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[Glide-man]

I have been thinking of trading in my 09 cvo rg for the Ducati above. 500 pounds lighter, 50/60 more horse power and a cycle company that cares about its riders. Oh yeah 12/15 k less. Why should I stay with mother Harley when she refuses To back what they make? Talk to me guys, what have you heard about the Ducatis? Also looking at MVP Acusta, alpine, and moto Gusie sp.  Lay it on me the good and bad.

[SDCVO]

Ducati is now owned by VW.  In my "real life" I do business with them and I have to tell you that if you are thinking about doing this because of customer service, that would be a big mistake... As far as the bike goes, they really are amazing machines but you need to go in "eyes wide open". They are complete performance machines and need to be driven that way and also you need to be prepared to service them that way. The cost difference between a Ducati and a Harley is vast in that regard and I think you would find out that as far as "standing behind their product" goes, you should check out a couple of Ducati forums and see what they are saying and keep in mind that a German company will be "pulling the strings" fairly soon so it certainly will not get better.
IMHO....

[digga25]

My son rides a Duc 1198.Well made, plenty of power, 170 hp 360 lbs wet.You have to be very young to ride that bike all the time.But Duc has a real good history.But a service for tghis bike is real expensive so what you save in initial cost might bite you inthe ass later.

[SBB]

I have been thinking of trading in my 09 cvo rg for the Ducati above. 500 pounds lighter, 50/60 more horse power and a cycle company that cares about its riders. Oh yeah 12/15 k less. Why should I stay with mother Harley when she refuses To back what they make? Talk to me guys, what have you heard about the Ducatis? Also looking at MVP Acusta, alpine, and moto Gusie sp.  Lay it on me the good and bad.

Is buying a Ducati something you have to do this very minute?
If not, take a month and join a Ducati forum and read the real story.
Just like here I bet there are more complaints than praises.
As SDCVO said, go in "eyes wide open" then make your decision.
Since your a person I suspect that was once 100% Harley I think others here would be interested in your results/final opinion.
But don't rush.
Like Dorrito's, Ducati and Harley will make more.
Good luck!

SBB

[Glide-man]

Great information so far, lots to think about. I'm not in a hurry to buy. I'm on the list for 2013 cvo rg ultra. They just dont impress me so far. Does anyone have experience with the other company's  Alphine, m v acosta or moto Gussie? If I'm moving from HD, I thought I'd get an Italian made bike. I'm 100% Sicilian.

[CVODON]

You need to go read the Duc forums, yourself. Neighbor has a 1098, what a piece of crap. Constantly argues with dealer over little crap like wiring connectors that fall off, sensors that fail etc. Everything that has gone wrong with his bike the dealer has said is customer pay, normal wear & tear even though the bike is/was still in warranty. And unlike us, he can't go to another dealer, because there isn't another one within two hundred miles.
He had a Buell, wishes he had it back. Factory "Required" service is amazingly expensive, twice or more than HD.

[dlaws01]

I feel your pain. Been thinking about selling mine and going with the Ducati Diavel Carbon myself.  I have joined a Ducati forum and have learned plenty.  For the most part, everybody seems very happy with the Diavel but there have been some complaining about service cost.  Service intervals have gone from 7500 miles to 15000 miles which is a big plus.  One drawback is that it takes a Duc dealer's service department to use a "special" tool to extinguish the "maintenance required" light when you do an oil change. This is a problem for those of us that do routine maintenance and oil changes ourself.  Supposedly there will be some software available soon that will allow owners to kill the light after servicing.  Availability of service is another concern.  Most  Duc dealers are located in or near larger cities so us "country boys" will have to travel farther.  Personally, I like the bike and am about ready to bite the bullet on one.  Ducati owners are about as passionate about Duc's as we H-D owners are about our rides.  The best advice I've heard so far here is don't get in a hurry, do you homework and research, talk to Duc owners and take a test ride.  The MV Agusta is pure sport bike and is even harder to find service availability when living in smaller towns.  One heck of a ride though. Just too much for an old fat belly like me. I'd kill myself on it.  the Diavel is a comfortable transition for some used to riding a H-D. More upright seating and loads of power. 160+ HP stock.  Good luck whatever you decide.  

[Bowman1836]

I feel your pain. I'm alittle pissd at my Harley dealer right now over some stupid stuff that could of Ben avoided on there end. But i don't think I could ever go to another mc. If you compare all others seam cheaply built compared to HD   Notice I said compared not saying HD is a well made bike but IMO is better than the others. Just do your research before swapping. Best of luck

[SDCVO]

 dlaws01, make sure you look into projected resale on that Diavel before you "bite the bullet"... The sport bikes do have great resale (not as good as a CVO or even close though) but the Diavel is kinda a new style in the US for them. As I said before, just make sure you go in "eyes wide open". As in most things in life, "the grass is not greener"...

