G
Guest
·Just wanted to say hi, my roots mainly come from old school brit choppers, BSA's and Triumphs. I'm also into rockcrawling, and hot rods. I have been riding Jap bikes unitl now (gixer 1000 and a Honda 600 RR). I have always loved the style and sound of Ducatis and everyone I know has been trying to talk me out of buying one for years ( because of the valve issues and maintenance costs ). But I see it like this, you can't own a Ferrari and then bitch about the costs to maintain it right ? Well I'm, finaly getting ready to throw down for a new 749. I had considered a 999 but I got to tell you the Gixer 1000 I've ridin was just too much for me ( no track days, only street ) where the Honda 600RR was fun as hell.
I'll be using the bike for a very mild commute during the summer and twisties on weekends. I am also looking forward to some track days ( I'll most likely be the guy just putting around, until I get some confidence built up ) some of the pics I've seen here are just crazy
Anyway, I have looked at all my options and the 749 fits me just right. At first I was concerned with getting butt hurt from a 749 but then I realized I've ridin hardtail Brit choppers with drag bars for hundreds of miles, so If I can handle that I should be able to handle this.
I won't be able to get the bike until late Decemeber, as I don't do the finance thing and should be able to pay cash for a new one by then. So I have some time, but I do have a few questions .
Who's a good dealer in Northern California? My dealer ( good times kawasaki ), doesn't seem to like Ducati's, no outdoors signage of even being a dealer and they tried to talk me into another Jap bike. The overall impression I got from them was weak.
Should I hold out to buy a used bike with some mods already done or just buy a new one ? ( I was shooting for 12K OTD new ) Good Times quoted me 11,500 on a new 749 so I figure there is some wiggle room if I pay CASH. My only concern at this point was the exhaust. Seems that Ducatis tend to burn your ass with the stock exhaust and Termi ( SP ) exhaust kits start at like 2K.
Anything else I should be looking for in a new or used bike ?
Anyway, sorry for the long winded post, any advise would be great.
RJ
I'll be using the bike for a very mild commute during the summer and twisties on weekends. I am also looking forward to some track days ( I'll most likely be the guy just putting around, until I get some confidence built up ) some of the pics I've seen here are just crazy

Anyway, I have looked at all my options and the 749 fits me just right. At first I was concerned with getting butt hurt from a 749 but then I realized I've ridin hardtail Brit choppers with drag bars for hundreds of miles, so If I can handle that I should be able to handle this.
I won't be able to get the bike until late Decemeber, as I don't do the finance thing and should be able to pay cash for a new one by then. So I have some time, but I do have a few questions .
Who's a good dealer in Northern California? My dealer ( good times kawasaki ), doesn't seem to like Ducati's, no outdoors signage of even being a dealer and they tried to talk me into another Jap bike. The overall impression I got from them was weak.
Should I hold out to buy a used bike with some mods already done or just buy a new one ? ( I was shooting for 12K OTD new ) Good Times quoted me 11,500 on a new 749 so I figure there is some wiggle room if I pay CASH. My only concern at this point was the exhaust. Seems that Ducatis tend to burn your ass with the stock exhaust and Termi ( SP ) exhaust kits start at like 2K.
Anything else I should be looking for in a new or used bike ?
Anyway, sorry for the long winded post, any advise would be great.
RJ