Cheaper Ducati ownership. Awesome sound. Tuneable handles well timeless looks easy to work on Most parts easy to get Can be costly as its a premium brand brand, some part tricky to get hold of. Addictively expensive when upgrading. Theres many other pros and cons...
In addition to the above, Carby versions don't like cold weather. Steering lock is rubbish & will have an unwary rider off. But I still like my '94 750SS !
Regarding reliability they are generally very good, the only issue I’ve had in 5 years on my 1991 900ss is an ignition pickup failing, but it was 29 years old!.
Standard suspension far too hard, both at the front & rear. I had the mechanical speedo drive replaced under warranty because the plastic body was cracking & falling off, that was in 1994. The ignition relay failed in 1998 & then again in 2017. I replaced the coils in 2017 for CCW items, improved the starting reliability no end. Other than servicing, that's been it really.
Every time I look at mine I think it is a really good looking motorbike - it's just a beautiful machine. When it is parked people take photos of it, in petrol stations people ask questions about it - people love to see old Ducatis.
I had a guy come and park his car on the other side of the car park where I was, just to listen to the sound!
And, what's wrong with Kawasaki's then ? Mine has been far more reliable than my Ducati AND it's twice as old !!