Ducati is an iconic Italian automotive brand and is especially known for its motorcycles.
It’s owned by Lamborghini and has a long history in the world of motorcycle manufacture that goes all the way back to 1926.
They are based in Bologna, Italy, and sell tens of thousands of bikes every year in markets all over the world.
This article answers the question: “Is Ducati a good bike?”…
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Is Ducati A Good Bike?
Ducati bikes are known for great looks, powerful performance, and that iconic Italian name.
Ducati has a strong racing heritage, which is part of what created many enthusiasts around the world. Problems with reliability and expenses of maintenance can make Ducati a difficult choice for those who aren’t prepared to pay all it takes to keep it on the road.
Is Ducati Motorcycles Reliable?
There are some who have called the Ducati the “Jaguar of the motorcycle world,” and they definitely do not mean anything complimentary about that.
Though called “exotic” by some, others merely translate that as in need of frequent (and expensive) repairs.
The main issue with Ducati bikes when it comes to reliability seems to be in the availability of parts.
Because of the fact that regardless of the market, all parts and components are made in and shipped from Bologna, that makes any kind of repair more expensive.
If your Harley-Davidson breaks down in the US, then you or your mechanic can get parts from a US Harley-Davidson distributor.
The same is not true of Ducati parts, with none of them being made domestically in any market other than Italy.
There are some newer, more budget-friendly models in the range such as the Monster and the Hypermotard 950 which experts say hold more promise when it comes to reliability, but as we mentioned:
Ducati is the “Jaguar” of motorcycles, which means people expect to pay more and get more.
Unfortunately, it’s the more expensive models that seem to present more of the problems, such as the Streetfighter V4.
Is It Comfortable?
Yes, by and large, there is a consensus that comfort is not something that Ducati bikes lack.
In the modern context, it is the Panigale model, in particular, that is singled out for its comfort.
Given that Ducati focuses more on street bikes and racing bikes rather than tourers or cruisers, it may surprise some to hear that Ducati still places a focus on comfort.
Some models like the Superleggera V4 are actually built with the racetrack in mind and so are not the most comfortable out there.
These are Ducati bikes built primarily for power and speed.
Is Ducati The Fastest Bike?
Below are all the top speeds of the current range of Ducati motorcycles:
| Model | Top Speed (MPH) |
| Ducati Diavel | 169 |
| Ducati Monster | 145 |
| Ducati Hypermotard | 176 |
| Ducati Panigale | 180 |
| Ducati Scrambler | 125 |
| Ducati Streetfighter | 168 |
| Ducati SuperSport | 142 |
| Ducati Hyperstrada | 176 |
| Ducati Multistrada | 150 |
| Ducati Superleggera V4 (limited) | 190 |
From this, we can see that overall the Superleggera V4 is the fastest individual bike, but since it’s only a limited production run of 500 units, it’s not as relevant.
The fastest mass-produced Ducati is therefore the Panigale with a top speed of 180mph
Though the Superleggera is technically faster, it was limited to a production run of just 500 units, so it doesn’t really count as one of the regular models.
How do these Ducati bikes measure to other similar bikes, though? Are there still faster motorcycles out there that could challenge the Ducati?
The Kawasaki Ninja H2 which is the street-legal version of the track-only H2R has a top speed of 209mph, which places it ahead of the Ducati Panigale in top speed.
Having said that, as a series of Bikes the Ducati marque is known for high speeds.
As you can see from the table, the lowest-speed bike is still an impressive 125mph.
Many of the Kawasaki Ninja bikes have top speeds under 125mph, whereas for Ducati that’s the lowest they go.
What Do I Get More In Ducati – Than If I Buy A Regular Bike?
Arguably the greatest special feature of the Ducati motorcycle is its racing DNA.
As a rule, Ducati bikes are fast.
Every model gets at least 125mph as a top speed and many do far better than that.
In terms of specific features, Ducati bikes are well known for their desmodromic valves.
