Ducati Vs Japanese

[davidhodgkinson]

I'm running a fireblade at the moment and it's great fun (had it about 5 year now)..

But my heart is now thinking duke next - I like the sound of them, maybe I should try one out soon to see if they are comfortable.

[JohnW]

The advice to take a few test rides is the best so far.

In my opinion if you can live with the slightly higher costs of the Ducati, it has to be that all day long.
I have had a 916, a 996, and a 998, and still have an 04 ST4S.
The 4S is used for 2 up touring and does around 8k a year of purely trips, pretty much without a problem. I had a VFR800 before, which is pants in comparison. Believe it or not even the wife prefers the 4S, saying it is more comfortable...
I have taken the 996 to the Alps for 10 days, and the 998 too, more than once. Both were superb, and every bit as comfortable as the blade I had before them. In comparison the blade was boring - did everything I asked of it, but had no soul.

It really depends on what sort of riding you like to do, what you've had before, who you ride with, etc.
I've recently ridden the CBR6, R6, and 749, plus all the big 4 sports bikes. The two 600 jap bikes would get on my t!ts. They are very revy, and offer little torque in the mid rev range where most of normal road riding is done (well for me anyway). The 749 however, by virtue of being a twin, gives bucket loads of torque in comparison. If your used to a revy jap bike though, you'll be bouncing off the rev limiter all the time, which is around 10k5. As for the clutch rattle, there are fixes for it.
Rock hard forks suggests they are not set correctly. Besides, the R would have Ohlins on it wouldn't it ?

Having said all that, I should add that I've recently brought an 08 R1 (as well as, not instead of the above). The reason for buying jap again is because its likely to do somewhere north of 16k miles a year, and if you look at the service info it only needs oil/filter changes up to 24k. It has sufficient torque to ride it semi sensibly if required, but its power is - err - mindblowing. The R1 is a revy little fecker too - and yes, it will do 104mph in 1st
The ducati will need belts changing at 12k & 24k, and checking at 6k/18k. The belts don't cost much, its the labour, so find a good indpendent. Do a google for Cornerspeed. They might be close to you. Ask for Nelly.

Finally, take a look on www.ducatisportingclub.com if you need more advice or possibly history on a particular bike. Most of the 'R's will be known to someone on there.

Hope that helps

[philipwalker]

Ditto
Ducati`s are a fine bike, but they do need looking after.
I currently have a 998 Matrix and a MV Agusta F4 1000 at the moment. Love the low end power torque on the 998 however the MV is very different masive top end power etc. I think MV is more comfortable than the Ducati.
When you go out for a spin on one bike there are times you were on the other Ducati for the noise MV for the rush.
Park the MV up in a bikers cafe and you get swamped with admirers, can lead to some odd questions.

Some pics of the fleet plus an old 916SP gone and forgotten.

[S25MRS]

Another man with taste then, eh... fellow MV owner

[s4woody]

ive had 2 fireblades and they were awesome..philip walker bought my last 1..
the best bike ive ever riden was my mates RC45..i had it for about 4 years whilst he was sewing mail bags for her majesty...tony scott racing engine,carbon bodywork ,ohlins etc etc..shame he got let out or i'd still have it now...
now im trying out a KTM Duke11..diff sort of bike to what im used to but still a head turner...

[jimbo1234567]

heres a few pics of mine, its the first time ive used it this year and was only due to the car being up on blocks at the mo. its a 2004 aprilia rsv factory which gets you the ohlins suspension,oz wheels,carbon bits and bobs and brembo brakes. on top of that its got titanium race cans ,power commander,gilles rearsets,bubble screen, lowered gearing and most importantly heated grips

[JohnRet.]

Thanks for the replies everyone, cracking stuff!

To be honest, I don't really know why I asked. My brain keeps ignoring this kind of thing:

the Duke will look lovely but let you down so buy the CBR600

poor reliability compared with Jap bikes.

In my opinion if you can live with the slightly higher costs of the Ducati,

And I'm soaking up all the good comments about the Duke

S25MRS - that MV is sex and thanks for the advice, I definitely want a bike with passion that doens't feel like an assembly line clone (even though it probably is) Same to you, Jimbo, lovely bike.

Like I said I'm open to any kind of supersport from 600 - 800 cc. I've only ever ridden off road so I have zero bike no claims despite having ridden for years which is pants.

I'm 6'2" and around 14 stone, so I think I'll have a few test rides and see if the Duke is ok for me, which I hope it is because they're lovely bikes. I didn't know there were so many bikers on here, good effort!

[JohnRet.]

Saying that, I've now found this for sale for £6k on MCN:

[JohnRet.]

Decisions decisions, I think it will come down to whichever is the most comfortable.

Has anyone ridden both of these bikes? I've checked out some reviews on the net but can't find a direct comparison.

[S25MRS]

DO IT, DO IT!! There's more CBR 6's built every year than F4's in total - never regretted for a second buying 'low volume', passionate bikes.... win hands down for me. Like I said, previously owned a 748 (which got nicked!), then insurance payout bought my 916, few short-term jap stuff, now my MV. Basically, Jap race-reps are all forgettable, all my Italians have been memorable - nuff said!

Also..... bear in mind, that £6k MV will still be worth loads in a couple of years time....if thats important at all?

[philipwalker]

MV @ 6K
If that this for the 1000cc I am going to cry !!

[S4TAN]

Saying that, I've now found this for sale for £6k on MCN:

Oooooh! That MV is beeeaaaauuuutiful! Get it .... even if it's the most uncomfortable ride in the world, just get it! (and smile through the pain!)

[S25MRS]

Has to be a 750 @ that price

[lemond]

Honda first choice almost every time.... then Yamaha

Oh did you mention Ducati?... nice but have they shed their poor reliability tag?

[JohnW]

in a word, yes (they have) lemond.

I agree that Honda is hard to beat, but it depends what you want the bike for.
I've had a number of Hondas and they perform faultlessly, but they just don't have any character.
What I mean is, go for a ride on a cbr and the ride will be enjoyable, but will you remember anything about the bike ? I doubt it.
They do exactly what they are asked. Not a bad thing, but it doesn't take long to get bored with this sort of bike.
Get on a Ducati however and the experience is far more involving (imo). AND they generally perform faultlessly too. I work with a guy here who has a 749 and uses it for commuting. He does around 10k a year to & from work, in all weathers. In the last year his only problem has been a puncture, which can happen to any bike.

If your not fussed about this sort of thing (rider involvement), then your probably buying using other metrics to measure the choices by:
Looks, handling, cost, depreciation, service costs, insurance, practicality, solo or two up, touring / commuting / sunday scratching / track days.

At the end of the day, it makes no odds what others say. There will always be people with differing opinions for or against each of your options. We can tell you all the horror stories, what is great, what we prefer and why, but if your anything like myself and the other bikers I know, once you've got your mind set and have ridden a few bikes you'll buy what YOU want, despite the advice

Go on, get your wallet out, you know you want to