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Today I went looking at bikes and talking to mechanics. I ran into a group of riders that was on crotch rockets and sinse I have never owned or ridden one, I was very curious. I cannot help but think how uncomfortable they looked, but appearances can be deceiving.

They was riding a brand that you very seldom see and I have seen no one here even mention one. I am hoping someone can satisfy my curiosity about these motorcycles. I don't believe they would be for me but I am curious, they was all riding a DUCATI ST4S ABS. I was wondering why no here had one.

Ducatis are high end Italian bikes, DivideOverflow has a Ducati 1000DS I believe. Anyway, yeah, nice bikes, but out of my price range! And yeah, it depends on the rider, some (like me) cannot handle a crotch rocket, but others can't handle cruisers or standards... It's individual preference!
Wrider

We was at the local eatary having BBQ spare ribs and beer when they pulled up. They didnt have a very throaty sound and when they put them in gear, wow, you wonder if they left a transmission behind or not .

I didnt know how they stacked up against the Honda's, Yamaha's, Bmw's and Suzuki's. I wondered if they are really a high maintance bike, high cost or what? I knew they had to be a reason there are not more common.

Thanks so much for the reply.

Ducati's are indeed high maintenance I believe. Or that's the running joke at least. Kind of like Harley's being efficient converters of horsepower to noise.


But now a days it seems that unless you're racing, most of the brands are going to be pretty much the same. That there's not enough difference between them. Honda is really good at not needing a lotta maintenance but other than that...

Mintbread wrote:

time wrote:We was at the local eatary having BBQ spare ribs and beer when they pulled up. They didnt have a very throaty sound and when they put them in gear, wow, you wonder if they left a transmission behind or not .

Are you for real?

My thoughts as well.

In any case, I know a couple of guys with Ducatis. While they're not necessarily higher maintenance than other bikes, obtaining parts can be difficult and very expensive.

They're not uncommon bikes at all, and they seem to have a reputation for being very good.

Shiv wrote:Ducati's are indeed high maintenance I believe. Or that's the running joke at least. Kind of like Harley's being efficient converters of horsepower to noise.


But now a days it seems that unless you're racing, most of the brands are going to be pretty much the same. That there's not enough difference between them. Honda is really good at not needing a lotta maintenance but other than that...

Shiv, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

As for the OP, Duc's are great bikes, more comfortable then you think (depending upon your body type). I'm confused as to your actual question, lots of people own Ducati's otherwise they wouldn't be in business. As for the ST4 specifically, it is considered to be a "sport touring" bike. And while it doesn't look like a cruiser, it is indeed a comfortable bike to ride. It's noisy because it uses a dry clutch, and doesn't have a ton of crap around it (like a car would) to dampen that noise.

Gentlemen
I think perhaps because of my complete lack of oratory skills, you have come to the conclusion that I am downing this bike. I can assure you it is right the opposite.

My grandson was with us and he fell in love with the looks of this particular motorcycle. While I could never ride such a machine. My grandson is different in that he is not only young and strong, but he is also a very skilled rider. I felt that perhaps if the people here endorsed this motorcycle, I would consider buying one for my grandson even though I don't agree with his choice. When it comes Harley-Davidson's, I don't have to ask anything but when it comes to the newer foreign bikes -- well -- I am completely lost. I quit keeping up with other bikes when the Kawasaki 900 was first produced.

Ducatti may be popular in certain parts of the country -- but around here, you never seen one. On the road -- if it's not a Harley -- I just don't pay that much attention to it. Another bike that you don't see around here is a Triumph, nor do you see a Motor Guzzi.

Anyway, I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone -- just chalk it up as a senior moment. We was under an outdoor shed so the clutch or gear noise could have been amplified by that. Anyway I certainly do appreciate everybody telling me about these bikes. I will let him read these posts and let him make up his own mind. He will be accompanying me on my road trip.

Crotch Rockets are far more comfortable than they look, though they have the same comfort problems as many cruisers, just in reverse. Standards are most comfortable.

I have heard horror stories about Italian bikes where repairs are concerned, but not sure how well founded they are. The Kawasaki dealer I go to has Moto Guzi, and say they can get parts over-night if necessary.

I say get a cheaper, better Japanese bike if you want a sportbike.

--Dave

I wish that I had a grampa who would buy me a Ducati.

You do not need to be "young and strong" to ride a Ducati, or any other sportbike for that matter (though a long inseam does help). And buying a bike based solely on the fact that you saw it one time and it looked cool is so stupid it hurts.

Finally, you claim that you pay zero attention to any bike that isn't a Harley around where you live. So how do you know that they don't exist in your area? What is so great about a Harley anyways?

Sevulturus wrote:What is so great about a Harley anyways?

They're Harleys.

Do you really want to start that discussion here?