[HOGMIKE]

My son has a Duc, my neighbor has one, they don't ride them as much as their other bikes.
I am looking at one on ebay right now, but, hesitate to bid. Its a used '08 and can be had for 2/3 new price!
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2008-Ducati-Desmosedici-RR-Rosso-Red-/110938353879?forcev4exp=true

[petewerner]

What is your mission for this machine? Riding position is pretty aggressive on a lot of those style of scoots, and the weight that u put on your wrists is tiring, certainly for 300 miles! I feel u on the whole switching thing. I test rode a 600 and a 1000 cc Yamaha rode bikes yesterday. These have a riding position half way between the HD forward controls and the clip-on style with your feet behind your butt. These have little risers and foot controls are like a Dyna without forward controls. Much less aggressive riding position, very powerful, wide power band and smooth as butter!!!!
YF1, I think..

[petewerner]

But I would add to my bike collection rather than trading!!!

[Ironhorse]

My son has a Duc, my neighbor has one, they don't ride them as much as their other bikes.

Now theres a place to start. Why don't they ride them as much as the other bikes, and what other bikes do they ride?

[wachuko]

Since you asked... out of all the brands you mentioned (MV Agusta, Alpine, and Moto Guzzi), the Ducati is the more reliable brand and has a little bit more dealers around... now, by a little bit more it is just that.  Do not expect the dealer coverage like the HD, Honda, Suzuki, etc.

Take the time and join the forums for those bikes.  It will quickly become apparent the cost of service, the lack of of a dealer network, etc.  If you have a dealer close by, perfect.  But do not go in thinking it is the perfect bike or better than some other brands.



I have been reading a lot on the Diavel and the 1199 Panigale S... I miss my sport bike and will be buying another one in a year or so... The Ducatis are frigging sexy.  That Italian style and just engineering art form that captures the eye.  But just like any Italian, they are temperamental, expensive to maintain, and they can bite back hard.  Still I want one, but to add to the stable, not to replace my current ride.

This is what I am looking to add to the stable.  Waiting for Ducati to figure out the exhaust as it makes the bike run hot as hell... hot as in "burn your skin hot".  Since we have experience with that on our CVO, I don't think it will be much of an issue  , but there has been reports of folks fully dressed in leather outfits, and still cooking their balls and legs...



Have fun in your search, but like others have said, go with your eyes fully open to what you will be getting into.  And try to add it to the stable and not replace what you have.  Such a different ride...

I too thought about the Diavel... another awesome looking bike, great reviews, looks amazing!  Light.  Perfect fit for me.  Went to the dealer and was staring at it for hours... but if I get it, I will still long for the sport bike I had... and I can't stretch it to add a third bike...no way in hell...

But what a bike!  I was hooked on the Diavel Carbon...

[Midnight Rider]

Of all the Ducs, the MTS is the most versatile overall.  I had an '05 for a while, and while the engine and other things are really different now, the basic seating position is pretty much the same.  There is a Ducati Forum devoted to the MTS...join it and read all about them.  The MTS can be a viable touring bike with the right bags, rack, topcase.  The seat is high...if you have a 32" inseam, that's not an issue at all, but much shorter than that and you're not going to be flat footed.  Of course, the bike is so light, even my 29" inseam was not a big problem.  Exhaust systems are very expensive for them, but are almost a must to get the "Duc Sound".  From what I've read, they've improved the seats a great deal...the '04's were horrible, the '05's better, and from what I've read, they are now pretty good and offer a couple of optional seats.  As far as looks...most people either love 'em or hate 'em.  I'm in the love catagory, as I think the unique styling from Ducati is unlike anything else on the road and it screams Italian, especially if you get the red color.  Service is expensive, but as mentioned, they have extended their "major" service intervals to 15K.  But, that's like the difference in service costs between a Chevy and a Mercedes/Volvo/BMW/Porche.

I read an interesting statistic a few years ago...about 50% of Duc owners also have a HD in the garage.  If that's true, I think it's because of the distinctive look, sound, and feel of the L Twin engine.

Just be prepared to be SHOCKED at the speeds you can attain in a hurry, but the suspension, brakes, and tires are rock solid, as is the handling.  It is really easy to flick it around in the twisties, and that is a Ducati's forte.  I sold my '05, not because I did not like it, but could not justify having it, an SEUC, and a SEVROD in the garage at the same time...plus, one of the last times I had it out, I looked down at the speedo and was doing 110mph and still had another gear left.  And that was an '05 with an air cooled, 100HP (+or-) motor...160HP on that bike would be an awesome ride.  I decided I'd probably kill myself on it, so chose to sell it.  I bought it used, and sold it 1.5 years later for about what I paid for it, after a few add ons/changes I'd made to it.  Just be mindful that it's going to cost more over time than would an equivalent Suzuki or Yamaha...but, it's a Ducati, after all, and IMO, unique and more appealing than any other bike of it's kind.