I'm going to be sick...

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

As a Ducati owner I'll give you my opinion.  I bought my Duc in 2000 when I had a job and the money to pay for the maintence and quirks that come with owning the Duc.  $600-$700 every 6000 miles for the valves, waiting for parts to come in etc.  Parts are about 2x as expensive as jap bike parts.  Now that I'm in vet school and living on a restricted budget I don't have the money to throw around on the 996 anymore.  It's paid off, but I still can't afford it.  I don't know what your finances are, but if you even have questions as to whether you can afford it, you probably can't.  I remeber thinking I could easily afford the thing and I was always throwing more money at it than I wanted.  I don't think the "R" models come with a warranty either.  My advice, run unless you've got lots of extra cash sitting around.  

Friend of mine only pays $300 for his valve jobs. Barrs in Madison, WI is where he goes.

[Super Dave]

Well, unless you are a miracle worker.... I'm helpless.  Ever since my highside that caused this neat bone to pop out of my shoulders, I've been a chicken  :'(

I'm not a miracle worker, but you are certainly closer to one if you feel uncomfortable AND you're still racin'!

But, if you've got problems like that, I can probably drag you out of a lot of the problems and give you a better attitude and feel for the bike.

Just keep it in mind.  
 ;D

[xunil11]

For me personally, its kinda hard to justify spending that kind of money for something that is supposed to be performance oriented, when I can go drop 10K on an 04 R1 that will smoke the 999.  ???

I agree on the hard to justify the buying of a 24K dollar bike, but come on how can you say a R1 will smoke a 999R!  Be realistic.  2 riders of same experience, and the 999R is a better bike, hands down.

[r1owner]

I agree on the hard to justify the buying of a 24K dollar bike, but come on how can you say a R1 will smoke a 999R!  Be realistic.  2 riders of same experience, and the 999R is a better bike, hands down.

I disagree.  The new R1 is an awesome machine and I seriously think it would hand that 999 its a$$ on a track.

Lets say (for fun) that you are right.  I guess as long as the race isn't longer than about oh ... 170 miles or so, then the Ducati may stand a chance!  ;D

[cornercamping]

I disagree.  The new R1 is an awesome machine and I seriously think it would hand that 999 its a$$ on a track.

Lets say (for fun) that you are right.  I guess as long as the race isn't longer than about oh ... 170 miles or so, then the Ducati may stand a chance!  ;D

Well, I disagree also.  The bike is just a tool.  The rider or (mechanic) makes it work.  Regardless of which "brand" tool you use, the better mechanic will win.  Get what I'm saying?

Ask youself this question.  Let's take 2 bikes.  Let's just say an 04' GSXR600 and an 04' GSXR 1000.  Gixxer 600 has all the Ohlins suspension, ect., and the 1000 is stock with basic suspension work.  Now, put the faster rider on the 600 so the slower guy on the 1000 has a better bike advantage.   Who's gonna win the race.  1000 has more power.  

Might not seem logical because of all the variables, and you could argue it, but the better rider always wins.  Hell, you could put me on a real WSBK bike in a 600 SS race, and I'll still get my ass handed to me.  Not that I'm that bad, but hey, there are guys that can be fast on a turd bike.   ;D

Nobody can really argue that Ducati has probably the best chassis design out there.   If you think about it, and compare the R1 against the 999S (not even the R model), and build them the same as far as part for part, the R1 will end up in the same ballpark price range as the 999S.  All that Ohlins, Marchesini, ect. adds up quick.  Take a stock R1 for $10K, then add $1K for the Ohlins rear shock, $2K for the Marchesini Rims, $1K for the brembo brakes, and $2K for the Ohlins forks.  Your now at $16k spent on the R1, and you haven't touch the other components on the 999S that the R1 doesn't have.  You'd be close to the $19K of the 999S if you put the same parts on the R1.  Now, the Ducati has a better chassis IMHO than the R1.  How would it compete?

[cornercamping]

This guy with the 999R is trying to torture me  :(  He just sent me an email, and said he'd now let her go for $23K.   He hit's $20K, and I'm gonna take it.  ::) ;D  There is no way in hell you could build an R1 that had that calibre for $20K.  :P

[r1owner]

Might not seem logical because of all the variables, and you could argue it, but the better rider always wins.  Hell, you could put me on a real WSBK bike in a 600 SS race, and I'll still get I disagree handed to me.  Not that I'm that bad, but hey, there are guys that can be fast on a turd bike.  

Hey, you're the one that wanted JUSTIFICATION on why you should buy this bike.  Your statement above is IMO reason enough NOT to buy it.

BTW, I don't think the R1 needs anything with equal riders to beat a 999.  I had a 99 R1, my buddy has a 996.  When we raced (same experience and all) we were about dead even, except I would totally pull him on the straights :)  Drop a Penske on it ~1K forks reworked ~1K and then go out and promptly kick ass.

That being said, I have nothing against Ducati's.  I think they are sweet bikes, but to make one fully competitive (and affordable) in club racing is throwing good money after bad.

[cabbage996]

Friend of mine only pays $300 for his valve jobs. Barrs in Madison, WI is where he goes.

Well I don't know what kind of job they are doing up there for $300.  Checking the things doesn't cost that much, but if they are out of spec then the cost goes up.  I know that the just the belts cost $100-120 alone, so I assume this is just a valve "check".   I've had valves out of spec every time I've taken the the bike in.  Not to mention the 4 bad rocker arms last time...

[CCSRacer114]

Toys (like motorcycles, especially for racing), should be paid for in cash.

That's my 23k's worth.

[cornercamping]

Well, thanks for all the input on the Ducati guys.  I'm gonna have to pass unless the guy hits the $20K mark.  At that point, it's TOO good of a deal to pass up.  
Regardless, it's time for a new bike.  My bastard 99-02 R6 probably won't make it thru the season without some major work.  Almost 19K miles on her, and she's been thru hell and back.  I'm thinking 04' GSXR-750 or 600.  I'd like to get the 750, but it depends on the budget because I will be paying cash.  Anyone here have an 04' GSXR 600 or 750?  Experiances?  Problems anyones seen yet with these?  Input is greatly appreciated.  If these new GSXR's are full of problems and such, I'll be going back on another 04' R6, which should still be competitive in the 600's unless the new GSXR's are really that good.  

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

Well I don't know what kind of job they are doing up there for $300.  Checking the things doesn't cost that much, but if they are out of spec then the cost goes up.  I know that the just the belts cost $100-120 alone, so I assume this is just a valve "check".   I've had valves out of spec every time I've taken the the bike in.  Not to mention the 4 bad rocker arms last time...

They've adjusted them. Its a small dealership that has a very dam good tech working for them. They do stay very reasonable with their prices.

[tzracer]

I financed my last street bike. But I guess since I ride more miles than I drive, it isn't a toy. Does that make my truck a toy?