What's up keith...my boy jason has a 748, and as everyone has said the valves need constant adj....not to say it is hard in the least, just that I have done it twice for him in the past six months (needed each time) and replacement parts are expensive....but...it is a Ducati after all (kind of like complaining cause your mercedes parts are too much...ya know), and it will get more ass and attention...so weigh your options...

the 636 is a good all around bike, but for the same $ I personally would go with the ducati...it is a great deal less common, and dude I know you...and you are like me when it comes to toys and having the best is nice...even at a great cost