Why did you choose a Ducati?

[sbrguy]

always like the look and sorta liked the sound.

went to look at a used one, and was hoping that it would not be that good so that i wouldnt' spend money on it.  basically it was about 800 more than i wanted to pay but figured check it out see what this "whole ducati" thing is about.

test rode it, and basically the first time i hit the brakes i was sold.  solid feeling brakes and the sound and responsiveness of the bike hooked me.  but mainly it was how powerful the brembo brakes were that got me.  went back and told the guy i would take it.

[BumpaD_Z28]

LUCKILY !!! I was lead to look at DUCATI's from a member of the old board that lives in UT :

... "but my REAL advice? If it were 'ME" who was about to go buy a bike to play with my friends with, and they had SV's and Bandits.... there's only 3 bikes I'd look at: The Ducati Monster, The Aprilia Tuono and the BMW Rockster." ...

I didn't really like the BMW's so I immediately canceled that one out ...
Couldn't find very many Tuono's / used one's for sale, although I still like the Tunono very much ...

And the name DUCATI just struck me ... as I always thought the bikes were WAY MORE $$$ than they actually are

Found my M900 in Aspen, CO drove 18 hrs straight there and back, and have loved my MONSTER ever since

~DaVe

[billruiz]

In the Spring of 95 I was at some Cycle Gear event in Sacramento sitting with my friends admiring all our new Yamahas, Suzukis, Hondas and Kawisakis. Suddenly we hear this booming, clanging racket that is just getting louder. We all get up walk around the corner and we see this tiny red bike booming sound waves all over everything....suddenly every bike already there just got less cool.

I still wasn't sold. Then I saw a green 998 on one of the "Matrix" movies. Still wasn't completely convinced...until I saw the concept HyperMotard. I also discovered what that clanging noise was...dry clutch. I was ready to buy a Hypermotard....then I saw an S4RS Monster...loud dry clutch, boomy exhaust and call it "Monster?" 

[z0mb1e_DUC]

Back in HS, buddy's dad bought a new Paso.  Got hooked right there.  Nothing else sounded the same.  Then the Monster came out in '93, I've been hooked since then.  Always knew if I finally bought a road bike, I'd get one.  Almost pulled the trigger on an S2R800 a few years back.

[That Nice Guy Beck!]

i thought you liked fine italian velour pants

I really do own a few velour fila and sean john suits lol my girl hates when i rock em

[That Nice Guy Beck!]

oh and I honestly thought ducatis cost $80k and up
until one day on my lunch break I went to ducati in soho to ask how much the red black ducati 695 was and he's like $7999 im like THATS IT??
hes like you want to pay more?? damn all along I thought these were some high end bikes meanwhile anyone can own one so i bought a 695
it sucked imo

[ducpainter]

oh and I honestly thought ducatis cost $80k and up
until one day on my lunch break I went to ducati in soho to ask how much the red black ducati 695 was and he's like $7999 im like THATS IT??
hes like you want to pay more?? damn all along I thought these were some high end bikes meanwhile anyone can own one so i bought a 695
it sucked imo

you would have loved it if they charged you the 80 large.

[ROBsS4R]

1.) I am Italian
2.) I like the look of Naked Bikes and the Monster
3.) Not as common as other bikes
4.) The Dry Clutch sound
5.) As a vertically challenged person I did not have many options and the Monster has a low seat height.

[The Bacon Junkie]

A few years after moving to SoCal, and seeing all the fun being had on two wheels by my Business partner's husband, I decided I needed a motorcycle.
   I had dabbled with the idea off and on through college, but an Italian mother and the "Catholic Guilt" that was handed out by said mother, dissuaded me from ever getting one.

   I was talking one day with my friend (who has a gazillion bikes) and said that I was thinking about buying my roomate's DR-z400 motard. He told me not to get it, but to buy his friends' bike instead.  I asked what kind of bike and he tells me "Ducati."  I was like HUH?!  For real? my first bike? I don't think I could handle one for my first bike!
   
