Introduction and a Hello - Ducati.ms

SSR · Oct 3rd, 2007, 10:46 pm

Hi, just want to introduce myself and give a little background.

I'm new to the motorcycle world and never thought i would actually own one or think of getting one until i saw the Ducati Sport Classic on a cover of one of the motorcycle mags back, i believe, in 05. It was love at first sight! Ideally, I my idea of what a cool motorcycle should look like have always been that cafe racer look of which is what the Sport Classic is or that is until i saw the introduction of the Ducati Sport Classic on the cover of a magazine.

Fast forward to present day and now i'm reading everything i can about Ducati and the Sport Classic. Heck, after having read posts dating back to (i think) Jan of 06 (that was as far as i could go back unfortunately, unless anyone can help me go back further in the posts) it sort of paid off when i went to the dealer today (Battley). The salesman (he seemed nice) didn't know the MSRP to the Black and Gold Sport Classic on the floor, the different color combinations, mistaking the Monster for the Sport Classic, wasn't aware of the difference between the GT1000 and the Sport Classic. Well, actually, so far, that's the extent of my knowledge about Ducati Sport Classic too. Oh, wait, i know that when i do get the Sport Classic, i need to change the stock exhaust to a Termi!

QUESTIONS. (1) Are Sport Classics still selling for MSRP? Dealer suggested $12,900 out the door (including tax) to which i almost said "yeah, right!". I haven't really sat down to talk numbers yet, i just asked him what they were asking for the bike. (2) I'm interested in the Monoposto (i prefer the look of the single seater to the two seaters), but curious if it's possible to switch seats (?). (3) Would it be safe to get a used 06? And if i were to get a used 06, should ask them if they've dealt w/ the fuel line problem inside the tank? (4) I'm 5'6", will i have any problem with the bike? (5) Any idea of what the invoice for the SC is? Thank you in advance for any informations/responses.

Sam

akillya · Oct 3rd, 2007, 11:07 pm

I am sure you can find a good used 2006 if you look around. I bought my bike with 650 miles on it and a serious discount. The sport classics are not a huge seller for most dealers so there has to be some kicking around. Any 2006 you buy should still have base warranty and Ducati sent me an email that said any bike in warranty is eligible for the new 3 year/36 month extended coverage so the bike would have 60 months of warranty!!!

No idea on the seat swap so I will spare you the shinfo!

http://www.ducati.com/od/ducatinorth...l?newsId=18861

luther_r · Oct 3rd, 2007, 11:52 pm

New leftover 2006 monopostos seem to be going for $9500-10000 out the door lately. I bought one a couple months ago. Like you, I prefer the mono but wanted to carry a passenger. The seat swap is very easy. You only need to file the hooks on the frame a couple mm for a nice fit. Making bracketry for passenger pegs is the difficult part. There are a couple threads on this forum about it. Here's mine:
My '06 Biposto Coversion

also, just to clarify, the Sport Classics are the entire line of bikes. The one you're looking at is called a Sport 1000 (often abbreviated as S1K here). The GT1000, Sport 1000, Paul Smart, and MH900E are all considered Sport Classics.

If you find a used bike, you should be able to get the VIN from the owner and call your local dealer to have them look up the service history. Everything done by a dealer will get recorded with Ducati North america, including tank recall work.

best of luck in your search!
luther

scooter · Oct 4th, 2007, 12:05 am

Pricing on Ducatis can vary a lot but most of the folks buying leftover monos have negotiated good discounts. The one exception is probably the black and gold numbered, limited edition. I'll bet others will chime in with news of leftover monos they've seen at their local dealers. I haven't been to my dealer recently but the last time I was, he had a new Paul Smart on the floor. The only real negative about buying an 06 is you don't benefit from the longer intervals between servicing, which can save some money to put towards those termis.

As for your salesman, if he's the best your dealer has, find another dealer. Speaking only for myself, you want to buy a bike from a dealer who is an enthusiast. If you can't find a salesman who can tell the difference between a Monster and Sport Classic, find another dealer. It's just not a good sign.

Lastly, at 5'6" make sure the bike fits. You're on the edge at that height because these bikes don't have low seats. And if it's actually your very first bike ever, you probably want a bike you can easily flat foot with both feet at a full stop. I'm 5'9" and can flat foot my GT, but my knees are barely bent. The DS1000 motor is also very torquey for a beginner. If you have a disciplined right hand the bike is easy to control, if not, it could become a handful quickly.

tsmgguy · Oct 4th, 2007, 11:03 am

A 1000cc Ducati is an awful lot of bike for a beginner. No offence meant. These are bikes for experienced riders.

A new rider will drop any bike while learning to ride it, guaranteed. The Sport 1000 would be particularly tricky, given the narrow bars, forward riding stance, and very powerful engine.

I'd opt for something that will get you into trouble a lot less quickly. There are plenty of choices, including some Ducatis with far less displacement.

