Modern Vespa

I have located a 2006 Ducati Super Sport 1000 DS that is in amazing condition although it does have a salvage title. The owner assures me that the frame is straight and all the bodywork was done well.

I guess my only real concern would be resale down the road. But since the bike is such a great deal, I'm not sure I would be selling it anytime soon.

The price is right but I'm unsure about a salvage title and what else could come with it as far as problems.

It has 13k on the clock and is $4,000.

I'd get a second opinion from a qualified mechanic. Seems like a great price. I'm still looking for a Sport Classic GT1000 with the hard bags.. You got any pictures to show?
Other problems might be what the insurance company would pay in the event of a loss.

I used to own a Ducati. Frames are very very fragile on those bikes. I have friends that used to race them and are now master mechanics of Ducati. They told me that sometimes the frames would be slightly off from factory and would send them out GMD Computrack (Precision 3-D Alignment Shop) to get them sorted. Only done cause they had the money and were some picky mofo's. You are going to have a hard time re selling it down the road, Ducati guys are one of the pickiest riders around and will buy nothing but the best. But if you like the bike as in REALLY LIKE being ur dream bike and want to keep it then its a good deal.
Honestly my personal opinion is that the price is not a hell of a deal, its good to fair, more on the fair side. Considering that the bike is salvage with 13K miles and I didnt quite get it but you mentioned something about the fairings being well done, do you mean repaired? Fairings (and parts) are extremely expensive on ducati. I once need a side tank fairing for a Hypermotard and it cost around $580, the fairing is the size of a basket ball.
Also consider when was the last valve and belt adjustment done. Its not something easily done by any mechanic since the valve system is pretty different then other bike and has to be done by Ducati mechanic, it will cost anywhere from $500 to $800 bucks.
I for one will never ever buy a Ducati again

Have the bike inspected by someone who knows what to look for. Like anything else if it was repaired properly it may be a good bike.

I would like to know who repaired the bike....

Sounds like the Vietnam Boogies.......

Another thing you want to consider is upgrades!!! Upgrades are very expensive on Ducs. I remember wanting a slipon for my hypermotard and it was $1900, YES FOR A SLIPON.
$2500 for the Full System.

I just took a quick peek on the Ducati.ms forum and saw a couple (very few) 02-06 anywhere from $4500-$7000 but surly negotiable. All had less miles, clean title, and some (most) had upgrades

Any way to figure out how it got a salvage title? I mean, that's the big question no?

If it got a salvage because the thing got body work damaged and that was expensive to fix but doesn't impact the bike itself, awesome. If it got a salvage cos it's been in a wreck that turned it into a pretzel....

Call your insurance agent and make sure they will insure it. Many companys will not write a policy for a vehicle with a salvage title.

-Craig

My car has a salvage title. I got it for half the book value and expect that if I sell it I would get the same minus any additional depreciation. The above advice is good. My insurance company (Farm Breau) will insure it but it would be the same rate as if it had a clean title but if there were a loss they would only pay out the salvage title value, so I only have liability insurance.

+1......Good answer. Some won't. And the value of the bike will never lose the stigma of having the salvage title no matter how good it looks or rides.........or how many mechanics say that it's okay. The value will be severely diminished. Personally, I would never buy a vehicle with a salvage title. Others do, so just think about the pro's & cons before you lay down your money.

I looked at that very model of Ducati recently, similar story: minor spill, broken gauge mounts, minor body work damage, low mileage, insurance write off, bargain price, couldn't bring myself to do it, too many "ifs"

If the frame is straight and if the motor healthy its a decent deal. But parts are damned expensive for those things and they are notoriously fragile. You better be very sure of what you're getting and very comfortable working on it as Desmodromics aren't for the faint of heart. How does the owner know the frame is straight? By eyeball? You may be looking at a grenade with no pin.... or a really deep money pit. Its likely cheap to just find a good one.

A few years back I looked at purchasing a 600 Monster as a working/commuter bike and the dealer told me not to! He said I'd be disappointed as the motor wouldn't tolerate the day to day slogging in traffic and that I'd end up putting a crank in it each year. He sold me on a Kawasaki sport bike as something tougher. I really like Ducatis but until they loose the fragile reputation, I'd spend my money elsewhere.

Mind you, that Kawasaki was a piece of shit.....

Thanks guys. I am going to pass this one up.

Go find yourself a nice Triumph Thruxton, I've heard you can put a bullet into one of those things and it just shrugs it off.

Salvage titles in Oregon are pretty problematic, as they can not be upgraded as in some other states. That means that resale will be quite low and insurance companies will not write collision or comprehensive coverage. I personally would not touch a salvage title bike unless I wanted it for parts or some other special project use.