[Butters]

Et Al,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I've come to the point where I'm considering getting a 1098. Hopefully the S model. What color I can't decide. Red is classic and hot, if somewhat common. Black is sinister. Yellow is awesome, but I need to see in person to see if the yellow works (I had a yellow CBR and the Pearl paint was really something to look at).

Currently, I have a Daytona 675 in the stable. I have two things which are roadblocks in my path to a 1098. First up is the maintenance costs of a Ducati in general. Second, is the rumored release of a smaller displacment superbike, the 848 or 898 (whatever people have speculated).

Ducati have pushed very hard in their marketing that all Ducati's will require 50% less maintenance. And there has been a very good article written up by the good folks at Bikeland.org and 1098Desmo.com outlining the actual costs of maintenance on the 1098. Which can be found here.

If this is really the maintenance cost for the 1098, then it certainly is cause for celebration. How has everyone's experience been with their dealers keeping to this guideline set forth by DNA? It seems that Ducati has stepped up their game to match the Japanese Big Four. Coming from Honda and Triumph (who have improved their build quality with the release of the 675 to impressive levels), I would like to know if I'm in for any MAJOR shocks.

Also, though the 1098 is an impressive motorcycle and I have literally dreamt about owning and riding one, it may be a bit much for me. I would much rather have the downsized 8xx version, even if it was priced the same. I just don't need all that power. Should I be waiting for the smaller displacement version you think? Assuming there WILL be a downsized version?

Any feedback would be great. Especially regarding maintenance costs.

 

[Dukesterman]

Get it you wont regret it

 

[NewDuc]

Torn?

Here's what I think...if you want to be more unique and/or track it then order the smaller bike and be the first to have it. (Not sure if you track yours but I heard that bike is great for it) If you want the badass and now, get the bigger bike. Based on personal experience I don't think it will be too much for you.

Either way get a Duc...and don't let the maintenance deter you either. That's like buying a Lamborghini Gallardo and sweating the service...sure it's a factor but it should not be the bottom line. All my opinions of course...besides he's right, you won't regret it!

Et Al,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I've come to the point where I'm considering getting a 1098. Hopefully the S model. What color I can't decide. Red is classic and hot, if somewhat common. Black is sinister. Yellow is awesome, but I need to see in person to see if the yellow works (I had a yellow CBR and the Pearl paint was really something to look at).

Currently, I have a Daytona 675 in the stable. I have two things which are roadblocks in my path to a 1098. First up is the maintenance costs of a Ducati in general. Second, is the rumored release of a smaller displacment superbike, the 848 or 898 (whatever people have speculated).

Ducati have pushed very hard in their marketing that all Ducati's will require 50% less maintenance. And there has been a very good article written up by the good folks at Bikeland.org and 1098Desmo.com outlining the actual costs of maintenance on the 1098. Which can be found here.

If this is really the maintenance cost for the 1098, then it certainly is cause for celebration. How has everyone's experience been with their dealers keeping to this guideline set forth by DNA? It seems that Ducati has stepped up their game to match the Japanese Big Four. Coming from Honda and Triumph (who have improved their build quality with the release of the 675 to impressive levels), I would like to know if I'm in for any MAJOR shocks.

Also, though the 1098 is an impressive motorcycle and I have literally dreamt about owning and riding one, it may be a bit much for me. I would much rather have the downsized 8xx version, even if it was priced the same. I just don't need all that power. Should I be waiting for the smaller displacement version you think? Assuming there WILL be a downsized version?

Any feedback would be great. Especially regarding maintenance costs.

 

[von1098]

How can you even question getting the BEST BADDEST SUPERBIKE out for 2007-2008. The question should only be can you get your hands on one?



The S model doesn't come in Yellow only the Base Model.

If you check my pic you will see the base model in yellow w/ minor mods.:yo:



Oh AND SIZE ALWAYS MATTERS PLUS YOU CAN NEVER REALLY HAVE ENOUGH POWER.:grin:



Go for the 1098 unless you can be the first to own the one of the R versions.

Don't let the cc's or service fees scare you.

Plan ahead!

Proper preparation Prevents poor performance.

 

[Desmo Duc]

Regardless of the "50%" fewer maintenance costs, a ducati will still cost you more to maintain than other bikes, i feel thats just a marketing gimmick to get new riders in a ducati dealer. welcome to ducati ownership. Once you ride a ducati through the twisties maintenance costs will be the last thing on you mind.

At least you can see the bike in person and get a feel of it, myself and a lot of guys here bought these bikes from the pictures in the magazines, but being use to ducati's i had no regrets, it was well worth the wait.

