2003 DUCATI SS800F

Ok had to sell my 02 st4s to make the payroll last fall (ahhh self employement, isn't it grand), so now we have a couple new clients (and cash) and I'm ready to jump back into another ducati, but "on the cheap", so I found this bike local to me

http://www.cycletrader.com/cad...9.htm

I don't go in for the pink windscreen at all, and figure it'll need its 6k service rightaway, possibly tires and a battery....
Considering a new 800 ss at full list price is only $7,995, with a warrenty and special ducati financing, AND that its the dead of winter here in Chicago....What'll you think is a fair price to offer on this one? I'm thinking of offering $5k, or even 4500.
Anyone ride the 800, is the motor pleasing? Remeber I'm coming off an st4s, and prior two vfr's. Also can we do a 944 piston conversion on an 800 if I happen to have a properous year?

I just got an '04 800 for x-mas. I have only gotten to ride a little, but so far I really like it. The only thing I have to compare with is my SV. Two totally different bikes, but I love the 800.
I don't know how much they go for, or what a good price is. All I know is that I am going to have lot of fun on it!

A little clarification is in order, dc.

The current ('04+) SS800 is actually more of a "base" model than the '03. In 2003, they had both a "Sport" and a "Supersport" version of the 800. For 2004, they essentially got rid of the 800 Supersport, and replaced it with what used to be the 800 Sport, but they renamed it the SS800.

Confused? You should be!

In any case, the '03 800 you're looking at is probably priced pretty fairly, because it has 5-spoke wheels, fully adjustable front forks, aluminum swingarm, and some other goodies that this year's SS800 doesn't have.

I believe the list price for the 2003 800 Supersport was something like $10K. (You might want to look that up).

I rode a friend's '04 800 SS and liked it (except for the handlebars) but it does not have much power. I am comparing it to my slightly modified '97 SS 900, so no, it's nothing like an ST4s, but still fun.

I picked up an 03 800ss this past Sept. and in the process of converting it to track bike. The only other bikes I have to compare it to are my fzr400 (track bike), gsxr750 (streetbike) and a superhawk which I had a while ago. Needless to say its nothing like any of these. It must be the 2 valve that makes it so much fun but I find myself shifting a lot more often to keep it in the powerband which is good or bad depending how you look at it. It definatley won't have the top end straight line speed of an st4s. Handling wise I would say its almost as flickable as my fzr but much more stable and feels as planted in the corners as the gixxer but less intimidating to get on the gas. All in all I would say its a blast to ride in the twisties, light and grunty, never intimidating. That's why I'm racing it. I picked up mine for 6100 with 3k on it.

thanks, thats a great honest endorcement. I'd think I'm going to like this bike.

excellent, so now I get it, for the price, I'm getting a higher spec'd bike than a brand new one, cool.

too late, it was sold when I got there!!!