On 02/02/2004, at 1:19 PM, freak wrote:

> .i use to love Dukes, wanted a 916 as
> long as i can remember, till i talked to a few
> enthusiasts...the "desmo whatever" thing (4 valves per cylinder)
> bikes like the 916,996,998,999,748,749 bikes r
> 1.bloody dear to buy
> 2.bloody dear to service
> 3.not as reliable
> 4.use a dry clutch (so primitave)

You can pick up a second hand 916, 996 etc or 748 for < $20,000. If
you're handy with a spanner, most of the servicing can be done by
yourself. Desmodromic valve adjustments is supposed to be the killer,
I'm told.

A lot of reliability problems I've heard of regarding Ducatis have, in
many instances, involved a mechanic or owner not following the service
schedule.

A dry clutch is simply a different type of clutch, not necessarily more
or less primitive than wet clutch. There are advantages and
disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is that they wear out quicker,
another is that they are noisy (which the Ducatisti love!) I'm sure a
more mechanically minded person can chip in with more details.

I would love a good Ducati superbike. I can't justify it with a racing
habit that needs satisfying though ;) Since they are such specialised
beasts, you would really only enjoy it on a decent bit of road (like
the OPH before it was ruined) or the race track.

I'm not a fan of buying bikes to park outside cafes (hard to do in
enlightened Sydney, unlike Melbournistan), but obviously a Duke carries
a bit of ogling credibility.

As for the Monster series, they're a little tamer and less specialised.
A Jap twin will do a much better job if it just carries you to work
every day. Buy a Duke if you want performance and think they're sexy
looking.

Rgz,

Luke.

--
Luke Burton.
(PGP keys: http://www.hagus.net/pgp)

"I have a plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a
weasel."
-- Blackadder