Salvage 1299 Superleggera

I found a 1299 Superleggera with a salvage title that was backed into by someones truck. The bike has been fully repaired and inspected and looks good to go. It has 2000 miles on it currently. Is this a crazy idea to buy it or no? I plan on having it inspected a Ducati dealership before doing anything of course.

Here is what was replaced according to the seller: Both side fairings, the handlebar ends, handlebars, levers, right rear set. The tail and front cowl were also professionally touched up due to some small scratches.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

This thing has been for sale for a while 50k?

endodoc said:

This thing has been for sale for a while 50k?

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Correct, not what I would pay though.

My opinion and only my opinion (have to do that around here). I would definitely consider it if I could verify the integrity of some key components specifically the frame, swing arm, rear subframe. To do this, would require a fairly invasive look at the pieces themselves specifically attachment points and lamination integrity in general.

Secondly, I would want the chassis (swing arm, engine case, swing arm mounts and mainframe) checked for assembled alignment. That swing arm is a carbon metal matrix. Very strong but very fragile in the wrong circumstances. Since you have no way of knowing the severity of the impact, I would assume on the side of caution. I would assume that you are buying a crashed motorcycle which, according to DMV, you would be.

Now all that being said, the local Ducati shop doesn’t have the tools to check this stuff. Their techs other than a visual glance (and that assumes a tear down so they could see anything) do not have the ability to detect structural damages to composite materials. The service department isn’t going to do much other than look at it.

If you really want it, and the price is right, you will have to decide what course of action to pursue to make you comfortable with the purchase.

I question whether a fender bender and replacing the parts listed above would total the bike. I know the parts are expensive but do they add up to what’s necessary for an insurance company to total the bike? I’d give the parts list to the dealer and see if it is willing to help you figure out the answer.

youpaiyou said:

I question whether a fender bender and replacing the parts listed above would total the bike. I know the parts are expensive but do they add up to what’s necessary for an insurance company to total the bike? I’d give the parts list to the dealer and see if it is willing to help you figure out the answer.

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I have that call scheduled for tomorrow

Gorgeous bike.

OP, what do you intend to do with it? Just own/collect a thing of beauty? Sunday rides on the street? Track/race?

TomFoolery said:

Gorgeous bike.

OP, what do you intend to do with it? Just own/collect a thing of beauty? Sunday rides on the street? Track/race?

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Mostly the first two, maybe a track day or two.

If I may add, carbon is either works or it doesn't, there is no half way. If you cannot see any visual signs of damage, hairlines, spiderwebs, delam, whitish spots etc then I would be confident its ok. What may NOT be ok is the join to alloy but that depends on how it is joined. The good news is that carbon is au natural so you can inspect it easily.

Also falling over is pretty minor and unlikely to damage anything but cosmetics

Paul G said:

If I may add, carbon is either works or it doesn't, there is no half way. If you cannot see any visual signs of damage, hairlines, spiderwebs, delam, whitish spots etc then I would be confident its ok. What may NOT be ok is the join to alloy but that depends on how it is joined. The good news is that carbon is au natural so you can inspect it easily.

Also falling over is pretty minor and unlikely to damage anything but cosmetics

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Yea, that is my mindset too. I got the story from the guy and verified it with the local Ducati dealership. Guy parked it behind his truck, started backing up and knocked it over. Didn't run it over or anything, but did a number on the fairings.

Personally, I'd steer clear, unless you just want it as a track weapon.

For me, we usually sell this items after a period of ownership, and any barrier to purchase you are experiencing now, will be heightened down the line.

I would slap some numbers on it and race it in the twins class with AFM. Pin it to win it. How much is it for sale?

navigator said:

I would slap some numbers on it and race it in the twins class with AFM. Pin it to win it. How much is it for sale?

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Aiming to get him to $40k

If that bike is straight, someone is taking a hell of a loss which does beg the question. If the mishap was as described and all they did was replace some cosmetic pieces, how do you end up with a salvage title? That sounds weird

I'm guessing that those panels are pretty expensive! Superleggera tax.

The left and right fairings are 4200.00 each. Maybe 1k for the rest of the pieces. So he’s out 10k to put the bike back into somewhat 2000 mile new condition and he’s selling it as a salvage for 40K. Considering the initial 85+ purchase price plus 10k for the boo boo, someone is taking an unnecessary bath. If it’s legit, buy it before the owner comes to his senses. The salvage title makes no sense, not with 10-11k damage and that’s retail

endodoc said:

The left and right fairings are 4200.00 each. Maybe 1k for the rest of the pieces. So he’s out 10k to put the bike back into somewhat 2000 mile new condition and he’s selling it as a salvage for 40K. Considering the initial 85+ purchase price plus 10k for the boo boo, someone is taking an unnecessary bath. If it’s legit, buy it before the owner comes to his senses. The salvage title makes no sense, not with 10-11k damage and that’s retail

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This ^^^

Something doesn’t add up.

Paul G said:

If I may add, carbon is either works or it doesn't, there is no half way. If you cannot see any visual signs of damage, hairlines, spiderwebs, delam, whitish spots etc then I would be confident its ok.

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Paul “experting” like Steven. lol

“Step 2 – Inspect the damage to determine its actual size. Carbon fiber is a brittle material. While it may be crushed in, it will not bend and stay bent like metals. The actual damaged area, including cracks in the resin, delaminations between layers, etc., often extends well beyond the visible damage. The extent of the “hidden damage” is very important to know and will determine the size of the eventual repair…. Note: other methods of non-destructive inspection utilizing ultrasonic phased array, thermography or other techniques may be required for determining damage in thicker laminates or for larger, more complex damage repairs not covered in this article.”

From:

https://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/carbon-fiber-structural-repair/

Considering what I previously said about the fact that this thing has been for sale for quite a while, something is not right with the story or the situation.

To piggyback on @endodoc’s point, the story is only going to get more convoluted when the OP turns around to sell the bike 5, 10, 15 years from now.