Why are Ducatis so expensive?

Heavy-Dee · 08-07-2006, 4:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJ96F3

I do think the 916/996 body style was one of the sexiest bikes ever. The 999 is growing on me but there's just something about the old 916/996.

996/998. Yea, dead sexy.

HD

Repeater · 08-07-2006, 4:30 PM

The 1200 should be out soon, and will bridge the gap in performance for those that use that much power (.01% of liter bike buyers if that).

Oh and the reason they can't build more is due to italians liking thier daily naps.

I would own a duck if i could afford to maintain it. otherwise honda is fast and pretty enogh for me. oh and yea i am a WOP.

Robert3RR · 08-07-2006, 4:31 PM

MV Augusta or Ducati which looks better...?

luvtolean · 08-07-2006, 4:33 PM

999 or MV?

That's easy.

916-998 series it's much tougher.

They were both designed by the same guy BTW.

SJ96F3 · 08-07-2006, 4:43 PM

Just out of curiosity (I don't know much about either) but if you disassembled both an MV and a 999 and just had a pile of parts lying in front of you... which would be the more expensive pile. In all seriousness because they both have high quality components... what's the raw component cost of these babies?

DevilDawg · 08-07-2006, 5:04 PM

I agree with SJ on the sexiness of the 916, that the newer 999 is not. I will also disagree with CBRVFR that Ducs are a POS. Lacking in top speed or HP doesn't make one a POS. I know several folks with Ducs and they have less problems with their bikes than the folks I know who have Japanese bikes, relatively speaking. I don't think anyone out there is making the perfect bike, obviously. True is that they have more frequent PM intervals, but that goes hand in hand with their technology. They aren't perfect bikes, but those of you with trophy wives out there get the fact that to have something a bit sexier than the standard you have to deal with something a bit more high maintenance.

HondaGalToo · 08-07-2006, 5:29 PM

916 (996/998) - sexiest bike ever built. The MV is what the 999 SHOULD have looked like, but they let the 916 designer go to MV and that's what happens.

I also liked the 851/888 bikes. And, of course, I like the pre-'99 Supersports, which are styled similarly to the 851/888, but with the air-cooled two valve engine, not the 4 valve superbike engine. I own a '95 SS SP. Yeah, it's a bit quirky compared to my Honda (although I am having some sort of issue with my 929 now that I so far haven't been able to trace, the MIL light still flickers on occasion and it's driving me nutz). However, the engine in my Duc is pretty darned bulletproof. It's been pretty reliable. It does have to go in more frequently for service. I dunno what it is about it. It's not their superbike, I think new it was just under 10 grand when new. I really enjoy riding it, though. The new Ducs just don't do anything for me. Except for the Monsters and the Sport Classics. I do like the look of them. The new Monster S4R with the testastretta engine in pearl white with the red stripe and red frame looks great!

onevcs · 08-07-2006, 5:39 PM

Well, I hope everything goes well for the Italian red brand. I'd hate to see it go away as it happened to other bike brands. I wouldn't buy one but they are very nice to look at and listen too, even the new ones.
I guess they know what they're doing from what I'm reading here...

ray916mn · 08-07-2006, 5:43 PM

With respect to maintenance costs Ducatis are relatively expensive, but after their initial depreciation 916/996/998 series have much lower depreciation costs than most Japanese bikes.

I bought my 916, 4 years ago and even after putting 24,000 miles on it, it's value from what I paid has probably only dropped about $1K. I seriously doubt the '03 CBR954RR I bought this year will do quite as well in the depreciation department.

I expect with depreciation costs and maintenance costs added together both bikes will cost about the same to operate over the next 4 years.

At the end of 4 years though, the Ducati will still probably draw admiration from more riders as it does today, than my faster, better handling, more comfortable 954.

BTW, my purchase cost for both the Ducati and the 954 was a little over $11K. Be patient, wait for deals to show up, buy used, and very few things are out of reach.....

JBODIE · 08-07-2006, 5:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilDawg

I agree with SJ on the sexiness of the 916, that the newer 999 is not. I will also disagree with CBRVFR that Ducs are a POS. Lacking in top speed or HP doesn't make one a POS. I know several folks with Ducs and they have less problems with their bikes than the folks I know who have Japanese bikes, relatively speaking. I don't think anyone out there is making the perfect bike, obviously. True is that they have more frequent PM intervals, but that goes hand in hand with their technology. They aren't perfect bikes, but those of you with trophy wives out there get the fact that to have something a bit sexier than the standard you have to deal with something a bit more high maintenance.

I stand corrected on some of my thinking, you make a great point here.

luvtolean · 08-07-2006, 5:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJ96F3

Just out of curiosity (I don't know much about either) but if you disassembled both an MV and a 999 and just had a pile of parts lying in front of you... which would be the more expensive pile. In all seriousness because they both have high quality components... what's the raw component cost of these babies?

