buying a ducati

[cLaTTeReD]

i have always wanted a duke due to their gorgeous looks, but now my dilema is which one to go for???

748 is slightly cheaper to insure than 998 but a duke is not really about cost is it ? but im not the fastest rider and a 750 would probably be enough for me. 748 or 998 ?

the 749 and 999 are newer and more reliable but i love the look of the older bikes ?

finally always thought it would be red but now i love the yellow too

help me out guys what do i go for

[BorderHooner]

I was going for a 748 in the spring, 5 year old iirc and have about 1500 miles on it

should keep you happy for a couple of years.

I didnt go for it in the end for fear of it breaking down considering the distance I do.

[G]

Do you care about the riding experience at all, or is this almost entirely based on looks?

[quacker_boy]

Get the 749R...looks MUCH better in my opinion.
____________________
wizzzard wrote: Imagine God just stopping by, tidying your front room up and then quietly letting himself out again. Statisticly more likely to happen than Korn being on here.

[cLaTTeReD]

yes i care about the riding experience i am going to ride it afterall
not just look at it.

how come mate?

[G]

The different engines do offer a different experience, yet you seem to be focusing on the looks. I presume you're also happy with the riding position? - Something that should be considered way before looks in my opinion, unless it's a mantle-piece bike.

I doubt there's a massive difference between the evenutual top speeds of the two classes; however the two engine capacities do have a different character.

The lower cc revs higher and doesn't have the mid-range bulge the bigger bike has. If anything, the bigger bike is more suitable for a newer rider that wants to go fast.
Though, to make properly good progress you'll need to rev either bike, meaning the midrange is only there for when you mess up or are taking it easier.

[cLaTTeReD]

thanks for the advice

the riding position is extreme i know but thats all part of the package

the choice is going to be based on looks and i dont think the 749 is even on the same planet as the 748, but rest assured i will be putting some miles on the bike (when its sunny of course)

i think its going to be a red 748 so far

[BorderHooner]

does reliabilty and parts £ come into it then?

tbh I think its a second bike. I wouldnt run one as my only toy, especially a 748 which has allready been spanked.

[cLaTTeReD]

it will only be used sunny sunday mornings so im not bothered if its my only bike

how unrealiable can i expect it to be ?

could you only answer that question if you have actual experience and not "someone on the interweb said they are shit"

[BorderHooner]

try hear then. https://www.ducatisti.co.uk/forum-10.html

[DucatiEVO]

I'd take the 998 just for the improved engine. I had a 916 before the 998 and it felt gutless!
____________________
aKa: Ducky

[flamy]

ive always loved the looks of the 999

https://www.pistonheads.com/sales/images/96732-1.jpg

https://www.pistonheads.com/sales/images/96732-3.jpg

i think the general opinion of the 999 is that its expensive to maintain, expensive to buy, and quite unreliable though. having said that, most of the reviews i've read rate it extremely high and without fault.

i'd buy one any day if i had the money

[G]

[brooky]

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DUCATI-999-MONO-2005-RED-FRAME-BLACK-SWINGA_W0QQitemZ180035433416QQihZ008QQcategoryZ9919QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Buy that, If I had the cash I know I would. Infact now that you mention buying a duke the more it seems a good idea and now along with getting a better paid job it might be a plan for me next year some time.
____________________
Suzuki GSX-R 750 K6.

[bazza]

Based on my experience with Ducatis - a few months - the 750SS or 900SS is good bike to start with. Bags of torque, great handling, top speed of 130-ish and a great soundtrack from the twin cans.

https://www.ochainn.ath.cx/images/duc-1.jpg

Pricewise, you can find a good low mileage pre-97 (old shape) 750 for around 2K or less.

Make sure its service history has the right dealers stamps and is up to date though.

Then start saving for your next one...
____________________
"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[crm250]

Well here's my 2p's worth if it helps any.

I have one of the very first 916's and have owned it for years. It took me 6 months to grow to love it after my old RRX blade as it felt stiff, slow, and expensive. However after around 6 months it suddenly clicked with me, and 24000 miles later i love it more and more. Sure its been a pain in the ass, left me stranded twice and given garage bound evenings of grief but there is something quite magical about them thats for sure.
I sold the blade as it was too damn fast up top, and handled ok, but not exactly dainty, and i always loved the look and sound of the ducati. I test rode a early 748 which i liked, but as mentioned they rev a bit higher, are just as fast as the 916 and lack a bit of grunt over the larger cc bike. Then i tried the 916, loads of grunt, slightly different sound to it and much lazier than the 748. Then the 996 which was a fair bit quicker over the 916 and felt very good. never tried a 998.
I plumped for a 916 and one of the early ones, something about the early decals that does it for me. the later ones are tough to tell apart to the untrained eye, and the silver framed versions are much easier to keep looking good as the older gold frame models can age quickly making the gold look rough. however this was my own choice and i am glad i did too.
Tried the 749 and its a lovely bike to ride, quicker than the 916 by far but felt a bit on the cheap side which in all fairness the 749bp is unlike the over engineered 749r motor.
The 999 is a beast of a motor, loads of grunt, very civil to ride but seriously quick up top and that power just keeps on coming too.

