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Originally Posted by TravisL Good question, although the new Ducati's are looking better all the time maintence wise...... |
Yeah, they have doubled the maintenance intervals which effectively cuts maintenance in half. If you actually compare the recommended maintenance of a Honda to the recommended maintenance of the Ducati it isn't too far off on the new Ducati's. The main difference is that Ducati is pretty hard line about "insisting" that they do the maintenance rather than you doing it yourself. However, they can't legally not honor the warranty as long as you have performed the maintenance. You don't have to have them do it, they just try to make you think that.
As far as the MV, I think that people are telling you the known issues. The basic problem is that parts for Italian motorcycles are a little more expensive. They aren't being mass produced in the same quantities as other bikes and aren't being produced by cheap labor. I've been planning a new bike purchase for the new year and have narrowed my choices to the 600RR and the 848. The difference in MSRP is $3400. Figure getting a few hundred off that on the 600RR where you won't ever get a Ducati below MSRP and the difference is more like $3800. However the Ducati has Marchesini's and Brembo brakes. That right there adds up to $2750-$3000. The remaining $800 dollar difference is easily justified. Dollar for dollar the maintenance ends up fairly close as well. Throw in the MUCH better resale value of a Ducati (or MV) and things become pretty equal. Other people will look at it completely different and will always think you're nuts but it just comes down to what you like and what you want. If the MV is what floats your boat and you can actually afford it then go for it. If you are going without food or really stretching yourself to be able to afford the extra money then you can't truly afford it.