Greetings!

Just signed up! I've been saving for a Tricolore for a while and will be heading back to the US after an 18 month stint working in Australia. Going to sell my BMW in Oz and put the funds towards a Tri when I get back at Xmas.

SO the million dollar question is.... do I get one this year or wait for the R in 2013?
Seriously though, what benefits will the R have over the current Tri? Are Ducati addressing the lack of midrange on the bike? Are there any benefits to waiting?(other than the price of the 2012's coming down when the 2013 is released) I'm attracted to the Pani because a) it is beautiful and b) the electronic suspension will hopefully compensate somewhat for my more than ample frame. (!)

Educate me, people!!!

About me: I LOVE sportbikes. Have owned just about every type of bike (except a cruiser) and currently have an MV F4 and Gixxer 1K race bike in my stable amongst others. I am an enthusiast with 33 years riding experience and at 280 lbs, can truly be considered a fat ........ I don't drag knee (cos my legs are too short) but can hold my own with all but the best of the best - by which I mean I regularly do track days and can usually lap in the top 10% of A class..... despite my fat ass. Yup - you gotta see it to believe it LOL
I live in the canyons of SoCal and LOVE LOVE LOVE to ride. Fast but safely.

I've done a bit of research and decided I'm not going to like the R as much as the Tri (hate that silver tank) As the Pani has been out a little while now and we've seen where its flaws are, is there a particular date which bikes are built after that will have improved overall build?
For example: Bikes built after June 2012 will have all recall items addressed and modified ECU maps. -that sort of thing.
I know about the oil sight hole but short of that, whats a 2013 Tri going to have over a 2012?

AND is it worth having a pre-Audi Ducati? (resale value/reliability?) I plan on keeping the bike long term

Lots of questions I kno......

I don't think pre post audi ownership will affect the bike, I'm hoping the administration of the company will be more efficient but hopefully they don't interfere too badly with ducati. Resale is going to suck, know that going into it. Not sure of your circumstances but you might consider a leftover 12 as you can get a discount on those. vs a 13

Aside from the oil sight glass all 13 panis will come with abs standard.

Marcoma said:

I've done a bit of research and decided I'm not going to like the R as much as the Tri (hate that silver tank) As the Pani has been out a little while now and we've seen where its flaws are, is there a particular date which bikes are built after that will have improved overall build?
For example: Bikes built after June 2012 will have all recall items addressed and modified ECU maps. -that sort of thing.
I know about the oil sight hole but short of that, whats a 2013 Tri going to have over a 2012?

AND is it worth having a pre-Audi Ducati? (resale value/reliability?) I plan on keeping the bike long term

Lots of questions I kno......

Click to expand...

I'm going for a Tri so I'll get ABS anyways.

You answered the one question that has been bugging me and that is if it is worth waiting for a 2013. Short answer (for me at least) is no. I don't plan on selling the bike and will keep it as part of my rideable collection so thats really good to know (I'm not a collector of bikes but everyone has to start somewhere, right?)

Much appreciated. Thanks Chris.

wonder y u think resale value will suck....every duc i have sold...i only lost 4k off of retail tops!!

Resale is a bit of a moot point for me as I don't plan on selling it - however, $4K off the new price for a bike with not a lot of miles on it sounds like a deal too good to pass up.

I've already found a Tri in Minneapolis going for under $24K. Deals are out there to be had