2002 Ducati reviews

I decided to jump back into the motorcycle scene now that my kids are a little more self sufficient. I'm a little to old for the severe riding position of the 600's (GSXR etc.). It came down to the Speed Triple and the Monster. I chose the monster! What can I say? It looks amazing and has the performance to match. I have been out riding with friends on supersports and have no trouble keeping up. The handling is inspiring and the acceleration is nice and smooth as the engine is torquey even at low revs. And then there is the intangible of owning "the Ferrari of motorcycles". Everywhere I go, people comment on the beauty. It's the right bike for those of us who want to ride, but don't want the pain and suffering of a supersport. Show less

I always wanted a Duc, my Indian was in the shop, they were making deals on 2002 leftovers. I am 44 and this bike is my 12th it is just a lot of fun. I know it wont beat a honyamakawsuki except maybe in the twisties when it gets tight. Then again it has a lot more class and gets a lot more respect from those that know. Hmmm maybe a MV Agusta next, gonna need a bigger garage. Show less

Still running in but what a dream! Amazingly high (? too high?) 6th gesr gives relaxed cruising but elsewhere the performance (even running in) is electric. Got a Corbin seat which at first I hated as I slipped all over the place. A few pence worth of non-slip kitchen material fixed that! This looks good, feels good and is bloody good. Show less

This bike is so much fun to ride. Though the horsepower is not as great as many sportbikes, it definitely makes up for it in the twisties (and of course that's the best part of riding). I'm 5'5" and 125lbs. The bike is not too heavy or too tall. I'm not flat-footed when I'm on it, but I feel very stable. Every once in a while, I have problems backing up when I'm on it (if ground is sloping). This is a great 2nd bike. I would not recommend it for beginners, because of the torquiness of the bike. Plus it would be an expensive lesson learned to drop this bike (which many beginners do ... I did on my first bike). Overall I would definately recommend this bike. You'll have fun and get a lot of looks on it - Hey it's a Ducati!!! Show less

I didn't ride for about 20 years and saw one of these and new I had to have one. Have not been disappointed. Extraordinary handling, braking, acceleration and ..oh yeah... it is drop dead gorgeous. I have added titanium Leo Vince pipes and a larger rear sprocket. The thing just flat out flies. Buy one. Show less

This bike stirred my insides from the first time I placed eyes on it in the showroom. The exclusivity alone made we want to ride it out of there that day. For the extra $3000 CDN over the 748 model, it was well worth the money. The Marchesini wheels ALONE would cost more than that aftermarket. Even though the seaating position is something to be desired, you will reap the benefits of having forearms like Popeye...but any Ducati enthusiast will know in advance that this has been the same for quite some time now. Performance wise, it could use a little more in the bottom end. Pulling the front end up in 2nd gear is not something that just requires rolling over on the throttle. But that's for the showboats...and this bike is defintitely for a subdued rider that wants to be noticed..and trust me...YOU GET NOTICED! Through the hairpins, this thing handles like a dream...if your 3/4 of your way out of a turn...crank it over...you'll be pleased in all senses. The nice thing about this bike is that it actually looks faster just standing there...for when you see it move, it's like everything is in slow motion...all you can do is loon on in awe and jealousy. If you already own one of these bikes, and are thinking of selling it, shake your head. This model/yr/paint scheme was only available in 2002MY. If you do NOT already have one...and you know where you can get one...JUMP on it. This bike will do nothing but increase in value as time goes by. Investment or pleasure, you will not be disappointed if you have, or are going to have a bike like the 2002 748S. Enjoy!!! Show less

My yellow ST4s has the Duc Corse CF pipes and intake kit, and simply exceeds all of my original expectations for power, speed, handling, ride, and braking, and other than the digital clock never remaining powered (resets when those big amps are drawn for some colds starts), has been perfect in function. The comfort is not at really ST levels in my opinion, but I commute 132 miles/day in the SF Bay area and it works. My other bikes have been 750 and up GSXRs, FZRs, VFRs, CBRs, all big bikes and this Duc really is the nicest, most balanced but capable one of the bunch.I am approaching 40 years old, and that has something to do with the choice, but this thing is really a sleeper 'ST' sub-11 second rocket and it feels it. Show less

