Demo bike or new bike?

[tozes]

My dealership is expecting to get a few MTS 950 from the factory to sell for a discounted price and I can't decide whether to take one of those or if I'm better off with a brand new bike.
These bikes aren't dealership test bikes but rather the bikes Ducati uses for promo events for the press and so on. The sales rep said that the price should be between 15% - 20% lower than a new bike and kms up to 5000.

My concern is mostly about engine break-in because I have no idea how these bikes have been ridden. On the other hand, being under the control of the factory I would like to believe they took some care.

What do you guys think?

[Darsey]

if I had've had the choice I would have bought the discounted bike if it is 20% cheaper

[DonStrada]

20% sounds like a pretty heavy discount. I think you are right to be concerned about the break - in being done correctly though. I hear reviewers remark about the bike not being refined and people finding the gearbox finicky etc. Mine had 4km on it when I drove it off the lot and now has a little less than 4000kms so I know the break - in was done correctly. The bike is now smooth and the gearbox is great - just a beautiful working machine. I'm inclined to think that it matters how the bike is broken in.

When I took the Ducati test drive the salesman remarked that the test drive bikes were not broken in properly. The drive I was on was very spirited for a group test ride - gee it was fun but no way those bikes were all being driven below 6000RPM like the break in procedure calls for.

Sounds like you have a tough call. A 20% discount up front might be worth taking even if you end up having troubles down the road since the savings could offset some repairs.

FWIW I had very little discounting on mine but have zero regrets.

[off_again]

If the dealer throws in a multi-year warranty with no deductibles (excess) then its probably a good deal - that way, should anything go wrong, Ducati will pick up the cost, and if its terminal, they will usually just replace rather than rebuild. So might be worth looking into if you get that piece of mind.

[tozes]

They do offer some warranty, there's 2 years from the moment the bike was activated by Ducati so there's still more than a year left. Plus any repairs between the end of the factory warranty and the 2 years after the purchase, the dealership offers free labor and 50% off for the parts for any repairs so that's not too bad.

It's a tough call indeed. In one hand I kinda prefer the peace of mind of the new bike but north of 15% down is really hard to ignore. I guess I'll have to try the bikes to see how they feel and make sure everything runs smooth, at least to the extent of my knowledge, before committing.

[Yukon42]

When I bought mine I had the opportunity to purchase a demo bike the dealer had (some 60 miles on the clock) at very little discount or wait for 3 days and get a brand new one fresh out of the crate.  Took the new one and never looked back.  That being said, if they would have offered 15 to 20% discount I would have put some thought into it.  However, having attended several bike events and seen how demo/media bikes are treated it would be a very difficult decision to make.  I've seen riders stomping the heck out of the shifter when it wouldn't down shift because of a stiff gear box that hadn't had a chance to wear in yet and people hard on he brakes before they are bedded in.  With up to 5000km on the clock, lord knows what they've been through.  Good luck with the decision.

[tozes]

So being patient paid off here.

I decided to wait and at least have a look at the demo bikes before making a call and it turned out really well.

The demo bike was activated by Ducati in the end of May but was actually never ridden. It has 3km on the clock!! The tradeoffs are 6 months less on the factory warranty and I couldn't chose the color so I ended up with the slower white one (or is it?? ). Can't complain though, I got 10% discount and my dealer gives extra 6 months of free labour and 50% off parts in case some repair is needed after the factory warranty is over.

Can't wait to pic it up tomorrow 

Anyway, here's a photo:

[thenozzle]

Nice one tozes , you are right Red is faster enjoy your new bike it appeared to of been worth the wait 

[Darsey]

Class looking bike tozes, even a brand new bike would have 3km on it for the pi run so happy biking, keep us informed of how you get on. I put a washer in at the bottom bolt on the screen of mine (about 25mm with longer bolt) and the screen is perfect for me. First bike that I have had that I didn't have to try a multiplicity of screens before I got the right one. OEM is spot on with washer on the bottom

[pmxbmega]

I did buy the demo as well, it was 1990Kms and get a good discount, and also have negotiate the top case in the price too :)