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perhaps moving away from Ducks

Started by Old-Duckman, March 04, 2011, 08:09:13 PM

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J5

#30
March 06, 2011, 08:54:06 PM
Quote from: muskrat on March 06, 2011, 07:52:35 AM
not on my hardley  >:(  My last cruiser had 78k on the clock.

good to hear

i wonder about ducati making longer intervals for valve service as a ,marketing point , its well known that the motors dont perform well at the wide end of clearance tolerance

Will there be issues with rocker chrome but will generally be out of warranty so they dont care about that ??
i dont care if you have been a mechanic for 10 years doing something for a long time does not make you good at it, take my gf for an example shes been walking for 28 years and still manages to fall over all the time.

DoubleEagle

#31
March 07, 2011, 02:07:13 AM
Quote from: J5 on March 06, 2011, 08:54:06 PM
good to hear

i wonder about ducati making longer intervals for valve service as a ,marketing point , its well known that the motors dont perform well at the wide end of clearance tolerance

Will there be issues with rocker chrome but will generally be out of warranty so they dont care about that ??

J5,

You make a good point .  ???

Dolph   
'08 Ducati 1098 R    '09 BMW K 1300 GT   '10 BMW S 1000 RR

Shortest sentence...." I am "   Longest sentence ... " I Do "

fastwin

#32
March 07, 2011, 06:53:40 AM
I'm still wrapped up around the axle about the 2 year life span of the belts. >:( Hell, I have a Sears riding mower at my farm that I bought in April 1995 that still has the original drive belt for the two mower blades!! It has seen rough use for almost 16 years!! :o Every time I fire it up and push the level to engage the blades I expect it to break... but it doesn't. Maybe we should get that company to make Ducati's cam drive belts. >:( Does Goodyear make Harley's drive belts? I'm thinking I heard that somewhere. Some person/company would be doing Ducati owners everywhere a HUGE favor if they made some belts with some longevity built into them. [thumbsup] Anybody listening? Hello... ;D
I plan to list the Federal Gov't. as a dependent on my next 1040 tax filing!

I have flying honey badgers and I'm not afraid to use them!

The fact that flame throwers exist is proof that someone somewhere said "I'd sure like to set those people over there on fire but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

CONFIDENCE: the feeling you have right before you understand the situation.

ducatiz

#33
March 07, 2011, 06:59:44 AM
Quote from: fastwin on March 07, 2011, 06:53:40 AM
I'm still wrapped up around the axle about the 2 year life span of the belts. >:( Hell, I have a Sears riding mower at my farm that I bought in April 1995 that still has the original drive belt for the two mower blades!! It has seen rough use for almost 16 years!! :o Every time I fire it up and push the level to engage the blades I expect it to break... but it doesn't. Maybe we should get that company to make Ducati's cam drive belts. >:( Does Goodyear make Harley's drive belts? I'm thinking I heard that somewhere. Some person/company would be doing Ducati owners everywhere a HUGE favor if they made some belts with some longevity built into them. [thumbsup] Anybody listening? Hello... ;D

I think the 2 year recommendation is more a pound of caution rather than reality.  I have an alazzurra with belts that are at least 10 years old -- look fine.  I have a set to replace them when I get a chance, but I doubt they are going anywhere soon.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

ducpainter

#34
March 07, 2011, 07:01:01 AM
Quote from: fastwin on March 07, 2011, 06:53:40 AM
I'm still wrapped up around the axle about the 2 year life span of the belts. >:( Hell, I have a Sears riding mower at my farm that I bought in April 1995 that still has the original drive belt for the two mower blades!! It has seen rough use for almost 16 years!! :o Every time I fire it up and push the level to engage the blades I expect it to break... but it doesn't. Maybe we should get that company to make Ducati's cam drive belts. >:( Does Goodyear make Harley's drive belts? I'm thinking I heard that somewhere. Some person/company would be doing Ducati owners everywhere a HUGE favor if they made some belts with some longevity built into them. [thumbsup] Anybody listening? Hello... ;D
Not exactly a fair comparison.

