Thinking about a first motorcycle...

[mindless1]

This is a money thing and has no bearing on the suitability of the bike. It's an outside consideration. It may be important to *you*, but I explicitly said it wasn't a factor to me. I find it mildly amusing that I've said that it isn't a consideration for me and somehow you think that you know my situation better than I do and want to insist it is. Motorcycles are cheap.

Suppose you buy a niche bike at retail, then want to sell it. Are you going to want to take a bath on depreciation or are you going to ask what you consider a fair price, then spend a lot more time selling it. Cheap, popular bikes sell much faster, especially if as you suggest, money isn't a factor.

While you're spending more time selling it, are you going to own two bikes, or hold off getting the bike you want until you sell it? I suppose there is trade-in, but that's another can of worms and also limiting.

It's not just about what you can afford. There's also owning a bike with a large user base, something that hasn't changed much in the last few years, so if you find things you don't like, there are brand, sometimes even model specific forums of fellow owners that can help you find a replacement that is similar but has XYZ different that you would prefer on a replacement.

This is not a new topic, I feel you just haven't considered all the reasons and just want to boil it down to "I can afford something", but if you just want to buy the Scrambler, go ahead and then it's similar enough that you decide what you want to replace it with, or maybe you get lucky and it's your lifelong bike, but until you've ridden a few that's a shot in the dark or just settling for what you have. Buying used lets you get time on then flip bikes rapidly so you're not taking years to do what can be done in one.

 

[Ferzerp]

I live in a state with a relatively high sales tax and where sales tax is assessed only on the difference in price vs trade in value. This creates a situation where private sales are much less attractive than they are in states where this is not the case. This, oddly, applies to all goods, not just cars, as long as the traded in item is the same type of good.

I don't care if I get a scrambler or something else. I just also don't really care what the cost is up until around that range, so trying to justify a suggestion with "it's cheaper" is just going to make me ignore your suggestion.

 

[pauldun170]

I live in a state with a relatively high sales tax and where sales tax is assessed only on the difference in price vs trade in value. This creates a situation where private sales are much less attractive than they are in states where this is not the case. This, oddly, applies to all goods, not just cars, as long as the traded in item is the same type of good.

I don't care if I get a scrambler or something else. I just also don't really care what the cost is up until around that range, so trying to justify a suggestion with "it's cheaper" is just going to make me ignore your suggestion.

In case you missed it, Yamaha FZ07 should be on your list of bikes to sit on. Also check out the CBR500 (abs) and Ninja 650.

Sit on 4 bikes.
Rank them by comfort
Might want to eliminate the ones without ABS.
Check maintenance schedules

 

[JulesMaximus]

From a money perspective, a beat to crap used bike that might need repairs will probably come under the cost of a brand new scrambler + full coverage.
I wouldn't sweat that too much.
A new Ducati will probably be visiting the dealer more often than a used Kawi\Yammer\Suzuki considering its service schedule and "Italian character"

I doubt he would have too many issues with it. The Scrambler has a metal tank so no issues with ethanol crap fuel and warping. The motor is a tried and true 2 valve motor, they are fairly bullet proof. It doesn't have any of the high tech electronic suspension so nothing to go wrong there.

Shouldn't be much more than routine maintenance.

I wouldn't shy away from it just because it's a Ducati. I've owned a couple of them and while they aren't exactly trouble free I've had excellent dealer support. My Multistrada has been pretty good. I'd buy another one.

 

[pauldun170]

I doubt he would have too many issues with it. The Scrambler has a metal tank so no issues with ethanol crap fuel and warping. The motor is a tried and true 2 valve motor, they are fairly bullet proof. It doesn't have any of the high tech electronic suspension so nothing to go wrong there.

Shouldn't be much more than routine maintenance.

I wouldn't shy away from it just because it's a Ducati. I've owned a couple of them and while they aren't exactly trouble free I've had excellent dealer support. My Multistrada has been pretty good. I'd buy another one.

See my earlier posts
Maintenance schedule on the scrambleris more intensive than other bikes.
Valve inspection is not cheap on the the scrambler and it's required every 7500 miles. Belts need to be swapped at 15.
F707 is at 24 for valves. Honda honda at 16 probably.. neither with belt service.

 

[JulesMaximus]

See my earlier posts
Maintenance schedule on the scrambleris more intensive than other bikes.
Valve inspection is not cheap on the the scrambler and it's required every 7500 miles. Belts need to be swapped at 15.
F707 is at 24 for valves. Honda honda at 16 probably.. neither with belt service.

Thanks, I am well aware of the service intervals on most Ducati motorcycles and the cost to have the work done. I owned an air cooled 2v 1100cc Monster and put more than 15,000 miles on it. Did the 15,000 mile service myself. It is a fiddly job but not overly difficult. Cost me about $150 in parts. Most of the service cost is labor. Valve adjustments and belt replacements are routine maintenance.

If you're living paycheck to paycheck and want cheap transportation I would never recommend a Ducati. Ferzerp doesn't fall into that category.

I was referring to reliability issues in the post you quoted, sorry if I didn't make that clear.

This is a pic I took of my bike when I had it apart for the 15k service. Same basic motor as what's in the Scrambler just a larger displacement.

 

[Ferzerp]

7,500 miles for me is not something that would come very fast. I'm aware of desmodromic valve service needs.

 

[pauldun170]

Thanks, I am well aware of the service intervals on most Ducati motorcycles and the cost to have the work done. I owned an air cooled 2v 1100cc Monster and put more than 15,000 miles on it. Did the 15,000 mile service myself. It is a fiddly job but not overly difficult. Cost me about $150 in parts. Most of the service cost is labor. Valve adjustments and belt replacements are routine maintenance.