Back to the 916, off the mark its rapid, but runs out of puff at around 130. they say the book is around 155 but in the real world i would be surprised if it ever saw over 145. I think my little NC30 would give it a pretty good run at the top end but then thats not really what its all about is it ? It will cruise all day at 90 and in surprising comfort too.

Reliability - ah that old chestnut. Well there are issues as with most bikes, and as you know by know electrics can be a cause of concern. however no worse than a NC30 and easier and cheaper to fix too. I have lost 2 rectifiers on mine. 1 left me stranded 10 miles from home near chester and was a recovery job, second time was 100 miles from le havre in france after a grueling 2200 trouble free miles around spain in 85+ degree day temps and sure enough the gene and rectifier died again.
I also stripped the top ends at 27000 miles to replace all the valves and seals as a matter of course. I am lucky to have a good mate who is an independant ducati mechanic ( www.wlracing.co.uk ) who specializes in the RS's and not the normal tame road fodder. Worth noting is the rocker issue, the current trend seems to favour the early model rockers (pre 97) for durability also 748's do seem to lunch them much quicker than the larger cc bikes. If a bike is stood for a few weeks all the oil can drain out of the top end and once started can take upto 90 seconds before upto pressure and full circulation. On the later stretta motors this is still around 20 seconds but far less damage can occur obviously. dont let this scare you, as once started just dont be tempted to rev the nutts off it and ride off. allow a couple of mins before riding off. Belts are not a problem either now. with the modern kevlar belts then 2 years / 8000 miles is the norm. i do mine every 12 months regardless and change oil and filter every 2 - 3k max as its cheaper than rockers at £90 each (and there's 8 of them)

They like to be used too, bikes well used are generaly far more reliable than polished toys. belts go brittle, so picture the scene - guy parks his ducati in september for winter, comes to it in may fires it up and alls well, takes it for a spin and the belts fail. this os usualy because if kept in a cold garage the belts go brittle and hold the shape of the pulleys so are pretty buggered and liable to let go.

So why buy one then after all this - well its hard to say, you either like them or you dont. i now am hooked on v twins. i never really got to grips with in line 4's and while fast, they bore me and fail to provoke any kind of soul stirring of any sort (plenty of speed and bowell moving though).

If you want fast buy a IL4, if you want cheap buy a IL4, if you want something that handles, stops and sounds great regardless of cost then the ducati is for you.

And now for the killer question - "how does it compare to a modern bike ?"

Well i have a few toys in my arsenal, and here i can show off a bit, but also give you some insight to how they all feel.

A new CBR600RR5 bought in april this year, wow its fast, looks great and handles well, but christ its sooo boring to ride. after 9k it comes alive and would destroy the 916 up top with ease. yet back in the real world on real roads its a pain, uncomfy, crap on fuel and hard work to ride.

a 1990 Honda RC30 - yep the 750, well what a bike. by far the best bike i have ever ridden / owned. performance is just about right, handling is spot on (thanks to RC45 rear wheel and modern tyres). it would be the perfect road bike if it wasnt so expensive, ran as hot in summer, and didnt use oil like an old taxi. The oil levels drop with little warning and this is by design allegedly. super bike though.

Couple of NC30's - value for money cant be beaten. granted look a bit old but still are quick bikes and great fun.

Few other odditys like gag bikes and so on etc etc.

Well i bought the CBR to keep me from riding the ducati and RC30, i wanted a modern jap reliable bike i could tour on, ride in winter if i wanted, but still i keep going for the ducati keys when off out for a spin. crazy i guess, its slower than the others, is pretty old and quirky but there has to be something in that i suspect.
Would i sell the 916 ? - never, i would rather run it into the ground before restoring it and parking it for the rest of its life with the others.

Hope that helps someone as my fingers hurt now

[Barry_M2]

[crm250]

Barry, i would love the ZXRR but sadly couldnt afford it. also 1 high maintenance 750 is enough. what year is it ? condition ? mileage ? history ? price ? pics ?

[Zimbo]

Some good advice here.

One point, don't expect them to be uncomfortable, they aren't, you can ride one over long distances no problem. They're hard work in town, but on the open road they settle into their stride and you're away.

Had you considered a 996? They're down to around £3K now, hell of a lot of bike for the money.

[G]

Depends on the rider.

I find the position uncomfortable.

[JonB]

The 996 is probably the only Duke i'd consider buying.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[crm250]

[JonB]

Cause i'd only buy a Ducati on looks if I had a nice amount of money and I think the 996 looks the best.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[crm250]

How does the 996 look different to the 748, 916, 998 then ? its the same bike just motor is different. if you dodnt know that, then i would suggest that a ducati is not for you. stick with the jap stuff mate

[G]