Old Guy With New Bike - Ducati.ms

**geospencer** · Jan 10th, 2006, 9:40 am

I picked up my Paul Smart just before Christmas. The weather has been unusually mild so I have been able to string together about 400 miles in the last few days. The more I ride the bike the more I like it.

Some observations:

(1) The ride is not uncomfortable. It is more comfortable than a 748/998. (I can’t compare it to a 999. I have never ridden one.) It is less comfortable than the S4R that I traded.

(2) I love the torque that the motor makes! I've always been a fan of this motor and I think this version is the best yet.

(3) The suspension is superb. (Ohlins shocks are excellent. I wish I could afford to put them on my other motorcycle.) I find the ride firm but not stiff. In other words, I know when I hit a rut . . . but I am not jarred.

(4) This motorcycle goes where it is pointed!

(5) The manual is right. Do not overfill the tank!

(6) My dealer got rid of the canister before I picked up the bike. (I saw the Paul Smart in the crate with the canister attached. It did not look like it belonged.)

I’ve ordered the comfort seat (mainly because I think it looks a little better than the stock seat – the stock seat is not uncomfortable) and a Termignoni two into two slip-on exhaust system. I will probably leave the baffles in. My main concern is getting those huge Termignoni stickers off. Someone on another site said that it could be done.

I have already had someone offer to buy this bike from me. (It’s not for sale.) He was probably just being nice but it's the thought that counts!

Last Sunday I rode it to a local bike hangout (mostly Harley’s and metric cruisers). I wasn’t surprised when a few BMW riders came over to look at it. I was pleasantly surprised when the cruiser guys gathered round to see what it was. ("What's that? Is that a new bike? It looks like an old bike?")

Reducs · Jan 10th, 2006, 12:23 pm

I need to ride a Smart to see how different the suspension is. Not that I'm gonna drop 3k(!) to upgrade, but still.

Please give an update on the comfort seat and a before/after pic if you can. I am curious just how much more comfort is there to be had and what it looks like on the bike.

As for the Termis, mine was delivered with them (2-into-2) on the bike and the baffles out. I put the baffles back in to check the difference and had more trouble getting them back out than I expected. They're out now, but I'd like to put them in for work since I get home at about 11:30pm and I don't know how long my neighbors will tolerate the barking.

Enjoy!

PS: Are you GFSpencer** elsewhere?

DucatiGal · Jan 10th, 2006, 3:36 pm

Ah, I wish it would be warm enough here for me to take my first ride on my Sport. Today was close...Thurs. looks promising. It's gotta be 50, I'm a wimp! I'm interested in photos of the comfort seat, too, although the stock one looks like it should be fine. Mmmmm....Ohlins.....don't think I'll be doing that upgrade, but I do want the Termi slip-ons.

Dfox · Jan 10th, 2006, 4:35 pm

Reducs,

Ordered mine for Christmas, delivery in Feb.

Ordered the termis exhaust and was wondering if you heard the bike without the termis installed (here is the weak question) is there a significant difference to justify the cost?

This will be my first Ducati, love the sound and do not want to be disappointed

My problem is I leave at 5:30 a.m. and actually like my neighbors my bike goes everyday rain or shine, the sport will have to stay home on the rainey days and old reliable will have to carry those days.

Thanks

**geospencer** · Jan 10th, 2006, 4:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reducs

I need to ride a Smart to see how different the suspension is. Not that I'm gonna drop 3k(!) to upgrade, but still.

Please give an update on the comfort seat and a before/after pic if you can. I am curious just how much more comfort is there to be had and what it looks like on the bike.

As for the Termis, mine was delivered with them (2-into-2) on the bike and the baffles out. I put the baffles back in to check the difference and had more trouble getting them back out than I expected. They're out now, but I'd like to put them in for work since I get home at about 11:30pm and I don't know how long my neighbors will tolerate the barking.

Enjoy!

PS: Are you GFSpencer** elsewhere?

Yes, gfspencer = geospencer - I couldn't figure out how to get back on this site with my old username.

I agree with you. I don't think I would spend the extra money for the shocks if they didn't already come on the bike. However, I think they respond better than any shock I have ever had on any Ducati that I have ever owned. 3k worth? Probably not. (That's the reason they're not on my BMW.)

kingcapt · Jan 10th, 2006, 5:07 pm

Ain't life beautiful...?

**scott** · Jan 10th, 2006, 5:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by geospencer

Yes, gfspencer = geospencer - I couldn't figure out how to get back on this site with my old username.

Would you like me to fix that for you?

**geospencer** · Jan 10th, 2006, 6:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott

Would you like me to fix that for you?

It's fine like it is. I don't think I added a lot to the old site so there isn't much for me to go back and see.

By the way, great job on the new site!! Thanks for adding a Sport Classic group.

Reducs · Jan 10th, 2006, 7:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dfox

Ordered the termis exhaust and was wondering if you heard the bike without the termis installed (here is the weak question) is there a significant difference to justify the cost?

I'll be honest with you, I haven't heard one with the stock cans. I never made it to the dealership while a Smart was there and my Sport was the first one. I had heard (no pun intended) from other sites that the stock exhaust was especially uninspired, I think due to the Euro3 standard that they meet, whatever that entails. When I was called about delivery, they offered the pipes for MSRP installed and tuned. It's only money, right?

As far as justifying the cost: for the Sport you're talking about 12% of the sticker price for two pipes, airbox lid and an ECU. There is no reasonable way to justify that other than pure lust. Having said that, I'm glad I went ahead and did it because I would have had a devil of a time down the road justifying it when the payments start! The popping on overrun and general WWI biplane exhaust note would not, I'm sure, be there with the stock exhaust. I'm going to make sure that I listen to them when I'm back for the 600 service.

Aesthetically, the 2-into-2 Termis look a lot better than the stock (and IMHO the 2-into-1) pipes as well.

I know there is talk of Staintune and others putting out slip-ons or full systems for the SC's, but a bird in the hand...

Enjoy and good luck. I don't think there is a bad decision to be made here.

kingcapt · Jan 11th, 2006, 7:37 am

I picked up my PS1000 totally intact, less the charcoal can...

Though I have read the exhaust really camouflages the Ducati note we all love, and even the dealer said, when asked, "doesn't sound anything like a Duc you've ever heard", I don't find it totally repulsive. It has a very muted "thud" and the cadence you would expect from a 2 valver.

I am very interested in looking into some form of freer breathing pipes though...

I have been told (by a dealer reputed to be a performance specialist on Ducs and Aprilias) that the way to go is with a Powercommander AND pipes as the Termi ECU that's supplied doesn't really add much value to the overall fueling map. They claim a Powercommander will not set off any O2 sensor lights, etc. (A Powercommander would eliminate the O2 sensor if used with a complete system.)

Anybody have any input???