If you're living paycheck to paycheck and want cheap transportation I would never recommend a Ducati. Ferzerp doesn't fall into that category.

I was referring to reliability issues in the post you quoted, sorry if I didn't make that clear.

This is a pic I took of my bike when I had it apart for the 15k service. Same basic motor as what's in the Scrambler just a larger

I spoke of maintenance schedule. I didnt mention reliabilty.
No assumption was made that ferzerp would be doing work on his own bike.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I spoke of maintenance schedule. I didnt mention reliabilty

You quoted "Italian character" after mentioning maintenance. I assumed you meant that he would have problems with it... which he might. Mine never left me stranded though despite some of the problems I've had with them.

Japanese bikes have no soul and they all look the same. I've owned them and they are excellent machines, as good as Ducati on the track even and very reliable as long as you take care of them, but they just don't stir me the way Ducati motorcycles do.

My .02

 

[Ferzerp]

I spoke of maintenance schedule. I didnt mention reliabilty.
No assumption was made that ferzerp would be doing work on his own bike.

As someone who grew up working on vehicles out of necessity, now that I don't have to, I have no desire to. Now, with something you don't have to end up under or almost inside of to do work, that might change, but... I wouldn't count on it.

 

[pauldun170]

As someone who grew up working on vehicles out of necessity, now that I don't have to, I have no desire to. Now, with something you don't have to end up under or almost inside of to do work, that might change, but... I wouldn't count on it.

As someone who has been around various bikes, fanboys, manuals, dealers etc etc..all I can say is be aware of maintenance schedules.

If you are comfortable with what you see then go for it.

As for reliability, don't sweat it. It's a lottery. Doesn't matter if new or used.

 

[pauldun170]

Japanese bikes have no soul and they all look the same. I've owned them and they are excellent machines, as good as Ducati on the track even and very reliable as long as you take care of them, but they just don't stir me the way Ducati motorcycles do.

My .02

The guy is bike shopping. Let him figure out what bikes have soul. Let him figure out what soul is

 

[imported_tajmahal]

I'd buy used and cheap, but i'm kind of used and cheap myself. Back in the day I was a Triumph fan and still like the triples or the more retro twins. Buy what you like, buy what you want. I've never regretted doing something I really wanted to do, only regretted the things I didn't do for whatever reason.

 

[olds]

...

Japanese bikes have no soul and they all look the same. I've owned them and they are excellent machines, as good as Ducati on the track even and very reliable as long as you take care of them, but they just don't stir me the way Ducati motorcycles do.

My .02

All I have owned are Japanese bikes, except for a Can Am.
I ride a Kawasaki now but if I wanted to stir my soul, I'd get an Aprilia.

 

[JulesMaximus]

All I have owned are Japanese bikes, except for a Can Am.
I ride a Kawasaki now but if I wanted to stir my soul, I'd get an Aprilia.

Trouble with Aprilia is the lack of dealer support.

 

[olds]

Trouble with Aprilia is the lack of dealer support.

Meh, I am stirring my soul, not my common sense.

 

[Ferzerp]

Oddly, I actually have a local dealer that sells Aprilia.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Oddly, I actually have a local dealer that sells Aprilia.

One seems to pop up around here every couple years and then goes away or a Japanese mega dealer will also carry them and then drop the line completely. At least around here Ducati has a pretty strong following and a few really passionate dealers with a long established history with the brand and a good reputation.

 

[Ferzerp]

One seems to pop up around here every couple years and then goes away or a Japanese mega dealer will also carry them and then drop the line completely. At least around here Ducati has a pretty strong following and a few really passionate dealers with a long established history with the brand and a good reputation.

I have 1 Ducati/BMW(/Vespa/Piaggio) dealership and then the largest of the "most everything" dealers has Aprilia as one that it carries.

 

[rstrohkirch]

Hopefully, those dealers allow test rides.

 

[Ferzerp]

They do, just like with cars. Proof of insurance coverage and proper licensing required as one would expect.

I'll have to see what I need to do with my insurance beforehand to be covered for that when the time comes. I'm looking at taking the class and getting the endorsement on my license once it starts to cool down a little later in the year.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have 1 Ducati/BMW(/Vespa/Piaggio) dealership and then the largest of the "most everything" dealers has Aprilia as one that it carries.

My local Ducati dealer, Moto Forza, carries MV Agusta, Ducati and Vespa/Piaggio. There is a BMW dealer right around the corner and all they carry are BMW motorcycles.

I think North County Yamaha carries Aprilia, or at least they used to. Not sure if they still do or not.

Moto Forza typically carries a fleet of demo bikes but due to a recent fire their entire demo fleet was destroyed. Took them almost 8 months just to get back up and running again. I've ridden a bunch of their demo bikes over the years.

 

[olds]

They do, just like with cars. Proof of insurance coverage and proper licensing required as one would expect.

I'll have to see what I need to do with my insurance beforehand to be covered for that when the time comes. I'm looking at taking the class and getting the endorsement on my license once it starts to cool down a little later in the year.

I've had an endorsement for over

They do, just like with cars. Proof of insurance coverage and proper licensing required as one would expect.

I'll have to see what I need to do with my insurance beforehand to be covered for that when the time comes. I'm looking at taking the class and getting the endorsement on my license once it starts to cool down a little later in the year.

I've had my endorsement for over 35 years and I had one dealer ask for a fax from my insurance company with proof of insurance even though I had the card. While I was getting it, the bike I was looking at sold.
Other dealers just copy your license and insurance, have you sign a form and your off. Obviously you'll need the endorsement first.

 

[Ferzerp]

Obviously you'll need the endorsement first.

In my state, the MSF class gives you the endorsement. You have to go to the DMV, but it's just a formality at that point.

 

[pauldun170]