When A Demo Is Not A Demo???

[Motorman]

Since I recently have been hearing the call to the "Red Side", I rode to my local (not) Ducati dealer and had the pleasure of two demo rides. My riding buddy has a Multi so I have ridden his red beauty and like it, but wanted to try some other models.

I rode the Diavel and although it is one heck of a motorbike I was not in love with the riding position. I next rode the Monster 1100. Wow! She fit and felt great. Wonderful handling, great power to weight ratio.

Here is the deal. Although I was able to ride the bike, it is really not a demo.
The salesman explained that it was a brand new bike that was put into limited demo use, including a track day and some normal mileage and would be available to purchase in October. It would however, include the Termi exhaust.
It would be 12K and would not include the stock exhaust, but may include the first service if the mileage is close to 600 miles. Also warranty would start after the purchase in October.

My question is to you experienced with Ducati is: is this a good deal?
Is this a normal procedure? Any problems with an initial track day break in?

Thanks. Hope to see RED soon.

[Jaelum]

I would be extremely leery of a bike that was put through a track day and untold "demo" riding before it was broken in properly. Much of the damage that could be done wouldn't show up until a bit later.

Personally, I wouldn't trade that kind of abuse for Termi exhausts (which is what the deal amounts to).

[thelumox]

as for the track day break-in; there is a large camp of mechanics and engine builders that believe modern engines actually benefit from a vigorous break in. i don't know, i usually just ride a new bike normally after the tires are scrubbed in.

interesting read here;
Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

how do the tires look? was it really flogged on the track, or not too much? a skilled rider who is familiar with the track probably had it bouncing off the rev-limiter the whole time, hard braking and not using the clutch for up shifts. again, not necessarily bad for the bike but something to think about.

if it was tracked by someone like me, it was prob putt-putted around cautiously a few times.......afraid of crashing and looking like an idiot

do you know if the exhaust is the full kit which includes the ecu? if so this is a very expensive/effective/desireable addition that you would not have to buy later (trust me, you will want this kit!).

regards-
casey

[mr600ss]

a bike that is run in hard goes hard, modern components are alot better than ealier days

just buy and save the extra coin to put into other mods

[Timmyjoe]

Hi Motorman,

I see you're over in Rockford, which Ducati Dealer did you go to, they're getting really scarce around here.

I bought a "Demo from Ducati" that was pretty much exactly like you are describing (low miles, limited rides, termis) back in 2005 from a Ducati dealer out west. Though it was a 998.

I would be careful and it would depend on the dealer. The issue I had with the 998 was the dry clutch. I had never owned a dry clutch bike before, and when I rode it, I noticed it could be a little slippy. When I talked with the dealer I bought it from he assured me it was normal for a dry clutch. So I didn't know any better.

Few years later I sold it, and bought a 748. Rebuilt that clutch (previous owner had glazed it) and it performed pretty much like the clutch in the 998. I just figured dry clutches must be like that. During other service, my Ducati shop said it was time to replace the clutch pack, so they put a new one in. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE. It rode just like any other bike. It wasn't that a dry clutch is naturally slippy, it's that the dry clutch in that 998 had been abused like the one in my 748 and that's why it was slippy.

So I would be careful and make sure it's a Ducati dealer who is trustworthy.

Best,
-Tim

[hunduc]

How many posts do you see of motors blown up and other issues with demo bikes? Secondly most never keep a bike over 10,000 miles, so if there ever was an issue, it wouldn't come during your ownership. I think breaking a bike in too easy is way over rated IMO. I remember the duc mechanic telling me, don't red-line it until 6k ! I told him you're crazy, I'm going to run this bike. It's not like were taking our bikes with 500 miles to the track and running wot for 25 laps

[Timmyjoe]

I think in the days of the 916, 748, 996 Superbikes, how you broke the bike in had something to do with the rocker arm flaking issue. Not that break-in caused the rocker arm issue, Ducati's manufacturing practices did, but bikes that were broken in "gently" did not exhibit the issue as often as bikes that were beat from the get go. At least according to my Ducati mechanic who has been doing this since the late 1980's.

Best,
-Tim

[Motorman]

Thanks for all the comments. As far as I know the bike comes with the Termi exhaust and it's tuned to the bike. It ran flawlessly and had a lot of power.

The tires were a bit on the rough side due to the track day. The bike has less than 200 miles, and I was advised they would like to keep the miles down so they won't have to provide the first service.

It would appear that the jury is out on the break in issue. Will a brand new motor at high rpms at track speeds damage the engine or transmission???

It is tempting to buy the termi equipped bike, but somewhat worrisome to think of what kind of beating it may have taken.

We'll see.

[Revelstoker]

All in all, I have to think that this is not that great of a deal. Would be a lot better if they included the break-in service and the original parts w/ecu.

New EVO is $12k. Termi is $1,500 + Labor.

I would say, pop for a new EVO and ride it the rest of the summer/fall and put the Termi on at your break-in. Or, look for a slightly older model that has been lightly used and nicely modded for less money.
For example, this one that sold on the .MS classifieds For Sale: 2009 Monster 1100

Worst part is that you won't get the bike until Oct. and most of the riding season is over in upstate IL.

Give Commonwealth Ducati in Louisville a call. Last time I was in there, they had a couple left-over and demo Monsters for sale. Commonwealth In Stock Motorcycles Ducati Commonwealth Motorcycles

[Crarrs]

To me, it sounds like this salesman is trying to rip you off. If they are letting the bike be used for test rides and track days, it's a demo; especially if he can't let you buy it for another two months. They need to accrue the full alotted demo mileage before he can sell it as such. Secondly, there's going to be 25 or more different people all wringing the neck of that bike in their own special way before you get to plonk down the funds to call it yours. Sounds a little like a whore, eh? Maybe even a cheap whore; counter his offer accordingly if you are interested in it though.

EDIT: I also just read this bit.

The bike has less than 200 miles, and I was advised they would like to keep the miles down so they won't have to provide the first service.

Really? This doesn't sound like a raw deal to you? They are letting people ride this bike at the track, but they want to sell it to you and let you be on the hook for that first service? Walk away. I wouldn't go near this dealer if that's the way they do business.