I am thrilled to discover a Ducati dealer around the corner from my house, as I have been lusting after one for some time now. So yesterday I walk in and they have a 1098, an 848 and a Monster 695.

I am drawn to the Monster and sit on it. I love it. My wife loves it. It is a great big love in.

The owner is in the shop, its a small place. He comes over and tells me the price. I am thinking its ok. He puts the key in the ignition and the OD lights up with 298 KMS on it (186 miles).

I say, hey this bike is used. He denies it, gives some vague explanation about how the Kms got on there.

So we have a an '08 Monster with 298 kms on the OD, which I doubt have been ridden following break-in procedures, for as far as I can tell being offered at full price. BUT...

Here's the thing. I live in Mexico. The dealers here don't stock many bikes. If you want to order a bike, you have to put a 50% deposit down and pay the rest when the bike arrives. You can only finance a bike that they have in stock. No test rides.

I called all the other dealers within 6 hours of here. Almost all of them are order only, they don't stock any models ever. If they have a bike at all its usually a 1098, which I can't afford.

To top it off, the owner starts the bike up and it dies after about 10 seconds. He laughs nervously and starts it again, blipping the throttle until he's sure it won't die.

Would you walk away? My gut tells me to run, that its a bad idea, that I should find another way.

But I love her. What would you do?

walk away. can you get a bike from a stateside dealer?
how about financing from the bank and just walk in with a check for the full amount. you'll get better rates too.

I'm curious, do the tires have wear?

that's kinda wierd. my bike was delivered with 7 miles on it.

The startup thing is normal though. My 695 always needs a little throttle love before ready to idl by itself.

I'd be less worried about the bike itself than the dealer.   Unless you are going to do all the maintenance yourself (and that's excepting any warranty issues that crop up),  your dealer is the single most important factor in your Duc owning experience.   Most people's frustrations are with the dealer, not with their bike.

walk if the dealer gives you a bad feeling.

Statler's got the answer again.  Chances are the bike is fine, but the dealer lied.

Thanks for the replies so far.

I didn't look hard at the tires, but I remember glancing and thinking they didn't look worn, but they had seen the street and had been cleaned up with armor all or the like. I can always go back and look harder.

As for the dealer vibe, my gut also says run away. He was kinda slimy. We had a great time at a Harley dealer the day before (my wife wants me to get a Sportster so that when I tire of it I'll pass it to her) and that experience was stuck in our heads. I wished it had been so at the Duc dealer, but alas...

Signs seem to point at finding another solution to my Duc lust. I'll keep looking, no hurry.  

AHHHHHHH he put armor all on the tires?

Quote from: Raux on September 06, 2008, 09:48:30 AM
AHHHHHHH he put armor all on the tires?

Make sure you find a way to get that crap off the rubber before you take the bike for any rides.  That is unless you want it to feel like it has a couple pads of melting butter under the tires. 

Armour-All on the tires equals...
http://www.youtube.com/v/Jpoe7Fp9eO4&hl=en&fs=1
Yeah something sounds hinky about that dealer.

Thats not armor all on tires, thats just new tires with grease still on it from putting the tire on.

You wanna see what happens when you have armor on your tires? just kick your bike when its on the sidestand. itll save you the trouble of scratching your gear.

Mine had 39 miles when i got it. Thats not really close to 186 though.

mine, what hte previous owner told me atleast, said it was a demo bike and had about 250 on it. bike runs great minus the fueling hiccups and the valve guides. both are known issues with that specific bike though. 1 being taken care of as we speak, and the other is going to be solved with a PCIII (hopefully)

Quote from: He Man on September 06, 2008, 12:43:55 PM
Thats not armor all on tires, thats just new tires with grease still on it from putting the tire on.

You wanna see what happens when you have armor on your tires? just kick your bike when its on the sidestand. itll save you the trouble of scratching your gear.

so what the hell do you have to do right after you get new tires? I am getting them soon and shortly have a track day.. I would cry if that happens to me.. poor dude on the video.. 

Quote from: Cucciolo on September 07, 2008, 11:26:26 AM
so what the hell do you have to do right after you get new tires? I am getting them soon and shortly have a track day.. I would cry if that happens to me.. poor dude on the video.. 

Ride easy for the first 50-100 miles. Pretend you're in the rain.