[RotoRooterGuy]

I have decided to take the Ducati plunge and have found two good (what I believe to be good that is) deals on two Ducati bikes:

- 2004 Monster 1000S ie with 4,900 miles fully stock. The price is $6,500.
- 1999 SuperSport 900FF with 13,000 miles, corbin seat, FSF pipes and carbon fiber clutch cover. The price is $5,000.

Both bikes are yellow and in great shape (the Monster is actually Mint with all paperwork and the SS900 is in very good condition with a couple scratches on the lower fairing and the dealer just did a full 12k service on it).

Both are great bikes and both are similar (but much superior) to two previous bikes I've owned in the past (a 1998 CBR 600F3 which I still own but will sell if I buy the Duc, and a 1986 Yamaha Fazer 700S). I just can't decide which one to buy. I don't know which one is the better deal. Since you guys are Ducati experts, can you provide me with the pros and cons of each bike and which one you think is the better deal?

Thanks!

Firstly, everything is negotiable, are those the bottom line prices on both? If from a dealer, you have not purchased, considering this is February, and that no dealer negotiates final price until you are ready to sign, I suspect either bike can be had for $500 to $700 off the price, if not more. No dealer I know of advertises bottom line, no haggle, pricing. [unless part of some promotion, but even on those sales they deal price].

That said, from a dependability standpoint, an important factor, the 2004 is the better way to go. That's practically a new bike. Maybe it still has some time on the two-year factory warranty?

However, if you can get the 1999 Supersport for $4500 or less, 13k miles is still pretty low mileage for a bike, so it may be a good deal also, the trade off being it is a 1999 versus the 2004 Monster. Keep in mind, however, that 1999 means it is a seven year old bike. That is getting old in many rider's minds and resale value may be affected [see below].

Bottom line, both can be good deals, all things considered. So that simply leaves your making a personal decision, one that no one else can make depending on what and how you want to ride, for reasons important and intimate to you.

One thing that you may want to factor in, that can tip the scales in either bike's favor, is resale value. Get the price low enough, ride the bike, and if it is not for you, simply resell it and get all your money back, or maybe a little less.

To have this option you would need to get the bike at a low enough price so that you could sell it later for little or no loss. Either bike, if you get in it right [on price] may give you the option to sell it later at no loss. [Maybe should not refer to any lesser selling price as a "loss" since you will have used the bike for at least the 2006 riding season. One should be expected to pay for that ].

 

[RotoRooterGuy]

Thanks to everyone here for the great advice. I have indeed looked at the ST4s and absolutely love the bike but all the ones I've looked at have been quite expensive used. I'm looking to keep my budget at around 6k for a used Ducati and that is why I'm really leaning more towards one of the two bikes I mentioned. I considered a used ST3 but I have not been able to find any good used deals on those. I know for a fact that the 2004 monster is a really good deal since it is almost new, was owned and babied by a respectable adult doctor and is probably the better of the two deals. However, the SS is probably the better bike for me after having changed out the stock bars and added risers as people have suggested. The only qualm I have about that bike is I don't think I'm getting as good a deal on it as the monster and it is also quite a bit older with 13k miles. Even though I'm buying the bike through a ducati dealer, I have a feeling that the previous owner was younger and did not take care of the bike as well as the guy who had the monster. Finally, I really wanted a red ducati but it seems that yellow is all I can find especially for a good price. Am I being impatient here? I just feel like if I don't jump at one of these opportunities, I may not have another for a while and I really want a ducati to ride as soon as weather permits. I feel like I might miss the boat here. Thanks again for all of your help and great advice.

P.S. - By the way, is now a good time to buy a ducati (February in New England) or am I buying at a bad time? I am willing to wait another season to get a good deal and really find what I want (that is hopefully a red ducati and taking my time finding the right model that fits me well) if now is a bad time.

I mentioned in my post that this being February was a good time to buy. Buying season does not start until about April.

You are correct to be concerned about the SS having been abused by the prior owner. So nothing wrong with jumping on a good deal with the Monster. You can do a color change through eBay if the yellow really bugs you.

