Over the years, Honda has proven to be one of the best motorcycle manufacturers, able to produce some of the most reliable mass-produced machinery known to man.
On the other hand, Ducati have committed to staying relatively low tech by comparison, making all their bikes by hand. It leaves a few holes in the whole manufacturing process, we, as humans, make mistakes, so errors are naturally creep into the process but with those errors they also inject a certain amount of soul into these imperfect machines. The Honda’s, mostly put together by robots, are near flawless, but just lack a little something that nobody is able to adequately explain…
10 Super-Reliable: Honda CB500X
The middleweight Adventure bike market has been growing exponentially over the last couple of years, the CB500X is Honda’s offering and offers near bulletproof reliability matched with acceptable performance.
It is also a great beginner bike, as it has one of the lowest seat heights in the class and a power output that won’t be intimidating anyone anytime soon.
9 Rather Buy: Ducati Multistrada 620
As much as the original Multistrada was almost universally hated when it came out, over the years it has become a far more appealing option, but prices remain low for a Ducati.
For the same price as the Honda, you will be able to find a low mileage bike in near perfect condition and have enough left in the budget for luggage, spoked wheels and off-road tires.
8 Super-Reliable: Honda CBR650R
With increasing emissions restrictions, Honda initially decided to drop their incredible CBR600RR supersport and continue to offer the 650 in its place, only to later reverse this decision.
Although fast, it lacks the theatrical high revving inline-4 of the more track-oriented machine, but still offers Honda quality and a capable enough chassis that will attract a lot more beginner riders thanks to the more friendly rider triangle.
7 Rather Buy: Ducati 900SS
After a few teething issues with the first generation bikes, Ducati got it oh-so-right with the second generation 900SS. Naturally, being a Ducati it is far from perfect but still offers excellent value today.
You would be hard-pressed to find a better balanced sportbike, it even holds up pretty well today, even though it is a little down on power it will still keep up with other supersport bikes.
6 Super-Reliable: Honda CB500F
It might be a bit unfair having a second go at this parallel twin, but if Honda wants to put it in more bikes, it will just give us more ammunition.
In this naked bike version, it gets a perfectly dull look to match the dull powertrain, making for a totally uninspiring beginner bike.
5 Rather Buy: Ducati Monster 821
Yes, you really can get the previous generation monster for around the same price as a new CB500. For some this might be a little too much motorcycle and perfectly understandable for them to opt for the more approachable Honda.
For the rest, well, as long as you are willing to put up with several trips to the mechanic this is an easy choice with the Ducati just better in every other conceivable way.
4 Super-Reliable: Honda Rebel 1100
As far as cruisers go, there are precious few as affordable as this and to date this is the only cruiser to offer a DCT option.
It will also likely put you to sleep as you cruise down the highway, being a big parallel twin it offers no theater in the way it makes its power. If you get the automatic, then that will just be the icing on the boring cake.
3 Rather Buy: Ducati Diavel
The latest Diavel is anything but affordable, but the first generation with all its electrical gremlins can be had for less than the Rebel.
Ultimately, you will be playing a game of high stakes poker every time you get on the thing, never really knowing what issue will spring up on the next ride or how terminal it will be, but at least you will be doing it in style.
2 Super-Reliable: Honda Gold Wing
Without doubt, the most car-like motorcycle money can buy. It is a behemoth, pretty much only ever really meant for highway cruising.
Sadly, even though it is very good at doing just that and is more than comfortable to do so for weeks on end, it is also tragically boring. Lugging around all that extra weight means performance is limited to say the least.
1 Rather Buy: Ducati Streetfighter V4S
If you are going to lay down $30,000 why not get something genuinely fun. So, there is no sane way to compare this to a Gold Wing, but when you look at the financial aspect it does make a degree of sense.
Buying a Gold Wing is buying a leisure vehicle, we say forget the sense of it, keep your car and buy this thing as the leisure vehicle.