Making the move from Harley to Ducati - what to expect?

[Kev M]

Well, I can do pretty much anything on my Harley that I would chose to do on my Duc on the street, but the Harley IS more stable in crosswinds and turbulence.

As for gauges, maybe the op forgets how much fuel sloshes in a motorcycle. I dunno, I've had bikes with gauges, like my 96 EFI RK. But the gauge sucked and I used the trip meter and low fuel light more anyway.

I dunno, I've had eight EFI bikes I can think of since 96 and I THINK TWO had a fuel gauge, the rest meh, I didn't miss it.

[DM426]

You want a fuel gauge, get a bike that's dumbed down for the masses (and yes, that includes most/many Harleys).

Saying you prefer to rely on the trip meter is a perfectly reasonable position.

As for being dumbed down, every BMW I've run across has a fuel gauge. And most have gear indicators as well. I was a career military aviator, so I know a thing or two about calculating remaining fuel range. It's necessary in some situations, but I would still prefer to have a fuel indicator on the display, especially since the capability is obviously already there.

I'd rather do a little math than have to carry an anchor to stop.

Fair enough. But I would really rather not have to do either, at least not all the time.

Wait...that's right...unless you modify the engine it barely goes...

no need for brakes then eh?

I mentioned Harley by way of comparison as that was, at least in part, what the thread was about. At no point did I ever bash either brand. I merely observed I would like a small addition to the existing interface, and I don't consider myself dumb for wanting that.

Seriously...if a fuel gauge is that important to you, you should buy a bike that has one.

Wow. Just wow.

The OP may not be aware that the Ducatis start counting the miles when they hit reserve, so you KNOW you've got 30 - 40 miles before you risk running dry. The last bike I had with an accurate gauge was my 1991 BMW K100RS 16/ABS.

Thanks, Curmudgeon. I didn't know that, and that certainly helps. That's the kind of information I was looking for.

Maybe the OP is more concerned because the next town in TX is 400 miles?  The more touring-oriened BMW's have a range of ~ 250 miles due to their larger tanks.

Exactly. Everything is FAR apart here. Texas is the size of Germany, and I've been out of gas before due to various reasons. Not going to happen again.

As for Harley's being "planted", planted like an aircraft carrier? I've observed they have "same day" steering. The newer Ducatis go where you "think" them, RIGHT NOW. 

That's certainly true. Which is (partially) why I'm here. I'm planning on a Monster test ride next week, and I'm very curious to see how a bike like this feels to me. Hopefully, I'll love it.

As for the fat grips, neither Ducatis nor most BMW's have major "vibes". Thin grips are probably a lot better for fine-tuning throttle inputs, because twisting that thing will also make things happen FAST.

Okay, I didn't think about that. I'm used to having fat ISO grips to dampen the hand-killing vibes, but if that's not a problem, so much the better.

[Kev M]

That's funny, I've owned a number of BMWs and most (if not all) haven't had a fuel gauge or gear indicator.

I simply don't remember about the RS, if it had either it was irrelevant.

Honestly I'm not trying to give you shyte so much as point out the reason for the convention.

It's just not necessary. Every single motorcycle I've owned or ridden for any length of time was unbelievably consistent in range. You get to learn it, and quickly.

And if the low fuel light goes off early you know how it effects your range.

I just don't have a need for a gauge.

I SUSPECT that if you ride enough without one, you won't either.

[ducpainter]

I'm not bashing a brand...Stock Harleys are not noted for their power. That's a fact.

You're the one whining about a fuel gauge not being included on a Ducati.

You should buy a UJM instead of a Duc or Beemer.

I hear most of them have fuel gauges.

[Kev M]

PS, it's a bike, not a car (boring and easy) or plane (that kills you if it runs out), it's a throwback machine.

It's an impractical, romantic, less than ideal in most categories but fun machine.

A fuel gauge is, well, just not in the mission statement.

[DM426]

I'm not bashing a brand...Stock Harleys are not noted for their power. That's a fact.

You're the one whining about a fuel gauge not being included on a Ducati.

You should buy a UJM instead of a Duc or Beemer.

I hear most of them have fuel gauges.

Thanks. I guess.

[ducpainter]

Thanks. I guess.

You come to a Ducati forum asking opinions about whether you should buy a Duc or a Beemer.

I thought the replies you got were well thought out, and fair. You have to realize we're going to be biased, just as the guys on the Beemer forum were.

You understand the purpose of your Harley, and you want a different ride. That's great. I didn't comment until you started saying your Harley was in some way 'superior' because it had a fuel gauge. That isn't what the Duc, or the Beemer in that configuration, is about.

They are not cruisers. It isn't about fuel mileage, or knowing how much fuel is in the tank.

