I picked up a 2005 Ducati 999 last year that needed some "love". The PO had neglected maintenance and had hit a pothole which bent both rims badly. The dealer had quoted him a price of $5500 to to do all the back maintenance (timing belts, valve clearance, flush brake and clutch fluids, oil and filter change, and new air filters) and to replace both bent wheels.
While these are really cool bikes sinking $5500 into one doesn't make much sense since that's well over 50% of the market value. Anyway, I felt sorry for it and decided it was worth tinkering with. In spite of the "mystique" Ducati's are super-simple especially compared to a Japanese inline 4 like the ZX-14! All the hype about adjusting the desmodromic valves is hogwash. It's super easy, much easier than a ZX-14. The 999 is a 4 valve/cylinder model so you have a total of 8 valves with TWO shims each. So you have only 16 measurements and potential adjustments. I checked, found 4 out of spec, swapped a few around and needed one new shim. Cost me $11 at the Ducati dealer. The belts are also easy, just could the ribs to get the timing right - MUCH easier than your ZX-14 cam chain - and you just tighten until it "twangs" at the right frequency. My smart phone and a guitar tuning apps did the trick!
I found two like-new wheels from a guy who upgraded his 999 to carbon fiber wheels (at a staggering cost!) and got them shipped to me for $400 total. All said I Was into the bike for about $500 worth or parts, about 10 hours of labor, and about $50 in tools that I didn't already have.
Then the fun part, a Ducati is all it's cracked up to be on the road. The 999 is super light and handles crazy good! It doesn't have the punch of a ZX-14 but the power just keeps coming until you're well north of 100 mph before you know it. Unlike a Harley V-twin which will shake itself apart at high rpms, the Ducati just smooths out the faster you rev it.
My problem with the 999 was rider comfort. I'm 6'2" and have a 34" inseam and even with the thing adjusted for maximum legroom, I couldn't go more than about 30 minutes without having to stop and stretch. So I sold it (sadly) to someone who was small enough and young enough to enjoy it. I'd get another one if they made one that fit larger riders like me.
If you are going to be doing the maintenance yourself, it's NOT a problem. If you are going to be having the dealer do it, be prepared to spend a LOT of money, they are expensive to maintain, even the newer ones that have longer service intervals.
2008 Kawasaki ZX-14 Special Edition
2012 Kawasaki Concours 14
2005 Honda GL1800 GoldWing
2002 Kawasaki ZRX1200R
1981 Honda CB900C