That said I run my belts longer than recommended...usually until they resemble plastic more than rubber.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


zooom

#35
March 07, 2011, 07:20:18 AM
you guys are funny...if you made a bike that never required maintenance...then the dealer would be out of business because of the way you generally try and haggle them down on a purchase price, so they would never make any money...and lets face it...we here in this discussion are in the minority as far as being aware of things maintenance wise.....most people ride em till they go "BANG" and then wonder WTF happened and why and sign over an absurd amount of money to fix it...
99 Cagiva Gran Canyon-"FOR SALE", PM for details.
98 Monster 900(trackpregnant dog-soon to be made my Fiancee's upgrade streetbike)
2010 KTM 990 SM-T

ducatiz

#36
March 07, 2011, 07:39:32 AM
Quote from: zooom on March 07, 2011, 07:20:18 AM
you guys are funny...if you made a bike that never required maintenance...then the dealer would be out of business because of the way you generally try and haggle them down on a purchase price, so they would never make any money...and lets face it...we here in this discussion are in the minority as far as being aware of things maintenance wise.....most people ride em till they go "BANG" and then wonder WTF happened and why and sign over an absurd amount of money to fix it...

If someone could make a no-maintenance bike, then they could sell it direct over the internet.  Minor stuff like oil could be done by anyone.  Major stuff would mean the bike gets picked up and shipped to a repair depot and then returned to your home.

It sounds like a great model.  Have a traveling truck go around the country with demo bikes. 

Of course, it all depends on the right maintenance-free capability and the right price point.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

fastwin

#37
March 07, 2011, 07:51:30 AM
Quote from: zooom on March 07, 2011, 07:20:18 AM
you guys are funny...if you made a bike that never required maintenance...then the dealer would be out of business because of the way you generally try and haggle them down on a purchase price, so they would never make any money...and lets face it...we here in this discussion are in the minority as far as being aware of things maintenance wise.....most people ride em till they go "BANG" and then wonder WTF happened and why and sign over an absurd amount of money to fix it...

I'm not so much grumbling about maintenance in general. Repairs, preventative maintenance, etc. are a given. It's the 2 year deal on belts that pins me. And I, like ducatiz, have gone over. My 2005 999 still has the originals. It's not the miles it's the age. But the thought of bouncing the valves off the pistons is naturally worrisome. My wife would have a cow right now if I took both the 999 and Monster in for work that they need... finance wise. I guess my real issue is I'm not riding them because of all that right now and I want to. >:( [moto] It's just a personal problem. I miss riding them.
I plan to list the Federal Gov't. as a dependent on my next 1040 tax filing!

I have flying honey badgers and I'm not afraid to use them!

The fact that flame throwers exist is proof that someone somewhere said "I'd sure like to set those people over there on fire but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

CONFIDENCE: the feeling you have right before you understand the situation.

ducatiz

#38
March 07, 2011, 07:54:00 AM
Quote from: fastwin on March 07, 2011, 07:51:30 AM
I'm not so much grumbling about maintenance in general. Repairs, preventative maintenance, etc. are a given. It's the 2 year deal on belts that pins me. And I, like ducatiz, have gone over. My 2005 999 still has the originals. It's not the miles it's the age. But the thought of bouncing the valves off the pistons is naturally worrisome. My wife would have a cow right now if I took both the 999 and Monster in for work that they need... finance wise. I guess my real issue is I'm not riding them because of all that right now and I want to. >:( [moto] It's just a personal problem. I miss riding them.

Change the belts yourself.  It's pretty easy.  Chris has videos on youtube on how to do it.
Check out my oil filter forensics thread!                     Offended? Click here
"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

fastwin

#39
March 07, 2011, 08:08:44 AM
That thought has crossed my mind. I'd probably screw it up and end up with valve-piston interface! [laugh]
I plan to list the Federal Gov't. as a dependent on my next 1040 tax filing!

I have flying honey badgers and I'm not afraid to use them!

