How much is too much (kilometers)?

Jazu · Post by **Jazu** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:39 am

Hi!
I am considering to buy a Paso 906 Desmo '89.
I'm just wondering about how much can you drive with these things? This has allready over 100 000km of experience and last bigger service was done on 80 000km (I'm not sure what's done).

Would there be any sense in buying this? I have no previously experience of ducati's and neither have I ever done any bigger services by my self. What kind of voises and things should I be looking for on testdrive (for finding fatal failures)?

Post by **paso750** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:15 pm

100.000km is really a lot although there`re some bikes around with even higher milage.
Sooner or later you should consider an engine rebuilt. However the bike was treated it may need new engine bearings, steering head bearing etc, fork rebuild ...
This should be checked in detail. Cecking the engine of cousre is about impossible. Only indication are "unnormal" noises, rattling, vibrations when driving.
How much does it cost ? With that milage it should be really cheap. I only know one or 2 Pasos with similar milage.

Gerhard

lceriani · Post by **lceriani** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:39 pm

As Gerhard said, usually at 100.000Km the engine should be completeley rebuilt: I mean completely disassembled and checked for every wear limit indicated by the Service Manual!

This is usually so expensive that very few people do it, but it is necessary to guarantee that it would last for long, because the common 10/20.000Km checks don't refer to engine internal components. Morevoer with the Paso there's the problem that not all the spare parts are available at reasonable prices...

If you are able to do it by yourself, it can worth the effort.
If you plan to have it done by a Ducati Service, it should be cheaper to buy a new bike

Otherwise, just don't expect to run for other 100.000 Km...

LC

PS: I only know of an Aprilia CapoNord that reached 100.000Km in about 6 years and the Aprilia Service called for fome technical journalist to attend to the full engine revision!

Jazu · Post by **Jazu** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:56 pm

The prize is 3000-3500euro. I don't think that this is too much becaus I have seen one almost 7000euros

. But as I mentioned, I have no experience in repairing things -> so I should by a bike wich would not require full disassembly and stuff (I don't even have premices for that kind of work)..

So I should check that there is done a huge service to engine, and "distributorbelt + piston rings"-type of service is not enough.. And if the whole engine is checked, then there should not be any problems? hmm.. Maby the prize could indicate, that there has not been done any expensive repairs in immediate past..

Now I have a Suzuki XN85Turbo '86, and I would be changing this to paso. Maby I am doing a mistake.. Maby not

As we say here in Finland, Elämä on.. -> Life is..

redpaso · Post by **redpaso** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 12:54 am

Check that the belts have been replaced. This should be done every 20,000 Km, if not they need to be done as a belt failure can be extremely disastarous. (could be a bargianing tool)

Check that the bike does not have signs of abuse & looks well cared for. Check around the steering head for cracks in the frame, should not be any.Also check for fuel tank leaks that have been reported I think around the front of the tank. Ask how often oil changes are done. Should be every 2500 - 3000 Km.

When you ride the 906 remember it has a dry clutch so it will rattle, this is normal. the clutch can also feel heavy as a result.

If it is still running the original Weber carbs, even if set up properly she is likely to be a dog to ride around town. take it out on a good stretch for the test ride. Once on the open road she comes into her own. It will not be the fastest bike you ever ride & accelleration is not likely to snap your neck but you will be doing illegal speeds before you realise it.

Steering the 906 (if still fitted with the original 16" rims) requires you to force the bike where you want it to go, it wont fight you but likes to be told where to go. Tyres for the 16" rims are limited & the standard fitment Michelin A59/A39's require more force to steer as they wear. I have ridden many Jap & European bikes & the Paso is definately my favourite for a good set of twisties. She will hold her own on a good windy road & as the motor has so much torque you do not need to be up & down through the gears as you would on a jap screamer.

Remember it is a 16 year old Ducati & ride it with this in mind.
Some spares are hard to get such as mirror/indicator pods but this is a good site to track them down. Not all Ducati dealers are keen on working on older Dukes either so if you find a good mechanic or are inclined to do the work your self you should be fine.

I have an '89 906 & have 85,000 Km on it. she is going strong & looks set to do so for a long time yet. If the bike has been looked after it could be a good buy. The Pantah motor is strong & simple & treated well will last a long time.

Hope this helps & please keep us posted on what you do .

Post by **paso750** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 8:58 am

is 3-3.500 really a good price !? Specially for a bike with that milage. Don`t let us talk about list prices but for what they are sold.

here`s a ner to perfect and tuned 750 for € 3180 (in the US, so it would be + shipping and import tax)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-S ... enameZWDVW

here`re some 750s and a 907ie with 65K km for € 1.990
http://mobile.de/SIDVdiClmAgT-GOk8UY5Vk ... Search.y=0

the 750s in the link above or this one are tried to be sold for a long time, but noone wants them as the price is too high. I see that the 906 is worth more, but regarding the milage ? Just to have an indication I would search for ads and compare the prices.
http://cgi.ebay.de/Ducati-750-Paso_W0QQ ... dZViewItem

Services at your Duc dealer can cost specially if he starts to "find things".

Gerhard

Jazu · Post by **Jazu** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 9:34 am

paso750 wrote:is 3-3.500 really a good price !? Specially for a bike with that milage. Don`t let us talk about list prices but for what they are sold.

Yes. You are absolutely right! BUT.. You have so much cheaper bikes there in germany and other lands, than we here in finland. e.g. if I would by my dream bike Yamaha V-Max '95-99, I would have to pay for it 9000-12000e!! and you guys have those for 5000-6000e.. + if I would import it from other coutry (EU), I would have to pay taxes wich are calculated from finnish prizes, and the importing it self is not free either.. So the total prize would be really near our own prizes..

So I don't think that this bike has too much prize on the tag, but I am wondering, that will it be too expensive to me for service it if it needs full service..
BTW. We do not even have that cheap (1900e)bikes here. Cheapest 125cc (from year 1990) bikes starts from 1000e and cheapest 600cc (from 80's) 2500euros..

Well.. I'll really have to think about this paso thing... Im also itresed of Duces ST3 and ST4, but those are maby too expensive for me right now..

jomo · Post by **jomo** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 1:13 pm

Hey Red,

About 58K on my dry clutch and it is absolutely silent! Grease the mushroom shaped thing on the end of the piston in the clutch cover. My mate has an ST2 with the noise, but I see varying reports as to whether it is a dry or wet clutch. I must investigate further.

Jasu,

100,000km is a lot of use, and major repairs are getting closer. I hear of large kilometres without problems mechanically. Try to get a local Ducati specialist to check it out.

The Suzuki is something you should put away for the future, but buy all the parts now for restoration. That will be a classic in the future!

Post by **paso750** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 6:18 pm

Hey Jazu,

I didn`t have an idea that things were so expensive up north.

G.

Finnpaso · Post by **Finnpaso** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 5:27 pm

..... Life is !!! At least here in Finland..... We have here very high "car taxes", like in mc also, so You guys dont know, how expensive it is here to drive with Ducatis

But somebody, like me wants sooooo much drive with Pasos, that i can spend some money to them.... Life is.... But surely, if love enough these bikes, then better start to learn things, how to maintain these bikes... These are VERY expensive machines, if need to make maintains in normal Ducati dealer. I dont have so much money, so i have to do it myself

Finnpaso
Paso 750
Paso 907iE

(both red and well maintained....)

Beilby · Post by **Beilby** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 6:30 am

Heh, well mine has done about 115,000km, and it is getting pretty tired! Mind you I ride it everywhere and don't spare the horses.

I've had it since '96, and to be fair I reckon it is pretty remarkable that it has lasted as long as it has.