Ducati - Are they good or bad??

[Wooly R6]

I really have the urge to try and get a test ride on a ducati 749!!!

i really like the looks, the sound and the personality of them!!!

does anyone have any experiences of the 749, i have heard a lot about them stalling while idling and the famous dodgy electrics!!!!

any views would be helpful!!!
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[BorderHooner]

they are very cheap i found when lookign at them. reliabilty issues turned me away tho.
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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[jay_666]

pm wave2k, i'm sure he will tell you a bit about them
although, he hasn't had it very long....
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CBT - Done | Theory - Passed | Test - 4th Oct [PASSED!]
https://www.bikepics.com/members/jay666/

[Zimbo]

I'm not aware of the 749 suffering any unusual electrical or reliability problems??? In fact, name me a Ducati model in the last 15 years that does? Ancient myths from the bad old 1980s. Most modern Ducatis are pretty good, and for electrical and mechanical reliability the 749 is as good as any.
They cost a bit to service, expect a £500 - £700 bill every 6000 miles, other than that they're amazing to ride, look and sound fantastic, and hold their value well. I'd say the low depreciation more than pays for their higher service costs.

[Silver]

Cue Wave, stage right... I'm not sure he's mentioned whether he likes it or not though...

[fazed]

Good bike's 12k service is a killer though, engine out on a 749.
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gixxer thou K6 , Cbr400 gullarm x 2 , cb400 superhack.

[paulthewitt]

i heard its the pre '98 bikes that had dodgy electrics. and that after '98 they are ok.

only what ive heard though.

[TiN]

I think that it's more about the finish rather than the quality. A Ducati won't automatically be less reliable than a Japanese bike if you look after it good and proper, but you can't expect it to last as well as a Honda (for example) if you leave it out in the rain etc...

As others have mentioned, service costs (and general maintenance costs) may be higher, but that's always the price of so-called exotica.

It's funny, 'cos when a European bike needs looking after it's called "unreliable", but if it's a British bike, it's called "character"...
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TiN
dotgems.net

[Kickstart]

[Silver]

[MarJay]

[Kickstart]

[Wave2k]

Exellent bike, im so much smoother on it than my GSXR750,
Brakes are exellent, engine is very torquey and revvy ( for a twin).
and it beats riding a common as muck japanese bike round.

one peice of advice, they sound absoluty shite with standard cans, and with a Termignoni half system comming in at about £1000, try and buy one with a Termi or leo vince can.

so far no problems its got 2300 miles on it and no hitches, its being serviced at the moment.

The 749s come in 3 types

749 -Showa front forks with a sachs rear shock usually with a pillion seat

749S-Showa front forks with TIN treatment and a showa rear shock both fully adjustable can be had with a pillion or a single seat.

749 R full ohlins carbon fibre goodies and a tuned engine basically.

you can get 749's for quite cheap but in my opinion, its better to go for the S model as it has lots of goodies.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_0180.jpg

https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/img_0178.jpg

and for added measure i add a video of my bike, to get an idea what a Termignoni ducati sounds like.

https://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5385012821437749745

if you buy one thats 2 years old make sure its had a service or at the very least a cam belt change, although its not that expensive im getting new belts and service for £255.
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[GearboxGeezer]

The new Ducatis make me horny.

[LUXY DJ]

how did i know wave2k wouldnt say anything bad about it....

that 1 is far from the best looking 1 (ONLY IMO) also prefer in black 1st then yellow

i prefer the look of the gold 3 spoke 998

& funny enough the cyclops look on that iv never liked but the conversion put on the gixer looks nice
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GSXR750
(FAR FAR from standard) www.gixerjunkies.net

[Wave2k]

i avent ad it long nuff to say anyfin bad bout it innit.
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[map]

Hmmm, Ducati.
Maybe pictures can tell a story?

You buy one thinking it'll be all...
https://www.ducati.gi/superbike2.jpg

and maybe...
https://www.esprit-racing.com/pilo/img/hrdq411.jpg

and of course women love 'em, so you're expecting a bit of...
https://static.flickr.com/1/3913809_4915dd05c2.jpg

and
https://www.arcadiadreams.com/images/ad_motoDUCATI/DUCATI_996.jpg

but sadly it's all about...
https://www.fenriz.org/images/gallery/bikes/400gb_spain_france_trip/broken_duke3.jpg

I hope this helps.


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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Wave2k]

or you could buy a kawasaki, but the truth is
darn that headgasket
https://www.tailofthedragon.com/slayers/2004/explosion.jpg
____________________
Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[map]

[Wave2k]

honda cbr1000 is a bit bland for a 1000cc sportsbike

Suzuki GSXR1000 K6 FTW
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[Wooly R6]

is the 749 dark the same as the standard 749 but just matt black!!! or is it a cheaper spec too??

my local CMC dealer where i had my R6 from, has a yellow 749s in at the moment - might be worth a ride to see it properly!!!
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[Wave2k]

ahh yes forgot the 749 Dark

This is the Entry level 749, dosent come with any goodies like steering dampers etc.

but if you are buying new, these are by far the cheapest.
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
RS125->CBR400->RXS100->GSXR750K2->Ducati749S->CBR600RR5->TL1000R->DRz400->RSVR1000->Honda VTR SP1->CBR400->GSXR1000K6->Honda H100->CBR600RR3->Ducati1299

[Cillit-BANG]

I had a duke for a year, 365 use, 7000 miles by me.

Never missed a beat.

I was putting too many miles on it and it was losing value fast

Even the basic models have something about them that draws you in.

Unfortunately they do tend to be ridden by ponsey overpaid office types who ride 500 miles per year in the dry only.

[dainesefreak]

[crm250]