Help! BMW vs. Ducati

[JST2KWIK]

I am deciding between a 2012 BMW S1000RR and a 2011 Ducati Superbike 1198 as my next bike. Anyone who has experience with either, particularly the duc, could you please share some things you like and don't like about either/each? I am test driving the BMW tomorrow but the Ducati is in Ohio so I won't be getting out to see that until next week.

Through my research I've determined that the BMW is:
-easier to ride
-more impressive on paper
-similar to the jap bikes with a BMW price tag (and impressive technology i.e. DTC and ABS)
-everyone wants one and very few are up for sale privately



I haven't been able to find many unbiased opinions of the Ducati (mostly just Ducati aficionados drooling over it) but have determined:
-the clutch/engine noise is a love/hate deal
-it is more raw and unforgiving than the German
-better build quality/craftsmanship
-the thing is ****ing beautiful



Thoughts?! I am very torn... the BMW I am looking at has fewer miles, and is closer to me, but is $2k more than the Duc and has had two owners already. It's also black which just looks bland. The 1198 on the other hand is a one owner with ~1,400 miles, gorgeous red, but it's freakin' 7 hours away.

[mcperson2k]

I vote BMW. The only people I have ever seen say anything negative about them, are the people who have never been on one, but dat ducati...

[yellow2000S/R]

Both bikes look great.

I vote husqvarna nuda 900r. Haha. I follow RoyalJordanian on YouTube and love the sound of that bike.


I've only ever had an 08 FZ6 that was stripped down to a streetfighter style tho.

[JST2KWIK]

Originally Posted by mcperson2k

I vote BMW. The only people I have ever seen say anything negative about them, are the people who have never been on one, but dat ducati...

Yeah I've only really heard that the BMW doesn't have as much character as the Ducati's and that it's ugly (which I disagree with).

The Ducati is just so attractive.. I'd honestly probably spend more time looking at it than riding it

Originally Posted by yellow2000S/R

Both bikes look great.

I vote husqvarna nuda 900r. Haha. I follow RoyalJordanian on YouTube and love the sound of that bike.


I've only ever had an 08 FZ6 that was stripped down to a streetfighter style tho.

That Husqvarna is a badass looking supermoto. I'm pretty set on a sport bike though.


I'm checking out the BMW in a few hours so we'll see how it goes

[Got Insulin?]

DKram on here has a Duc (or several?). He might be able lend some insight from an ownership perspective.

[Vr-4-Life]

I've ridden both bikes and I'll say that the BMW will outperform the superbike. Also, the BMWs engine beyond smooth.

Maintenance is expensive with any Ducati. 7500 miles is a 600 dollar service, the 12k mile one is more than that.

The Ducatis are better looking, better sounding, and have more of a soul. I'd get the 1199 over the 1198 or S1000RR though.

[JST2KWIK]

Bought the S1000 I'll post pics in the gallery later

[TurboBoost]

BMW for the performance, Ducati for the style. Either way is a good choice.