Ducati Owners: How much do you spend on maintenance every year compared to the big 3?

Sushii

Sushii

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So how much do you guys spend on basic/regular maintenance every year compared to the big 4? I'm looking at a Ducati as my next bike for this season (2012) or next season (2013).

Bikes i'm looking at are as follow:
2004 Ducati 749
2008 Ducati 1098
Maybe the Ducati 848

Im not interested in the monster line, just the SS line. Now the reason i chose the 1098 over the 848 is because the 1098 has a lower seat height and im short... go figure lol.

No flame or anything related to insurance. I'm well aware of that.

Thanks!
 
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Valid question, I'd also be interested in having a solid answer.
My buddy keeps telling me to have a good mechanic if I decide to get a Ducati.
What's up with that?
 
i saw a 749 once in a showroom last year, it is actually the bike that got me interested in bikes before i rode, loved the design...started talking to one of the mechanics about it and getting a sense of maintenance costs on it and see if i wanted to get it. i think it worked out to about $1K for every 10K km that you rode it. unless you are a bit of a gearhead and can do some of the stuff yourself, some things require special tools too, it'll cost you a little more than the big 4 as i see it...can't speak for the other models, but 2007 onwards ducati pushed maintenance for those bikes further apart to reduce cost...just don't drop the bike...
 
Cheaper then service at the suzuki dealer... The prices for parts have really come down in the last few years. People still talk about the prices they paid 5-10 years ago, Yes they were high then. Now that Duc is becoming more popular here, its starting to be at par with the Jap bikes.

I dont pay much more for my 848 then I paid for service on my CBR at Honda.
 
GayManLoveIsOK said:
i saw a 749 once in a showroom last year, it is actually the bike that got me interested in bikes before i rode, loved the design...started talking to one of the mechanics about it and getting a sense of maintenance costs on it and see if i wanted to get it. i think it worked out to about $1K for every 10K km that you rode it. unless you are a bit of a gearhead and can do some of the stuff yourself, some things require special tools too, it'll cost you a little more than the big 4 as i see it...can't speak for the other models, but 2007 onwards ducati pushed maintenance for those bikes further apart to reduce cost...just don't drop the bike...
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When was this?

Dirty D said:
Cheaper then service at the suzuki dealer... The prices for parts have really come down in the last few years. People still talk about the prices they paid 5-10 years ago, Yes they were high then. Now that Duc is becoming more popular here, its starting to be at par with the Jap bikes.

I dont pay much more for my 848 then I paid for service on my CBR at Honda.
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I heard that anything above 2008 costs 50% less to maintain because the intervals have decreased. But hearing from someone that actually owns a ducati is very affirming
 
well, i chatted with a mechanic last year about the 749, so that would be 2011, but the bike was a 2005 model or around that time, that model i believe was last produced in 2006, so i did not benefit from the newer maintenance intervals. i think it is an awesome looking bike and if i knew more about bikes would get it, right now, batteries and oil changes is about as far as i go...

the big things for the newer bikes after 2007 are @ 12K for valve adjustments (which sometimes are just checked cuz they they might not need adjusting) and @ 24K for the timing belts (or every 5 years from what a mechanic told me)...
 
My costs have been minimal on my 1198 change the oil etc I will be changing the belts this year but will do it myself. Costs are only slightly higher than a Japanese bike. Also double check the seat height thing the 1098 and 848 have the same frame etc and should have the same seat height, I have never noticed a difference between the 2. The 848 is way cheaper to insure and the 2009 and newer one have some engine improvements.
 
Scuba Steve said:
My costs have been minimal on my 1198 change the oil etc I will be changing the belts this year but will do it myself. Costs are only slightly higher than a Japanese bike. Also double check the seat height thing the 1098 and 848 have the same frame etc and should have the same seat height, I have never noticed a difference between the 2. The 848 is way cheaper to insure and the 2009 and newer one have some engine improvements.
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Thanks, very helpful post.

About the seat height
The 848 seat height is approx 10mm higher than the 1198/1098 seat height. Mostly due to the bike not having an adjustable ride height rod.
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1 cm? that sounds like nothing.
 
Sushii said:
Thanks, very helpful post.

About the seat height
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Only if you are comfortable changing the belts. The older bikes like the 749 are close to double the maintenance. Valve adjustments need to be done quite often.

You could always adjust the height on the 1098 with the adjuster.
 
Sushii said:
How much lower can i lower it? 2 inches? That would be perfect. Same riding height as the Ninja 250 XD.
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You will not get any more than 10mm with that rod, but you could get a custom one and lower it all you want.
 
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