I'm going to take an educated guess and say the MV is higher.

Smaller economies of scale, and a design by Tamburini who talks much more about passion than the new owners of Ducati who talk about JIT manufacturing.

The 999 is a cost down 998...

Baketech · 08-07-2006, 5:54 PM

Tooling cost for the MV head is surely higher...

luvtolean · 08-07-2006, 5:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

Tooling cost for the MV head is surely higher...

For sure, the whole engine even. If you look at an MV engine, I think you'd see it's the closest thing to the style of cases you'd see on a MotoGP bike. Whether this was or wasn't necessary on a street engine, it is a beautiful lump, and complicated as hell to manufacture.

The quality of most of the "little things" is really great too. The wiring and connectors are really superb for example.

The levers are beautiful carved bits. The reservoirs patented and deliciously curvy.

Really finely detailed machines, I'll stop before I get totally obnoxious.

I still can't believe I own one.

DevilDawg · 08-07-2006, 6:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBODIE

I stand corrected on some of my thinking, you make a great point here.

I will assume then that you have a trophy wife!

I certainly understand where the Ducati critcs are coming from when you look as simple numbers in performance vs. dollars spent. There are some justified criticisms of Ducs, but there's hardly a manufacturer that doesn't carry some justified issues. The difference between me buying a Honda vs. a Duc isn't all that different than me buying a Honda vs. a Suzuki (again).

Can't we all just get along?

BDA116 · 08-07-2006, 6:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray916mn

With respect to maintenance costs Ducatis are relatively expensive, but after their initial depreciation 916/996/998 series have much lower depreciation costs than most Japanese bikes.

I bought my 916, 4 years ago and even after putting 24,000 miles on it, it's value from what I paid has probably only dropped about $1K. I seriously doubt the '03 CBR954RR I bought this year will do quite as well in the depreciation department.

I expect with depreciation costs and maintenance costs added together both bikes will cost about the same to operate over the next 4 years.

At the end of 4 years though, the Ducati will still probably draw admiration from more riders as it does today, than my faster, better handling, more comfortable 954.

BTW, my purchase cost for both the Ducati and the 954 was a little over $11K. Be patient, wait for deals to show up, buy used, and very few things are out of reach.....

Are you saying that combined the two bikes cost you $11K, or that your 916 cost you $11K and you actually think you'll get $10K out of it?

ray916mn · 08-07-2006, 6:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

Are you saying that combined the two bikes cost you $11K, or that your 916 cost you $11K and you actually think you'll get $10K out of it?

The 2 bikes together cost a little over $11K.

RRWANTR · 08-07-2006, 6:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I'll stop before I get totally obnoxious.

Umm...you missed the stop sign a ways back..

Getsome · 08-07-2006, 6:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heavy-Dee

If I had the coin to blow, I'd buy this right now and ride it occasionally and display it normally.

HD

If I had the coin to blow I would have another 1000RR.

1 for the street with all the goodies I want on it(ie full superbike treatment). and the other for the track with all the goodies I want on it as well(ie another full superbike treatment). **** a Duc..

Heavy-Dee · 08-07-2006, 8:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Getsome

**** a Duc..

I've got a complete hard on for that bike right now. Not sure why. Just damn, sexy. I'd finish my basement around displaying that bike. And I'd ride it like a pussy, in the Fall only.

And then I'd polish it. Ohhhhhh, I'd polish and polish, and polish......

excuse me.....

TCD · 08-07-2006, 9:30 PM

Don't the upper scale Ducs come with Ohlins suspenders? 10K bike, 5K in suspension parts and we are getting in the ballpark.

DevilDawg · 08-07-2006, 9:51 PM

Need a towel, Dan?

msalser1000 · 08-07-2006, 10:07 PM

The team america bike in the pic will be roughly 17000 us. It is an S modle so it has the ohlins supension on it, and motor upgrades. I think it has 145 Horsepower. I have a repsol with a bunch of goodies and after leaving mid - ohio this weekend sitting on the 999s I would gladly trade my 1000rr for the duc. I sold my rc51 to by my 1000 and i think it was the biggest misyake i have ever made. For 99% of the sport bike population its about oooh ahhh! factor anyway. Most want the coolest and most diffent **** they can find. Most will never push their ride to a quater of its potential. If you like it buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CBR929RE · 08-07-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJ96F3

I do think the 916/996 body style was one of the sexiest bikes ever. The 999 is growing on me but there's just something about the old 916/996.

I've always love the 916 since I first saw the guy down the street from a friend with one many years ago. and I've always liked the 999 just not as much as the 916. but the other day when I was getting my bike tuned I had some time to actually stare at both bikes side by side (by side, there was a black 999 next to the 916 with the red 999 on the other side). I think I like the 999 better. the red 999 has a clear side head cover so you could see the cam gears, freaking sweet as hell.

but the MVF4 is by far the best looking bike ever.