The fact that flame throwers exist is proof that someone somewhere said "I'd sure like to set those people over there on fire but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

CONFIDENCE: the feeling you have right before you understand the situation.

Triple J

#40
March 07, 2011, 08:44:24 AM
Guzzi's are cool bikes IMO. Not the lightest or fastest...but super cool and very fun to ride.  [thumbsup] They sound amazing as well.  ;D

I had a Griso 1100 that I sold to get my 990 SMT (wanted more of an all-arounder). I missed the Guzzi though, so I just picked up a used 2008 1200 Sport (technically, it's my wife's  ;)). $5.5K OTD with 6 months still remaing on the warranty. Can't beat that. It's a fun, and good looking bike.

The Guzzi ownership experience depends on the quality of your dealer (as with most bikes). Luckily we have a very good one in Seattle.  [thumbsup] Maintenance is definitely cheaper, and easier to do yourself (at least some of it).

Speedbag

#41
March 07, 2011, 11:20:51 AM
Quote from: fastwin on March 07, 2011, 07:51:30 AM
I'm not so much grumbling about maintenance in general. Repairs, preventative maintenance, etc. are a given. It's the 2 year deal on belts that pins me. And I, like ducatiz, have gone over. My 2005 999 still has the originals. It's not the miles it's the age. But the thought of bouncing the valves off the pistons is naturally worrisome. My wife would have a cow right now if I took both the 999 and Monster in for work that they need... finance wise. I guess my real issue is I'm not riding them because of all that right now and I want to. >:( [moto] It's just a personal problem. I miss riding them.

+1

Even though I do my own maintenance, the seemingly constant fiddling (and attendant cost of the parts) is the primary reason I no longer have a Duc. That and the fact that I really want a 4V.....

If they can really get the service intervals to 15K across the board I find them more appealing again.....
I tend to regard most of humanity as little more than walking talking dilated sphincters. - Rat

muskrat

#42
March 07, 2011, 03:06:10 PM
I have one for you guys  [evil]
My good'ole Roadstar had 78k on the drive belt and one of my friends with the same bike with over 150K which needed replacing at that time.  Now that's what I call longevity and peace of mind.  Just saying.....
Can we thin the gene pool? 

2015 MTS 1200
09 Electra Glide

J5

#43
March 07, 2011, 05:37:17 PM
Quote from: ducatiz on March 07, 2011, 07:39:32 AM
If someone could make a no-maintenance bike, then they could sell it direct over the internet.  Minor stuff like oil could be done by anyone.  Major stuff would mean the bike gets picked up and shipped to a repair depot and then returned to your home.

It sounds like a great model.  Have a traveling truck go around the country with demo bikes. 

Of course, it all depends on the right maintenance-free capability and the right price point.

i thought they made the cucciolo ;) buy it at the shop fit it yourself and away you go ;)

they still make royal enfields that anyone can fix with a shifter and a screwdriver
i dont care if you have been a mechanic for 10 years doing something for a long time does not make you good at it, take my gf for an example shes been walking for 28 years and still manages to fall over all the time.

fastwin

#44
March 07, 2011, 06:43:18 PM
Quote from: muskrat on March 07, 2011, 03:06:10 PM
I have one for you guys  [evil]
My good'ole Roadstar had 78k on the drive belt and one of my friends with the same bike with over 150K which needed replacing at that time.  Now that's what I call longevity and peace of mind.  Just saying.....

That's what the make the beast with two backs I'm talking about!! Come on Ducati. Surely you can find a belt manufacturer that can do better than a two year lifespan!! Again, I refer to my Sears riding mower at the farm! Going on 16 years on the same mower deck drive belt???!!! They can do better on the service intervals and the damn belts. They just don't want to. >:(
I plan to list the Federal Gov't. as a dependent on my next 1040 tax filing!

I have flying honey badgers and I'm not afraid to use them!

The fact that flame throwers exist is proof that someone somewhere said "I'd sure like to set those people over there on fire but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."

CONFIDENCE: the feeling you have right before you understand the situation.
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