perhaps moving away from Ducks

[Old-Duckman]

Been riding Ducatis since mid-90's. Have 5 road worthy Ducatis but just a couple of weeks ago bought a little Guzzi (08 Nevada) 750 cruiser, zero miles leftover for under $6K (with full 2 year unlimited mileage warranty) from European Motorsports Inc. in Dahlonega, GA.

They buy leftover Guzzi, Aprilia and Enfields from other dealers and sell them for lowball prices.

Anyway, the last service (18K service) on my '06' S2R 1000 Monster cost me almost 1 grand at our local dealer. Don't get me wrong...the work was done well and the bike runs great but...

1K is a chunk of change IMO and, well...rubber Ducks are just getting too expensive to maintain (once again IMO). So...If I like this little Guzzi, I just might be a convert and leave the Ducatis in the past. Don't get me wrong (and try to steal my Ducks from me) I won't get rid of the Ducatis I will at least will hold on to the old ones...maybe sell off the newer ones and perhaps replace them with brands that are easier to work on for the average shade tree mechanic.

I love the unusual (wouldn't want a Japanese bike) but Guzzi, Aprilia, ...perhaps (perish the thought) even a Harley might be in my future.

Ducati has just priced themselves out of my market. What with the O2 sensor crap and the plastic tank stuff (both problems I had w/the Monster...Well I think I'm done...I think I have purchased my last Ducati for this life time)

[kopfjäger]

So, what your telling us, is you bought another bike. 

[RichD]

So, what your telling us, is you bought another bike. 

That's what I got from it! 

[duc996]

That was easy...

[DoubleEagle]

There comes a time in a Man's life when things change and not for the best , it's called getting old.

I should know.

I'm lookin' down the barrel at 62 .

I didn't like spending $1700 dollars in the Service Dept. back in November, but at least for now I can afford it, I had a lot of preventive maintenance done so I should be golden for the next couple of years.

Hopefully I won't be spending much in the Service Dept. for sometime to come.

You want nice things...they have a price and if that price is too much for your wallet than it's understandable that one has to look at other alternatives.

I once had a car , a BMW Z-8 back in 2004 that cost $172 for an oil change.

I thought that was outrageous...the car cost $135,000....so what could I expect !

Just the other week I got an email from one of the SO CAL Ducati Dealers that I'm on their list, they were advertising a special.......Oil Changes for $99.00.

That's just nuts.

For a bike that might cost less than $10,000 .

Why should it cost that much to change the Oil on a non faired Monster.

I understand your feelings toward the cost of Service these days.

Like I've seen it said  " Ducati..making mechanics out of owners " or something like that.

Sorry things had to happen the way they are but a " Man's got to do what a Man's got to do. "

Dolph   

[Raux]

most of the high cost for oil changes for Ducs is the oil itself, full synth motorcycle oil isn't cheap.
even do it yourself changes are more expensive than a normal car
but the new BMW I have is the same full synth.

I say we get the pitchforks and torches and run him out of town though...

but seriously, cost of ownership is rarely accounted for when buying vehicles, especially motorcycles.
I more and more find solace in doing my own maintenance not only to avoid the costs, but to enjoy the bike more, to be more in tune with it.

[DoubleEagle]

It's great that so many of the members on this forum can do their own maintenance Jerry, but a lot of us either don't have the tools, the knack, the time, or really want to do it.

For me , I seem to always have bikes under warranty and want the Dealer doing the Service work in case something would go wrong , then there's no question since they have been doing the service if there's a warranty claim.

On older bikes it makes a lot more sense for a rider to want to do Service things themselves since there's no warranty involved.

I bought a 3 year extended warranty on my " R " and never track it so I'm hoping w, a solid service history at the selling Dealer I should be covered for what the warranty covers if need be.

[seevtsaab]

Ah well an air cooled italian twin anyway, not in the classic style we're used to but.

Hell if someone rode a Norge up my driveway I'd write em a check so fast it'd make my divorce lawyers
head spin.

Non DIY Ducati (and many Moto brands) service is not for the faint of wallet.

If you find a bike you like to ride, that's affordable to maintain, well, good on ya.

Do us a favor and post your impressions of the new ride, eh?

[Travman]

Do you have your red suspenders yet?  They are part of the suggested riding gear for Guzzi owners.

[ducatiz]

I have Ducatis but I love Guzzis too.

Just because you love your wife doesn't mean you wouldn't screw her best friend too.

[muskrat]

Just because you love your wife doesn't mean you wouldn't screw her best friend too.

talk about expensive service. 

I completely understand the sentiment though.  I just had my 12k service on my S4R and it was pricey but I also had some other things done.  The way I see it, it's a hobby and an expensive one at that but I've owned many other brands over the years and when you add it up there's but a slight difference if you maintain your bike.  Oh and no flaking rockers 

[jc.cyberdemon]

I was basicaly given my bike, If i had bought it from a dealer I probably would have know how much maitnance is involved. I didnt know about belts and valves or anything else for that matter. I did a lot of research and realized i just couldnt aford to have someone else do these things for me. So after much more research i dove in and became a self labeled ducati service tech.
i think i have gained a greater appretiation for my ride and a good feeling that i know what is going on with my bike. I am glad i didnt shell out thousands for someone else to do something a bit of reading a asking could do.

[sbrguy]

yes the problem is that the raw materials and parts are what is expensive.

the ducati bikes the filters and just 3.4 quarts is going to cost you around 34-40 for just some full synthetic motorcycle motor oil, if you want to go cheaper you can but most people here won't so fihure around 38 and we are not talking tax or shipping yet.  then you goto a dealer to get a filter the filter will cost you another sa 10-15 depending on brand.

you are already at arond 45-50 and you haven't paid tax yet or labor, if you do it yourself its dont but if you don't even a noral shop is goingt o charge around 1/2 labor or so , so firgure 45 more so that is your 90$ dolph and that is the cheaper side no tax.

your bmw was worse bc it took more oil and you probably had to use "bmw syntheitc" oil that cost around another 15-20 a quart not the cheap stuff, a dealer wouldn't use that, an dthe filter and you get the gist, so 172 is what it will cost, the days of a 25$ oil change are over, unless you want to bring your 140k car to jiffy lube and have them do it, and most people won't .

the ducati is the same thing, we all know the 7500 service is there, its not like it will magically get cheaper or go away, the only thing that can happen is you can stretch them out the moere you have the bike, but they aren't going to just go away or the dealer will give it to you half price one time.

this is where the maint of ducati is more than a honda that has them at 15k miles it matter especially if you ride enough.

[fastwin]

I can also relate to the OP. I need to take my Monster in because it won't start and I'll probably have the belts changed just due to their age, not the miles. The same is true for my 999 but at least it starts. Sure one's air cooled and the other a water pumper so one's "cheaper" than the other but you add up both of those services (and the cost to fix the S2R1000 no start) and that's a chunk of change. Especially for a guy looking for a job. I have a handful of Jap sbks and those are getting all the miles right now. They need nothing other than gas, insurance, tires and oil change if needed. That's it. Oh, and they need to be ridden. [moto] Until I can afford the needed service work the Ducs will be lounging in the garage while I tear ass around on the Gixxers, Busa, RC51 and ZRX1200!! I love my Ducs and will only sell them out of financial desperation. But it was no secret that they would be expensive to own. Still much cheaper than a mistress and the wife doesn't care if I'm out fondling them in the garage!!

[JEFF_H]

Just because you love your wife doesn't mean you wouldn't screw her best friend too.

Yes it does.

I would cheat on my bike tho 

Biggest reason for OP not to get rid of the Duck...
Then he would be just Old-Man.
thats not cool