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General SportbikesThis area is made for sportbikes in general. Posts that dont really belong anywhere else besides here. Questions can be answered and addressed to fully understand certain aspects. If your question is Manufacturer specific please post it there.
i didn't know that many things could go wrong with a bike! i'll just look, thank you
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MSF Grad: July '06
2006 Ninja 250R 12,150 miles- sold!
2005 SV650S 7,200 miles- sold!
2008 GSXR 600 10,5xx miles and counting
my very own sticky! you+bike+gear
I've had a least two opportunities to purchase a older,mid 90's,flat fairing models,900SS(and one Tri color 750F1 O.M.G.) which is absolutely on my short,short,short list of motorcycles I want to own.
Well,the F1 is out of reach now due to it's collector status. It was a collector out of the gate,but in years past it was an less expensive collector to buy like the E.L.R. KZ1000s were.
That being said,if I had bought either one of those machines and kept them I would not have been able to afford them. I could afford to BUY them,but I couldn't afford to OWN them.
On top of that I would not want to have one as an only bike and for the many reasons listed above in Mr. boner's reply,so you see I didn't have much choice other than hope someday I would be able to afford one as a second or even third bike. Unfortunately,that day hasn't come yet.
The 4V superbikes are more finicky, and I wouldn't recommend one as an only bike for transportation. But that 900SS could have been a fine choice. Those (and the Monsters) are actually really good real-world bikes, and aren't terribly expensive to run.
The 916 FAQ above covers every worst-case scenario possible, no one is going to have to address all of those things. I do plan to add a 748/916/996/998 to my garage at some point; they're absolutely classic bikes, and great to ride for their intended purpose.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bzbatl
My father-in-law's recent repair experience with his '93 916:
- Valve service every 6000 miles, the last one the tech said didn't even really need to be done... but still charged over $500 for the service. He typically gets the belts done every valve service, as well, which adds another $100 or so.
- Electrical issues: he always has it on a Battery Tender when he's not riding it. He has had the alternator replaced once in the last two years.
- Fuel lines: were replaced about 2 years ago, one had split.
That's all the stuff I can remember from the last couple of years... but please keep in mind he has about $25-30,000 into this bike. He has changed every piece of this bike multiple times, from a full exhaust to the new triple clamp, wheels, fairings, lights, etc. His story is quite a bit different from someone who just has a stock one.
Once the engine is well run in and has a decent number of miles on it, everything settles into its place and valve check intervals can be extended. I now check mine every 10-12K, and half the time it still doesn't need it (yes, mines a 2V, and I wouldn't recommend extending a 4V quite that much, but the principle is the same).
The recommended belt change interval is 12K, and that carries a high safety factor and assumes fairly hard riding. Changing every 6K is, I think, overkill unless he's doing a lot of trackdays.
The early 916s did have a few real issues, well detailed above -- I'd likely aim for a later 996 or 998 if I was going to ride it a lot.
PhilB
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"If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other." -- Carl Schurz, (1829-1906) German born U.S. Senator and Union Army general during the US Civil War
"A free man must be able to endure it when his fellow men act and live otherwise than he considers proper." -- Ludwig von Mises
Sure you can, if you want to enough. My family has put hundreds of thousands of miles on Alfa Romeos, and been happy with them; but I wouldn't recommend that to everyone either.
PhilB
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"If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarantee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors. There is no other." -- Carl Schurz, (1829-1906) German born U.S. Senator and Union Army general during the US Civil War
"A free man must be able to endure it when his fellow men act and live otherwise than he considers proper." -- Ludwig von Mises
I looked at a lot of Ducatis. I just happen to love my Aprilia more. It's not the "Italian Honda" for nothing. It's no harder to own then my last Kawasaki, I never park next to another one, it sounds like heaven, and looks amazing. Handles like a dream as well.
__________________ Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B Konigstiger {King Tiger}. Known as the "Royal Tiger" to the Americans.
Posts: 1,223
Casino Cash: $40708
Sportbike: Honda CB400 Super Four NC31 // Ducati 748 Senna Replica
Thanks for all the input. From what I could read on the ad, the bike has always been maintained by a very reputable Ducati mechanic, if not the best in Venezuela and it should have receipts or records.
I know it's not the most practical machine for everyday riding, but I was looking into getting a scooter for daily riding and keep the Duca for weekends and the track.
I will go have a look and then make a decision. Even still, I still need to sell my bike first...
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SLEEP.EAT.RIDE.REPEAT.
Sanity...is for the weak!
I took a 9 year break from motorcycles. Decided to get back into it, looked around and found a clean red/white 929 listed on cycletrader. I took the cash out of the bank, jumped into a borrowed van and headed off to the dealership(one of those used bike dealerships with 50 bikes on the floor) to pick the thing up. I walked into the place, and right by the front counter they had just taken in a mint, bone stock 2,600 mile 1995 916. I had seen 916s at a distance and in pics before, but being right next to it was so surprised at how compact the bike is and how perfect the lines are. I don't buy into the "soul" bs at all--but there was just something about this thing--it looked so freaking awesome. I seriously tried to talk myself into the 929, but walking back and forth between them, I knew I was screwed. Emotion took over and practically was thrown right out of the window. Went back to the bank to make another (much bigger)withdrawal and then went and picked up the bike. A 916 is one of those bikes you hate to love. I've had really nice CBRs and Ninjas--wonderful machines--never any issues with them--but I've never had a problem when it came time to let them go. The 916 is a different story--I have had small problems with it, it's the least comfortable of any bike that I have ever owned and maintenance is expensive. For some reason it doesn't matter, I don't think I'll ever get rid of the thing.
I had 3 Ducatis, sold them got Japanese sportbikes and never looked back. They may not all be sex on 2 wheels but to me turning the key, depressing the start button, hearing the engine start is a beautiful thing. With the Ducks every day was an adventure in what could go wrong with a bike.
you are defending Ducatis cuz you are an owner....
but you would be hard pressed to find the same amount of issues on say a 1998 CBR -
Lets be serious.
Japanese reliability > ALL
Umm...I am defending Duc's cause I don't have any of the issues listed, find it comfortable and reliable and have no reason to complain. I'm not bad mouthing any other bikes, I'm defending false allegations against mine. Not saying some Ducs don't have issues, but every manufacturer has issues, it's not a perfect world. For you to believe otherwise means that if you are serious, you're just blinded by your hard-on for a certain brand.
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Jimmy
Go Gators
2001 Ducati 996 - Alive and well
2000 Ducati 748R - R.I.P.
1998 should be a 996 not a 916 (could be wrong though) most issues sorted out but if you are going for a latter one the last of the 998's are the go. Full service history is essential and should probally take up left handed black smithing to handle the clutch. Tend to run hot in traffi and genrally not a good around town heavy traffic machine. Check carefully it hasn't been raced (lockwire holes scratches on the frame from lots of spanner work etc etc) many of them did end up on the race track. Go find a good service agent and find out what they charge for the regular serivces and also get an insurance quote.
Like most Italian bikes they are fine providing you go in with your eyes open and done your research the early ones did have a lot of issues 98 is not an early one.
Undoubtly one of the most influential bikes ever built in recent times from a design piont of view they are fairly race focused. Which means they are a bit of a pig round town do your research check it out then make an informed decision.
Re 98 CBR's voltage regulators and stators and if the gearbox starts poping out of secound !@#$ing run its about to lunch itself the bits usually end up in the big ends of the motor, all hail japanese relablity :
900SS(and one Tri color 750F1 O.M.G.
) which is absolutely on my short,short,short list of motorcycles I want to own.
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