I have done a lot of checking up on Ducati and what I have found is just what you said. They are much better then the bikes made 5 years ago. The Ducati is not a done deal yet. I might test ride it and hate it, most likely not but could happen. I might just put it off to next spring. Will just have to see what happens. I still love my FR6R. If I get a Ducati I will stay around just like a lot of the peeps that moved on bike wise. This site is just to good to quit hanging out on.
Def ride one. The clutches are dry and take some getting used to and clink n clunck.