It's about going...sometimes fast. Stopping...sometimes quickly. Turning on the thought of it. The Duc has that ability. The Duc is a great package for its intended purpose  I can't comment about the BMW.

[Kev M]

My friend... We're hear for you. But since most of us have lived without a fuel gauge for our whole lives, you're probably pissing in the wind.

Seriously, don't get lost in the minutia, you're on an exciting quest. Enjoy it!

No matter what your final choice, have fun and ride safe!

[Curmudgeon]

To the OP, the gauges are hard to read in "some" bright light. Depends on the angle of the sun. You can always see the tach barograph. it's the numbers which can be hard to read, including speed.  You'll see when you ride it. Bright sun behind you is clear as can be. Dull days, no issue. Maybe the 1200S is improved over my 796 as well.

For stuff like the reserve miles countdown, you can read in the manual which you can download from Ducati here: http://www.ducati.com/services/maintenance/index.do

[SDRider]

Now we're talking about fuel gauges?  Seriously? 

Man, I've never owned a motorcycle with a fuel gauge.  Would be kind of nice I guess... if they worked like car fuel gauges, but they don't.

[DM426]

Man, I've never owned a motorcycle with a fuel gauge.  Would be kind of nice I guess... if they worked like car fuel gauges, but they don't.

This will be my fourth bike, and I've never owned one without. Don't remember on my first one, but the last two the fuel gauge was as dead on as the trip meter.

Tank slosh is only an issue if you're checking the gauge while running twisties. My helicopters had a tendency to move around just a tiny-weenie bit too, and the gauges on those are accurate down to the pound. It's not rocket science to make a gauge that works.

But Ducati doesn't so it is what it is.

[SDRider]

This will be my fourth bike, and I've never owned one without. Don't remember on my first one, but the last two the fuel gauge was as dead on as the trip meter.

Tank slosh is only an issue if you're checking the gauge while running twisties. My helicopters had a tendency to move around just a tiny-weenie bit too, and the gauges on those are accurate down to the pound. It's not rocket science to make a gauge that works.

But Ducati doesn't so it is what it is.

You ever put any miles on those bikes?  And really?  You're going to compare a motorcycle to a helicopter?  

One of my neighbors has a custom chopper with 2 extremely tiny fuel tanks, no gauges on that bike at all.  He has run out of fuel a few times.  I ran out of fuel once on my last bike, a Suzuki, after 199 miles and the fuel light had been on for a good 40 miles+.  I honestly thought I could make it to the next exit (I was on the freeway in the left lane at 6PM in San Diego traffic).  Traffic doesn't bother me and changing lanes on the freeway doesn't intimidate me either, but I have some serious experience commuting in San Diego traffic and I knew I was low on fuel and pushing the limits.  

Fuel lights work just as well as any fuel gauge.  If nothing else it gets you in the habit of resetting your trip meter every time you fuel up and knowing approximately when that light is going to come on.  I've gotten really good at that.  These days I start to question if my trip meter gets over 100 miles and the fuel light hasn't come on, it's called experience.  My bike holds 3.5 gallons of fuel (1100 EVOs hold very little fuel, one of my biggest gripes about my bike) and I can go about 90-100 miles max before the fuel light comes on at which point a trip odometer starts counting the miles you've ridden since the fuel light came on.  My Suzuki didn't have that.  On that bike the fuel light comes on and it stays lit until you refill the tank... even if you run out of gas.  There are no second warnings and no countdowns from when the light came on.  The bike I had before that had a petcock, no fuel light (also a Japanese bike). That will teach you to monitor your miles ridden since the last time you fill up.  

I guess if that's important to you then get a bike with a fuel gauge.  And Ducati does make one at least that I know of, it is the Multistrada.  Personally, I couldn't care less if a bike has a fuel gauge or not.  Would it be nice?  Yeah, sure... I guess.  Is it a deal breaker?  HELL FREAKING NO!!!   

[DM426]

No, a fuel gauge is hardly a deal breaker and I never suggested anything of the sort. It's something I would have liked to have had, but since it's got a fuel light with a countdown meter, well, that's about half a fuel gauge anyway so that will work.

Question: If you had to choose between the 821 and the 1200, which would you choose and why?

[SDRider]

No, a fuel gauge is hardly a deal breaker and I never suggested anything of the sort. It's something I would have liked to have had, but since it's got a fuel light with a countdown meter, well, that's about half a fuel gauge anyway so that will work.

Question: If you had to choose between the 821 and the 1200, which would you choose and why?

Honestly, I couldn't make that decision until I had ridden both bikes.  I haven't ridden either of them but the suspension on the 1200 S will be a whole lot better than the suspension on the 821 so I'd probably go with the bike with the best suspension.

[koko64]

He's right, but he greater torque of the big bore might  sway you.