) (http://s1145.photobucket.com/user/jobo12/media/emoticons/ktmrubbers_zpseaabfaa8.jpg.html)

 [clap]

Nobody knows where our Toaster is anyway.

Last time I saw the little make the beast with two backser.  :D


(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/Map019.jpg)

Thats some hot toaster!

Thats my sister.

stu is your sister?

Why, you think he's Hot?

well duh

What do you think he has in his pocket?

a caucasian metric spanner

Thats the expensive tool that makes Ducati motorcycles 100% reliable, or so Ive heard.