so i've been looking around for a new bike and it's between the 09 Repsol and an 08/09/10 Ducati 848. very tough choice between the two, so i'm looking for some other insight on helping make the choice, and some reasons why. it may just come down to which ever one i can get the best deal on...
thanks

A big consideration in that choice is the rather strenuous service requirements of the Duck's Desmo valve train. It's not a DIYer friendly system at all.

Beyond that, for me it would come down to which one was the better deal. They are both superb bikes.

that seems to be the issue i hear a lot of. but the service maintenance isn't THAT expensive... and its not THAT often to make me shy away...

Small pet peeve, It's a CBR1000RR. Repsol is a gas company.

I'd personally take the Honda, if you're certain it doesn't have the oil burning issue that some CBR1000s had.

The Honda will definitely be faster in a straight line. The Ducati will be easier to ride fast in the corners.

The Duc is sexier (bonus points if it is white).

Seeing as I owned a '11 cbr1000rr, maybe I can help. First off what are you going to do with it? Ride it to and from work every day? Track it? I'd take the honda on the street grind but the Ducati for a mostly track bike. One big thing is The Honda requires waaayyy less maintenance than a duc. But the duc is a sexy beast, and they sound incredible. Something I hated about my Cbr was it sounded about as cool as a civic. Even with a pipe it never really had that superbike scream you'd expect, nothing like a zx10 or gsxr1000. It's a sweet bike but it severely lacks something the Ducati is full of....soul. Also whoever told you the ducatis maintenance is not expensive straight out lied to you. They are extremely expensive to maintain.

For example the Honda requires valve checks every 15,000 miles. Aside from oil changes/spark plugs that's about it.
The Ducati requires a major service every 7,500 miles, including changing timing belts and adjusting valves etc. Very expensive stuff on the desmodromic valves.

Ultimately it's up to you. Do you want a cool sexy but extremely high maintenance semi exotic of the motorcycle world
Or the super reliable cheap to maintain but semi boring Honda civic of the motorcycle world

daveray, on 27 June 2012 - 08:17 AM, said:

No, you're right, it's not that often, but it also ain't cheap. But I can do a shim-and-bucket overhead cam valve adjustment myself. And I've had enough bad experiences with dealerships over the years to not be all that trusting of letting someone else work on my bikes.

Edited by Chokey, 28 June 2012 - 05:20 PM.

Honestly, they're both great bikes - they're both distinctive and gorgeous... Sit on both and see which one you're most comfortable one... The repsol has a thinner profile from what I recall.
Ducati does have that exotic name..

Which one did you ever end up getting? They are two TOTALLY different animals, so I'm curious what you ended up with.

Yeah what did you get? I'm curious

Ended up getting an 08 848. Mainly for the price. Got a good deal and way cheaper than any repsol in my area. So far the bike is great! Awesome handling bike , very light feel and super torquey.  It does get uncomfortable at times but I didn't expect anything less from a race bike.

Nice choice.....a bike with alot of character and soul.

Enjoy!

fttam, on 27 July 2012 - 08:28 AM, said:

Agreed,

I owned a Fireblade and a 748 respectively back in the day. Whilst the Fireblade was obscenely fast, reliable, capable in any situation and a joy to own; it had no soul. Service costs etc aside, id have the 848 every day if the choice was mine. You only live once, and hope your choice truly makes you feel 'alive' every time you flick the key.

Enjoy..........

Thanks,  yeah it really is pretty awesome. Soul is right haha totally different world. Loving it so far!