Sport 1000?

[kipfox]

Know its not a monster but it fits here more than the other categories.

Anyways, anyone have any experience with Ducati's new classic models? Was peeking at the sport 1000 since I can get a pretty good deal on an '06 demo bike that has an aftermarket exhaust that really brings out that Twin.

Of course Ducati's also bragging on their site about 50% less maintenence needed on the '07 lineup. Is there some sort of material change or quality change from the '06 to the '07 that I haven't read about?

[Repeater]

Originally Posted by kipfox

Know its not a monster but it fits here more than the other categories.

Anyways, anyone have any experience with Ducati's new classic models? Was peeking at the sport 1000 since I can get a pretty good deal on an '06 demo bike that has an aftermarket exhaust that really brings out that Twin.

Of course Ducati's also bragging on their site about 50% less maintenence needed on the '07 lineup. Is there some sort of material change or quality change from the '06 to the '07 that I haven't read about?

I'd also like to know what they did where their valve adjustments are now 12,000 miles instead of 6,000. Did they change the valve material? Something with the heads? Did they just decide that the current materials held up better, and just tweaked the intervals up to sell some bikes? I tend to think that the single reason Ducati doesn't sell as many motorcycles is directly because of the short maintenance intervals and perceived cost of maintaining an Italian exotic...

[PhilB]

When I bought mine, the recommended interval was 3000 miles. It was later changed to 5000 with no change in materials or design, then to 6000. I have them looked at every 6 to 10k, when I get around to it, and they need an adjustment about every other check. The older the bike gets, the less often it seems to need it.

PhilB

[Grifo]

I test rode one fantastic bike, very fun and sharp looking. But after about over an hour it became very unconfortable. My back was killing me. I can be on the monster for about 5/6 hours before it becames that unconfortable.
The riding position on the sport 1k is very aggressive and too far hunched over for me.

[motogpfan]

I'm test riding one in 2 weeks, love the look and would love to have one in the garage, but 4 is getting a little extreme...

[PhilB]

They are pretty slick. I like the GT best. When we saw the prototypes on display at the 2005 MotoGP at Laguna Seca, my wife said she'd be happy to see that Paul Smart special under the Christmas tree.

The one thing I don't like is that those cool wire wheels don't allow enough clearance to put on the good brakes. All the models in that group have those weaker 2-piston front brakes like the ones that initially came on the S2R800. S2R800 owners, however, had the option to upgrade them to the 4-piston Brembos, but I don't think you can do that with the Sport 1000.

That's a deal breaker for me. Stopping matters. The biggest functional performance difference between my Monster and my (even rattier) '89 CBR600 is that the brakes on the Monster are far better. This helps explain why I've managed to hit three cars with the Honda, and none with the Duc: it's too easy on the Honda to outride its braking capacity.

PhilB

[motogpfan]

Philb, Have you ridden one yet?

I can give a short review after the ride this weekend if your interested.

[PhilB]

Originally Posted by motogpfan

Philb, Have you ridden one yet?

I can give a short review after the ride this weekend if your interested.

No, I haven't. Yes, I would be interested in that. I realize that I am making an assumption about the braking, but it is based on the poor reviews those brakes got on the S2R800, which many owners of that bike have taken the trouble and expense to upgrade.

I'm sensitive to braking issues; I find that it is easy for me to get in too deep if the brakes are not what they ought to be. That's why the CBR600 has hit three cars, while the Monster's tally sheet has only a highside and a guardrail to its credit. ;)

I've learned from those experiences; I haven't hit anything in several years, and last week I gave the CBR600 away to an ex-neighbor. But still, I like good strong brakes.

PhilB

[NAKID]

While the 2 pots on the S2R weren't great, they weren't that bad either. I had bought a set of goldlines to put on them, but got nailed before I was able to...

[McNair]

phil b. be sure to check one out.

for the brakes, i had a s2r800, and the two pots were shit. they are not shit on the sport classic even though they are the same (?). the sc stops in a much more predictable way, maybe tires, maybe suspension, maybe weight dist.... i don't know.

anyway.... it must be stated that my main bike is a 996, and i'm 155 lbs, 6 foot even.

so, my 2006 sc is a pretty good bike.
on the first day of riding, i did many miles of moderately paced twisties (no brakes) to get a decent feel of the turning abilities. all's well.
the engine ran well and the tires were surprisingly good (my 996 has mich 2ct shoes).
the only sticking point was comfort. with the stock setup, it's very hard to get 'into' the bike....

so, the next day i dropped the clipons all the way (inch and a half) and it started to feel good... turning better, braking better... no more back pain. then my wrists began to feel crappy....
so i removed the roll pins in the master housings and turned the controls down to suit the new angle.

all very good. that's it for comfort (feel)

the engine began to run crappy on the second day (?)
so i disconnected the o sensor and reset the brain. then i did a throttle body sync (there was 14 inches of differential). this solved all of the problems

i'm on the fence about coring the cans (because the po pos can hear my 996 from over a mile away... no shit) but the engine does feel somewhat constricted.
other than that, i may get a dustbin for it as my neck gets sore after so many hours.

check one out for sure.... with a few changes they are very good bikes

[PhilB]

Thanks. I'm not actively looking; I have no intention of replacing my M900, ever, unless something were to happen to it. But I thought the GT was pretty cool.

PhilB