2007 Ducati GT1000:
Mods:
Napoleon Bar-end Mirrors
Terminogni Pipes
ECU Replacement
Custom Sargent Seat
Grabrail
14 tooth front Sprocket (from 15 tooth)
I've had the Ducati GT1000 since 2007. I bought it from an owner who put 600 miles on it and decided to sell it to free up some cash. He had the dealer do the 600 mile check-up and had the ECU replaced when they put on the Termignoni pipes. He also had them put on the grab rail which I use quite a bit to strap on carry-ons.
I put the Napoleon bar-end mirrors and replaced the stock seat with a custom seat from Sargent. I also replaced the 15 tooth sprocket with a 14 tooth, which makes a huge difference in city riding.
After riding the Triumph Bonneville in Chicago for several years, the Ducati took a little getting used to. It's a much lighter bike and the power and torque is incomparable to the Bonneville. But when I first started riding the GT1000, I missed the lazy and comfortable feel of the Bonneville. It didn't take long however to start thrashing around town with the new found power.
Over the years, I've learned to really appreciate the Ducati. I've taken it on longer trips and find it very comfortable over long distances (700+ miles a day). It's a bike that I've done very little to. If I had bought the GT1000 bare bones stock, I would still spring for the Termignoni pipes. I've heard the bike with stock pipes and there's no question, the Termis make this bike what it is. Second, I'd get the Sargent seat. It is much more comfortable than the stock and it changes the lines of the bike. Sargent really elevated the seat design to another level in styling. Lastly, and mostly for practicality, I use the grab rail to strap my laptop or bag to and from work. If I continue to take longer trips, I'll consider putting on side bags although I don't like the idea of installing panniers because I find the gap between the tire and back fender (which many critics have noted) to be one of the more interesting parts of the bike.
One problem I've encountered with the GT1000 is the tank. First, I love the design of the tank. It really is the signature piece of this bike, besides the large gap in the back tire I referred to earlier. There's been extensive discussions on the Ducati forums about the "spreading tank." Apparently, in the US, the ethanol content of our gasoline does something to the integrity and structure of the fibreglass gas tank causing it to spread. This happened to my bike and got to a point where the handle bars were starting to hit the tank on each side. Dozens if not hundreds of tanks have been replaced in the US and my dealer didn't give me any trouble about having my tank replaced as well. It's unfortunate because the Ducati GT1000 has been one of the most trouble free bikes I've owned. I really wished it was a steel tank but Ducati hasn't really put out a solution other than replacing it with another fibreglass tank.I still recommend this bike to anyone who likes a naked bike with ample power and comfort.