Generally speaking, the larger the displacement, the greater the insurance expense, and Ducatis are more to insure than almost anything else out there. Check out the costs with your carrier before you buy as it might be prohibitive for you. The six month premium for my Triumph Bonneville is almost half what it is for the GT1000, and that's with the safe rider discount.

The more I think about it, the more I believe that purchasing a Sport 1000 would verge on the suicidal for a new rider.

DUCeditor · Oct 4th, 2007, 11:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsmgguy

The more I think about it, the more I believe that purchasing a Sport 1000 would verge on the suicidal for a new rider.

I don't agree. The bike is quite civil and controllable. But the height issue is genuine. And so is the likelihood of little 'get offs.'

-don

The most common word to follow "ooops" is "damn!" -Chabis Yodofsky

Blitzen · Oct 4th, 2007, 12:35 pm

If you are thinking about used '06 I would seriously check into the the bike desmoduvalier is selling.
http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?t=29353

That is got all the goodies I'd love to have and he's only asking 10K right now. I'm almost tempted to buy it to strip off the good stuff and sell it a stock bike. Almost.

SSR · Oct 4th, 2007, 1:11 pm

Hello again and thank you for all the responses!

luther_r: Thank you for clarifying the entire Sport Classic line. I feel like a dork now for thinking that i knew the differences.

akillya: Thank you for the link to the extended service warranty. Derfinitely would get one! Especially, since i've found a few 06 that are for sale, although out of state.

With regard to the height question that i asked, after posting my thread, i did a search (search is my friend) and came up with a couple of posts where there are others with 30 inseams who were able to balance their bikes and/or found ways to make the bike fit them (i.e., shaved seats).

tsmgguy: I understand the concept of how a powerful vehicle can be suicidal in the hand of a beginner, and though this is apple to orange (since one has 2 wheels and another has 4; along with other variables), i have and always had a high horsepower sports cars, so i've always had respect for the "beast" or anything that is powerful. Also, i understand and realize how most experienced riders would think that the Sport 1000 (just like some owners of Vipers or a Z06 or any other hight horsepower or high torque cars) can be dangerous for beginners or those that lack experience with something that's powerful. However, i believe if one is leveled headed, understand one's abilities (and remember that they're still new at riding), have control of one's right hand (as scooter has mentioned), take it easy in the early stage of riding and have a lot of discipline to not showboat, then all should be well (hopefully).

With regard to a new rider dropping any bike while learning to ride it, guaranteed. I'm sure that is a BIG possibility and may/will happen, so one can just chalk that up to an experience learned or a rite of passage to motorcycle ownership. But i'm sure more experienced riders have or can accidently dropped their bikes as well. Basically, accidents, unfortunately, happen. Heck, i've seen grown men tripped over themselves while walking.

DUCeditior: What does "a so is the likelihood of little 'get offs' mean?

Thank you again everyone for all of your inputs!

Sam

GTV · Oct 4th, 2007, 2:20 pm

I believe some people are naturally adept at driving/riding, while others shouldn't be anywhere near a motorized vehicle. I didn't have my first spill until 10 years and 5 bikes after I learned to ride -- and this was only because, without warning, the pavement stopped right before a turn.

On the flip side, my sister wrecked four cars before turning 21. She just didn't have the temperament, focus, or respect to be a competent driver.

If you have proper respect for the bike, an honest assessment of your skills, and the patience to learn properly, I think you'll do alright. The SC's are powerful, but they're not superbikes by any means.

Geeto67 · Oct 4th, 2007, 3:21 pm

If you want to carry a passenger buy an 07 with the rear seat cover, converted 06's look crappy to me and frankly why not start off with something an engineer spent tons of time working on rather than some cobbled together backyard fix.

I bought a 06 a month ago as a new leftover. I paid $9000 for it but I had to put down 1/3 and I had to buy the termi kit at full list ($1400 which I was going to do anyway). The 07's are now leftovers with the 08s coming out so if you are going to buy one now is probably a pretty good time (onyl better time is when it actually snows). I don't worry about a passenger on my bike because I have my 1975 cb750 which my GF loves to ride on (she has never been comfortable on any other bike) so my 06 is my personal selfish toy.

some salesmen are genuinely clueless and some are testing you. I used to work at an italian motorcycle dealership (if you could call them motorcycles) and I would watch the sales guys all day long. It is all a trick, if you know alot they will misstate fact and let you talk so that you feel self-important and good about the sale, if you know nothing they will tell you what they know and steer you to the biggest comission.

If you are a new rider I suggest you do not carry a passenger for at least a year (2 preferrably). Even if you are a great driver and super attentive, you will not have deloped the habits and reflexes to deal with another wiggling body directly behind you that could potentially throw you into dangerous situations. I would also take a rider course and keep of fthe highway for at least the first 6 months.