How far would you drive? Maybe a bike change...

[vwboomer]

The only Ducati dealer in WI is closing its doors.  That leaves Chicago area as the closest dealer.
How far are you willing to drive for service (if you don't do it yourself) or estimates in case of insurance covered accidents? That would be 2+ hours for me. Imagine multiple trips to drop off and pick up the bike.

I love my S4R but have been considering a change and this might push me over to the dark side. I need something I can ride all day or for days on end, but also be able to be ridden aggressively. The S4R handles well, but my knees just can't take it. I'd like to keep a V Twinish configuration. VFR maybe. Something that can handle bags.

Also considering a Vstrom or possibly GS, but with the BMW there is a much higher upfront cost and maint will definitely cost more.

Would dealer distance and maintenance requirements sway you one way or the other?

[DoubleEagle]

It possibly would for me.

At my age an hour is about as far as I want to ride for service and I wait while my bike is being serviced in leather pants and boots.

I have Honda , Yamaha, Kawi, and Suzuki dealers with in a 1/2 hour if I ever go that way.

If my Ducati Dealer went out of business , the next closest one would be 1 1/2 hours away and that would be difficult especially with dicey weather.

Dolph     

[He Man]

It would factor in. But its more incentive to learn how to do the maintainence yourself.

but if the bike itself isnt fitting your body and riding style. theres no point in keeping it unless you are willing to put up with it. thats ultimately what would make me change bikes.

[RC Fan]

My Ducati dealer is about 2 hours away.  In hindsight, I would much prefer a bike from a dealer here in town.  We only have The Big Four here, but it wouldn't be a stretch for me to go back to a Japanese bike at all.

As far as Japanese bikes, what have you tried?  I know you said v-twin, but have you ever tried a Bandit? 

[seevtsaab]

No Duc dealer in VT.
Nearest is Albany NY ( 3rs) or Laconia NH (2hrs+)

Far better to do maintenance on your own (certainly in my case).
Not sayin that would eliminate the need for a dealer but perhaps reduce the trips to every other year etc.
I see some wierd statements from dealers / techs  (moto & cage) - FHE always valuable unless you have a really
trusted tech available.

Ride what you want and want what you ride - (that's prophetic!).

[Howie]

Maybe a good independent will take up the slack.

[EvilSteve]

Maybe a good independent will take up the slack.

+1

I use an independent shop for everything but warranty work. ECS in Middletown NY are my go to guys, they're awesome. An independent shop may well be the way to go if you're not into doing your own dirty work and want to keep your Duc.

[77south]

For what its worth, Motorcycle Performance in Madison are Ducati Specialists. I have had my regular maintenance done by them for 2 years and will continue to use them for both my Monster and my new Sport 1000S

[vwboomer]

It's possible someone will pick up the franchise or at least open a shop that will provide service - though I got the impression that certain tools weren't available to independents. I don't mind doing the basic stuff. I did my 1st valve check too. Change my own tires and all that as well. Time was an issue this year which is why I broke down and had the shop do it.

I haven't tried any bikes yet - mostly window shopping. Though I did sit on an AE 2007 VFR and it seemed comfy. I drove an 03 FZ1 last year briefly and didn't like it. Perhaps a newer one might look/feel different to me( the fairing/dash setup seemed cheesy but I guess I'm used to seeing NO fairing). A Bandit is on the list to look at if I decide to go with an I4 as from everything I've read they are excellent bikes and not particularly expensive.

Fall is the time to buy if I change, but buying a newer bike would necessitate selling the Duc. Or trading. KBB puts the S4R value at about 8500. I've got full Remus GP exhaust, PCIII, CycleCat clipons, Sato rearsets, PM clutch cover and pressure plate, MW springs, Sargent seat, rear stand, new Odyssey battery, heated grips, Nap bar end mirror  and all stock parts.
I'd like to think I could get around 9k for it but I dunno. Book values don't always match up with the real world.

I'm heading out in a couple hours for a trip to the UP via the SSBadger. 400 miles tomorrow morning and 400 back down the west side of Lake Michigan Sunday. Ought to be a good test to see if moving the controls back to stock makes a big enough difference.

[Desmo Demon]

How far are you willing to drive for service (if you don't do it yourself) or estimates in case of insurance covered accidents? That would be 2+ hours for me.

I try to do as much of my own maintainence as possible, but......I was willing to drive from South Carolina to Cincinatti, Ohio to pick up a non-running bike, so.....I figure I would have no issues driving upwards of 6+ hours for a bike-related cause if I were to deem it beneficial. 

[causeofkaos]

closest dealers are 2 hours for me. Cant just say im gonna run to the dealer real quick, ha ha, but my dealer knows i have a 2 hr drive in time and works with me.

[jsd2]

The dealer I bought my bike from went out of business about 3 weeks after I made my purchase. The dealer was about 1.5 hours away (90 miles). The next closest is about 1 hour 45 minutes (95 miles). Hopefully it will work because the next closest on is over 3 hours away and almost 200 miles away. 

Jim

[Goat_Herder]

Maybe this would help you - a motto of the Life Is Good brand.

"Do what you like and like what you do"

[mojo]

I've only been to Corse once, and I really liked that place.  It's a bummer that they are closing.  Doesn't Bob Barr in Madison still sell Ducati?

[mitt]

Corse is closing?  I need a source, cause I don't believe it.  I thought they were great.

mitt