I find myself questioning ..

I know exactly what you mean. I've had the same thoughts on many occasions, but always ended up binning the Jap bike after a while.

I never found myself going into the garage and just staring at the Blade, even though it was a brilliant all rounder, probably more capable than any Ducati I've ever had.

But like you've said, I can't see myself moving away from Ducati, it's an addiction!

 

A mate of mine is thinking of getting a 999 and I've offered him a go on mine. In return I get a go on his Rizla gixer750. Not sure if I want to, I might like it too much. Haven't ridden anything but dukes for 12yrs. Might be better to live in ignorance.

 

If you find yourself choosing the Gixer instead of the 996 for ninety-nine of your next one hundred rides, you know for sure it's time to get rid of the 996. Time will tell, acting on a quick hunch will most likely lead to big regret.

 

If its hard to justify spending the money is doing at least some of the servicing yourself an option? even just doing things like taking the fairing off, and doing the oil change yourself and letting an independent do everything else can save a significant amount of money. if you want to keep a ducati in the garage, but want to keep costs down what about something Pantah powered? 900 or 1000ss or similar. I'm not sure an ST (assuming its an ST4) would actually be much cheaper to service. What was done for £1200? that seems a remarkable amount of money.

 

Not really. If you spent the money and the value has disappered through depreciation, then you have already lost the pocket load. It's not just that you "will lose" it if you sell. Selling just crystallises the loss you have already suffered. This is a case of what is known as "the sunk cost fallacy". Sorry about that.

 

My 1098 was and indeed still is the illogical bike to choose. For the money I could of bought a current gen Blade, which would be far easier to ride in town, wouldnt cost as much and would be just as good, if not better on track and fast road riding, but love is a funny thing. I see lots of Blade, GSXr and a few R1s but dont see as many big twins. It doesnt hurt that I think my 1098 is stunning, a bit like Sophia Loren in the early seventies (thats 1970s not Sofia in her 70s )

 

My 999 blew up last month and I thought bollox to this I just want a bike that works and does not cost a forture. Seeing as I have not riden an IL4 for years I blagged some fun on a S1000RR, I rememeber thinking I should not be doing this as I am going to fall in love with it and get deeper in to debt!! How wrong could I have been, I hated the Beemer, no engine braking, Zero charactor, dull as dish water under 11k RPM, no sense of theatre at all. I did not get any attention or have any road presence.
Yes my 999 is down on power compared to the beemer but who cares if you have 190+ BHP.. you cant use it on the road and even on the track not many of us will use its full potentcial.

So in a nut shell after about 3 hrs on the pinicle of IL4's I was bored and was more than ready to give it back. Im not slating the bike as some do love it. Just not for me thanks.

You may regret selling the 996

 

There's just something about Dukes that tugs at the heart strings, logic would tell you to go down the JIL4 route, but they don't have the "soul" you get with a Duke. I know I'm a recent convert, and don't have the years of experience that many on here have, but I just don't see me going back. Do you know of anyone that has a 4 that you could borrow for a week or two, just to see how you get on? I think you'll find yourself thinking " yup, everything went well on that ride, but there's something missing" and that's the soul that you just don't feel with a jap4

 

He has an 11 plate Gixer thou

 

Crikey, £1200 service??

Next time, give me 1k and I will show you how to service the 996 yourself, its a win-win situation, you get to save cash servicing yourself and I go on the lash with whores and cocaine, tidy....

 

Even if it is a 750 which is a far better road bike anyway Problem with modern Jap bikes for roadwork, is to access all that power you need to rev the nuts off them which really becomes a pain in the butt after a while.

 

Simples.

If you find that it's the GSXR that always gets the nod when you want to go for a ride, sell the Ducati.

If you find after a few Suzuki rides that there is a will to get out the Ducati, keep it.

Jap bikes are flattering. They are easy to ride and comfortable. On the other hand, they are a bit electric, uninvolving and soulless. It's the difference between a fine Bordeaux (expensive, needs cellaring not immediately accessible) and an Australian Shiraz (in your face, immediately flattering, dull after a couple of glasses).

Well, I'm sure you know what I mean.

When I borrow friends' bikes, I often have a lot of fun. But there has never been any of them that Ive wanted to swap my Ducati for. Always happy to get back on it (even if it suddenly seems a bit ridiculous for the first couple of miles).

 

I need two bikes. Seems the obvious solution to me.

 

As I got unlucky with mine, I would say go for a bike that costs less to maintain.

But if I had the money I would keep a Ducati again.

Just have to be a newer one.