Switching from Kawasaki to Ducati?

[Drewinvt]

Greetings!

I've been riding for more than 30 years, and was a loyal Kawasaki rider for all of them. My current bike is a highly modified '96 GPz 1100 and until the last few years thought it would be the bike I took with me to the grave. It's a real (no pun intended) monster. Fast, powerful, extremely comfortable and stable. But recurring (and expensive) carb problems have changed my mind. The bike's left me stranded 3 times in the last 2 years, each time with a leaking needle valve which kept dripping fuel into the cylinders and hydrolocking the engine. I'll spare you the details, just know that having an undependable bike has taken all the joy out of riding.

Fuel injected bikes don't have these problems.

Was assuming the new Ninja 1000 would be my new ride, then sat on (and listened to) a Monster 1200s at a local Ducati event. Now I'm in love. Add the fact I know (and really like) the folks at the local Ducati dealership and, well, now my sights have shifted upward. But the price is a bit prohibitive, especially since I'll want to add some extras like fly screen, heated grips (I'm in New England), and some other goodies. Am assuming I'll want to swap exhaust, too, and need to see how this might work with some saddlebags (I like to long-distance tour on non-touring bikes).

Anyway, dipping my toes into the Ducati forums before I make the financial plunge.

The 1200s seems the better overall value, but a slightly used one would be easier to swing financially. Could upgrade a used bike with everything I want for less than the price of a new one. No warranty, and it takes away a sale from the local guys - and that's a big minus. Still debating which way to go.

[stopintime]

Hello and welcome 

it's always nice to have a good relationship with the shop you're going to be using - buying a bike there might be a good start....

Since it sounds like you're going to mod the bike anyway, the standard is good enough (IMO).

The difference between stock exhaust and Termignoni is smaller on the M1200 than on most (all?) previous models - at least sound level - maybe a little more regarding note/bass/rumble.

 

[koko64]

Welcome .
Test ride all the Ducatis close to what you think you want. The 1200 range should have plenty of power and torque.

[Charlie98]

I came off a '93 CBR1000F... to a 'tiny' Monster 796... and you know what?  I don't miss the size or even the missing 200cc's.  The Monster is so much easier to ride and handles so much better (granted, I came off a steel-framed CBR.)  It's a blast.  I suppose a 1200 would be even moreso.  I've wanted a Ducati for 20 years, in earnest the last 10... and finally scored earlier this year.  There is nothing like it...

Curious... do you have ethanol-blended fuel where you are?  I had/have issues with my '93 XR650 carb, particularly the bowl and float O-rings drying out from the ethanol.  I wound up just buying another carb off eBay and swapping out the rotten parts.  I wonder if something similar is going on with your ZX. I sold my CBR off in '06, before ethanol was the norm here in Texas, so I don't know how it would have affected it.  There are additives, now, that are supposed to negate some of the bad effects of ethanol-blended fuel, but I don't really see how they will work in the long term.  The Ducatis (with the plastic tanks, like my 796) had terrible problems because of ethanol-blended fuel.  Just food for thought.

Also, understand that maintenance is more important (and more expensive unless you do it yourself) on a Ducati.  Modern technology (i.e: fuel injection) brings with it modern complexity... electronics, emission controls, proprietary parts and tools.  I'm not saying don't do it... just understand what you are getting into.

[Drewinvt]

Curious... do you have ethanol-blended fuel where you are?  I had/have issues with my '93 XR650 carb, particularly the bowl and float O-rings drying out from the ethanol.  I wound up just buying another carb off eBay and swapping out the rotten parts. 

Yes, we have ethanol - and that's where the problems *started*, but they were compounded by the unique design of the carbs built for the GPz.  Unlike the full-crazy ZX-11, with ram air and side draft carbs, these are down draft Mikunis - and Kawasaki tried something different with them.  It was a failed experiment with where to place the needle valve seats - which are actually built into the body of the carb itself.  Not replaceable.  I've been bandaiding this for years, but there's no true/permanent solution.  These carbs have been out of production for years, and there are none to be found in the country that aren't even worse than my own.  Not willing to go down the rabbit hole and expense of swapping for ZX-11 carbs (even though the engines are more or less the same), and create a new set of rough riding/endless tuning problems.  When the bike's running, it's incredible.  I just can't trust it.

Also, understand that maintenance is more important (and more expensive unless you do it yourself) on a Ducati.  Modern technology (i.e: fuel injection) brings with it modern complexity... electronics, emission controls, proprietary parts and tools.  I'm not saying don't do it... just understand what you are getting into.

Yeah, I know.  I work in IT, and am painfully aware that technology usually does not make your life easier - it just adds layers of complexity.  But it's all a trade off - one I'm willing to make now.

Thanks!

[Charlie98]

That's right... you have a GPz.  First big superbike I rode was my Army buddy's '89 ZX10... what a MONSTER.  I was coming off a 650 twin, then a 750... that thing felt like a Saturn V rocket!  I think he finally blew the transmission up...

I've been scared to test ride a newer/bigger Ducati... mine is paid for and I don't want to nuke our household budget!