Am I the only one?

[karlfitt]

I was pondering yesterday, because I was asked by a friend.

Do I like my new (to me) Ducati?

Yes, but let's examine that yes.

This is my first Ducati, a nice 2002 ST4s. I have wanted a Ducati since the bevel drive tower shaft days.
I have stayed away from them due to their high maitenance requirements.

I am in the process now of obtaining the tools I need to do my own first valve adjustment, just 1700 miles away now. But I find myself looking forward to this procedure. Maybe I won't feel the same after it is done.

I have had 5 BMW's. All you do is change oil, check valves (adjust if it is a twin, check only if it is a brick) and go.

I am all set for the first valve adjustment to be at least a weekend affair, my hands aren't small and I am at that age where if it is close or small I need glasses to see it.

But I like the idea of caring for my equipment. I love the way this thing runs, first gear is gone very quick. :-)

My last BMW never did anything exciting (K1200 RS), But then again, it never did anything exciting. Yes it would go fast when I wanted, but in a very refined and controlled BMW sort of way.

So bring on the tiny parts (shims, retainers and such) let me try and squeeze myself into the tight places I must to to ensure my "Padrona's" engine is ready for the next 6000 miles.
For me this is adding to my enjoyment of the total experience of owning this bike.

[MK96xj]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the valve adjustment on the Duc is not that hard.

I find it easier and roomier than my Kawi.

We can keep that a secret though if you want

[Blunder]

The secret is safe with me.

We won't let the unwashed know what joy it is to work on your own bike and know that the job was done well and correctly.

[karlfitt]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the valve adjustment on the Duc is not that hard.

I find it easier and roomier than my Kawi.

We can keep that a secret though if you want

So are you saying it is like when disk brakes first came into being?

Shops charged more for a disc brake job than drums, so I worried about the first time I was going to do them. They are actually easier than drum brakes.


Dealers charge some REAL money for a Ducati valve adjustment.  Hope I find it is not as bad as they would have you think.

[Castaway]

I hope you'll post a report on your valve adjust. It's one of the things I've been curious about, and a barrier to my buying a Ducati.

[LoVel]

Yes you are the only one but I'm not sure what the question was.  

[Liquidsilver]

That's the newlywed stage.  
 
When I got to the *living with it* stage, after a few years of PITA adjustments, my love affair with *that* Ducati ended.
 
Now the Ducatis I fall in love with, are ones that I don't own.  I like to ride too much to keep a Ducati affair going...
 
but it's all about you, man!   If you love it... get it on!  

[tigertim955]

    

Ducatis aren't that hard to work on . 55,000 kms so far on my Multi (air cooled 2 valve) and it's required less maintenance than my old Connies !

[DogBoy]

The 2v are a lot easier than the 4v. I like that video. Step 1: remove bodywork, tank, exhaust, belts, intake and cylinder head. Step 2: check valve clearances.  

[Mr Sunshine]

Dealers charge some REAL money for a Ducati valve adjustment.  Hope I find it is not as bad as they would have you think.

HARD != Involved.  Meaning just because it takes time doesn't mean it is hard.  It is the this taking time which is why dealers charge real money for it.  

[Mr Sunshine]

The 2v are a lot easier than the 4v. I like that video. Step 1: remove bodywork, tank, exhaust, belts, intake and cylinder head. Step 2: check valve clearances.  

OMG..really?  Pull the head to check the valves?  

[karlfitt]

HARD != Involved.  Meaning just because it takes time doesn't mean it is hard.  It is the this taking time which is why dealers charge real money for it.  

Yea, and suspect it is a spec thing.
The quote so many hours if they have to adjust several valves. They crack yours open and on ly have to change one, same charge.

Plus if I do it myself I never have to wonder if it has been done right right.
I have not had the best of luck with the local dealer here (Same one for my BMW)

[atadaskew]

Join this group

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/st2_owners/

NOW!

[Galaxy Being]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the valve adjustment on the Duc is not that hard.

I'm not exactly sure what it takes to adjust the valves on a the newer Ducatis, but it can't be any worse than having to pull the camshafts on  most modern in-line 4s to change "shim under bucket" setups.

[Rodan]

I'm into my second year of ownership of an '04 ST4S, and it's definitely a love/hate relationship...

On the good side, the ST4S is as close as I've ever come to a perfect "one bike" solution in 20+ years of riding.  Sportbike performance (and light weight) with comfort and hard bags is hard to find these days.  The uniqueness factor is also a plus, you don't see yourself coming the other way on every ride.  Ohlins, Marchesini, lots to like... a lot!

On the bad side, I've ridden much less over the last two years, as my previous riding activity would have had me doing (at least) two services a year, which is both costly and time consuming, even doing your own work.  The valve adjustments are a PITA compared to the I4s, V-4s and twins I've worked on in the past, and you have to do it at least twice as often as most other bikes.  Parts are expensive, and sometimes hard to find, dealers are scarce if you run into problems out on the road.  Also, the bikes are now out of production, so it's only going to get worse.

I love the bike, but will probably only keep it long enough to see if the new Ninja 1000 is as good as it looks.  Kawasaki have finally brought out the VFR I've been waiting 15 years for Honda to build...