Instead of using springs to close the valves, the Ducati desmodromic valves use solid arms and lobed cams.
It’s complex but much sturdier than many spring-designed models.
They are also known for using rubber belts, which allow Ducati bikes the ability to really get deep into corners and give the rider a much greater feeling of control as they ride.
Finally, if you look at some of Ducati’s most iconic models, like the 916, then you’re also getting bikes of great beauty.
The 916, for example, was and is continued to be described as the most beautiful bike ever built.
Innovative features on the 916 are still a hallmark of Ducati’s overall design.
For instance, on the 916, the exhaust routed its way under the seat, which helped to give the bike better aerodynamics.
Is Ducati The Ferrari Of Motorcycles?
In a positive sense, it may seem fair to say that, firstly because Ducati is an Italian automaker, and their signature color is also red.
The bikes are built for speed and are loaded with racing DNA, which certainly matches the Ferrari image. On the other hand, Ducati is owned by Ferrari’s biggest domestic rival, Lamborghini, which isn’t very Ferrari-like.
Furthermore, they are still plagued with complaints by many users about reliability issues, not something for which Ferrari is necessarily well known.
In terms of price, they are certainly among the higher end of the motorcycle world, just as Ferrari is, but there are other brands and models that are as expensive or even a little more expensive.
What Are The Pros And Cons?
Pros:
The first pro of the Ducati brand is the unique engineering and design quality.
Regardless of what you think of Ducati bikes mechanically, the pure design and great looks of the bike are hard to deny.
Another pro is speed.
Those who are looking for bikes that are fast are always in luck when they choose a Ducati bike.
The slowest model on offer in the current range has a top speed of 125mph.
A third pro is unique features.
From special trellis frames to intricately designed valves and specially-made rubber belts, Ducati bikes are known for being crammed with innovation.
Cons:
One con of the Ducati motorcycle brand is the expense.
There are some affordable models in the range – e.g., Scrambler Nightshift at $10,995 in 2021 – but most of them sit at the high range.
(There are no models like Kawasaki Ninja offered well south of the $6000 budget.)
Another con for Ducati is in reliability.
Improvements have been made in recent years, but these bikes, on the whole, remain less reliable than the likes of Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Honda.
The Japanese companies thrive on greater reliability.
One further con is that Ducati doesn’t really offer anything that could be construed as a “beginner bike.”
Where Suzuki and Kawasaki offer a range of 250-400cc bikes that are perfect for this, Ducati bikes are noticeably more for experienced riders.
General Problems With Ducati Motorcycles
There are many issues, but they can broadly be broken down into the following:
- Electrical problems
- Gearbox issues
- Throttle control
- Oil-related issues
- Clutch and Overheating
Firstly, there are electrical problems, which can take the form of damaged spark plugs, bad ignition coils, immobilizer or ABS triggering while the bike is idle and draining the battery, bad wiring, a faulty regulator rectifier, and more.
In general, there just seem to be many potential wiring and electrical pitfalls on Ducati bikes more than other brands, especially the Japanese brands like Honda and Yamaha.
For gearboxes, difficulty shifting between ratios is a known problem with Ducati motorcycles.
Even with the gearshift lever pressed, Ducati bikes are known for their relative difficulty in getting between gears either up or down.
Between 2010 and 2014, there was a recall involving some 5,962 Ducati Multistrada motorcycles which were recalled for their faulty throttle control.
That can be very dangerous when you’re driving at speed and need accurate, responsive throttle.
Many Ducati owners have also reported problems with the oil system like oil pressure light blinking when it shouldn’t be, erroneous oil pressure readings, and an oil pressure sensor that just doesn’t seem to work properly.
Finally, faulty radiators and broken thermostats are the most common explanations behind overheating, while the clutch is said to be mostly down to being more easily worn than would be deemed normal by many riders.
What Do The Reviews Say About Ducati?
