Buying USed

[orangelion03]

Yes, I did a search...all I could find was reference to a possible permanent post.

I'm looking at a 2006 S2R 800 with 15K miles (below).  Original owner, all service current with receipts.  Price is well below going rate locally.

We've covered a lot of issues over the phone and I will be inspecting and riding the bike this weekend.  I have no experience with Ducs so was hoping there may be a "what to look for" list here.

Thanks!!

Robert

[red baron]

tail chopped

zards

did they do the 12k?

did they replace the belts?

where are the pass pegs, if you care?

[hbliam]

Yes, I did a search...all I could find was reference to a possible permanent post.

I'm looking at a 2006 S2R 800 with 15K miles (below).  Original owner, all service current with receipts.  Price is well below going rate locally.

We've covered a lot of issues over the phone and I will be inspecting and riding the bike this weekend.  I have no experience with Ducs so was hoping there may be a "what to look for" list here.

Thanks!!

Robert

Wow. I wouldn't let you (or anyone) test ride a bike. That youu have no experiance with Ducs even more so. The clutch, the torque, the revs needed.... all things to learn.

[Bun-bun]

Just make sure that the 12k mile service was done by a dealer or certified tech.
Also, it should have a red key, as well as black key(s).
The red is the master key, and is the only way to reset the computer.
Welcome to the forum!

[hypurone]

and perform the cursory "crash" inspections on the steering head, frame, rear engine mount etc.

[Syscrush]

Wow. I wouldn't let you (or anyone) test ride a bike. That youu have no experiance with Ducs even more so. The clutch, the torque, the revs needed.... all things to learn.

That's ridiculous.  When I sell a bike, my policy is that if the potential buyer shows up on a motorcycle, we can swap and go for a ride.  The notion that a Ducati has some mystical qualities (clutch, torque, revs) that will befuddle an otherwise competant motorcyclist is silly.

[Scottish]

That's ridiculous.  When I sell a bike, my policy is that if the potential buyer shows up on a motorcycle, we can swap and go for a ride.  The notion that a Ducati has some mystical qualities (clutch, torque, revs) that will befuddle an otherwise competant motorcyclist is silly.

Agreed, I've never hopped on a bike and gone WOT immediately. hbliam usually has some good input but that post is the silliness.

When doing the once over check the rear of the engine at the rear engine mount. The 800's were prone to cracking the case around that bolt during a wreck. Nothing that can't be repaired by a good machinist/welder but something to check.

One other issue, what is your riding experience. If your used to high performance I-4 you may find this bike runs out of steam a little early for you. They are a blast on the bottom and mid range though. I find it much more enjoyable for street riding.

[JEFF_H]

might want to see if they still have the seat cowl

[Triple J]

That's ridiculous.  When I sell a bike, my policy is that if the potential buyer shows up on a motorcycle, we can swap and go for a ride.  The notion that a Ducati has some mystical qualities (clutch, torque, revs) that will befuddle an otherwise competant motorcyclist is silly.

Actually it isn't ridiculous. Most people don't allow test rides unless they have cash in hand. It doesn't matter if it is a Duc or not...or if they ride up on a bike or not.

Agreed that a Duc is no biggie to a competent motorcyclist though...competent being the operative word.

[Syscrush]

competent being the operative word.

AND the correctly spelled word in your post, as opposed to mine.

[Scottish]

Actually it isn't ridiculous. Most people don't allow test rides unless they have cash in hand. It doesn't matter if it is a Duc or not...or if they ride up on a bike or not.

Agreed that a Duc is no biggie to a competent motorcyclist though...competent being the operative word.

Allowing a test ride is another animal altogether. I don't like riding others bikes if I can't afford to replace/fix them. I don't care for the responsiblity. Like wise I don't hand out the keys to mine.

The idea of it being a Duc and therefore unridable by someone who's never been on a Duc before though is lame. Everyone has a first time and most Ducs aren't wrecked on the first ride. So I'd assume the Duc curve isn't that steep.

[kingbaby]

He's getting to ride the bike. I don't think he was asking if he could or should.


The things the folks are saying should be on every shopping list.
Frame/case cracks, bent steering tabs, red & black keys, chain/sprockets, tires(it all adds up) & major service records with proof of valve adj. & belts (the 6 & 12k are biggies).

best of luck, and enjoy the ride.   [moto]

[orangelion03]

Thank you all for the information!  I really appreciate it, and if it does indeed come to pass that this bike resides in my garage, I look forward to meeting and riding with those of you nearby.

Some personal facts:  Other than a couple of short rides on a friend's M-G LeMans, I had not been on a bike in 20 some odd years , until I took an  MSF basic course a few weeks ago to trigger the memories (I've kept my M1 current all these years).  I am also keenly aware of my abilities and experience and have no intention of challenging anyone on Aliso Canyon Road  (all ashy now anyways).  I've gotten my speed jollies on the track in various conveyances over the years and am now looking for a torquey, grunty bike that I can ride to work or a Sunday jaunt on Cerro Noreste (thinking SV and DL Suzukis).  I aint foolin myself or anyone else.  When I rode, my dream was to own a Ducati...returning to bikes I didnt even consider one other than to look at them and note the prices.  Then this little red beauty came along to tempt me at a price that was right on the edge of my upper budget limit. 

Now...would anyone buy a bike without a test ride?  True, I may not know a damned thing about Ducatis, but I think I can tell if all the parts are moving in the same direction with reasonable alacrity, and that those parts can all change direction and come to a stop at the same time.  I think I can do that without making a mess of myself or the ride.  I already have my insurance in place just in case though.

I also did a little research into Ducati maintenance, and I'm pretty confident that I can do a lot of it myself.  Replacing a timing belt or adjusting the valves look to be about the same effort as a Miata timing belt change or rebuilding a VW transmission.  Well within my capabalities and the contents of my roll-away.

Again, thanks for all the advice!!

Cheers!

Roberto Arance

[orangelion03]

The seat cowl was lost...apparently they have a nasty habit of falling off.

If I do end up buying the bike, I want to return it to as close to stock as I can (I'm a freak that way).  The owner sold off or gave away the original bits so I'll be looking around here for the necessary bits:  exhaust, mirrors, rear fender, seat cowl.  If he had the original pipes, I'd sell the Zards and pay down my loan.  Maybe I can arrange a trade for the Zards...

[Spidey]

The seat cowl was lost...apparently they have a nasty habit of falling off.

If I do end up buying the bike, I want to return it to as close to stock as I can (I'm a freak that way).  The owner sold off or gave away the original bits so I'll be looking around here for the necessary bits:  exhaust, mirrors, rear fender, seat cowl.  If he had the original pipes, I'd sell the Zards and pay down my loan.  Maybe I can arrange a trade for the Zards...

They don't have a habit of falling off.  They do, however, have a habit of showing crash damage.  Keep an eye out.  You can sell the Zards on the DMF or eBay and pick up a pair of stock cans for really cheap.  They tend to just sit around people's garages.  Non-OEM replacement seat cowls can be purchased (color matched n' everything) from DMF sponsors).  Stock mirrors are also cheap as they just sit around after being replaced.

Re Duc-specific stuff, it's pretty much the keys and the belts and valves (discussed above).  Be aware that if you haven't ridden a Duc before, it's going to feel more . . . uh . . . mechanical than a lot of other bikes.  It'll almost feel like stuff in the engine is loose, it'll be loud and clicking and mechanical-sounding, and it might leave you wondering if all is ok with the bike.  They just feel like that. 

Good luck.  And here's a link to a used bike buyer's guide:  http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=19144.msg342021#msg342021  I've always found it useful.