K11 Owners Group

malcolmt · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:36 pm Post subject: Ducati Opinions..

A good buddy of mine (honestly) is considering buying a Duke, possibly this one in the link.

http://www.bikesales.com.au/private/details/ducati-multistrada-1000-ds-2005-12531885?__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Price_Decimal%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Model_String%7c0&__N=1432%201429%201428%204294967242%204294957916%20495%20498

Despite our preferences can anyone offer opinions on reliability, ease of maintenance, maint costs etc.

BTW..he may eventually be moving away from his Harley.. so its a move in the right direct Wink

Update.. Just realized he's working in Perth, Oz.
Drikko, wot do you reckon ???

MalcolmT
Joburg , South Africa
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A Bike on the road is worth two
in the shed
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SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:10 pm Post subject:

Malcolm,

We have a 2007 Ducati 800ss in our garage. Very similar engine to the 1000 Multistrada.

Air cooled, SOHC, 2 valves/cylinder.

So far I have done all the maintenance- valve clearance, timing belts, TB sync, etc. Lots of very good do-it-yourself instructions on YouTube.

You might hear from some misinformed people that Ducatis are expensive and labor-intensive to maintain. I haven't found that to be true at all. The newer superbike (4 valves/cylinder) engines are more complex, but the 2 valve engines are pretty simple.

We have had the ss for about a year and a half and put on about 5000 km. No problems at all. Bought it with about 2000 km on it.

Any questions?

Good luck.

John
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
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abreeze · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:55 pm Post subject:

DONT!

I have a 907ei, and it is a nightmare to work on....valve check/adjustments every 3k miles. you have to remove the radiator to check the valves!! The 907 is a good 20+ hr service!!!!!

They say every 6k miles on the new models, but they loosened the tolerances significantly!! If you want DESMO performance, expect every 3k miles....

They have no parts network on older models, I had one shop tell me " we dont really deal with older models"....

If you want a twin, get a R1100-1150.....doing a valve adjustment on one now...maybe 1 hour of labor!!!!......

Having said that...reasons to buy a DUC....If its your 3rd bike!....You dont go to strip clubs anymore and have some extra cash!.....You dont know any better, YET!.....OR, You cant afford an Farrari(thats me)!!....

They are stellar to ride, especially the race tuned models....

What the hell, go for it......

Allen Nelson · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 6:16 pm Post subject:

A few years back I was Rolling Eyes

this close to buying an ST4 out in Glendale at the local Ducati dealer. Was sitting at the salesmans desk, just about ready to put my signature on the paper work. He got a call and left the desk...so I started wandering around and stuck my nose in the service area. Service manager invited me in, so out of curiosity I asked him what does the first service cost....he politely told me "right around $900. Shocked

After picking myself up off the floor I asked another question, "what does this service entail?". He said oh, every 3,000 miles you need to adjust the valves and typically that service runs about "$900. After waking up in the hospital......no, just kidding. After hearing his last response, I asked the same question and confirmed this wasn't just a hearing problem with old age or something. At that point I walked back to the sales desk, picked up the paper work and tore it up.

I quickly exited the shop, sneaking out to my old trusty K11 and quickly exited the area....promising I would never darken the door of a Ducati dealer again....and thinking how could I have ever thought it was expensive owning a BMW for crying out loud

I hear what Johns' saying too, so if you're doing your own wrenching, this shouldn't be an issue.

So the bottom line is, if you don't wrench then your wallet's going to suffer (just to start with)...course you could always cut down on your riding time....OR....if you have considerable amounts of disposable income, you've got the whole thing licked and money isn't an issue to maintain a Ducati....... Laughing

P.S.
Something tells me a response to this thread is a little to late to say the least....but it was kind of fun writing it......I would love to own a Multistrada or other Ducati. So for those of you who make the decision to own one and keep it in good health, you need to know the rest of the world envy's you and lusts for what you have.....shame on you, you should be giving to the poor....."alms for the poor sir....I'll be happy to take your Ducati off your hands if you don't have any change in your pocket"...... Wink

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drikko · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:49 pm Post subject:

I apologise Malcolm, I didn't see this thread till now! Apart from the ridiculous servicing costs my mate on his ST4 can't get the suspension soft enough to do more than 3-400 kms a day without a chiropractor. Definitely weekend cafe jaunts only. Wouldn't touch one with your pole mate!!

The other reason he rarely uses it is the servicing costs!!
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K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
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DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
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SugarHillCTD · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 4:32 am Post subject:

drikko · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:52 am Post subject:

_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde