fraz said:
Besides my Duc, I drive an Alfa and they have something in common with Ferrari. As Italian cars there is a well known thing call the Italian tune up which is basically, drive the piss out of it and they'll stay in good working condition. I am a firm believer that the Ducati falls into this same category. Most of the Italian cars and bikes I hear of in the shop with problems all the time are babied. The ones that are driven hard, keep running well. Call it superstition or old wive's tale... but I hear the redline callin' my name
You might have something here! My ST4s is 3 years old and I have 48,000 miles on the clock. My valves have been adjusted once at 18,000 miles and have stayed in spec ever since. I have no flaking rockers. I actually think the engine didn't feel fully broken in until around 30,000+ miles!
I'm a total advocate for 'ride it all the time and it will keep running fine'!
However, I must warn people out there to check and change their wheel bearings periodically! My rear wheel bearings were checked at every 12,000 mile service, but I lost the right-side bearing last Monday when it granaded while riding! I now need a new wheel, hub sleeve, both bearings, axle, axle nut and rear brake caliper bracket!! From now on, I'm getting my bearings changed every 24,000 miles, even if they appear to be fine!