   Well, I  went over there about a week later after work, and in his garage was a shiny red Monster 750.  I was like, "Dude, you got a Ducati?"  He looks at me and says, "No, YOU got a Ducati..."

   Love at first sight, first time twisting the throttle in the garage, first ride.  I'm Hooked.   

Now, anyone have a 900SS for sale?   

[gearhead]

 For me it is a few things. I have had many bikes, both offroad and on. Most were Japanese. I will never say anything bad about Japanese products for we all know they are terrific. I followed racing since a kid and know all about Ducati. When I saw the new Monsters I had to have one. What I love about it is, in the refinement area it is very close and better than some modern japanese bikes. In the area of competition I always go for the underdog and Ducati is a giant slayer. My Ducati out handles many Jap bikes and is refined enough yet rough in the right places as in the sound. I like the minimalist approach of the Ducati Monster. just look at the switch gear and throttle of the 696, simple, clean and efficient. No BS

[Gramps]

I'm getting my first Ducati shortly, and I'm curious why everyone else chose this brand. 

Personally, I do not know anyone else who rides a Ducati, and I was even discouraged from buying one because friends thought they were high maintenance.  However, I remember seeing one about ten years ago, and somehow I just knew that I had to own one someday.  This was MY brand of motorcycle.  That, and lately everything else that comes from Italy has been the best quality I could imagine. 

So why did you choose Ducati over all of the other brands out there?  The engine?  Their racing history?  The bike design?  Friends?  I bought my first Ducati Monster S2R 1000 because of it's low weight and Torque. I was tired of the high weight of my Yamaha Warrior. The Monster is light weight like the bikes I used to ride years ago. [moto]

[junior varsity]

The sound of the motor. I like the sound of the twin, and I am not at coming up on any point in life where I want to go slow, so cruisers were out.

The offerings in the naked section by the Japanese manufacturers were unappealing; bland; almost tragically trendy. The sound of an inline 4 cylinder does nothing for my imagination.

Ducati has a great racing history. Is relatively small. I love the color Red. I like the iconic trellis frame and dry clutch. It fits me as a complete package. I'm unlikely to pull up to a stoplight next to one like mine.

Things I don't like: The starbuckian stereotype, the wait for parts, the cost of certain maintenance procedures at dealerships (so I often go to the non-dealer mechanic. I don't particularly like the direction of the angular stylings of the 696/hypermotard/streetfighter - I like the smooth rounded designs with more character with less Japenese inspired angles. That being said, the motors in them are fantastic, and the looks grow on me.

[Duck-Stew]

<snip>
The sound of an inline 4 cylinder does nothing for my imagination.
<snip>

Well put! 

[redial]

I am drawn to machines with huge aftermarket cult followings.

It might be worth mentioning that i was drawn to ducati sportbikes from my love of the monster, not the other way around

and many other reasons that have already been mentioned, including the sooooound

[Ontario_Monster]

So in 2005 I finally got my license and then had to decide on a bike, hated the idea of a 5 hour cruise on a sports bike, couldn't reconcile myself on a harley, so I was split between a BMW GS and seeing if I could find something a litte more fun ..... then I stumbled into a new Ducati dealership and the guy was so desperate to sell a bike I got a quick ride on another customers bike (I've never taken my bike to get serviced there since), and on his 749.  Bought the 620 dark, dual front disk for $1000.00 under sticker and had it in the driveway the next week, divorced started two weeks after the bike purchase.  Best decision I ever made!   


So that was 05, last year traded it in for the last new S2R 800 in town and got it for the same price I paid for the 620, they even gave me over 50% of the purchase price of the 620 with about 14000km on it.  Have to say I love the S2R for around town, it is even pretty good on the highway for longer rides.  Now the gf says she wants her own monster ....... trying to convience her to drive mine and I can pick up an S4R but I don't think she will buy into that.

Cheers