I've had the 750SS for almost a year now and I think its one of the most underated bikes. I've had nothing but enjoyable miles and the lean angles on this bike is just tremendous. It just gives you so so much confidence when riding. Though my helmet gets flopped around alot, the bike is ROCK stable when buffetted by strong sidewinds; this even though the bike is rather tall. Power output is adequate and not intimidating. How fast can you go anyway in normal street and back roads riding? It is just a joy to ride. I weigh about 185 pounds. The complaints I have is the clutch which can be a pain after long riding in traffic. The clutch can also be very snatchy at low gears. Finally, the 750SS has so much road presence compared to most other bikes. People look and stare, drivers pull closer at the stops to get a look. Believe me, this bike looks beautiful in the sun, in the person. Sounds so cliche, but photos do not capture the subtleties of the design. The Supersport definitely is a Bike with stacks of character and involvement. Been sounded many times before by Duc owners, but the fact is for all its inadequacies, you know that you are riding something very simple and yet very special. Show less

Ya'll don't wanna want to know how little I paid for mine. Being stationed in Italy is awesome. I've been riding since '78 and from the first time I saw the Paso in a magazine, I knew that one day I'd own a Duc. It wasn't 'til my F2 was stolen about a bit more than a-year-and-half ago that I finally said "Tim, it's time". It took nearly a year to get the yellow ST4S in, but it was worth the wait. In my time here in Europe, I've owned 3 bikes, '87 Hurricane, '91 F2 (still got it, it was recovered after 2 days, undamaged :) ), and now my Duc. I put 12K miles on the hurricane in the states and 70K miles here in Europe. I've put nearly 30K miles on the F2 and 6K on the Duc in the 8 months I've had it. Comfort, comfort, comfort. What a sweet ride. I was so used to the riding positions of the the Honda's, which wasn't that bad, that I didn't know what real comfort was. The stock seat doesn't cut it. If you haven't had the opportunity to try a Sargent's, find someone that has one and give it a whirl. Ducati is now selling the Sargent seat in their catalogs here in Europe (500 or so Euro). Power--well, like some I've heard mention, it seemed to lack in the low end but was still a strong machine. So, I got the Teraminione (forget how to spell it) kit. It came with 1 front and 2 rear sprockets (1 down in front, 1 down and 1 up in rear), K&N air filter, race chip, and carbon fiber slip-ons. I've not changed the sprockets yet but what a boost none-the-less. It's louder by far but what a beautiful thump. I also picked up the rear bag and the Bagster tank bra/bag set (yellow of course). Just be glad that the stateside dealers put your luggage together for you because putting on the racks is a major pain. Three of the guys that I know with this bike, had different fit problems than myself. It's strange how something so standard would fit so differently on 4 of the same model bikes. Another item I don't care for is the battery. Doesn't instill much confidence listening to it crank the engine over. I had to leave it sit for a month, in the cold of course, and when I got back to start it up, battery went to weak to fast. Jump start--easy if you've got the plug-in accessories which happens to be on of the few things I didn't purchase. Getting to the battery can be a hassle too. You can get to it without removing all the fairings, but just barely. I actually removed mine with just the lower right fairing removed. It's really tight but can be done. It has to come out to replace the chip. Since I was in there, I went ahead and hardwired some leads for easy jumping. don't know how long the battery is going to last. The most recent thing I've ordered for it is the European light switch which will give me the capability of turning off the headlight for those hard starting days. If you've got the chance to get 'em better do it quick because Italy just went to the headlights on for motorcycles all the time law. I said I wouldn't tell you how much I paid, and I won't, but I will tell you that with all the extras I've put on it, I still paid less the Stateside MSRP. Even with the small annoyances, this is by far the best bike I've owned or ridden. I've got nothing but beautiful curvy mountain roads, one minute from my front door, anyone care to join me. This Ducati is incredible. Show less

I was thinking about a K1200RS but tested the new ST4s and changed my mind. I have Beemer for cruising with the wife and the 4s is for one-up sport touring. Great power, great sound and real soul. This is BY FAR the most fun you can have on two wheels. Couple of upgrades make it even better: 1) get the Sargent seat 2) put on the Stayintune polished pipes 3) change the front drive sprocket to 14 teeth vs stock 15 (too tall) and 4) and Hot Grips elctric grips if you tour in the winter. This bike is fantastic! Show less