The only time you will not enjoy this bike is in traffic and going slow, but if you stay out of traffic and ride above 40mph you will absolutely love this bike, take it to the track and you will love it more. If you get a 1098 don't ride it like your 675 or else it will be on top of you. Im gonna buy a 675 in the near future its a fantastic bike for its size and price, i hope your keeping yours.

This is the best bike / best Ducati i have ever rode, hands down. buy a 848/ 1098 whatever you wont regret it!

 

[DMc]

In the unfortunate event you don't fall in love with the 1098, and do decide to sell it, it's resale value will hold higher over time than the thousands of Jap 1000's (get it?) for sale. A quick check on eBay will show you that even lightly used 1098's are still going for closer than their original sale price than the GSXR, CRB's, etc.

 

[Mcgician]

If you have to think about buying the most beautfiul, bad ass bike there is with that much doubt in your mind, don't get it. For me, I knew right away and had NO doubts at all. If all you want is performance, by all means, be like all the rest and get another f-n GSXR. But you're in for something different owning a Ducati. Most of us out there, love our Ducs, but there are some that the marriage between themselves and their Ducatis, just don't work. Best of luck in your decision!!:stir:

 

[ToTheEnd]

Very interesting story (the link you gave), didn't have the chance to read it until now!

Ducati and Ducati dealers have definitely a different view on the business. As Ducati tries to grow and attract more customers (32K bikes sold in 2006, 40K bikes projected for 2007 and 50K by 2008!), they understand that they must align on quality and costs of maintenance compare to Japs bikes (or at least, to shorten the difference).

I can't disagree more on some people that again are finding excuses and saying sentences like "50% less on costs maintenance is marketing hype", "you shouldn't wonder about it" or even worse, "Ducatis are more expensive".

If we talk about the RR, I understand that this is a totally different bike meant for a market that is quiet a niche (60K euros for a bike, that's a different story for a start). However, for the rest of the range, from the superbikes to monsters models, the maintenance prices shouldn't be 3 to 4 times higher than equivalent bikes... this is just plain wrong.

The fact is that dealers were used to "charge a lot" regarding all the work they had to do on Ducatis and now that they should comply with new rules, they are reluctant to do so because it means less revenue for them.

What is sad with that and won't pay off on the long run is they don't understand that all this stuff has only one goal: sell more bikes. When dealers will realize that they will earn the same or more money in a day but not with 10 bikes but with 15 (50% more!), maybe we will make progress.

Now (sorry to be that long), it shouldn't stop you getting a 1098 or 1098s as those bikes are wonderful even if, for the moment, most of the dealers are not complying with the maintenance costs set by the factory. I believe it will get better with time.

Owning a Ducati is a great experience and as a biker, you'll ride one of the most wonderful and powerful bike out there!

40k people can't be wrong!

T

 

[sws626]

I think Ducati is serious about bringing down maintenance costs, but that it will take some time for dealers to get on message. This wasn't a factor in my decision, but it is a good sign for the well being of the company.

 

[desmolvr]

What type of riding are doing? Also I can give you a better answer after Saturday as I will be taking the 1098 to the track. As of now I have about 2K track miles on my 675 this year and it is awsome. It is however a small bike and is not as much fun to ride on the streets and or hills. Don't get me wrong the power of the 675 is great but unless you are riding hard in the hills it just to much shifting. Again I can give you a better comparo after this weekend but so far the 1098 seems to be a lot more fun to ride. Also I am 6'2" & 200lbs so the 1098 fits better.

 

[boduc]

My dealer charged me $166 for the 1st service on the 1098. Love this bike, but I am a Ducati lover since 1994 when I got my 1st Duc: 900SS. Not everyone will love Ducati bikes, they are difinetely different beasts. Test ride one and see for yourself.

 

[Butters]

What type of riding are doing? Also I can give you a better answer after Saturday as I will be taking the 1098 to the track. As of now I have about 2K track miles on my 675 this year and it is awsome. It is however a small bike and is not as much fun to ride on the streets and or hills. Don't get me wrong the power of the 675 is great but unless you are riding hard in the hills it just to much shifting. Again I can give you a better comparo after this weekend but so far the 1098 seems to be a lot more fun to ride. Also I am 6'2" & 200lbs so the 1098 fits better.

I do mostly track and some street. And if it's street, then it's almost always twisties. Very rarely do I go around town, that's just too boring. It's interesting what you say about the 675. I happen to love the 675 on the street. I find that the engine is smooth and shifting happens less than it did for me on inline fours I used to ride; I think it's a wonderful street bike. On the track, it's simply amazing.

