+1 to that...
I have a certain amount of loyalty to Triumph being a product of good old GB and all that but Ducati's are superb and I say that based on 15 unbroken years of ownership (as well as all the other stuff!) covering 851, 888, 250 narrowcase racer, 998 Bostrom, 749 dark, cucciolo, 888...
The comments about being a mechanic and an electrician etc etc if you own a Ducati are old hat - they refer to the old days, and the 70's Pantahs etc. The modern stuff of say the last four years is very refined and "japanese" in feel (clutch, brakes, idling etc) but a bit less characterful. Put it this way - my 888 is the only bike in my garage I don't tinker with constantly, it just doesn't need it.
When I sold my 1995 SP5 I went through 15 bikes in the next 5 years trying to get something that was as focussed and as rewarding to own and ride. Having failed, I bought another SP5 last year and am never ever going to sell it.
Yes the ownership "can" be a brand type thing - Ducati is one of the worlds top designer brands nowadays so you will always get the poseurs joining in but that's the same as many brands - you get out what you put in and want to put in.
I've currently got four ducatis and four hondas. The Ducatis are all about heart, the Hondas all about head but I wouldn't put Triumph into the same ownership experience bracket despite my patriotic leanings....
Go for the Ducati - it's sharp, looks great, is superb handling, superb sounding, and you will never regret and never wipe the huge grin off your face
