Topic: 848 Ducati vs Triumph Speed Triple

[motocyconomad]

I am trying to pick.... either one of these would be good but I'd like to hear from everyone. Opinions , owners , whatever.
I'm leaning towards the triple because its naked and has real handle bars like by eternally beloved '78CB750k. But ducs are fast and cool too

[climbingaz]

Two very different bikes IMO.  848's are saweeeet, but well known to be torture racks.  Speed 3 is by far the better all-arounder.  Sort of depends what you are using it for, type of riding, etc.

[motocyconomad]

long very high speed and everything in between riding and I go to down into Mexico and centroamerica. I dont think the ducati can take that kind of punishment (road condition wise. I'm sure the motor would hold up)  gas fussy bikes are, no bueno.  Idunnknow.

[CBGhia]

Ducati monster? 

My Monster ran on good ol 87 and never had an issue.  I miss that damn bike. 

[FunJimmy]

long very high speed and everything in between riding and I go to down into Mexico and centroamerica. I dont think the ducati can take that kind of punishment (road condition wise. I'm sure the motor would hold up)  gas fussy bikes are, no bueno.  Idunnknow.

I've ridden two Speed Triples, and every time I get off of one I promise myself that I too will soon own a Speed Triple. I would be surprised if there is anything a Speed Triple can’t do very well.

Ducati’s are exotic, but try touring on one and you’ll be trading it in.

[HawaiiMike]

Speed triples are great.  I've heard Ducatis will cost you a fortune in tuneups too, because of the desmo valves.

[Hot500]

Do yourself a favour and take a test ride on a KTM Superduke 990. Naked bike, big V Twin grunt, top shelf everything, Marchesini wheels, brembo brakes, braided lines brake and clutch, WP suspension. Rated at 118hp but 125-126 is achievable with a ton more torque than a Speed triple will ever make.

Look around and you will find new old stock '08 or '09 models going for a song. These bikes are all class. 

[Hush]

Guy I know bought a triple, he does a lot of two up riding and he and his lady are not light weights, he found he couldn't keep up with his riding group and he had to think seriously about passing anything as it was so underpowered (two up).
Anyway he traded it on a new 1500cc Suzi bulovard which he managed to lay down after only a few weeks, he now owns a Harley fatboy, maybe you shouldn't read too much into my mate's tale of woe.

[lordmoonpie]

There's a load of guff talked about Ducati reliability, it's largely from those who haven't owned a ducati for any length of time or are just repeating hearsay. Ducati's are full of character yes, they are not japanese sewing machine motors, they have all sorts of quirks, however, they will reward your fast and capable riding with no end of fun. Speed triples are geat and I'll fly the flag for Triumph any day but it's Ducatis that partner my SOHC fours in my garage not triumphs and it has been for the last 15 years.

They run as well as any bike on modern fuel. My 888 often stands for many months with fuel in the tank and always starts first prod of the starter button when I come to ride it. Servicing as long as it's done to the book requirements by a competent mechanic is neither difficult nor expensive unless you insist on taking it to the top notch plastic and glass glitzy showrooms of the top ducati dealers.

They're not called "The Ferrari of motorbikes" for nothing....but just in case there's a few eye openers for those about to buy their first Ducati that you can find on www.ducatisti.co.uk...ownership is an experience, you're buying into a unique brand with tons of flair and character.

[KB02]

There's a load of guff talked about Ducati reliability, it's largely from those who haven't owned a ducati for any length of time or are just repeating hearsay. Ducati's are full of character yes, they are not japanese sewing machine motors, they have all sorts of quirks, however, they will reward your fast and capable riding with no end of fun. Speed triples are geat and I'll fly the flag for Triumph any day but it's Ducatis that partner my SOHC fours in my garage not triumphs and it has been for the last 15 years.

They run as well as any bike on modern fuel. My 888 often stands for many months with fuel in the tank and always starts first prod of the starter button when I come to ride it. Servicing as long as it's done to the book requirements by a competent mechanic is neither difficult nor expensive unless you insist on taking it to the top notch plastic and glass glitzy showrooms of the top ducati dealers.

They're not called "The Ferrari of motorbikes" for nothing....but just in case there's a few eye openers for those about to buy their first Ducati that you can find on www.ducatisti.co.uk...ownership is an experience, you're buying into a unique brand with tons of flair and character.

Here, here!
I've got a Monster 750. I bought it new in 2000 and it is my daily rider. I LOVE it and have NO problems passing anyone with it, even with my wife on the back. My 748cc, two value engine is the ancestor of the 848 4 valve engine (or so is my understanding) and if I have no problems with my Duc, you'll love the 848.

The speed triple will be slightly nicer to your wrists as it has a slightly more upright seating position, but other than that it would be a tough choice. I would take the duc. Bu that's me.

[motocyconomad]

its tough I like handle bars, but Ive lusted for a Ducati for like 10 years. It started with the early monsters. I appreciate everyones input. them 2011 headlights are a no go for the Triple I'd be getting last years model (2010) if I got it.

[KB02]

Yeah. I'd have to agree with that, too.

[bikerbart]

speed triple for sure.

[motocyconomad]

it's leaning that way ....then I'll get a lightly used 848...

[Greggo]

Two guys I work with have the Triumphs, one the Street, one the Speed, and they both love them and never have problems.  Then there's another guy with a slightly older (200?) Ducati that causes him endless problems.  It recently sat in the garage at work for a week with electronic problems.

That said...I want an 848...they're sex on two wheels.

[motocyconomad]

That said...I want an 848...they're sex on two wheels.

+1
I agree absolutley I think if one was to get one thats pretty unmolested that you could treat it right and get ...well you know

[lordmoonpie]

Two guys I work with have the Triumphs, one the Street, one the Speed, and they both love them and never have problems.  Then there's another guy with a slightly older (200?) Ducati that causes him endless problems.  It recently sat in the garage at work for a week with electronic problems.

That said...I want an 848...they're sex on two wheels.

You got to compare like with like though. The triumph guys might lavish their machines with love and the ducati guy dump it in the yard and never touch it. I've got three hondas and a yamaha in my garage and none of them run, all of them with electrical and ignition problems. I also have three ducatis that get left for weeks between rides and they have never ever let me down. One of those, my 888 SP5 I have owned for many years too and it's always been consistently good.

A lot of the stuff about Ducati reliability was built up in the Darmah days when electrics were made of cheese and sadly that mud has stuck often with little foundation in the modern Ducati world. As I said I'd buy the Duc even though I shoudl be flying the flag for a UK brand but the best advice I can give you is go ride both for a few hours and you will get your comparison.

For me, my Ducati is like a 2 year old child. It's beautiful, it's mine, sometimes it can frustrate the hell out of me with it's character traits but if anyone tries to take it off me, I'll kill 'em!