Mcgician, on the contrary, not all I want is performance. That is a big reason why I bought the Daytona 675; it is a beautiful bike and is much different than all the other bikes out there. The same bug comes to bite me in the ass again when looking at the 1098. ANY variation of the 1098 will be more than enough for me, I wouldn't be able to stretch that bike to the limit regardless if I got the base or S model. What it comes down to is looks. Color, gold forks of the Ohlins suspension, the red striping of the forged wheels. Honestly, will I be able to tell the difference between forged lighter wheels and regular light wheels? Maybe. But then again that's not the point. The point is to HAVE the lighter forged wheels. I think most of you can back me on this obsession...

I've basically decided now. I will get the 1098s. I would love to have it in yellow. But they don't have the S model in yellow. For shame. In that case, I'll get the black. Perhaps I can swap fairings with someone to a yellow? And then stick on the "S" badge? What do you guys think? Fairing swap=Blasphemy?

 

[mrinflux]

Is there any other color?

I will get the 1098s. I would love to have it in yellow. But they don't have the S model in yellow. In that case, I'll get the black.

Can you even get the 1098 or 1098s in any color other than red? Is there any other color?

 

[Butters]

Can you even get the 1098 or 1098s in any color other than red? Is there any other color?

The base comes in Red or Yellow.

The S comes in Red or Black.

 

[mrinflux]

who knew?

The base comes in Red or Yellow. The S comes in Red or Black.

Yes Butters,

I knew that. I was kidding. It's an old joke among Ducatisiti. There are many purists, (myself included), who argue that the only appropriate color for a Ducati is red. When discussing this issue, some Ducatisiti will be heard to say, "Is there any other color?"

I actually considered yellow for about 5 seconds, until my friend pointed out that everybody will mistake my 1098 for a 748/9. (That's 'cause yellow is the color of the 748/9.) I couldn't refute the logic of his comment and immediately came to my senses.

So, I ask you, "Is there any other color?"

Elton

 

[Butters]

Yes Butters,

I knew that. I was kidding. It's an old joke among Ducatisiti. There are many purists, (myself included), who argue that the only appropriate color for a Ducati is red. When discussing this issue, some Ducatisiti will be heard to say, "Is there any other color?"

I actually considered yellow for about 5 seconds, until my friend pointed out that everybody will mistake my 1098 for a 748/9. (That's 'cause yellow is the color of the 748/9.) I couldn't refute the logic of his comment and immediately came to my senses.

So, I ask you, "Is there any other color?"

Elton

Gotcha. Sorry, my newb was showing.

 

[Ten-6]

Yes Butters,

I knew that. I was kidding. It's an old joke among Ducatisiti. There are many purists, (myself included), who argue that the only appropriate color for a Ducati is red. When discussing this issue, some Ducatisiti will be heard to say, "Is there any other color?"

I actually considered yellow for about 5 seconds, until my friend pointed out that everybody will mistake my 1098 for a 748/9. (That's 'cause yellow is the color of the 748/9.) I couldn't refute the logic of his comment and immediately came to my senses.

So, I ask you, "Is there any other color?"

Elton

Red AND Black...The best of both worlds! :smoking:

 

[desmolvr]

Butters - I am in no way am I saying the 675 is not a great street bike. It is just that I have been rinding liter bikes for street and moutain riding. Others may say I am crazy but for most street and twisty riding a liter bike is a better way to go. I only ride about 75% off the track and 100% on the track. I love the 675 on the track and there are usually only a couple out when I have been there. Again I will let you know after tomorrow what the duc is like.

In regards to color as far as Italian machines there are concerned there are two colors if you ask a purest (red of course and yellow). Blask is only to apease the masses. As far as parts now that the s is only 4K more it is a hard choice. I went with yellow and for the 5K I will add Ohlins (shock, fork kit, damper) set to my weight and magnesium wheels. That should make one nice track bike.

 

[JohnnyDuc]

A Duc is a Duc. Anyone can have an R-1 or a GSXR. Twins are different, and Ducati's stir the passion.

 

[Allan Gibbs]

Would you mind me asking which dealer? My dealer in SoCal wants to charge $210.00 for the first service.

My dealer charged me $166 for the 1st service on the 1098. Love this bike, but I am a Ducati lover since 1994 when I got my 1st Duc: 900SS. Not everyone will love Ducati bikes, they are difinetely different beasts. Test ride one and see for yourself.