On the positive side, Ducati reviews tend to say that these bikes have flair, great looks, admirable speed, and decent handling on the road.
In general, they are viewed as thrilling, fast, and well-designed to give a real premium look.
The last decade or so of bikes have also produced many models that people have reviewed as light, sophisticated, and with nimble agility on the road.
On the more negative side, reviewers tend to point out the expense of the bike, but especially the expense of ownership.
The fact that you have to get Ducati parts imported from Italy and that you have to get the bike fixed at official Ducati locations makes it very costly.
Other negative reviews point to reliability and the fact that repairs and maintenance can take a long time because if shops don’t have parts in stock (and many don’t keep large stocks) then you have to wait long periods for parts to arrive.
Ducati Vs. Other Super Bikes
In terms of speed and on-road performance, especially on the racetrack, Ducati bikes stand up well when compared to other superbikes.
Comparable models from other brands include the:
- Yamaha R1
- Honda CBR 1000RR
- Kawasaki ZX-10R
- BMW S1000RR.
In terms of price, Ducati bikes are priced at the higher end but are similar at the base level to Honda and Yamaha models.
They are not as budget-friendly as either Suzuki or Kawasaki models.
Kawasaki typically offers a better combination of quality, price, and performance.
One area that Ducati particularly stands out, however, is in its powerful engines.
Where other engines seem “toned down” in comparison, the Ducati engines like those on the Panigale V4S are “beast-like” in comparison.
What Is The Resale Price?
A Ducati bike will typically lose between 12 and 13 percent of its value after year one, so pre-owned bikes of around 12 months should be priced accordingly.
That would be something like $17,500 for a Ducati Diavel 1260, for example.
That steep level of depreciation continues into years 2, 3, and 4. Only in the fifth year will depreciation begin to slow down.
What Is The Price Of A New Ducati? (All Models Listed)
The current range of Ducati models includes the following bikes and starting prices:
- Diavel 1260 – $20,295
- Diavel 1260S – $23,395
- Diavel 1260 Lamborghini – $31,995
- XDiavel Dark – $19,995
- XDiavel S – $24,695
- XDiavel Black Star – $25,995
- Hypermotard 950 RVE – $14,395
- Hypermotard 950 – $13,495
- Hypermotard 950 SP – $17,495
- Monster – $11,895
- Monster Plus – $12,195
- Monster 1200 – $14,995
- Monster 1200 S – $17,595
- Streetfighter V4 – $19,995
- Streetfighter V4 S – $24,395
- Multistrada 950 S Spoked – $17,595
- Multistrada V4 – $19,995
- Multistrada V4 S – $24,095
- V4 S Sport – $26,095
- 1260 Enduro – $22,095
- Panigale V2 – $16,495
- Panigale V4 – $22,295
- Panigale V4 S – $28,695
- Panigale V4 SP – $37,000
- Panigale V4 R – $40,000
- SuperSport 950 – $13,495
- SuperSport 950 S – $15,795
- 1100 Sport Pro – $15,495
- 1100 Pro – $13,495
- Nightshift – $10,995
- Fasthouse Desert Sled – $12,295
Where Is Ducati Made & Who Owns It?
Ducati has assembly plants in Italy, Brazil, and Thailand.
Only in Italy are parts themselves actually manufactured.
The Brazil and Thailand plants are used for assembly only.
Ducati ownership is something of a Russian doll.
On the surface, it’s owned by Lamborghini, but that marque is owned by German auto giant Audi, which itself is a subsidiary of an even bigger German giant, Volkswagen.
So, ultimately it’s owned by Volkswagen.
Is Ducati Monster A Good Beginner Bike?
The short answer is no.
The fact is that no Ducati bike is ideal for a beginner because their horsepower ratings are usually too high and their top speeds the same.
The entry-level model Monster and Monster Plus have a rating of 111hp and 69lb-ft of torque, which is a little easier for beginners to handle than the 1200 models which boast more than 140hp.
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