Remember, if you get the Monster at a low enough price you can always sell it after the 2006 season.

But, key is to get something that will make you happy. If red is what you want and the sportbike feel is what you are looking for, then wait. The deals come along at some point. Always do.

Could give you some tips on where to look in your area, but your profile has NO INFORMATION at all about where you live, etc. So, your loss.

 

[RotoRooterGuy]

Hi rotoRooterGuy,

I live in NH. Do you have any recommendations on good dealerships there or where I can get a good deal? The problem I'm running into is that stock is quite low at all the local dealers and that there are hardly any leftovers to work out a good deal on.

I live in San Francisco. I was going to suggest you check the nearest Craig's List or eBay. I have bought two bikes off Craigs and three off of eBay. Look at eBay and if you find something interesting, post us back.

Shipping is not an issue, as I have a professional shipper that can ship a bike coast to coast for $700 or less. I have used these guys three times:

http://www.motorcycleshippers.com/

On eBay, I'd start by entering "Ducati" as a search term, then "sort by highest price first" and see what pops up in your price range.

On my 998 I saved about $4000 off of what they were going for at the time.

See what there is, then get back to me. There are lots of tips and tricks to make sure you don't get burned on eBay. Generally, best to look for low mileage bike that a seller is getting rid of for a legit reason.

Here is eBay search under "Ducati"

http://search-desc.ebay.com/ducati_W0QQamp;sspagenameZhQ3ahQ3aadvsearchQ3aUSQQcatrefZC5QQfclZ3QQfromZR7QQfrppZ200QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ3QQftsZ2QQsacatZQ2d1QQsbrsrtZd


Here is the search term "Ducati red" a narrower search:


http://search-desc.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=unknown&sbrftog=1&catref=C5&fcl=3&frpp=200&amp%3Bsspagename=h%3Ah%3Aadvsearch%3AUS&from=R10&satitle=ducati+red&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&bs=Search&fts=2&fsop=3%26fsoo%3D2&fgtp=&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=94104&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=


Here is "Ducati red supersport"

http://search-desc.ebay.com/ducati-supersport_W0QQamp;sspagenameZhQ3ahQ3aadvsearchQ3aUSQQcatrefZC5QQfclZ3QQfromZR7QQfrppZ200QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ3QQftsZ2QQsacatZQ2d1QQsbrsrtZd


There are some members in here who swear by eBay, others who would not buy a bike sight unseen. By the way, eBay reports that their BIGGEST sales category is eBay Motors and vehicles. So, I'm not alone.

 

[RotoRooterGuy]

Telling you to look on eBay caused me to look too. What a hazard. If this is legit [seems so, but I always ask lots of questions of the seller] and if the selling price is right, meaning not the Buy It Now price, this is a tempting bike. During riding season it would probably go for $5500 to $6500. His negative feedback seems unjustified, so he looks OK.

In my opinion, these early 900 SS and SS SP are sleeper deals right now and will be collectors items in a few years. Lot's of people like em and they are becoming classics.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-Supersport-900ss-1995-Ducati-900SP-SuperSport_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ49991QQitemZ4617809713QQrdZ1

 

[RotoRooterGuy]

My former SS is now up for sale. It is a '96 SS/SP with a 944 kit, hc pistons, Keihin 41 mm FCR's on Malossi intakes, lightened flywheel, billet clutch basket, DP CF cans, and a lot more. If anyone is interested ping me off list. Kevin in Oakland has it.

bruce19

Damn, I had to run out to the garage to make sure my bike was not stolen and slightly modified by the thief.

http://www.heartinsanfrancisco.com/900SSSPRainyDayWarmup2min.wmv

 

[RotoRooterGuy]

Get this and set yourself apart from the crowd.

yamaha xs 650 w/ sidecar - $3200

Reply to: [email protected]
Date: 2006-03-02, 7:49PM PST


1983 yamaha xs 650, 20k orig miles, runs great, dual disc brakes, k&n air filters, custom solo saddle seats (removable), 1972 american eagle sidecar, seat newly recovered, tanneau cover included full suspension, cool vintage ride.
415 517 7263

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