Ducati 748?

[St0rmer66]

Considering one as my next bike when my restriction ends (yep, that again).

Firstly, are they really that bad reliability wise? I won't be using it for anything but pleasure, but I'd still not want to be back and forth from the dealers every 5minutes, I want to ride it! You always hear the horror stories but I just can't see how it's possible if it's serviced on time. I remember something about the "rockers" losing their chrome but I don't know what they are! Only that they're expensive!

Secondly, I know they're stupidly uncomfortable, but I would be buying some riser bars (Helibars, 2 1/2" Taller - 2" Rearward - 1 1/2" Wider), a double bubble screen and hopefully a gel seat if I could get one (anyone know where?). Anyone any experience of a 916/996/998/748 and what effect these things have? Pillion work would be virtually nil, but would a Biposto make it possible to carry panniers and the like? With the above mods I think it would probably be fine for some light touring, or is it just impossible on this bike?

I love the looks, the noise, the fact that it has plenty of power for the road, a plentiful top speed with a bit more usable power, though I hear it's still a bit revvy for a twin; does it still feel like it has more of a torque spread than a 600 IL4? Is it likely to out accelerate a 600 until higher speeds or is a 600 just better all over? But I'm not a complete slave to image, what's it like compared to a 749? I think the engine is the same so surely any differences are negligible (not so keen on 749 looks).

Termignoni cans .

My other possible bike is an 05/06 ZX6R, so if you keep that in mind when making recommendations it would be good!

Thanks in advance, sorry if I'm rambling a bit!
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:: Honda XR 125 L ('53) => Kawasaki GPZ 500S ('02) => Suzuki SV650S ('00) => Aprilia RSV-R ('51) ::

[crm250]

do a search for some of my posts. i have given quite a bit of info of the pitfalls and highs of owning an early 916 with the model history timeline too.
or pm me for contact details as there is no fucking way i am typing it all again.
i will say if you are slightly skint - get a 600 IL4 and enjoy that

[G]

It does feel like it has more of a spread of torque than a 600cc 4.
It will not accelerate faster than a 600cc, providing each has a semi-competent rider on it.

The new ZX6R will out-perform it in all most every aspect (apart from sounding like a soulless wet fart, there the ducati always wins ) , due to general newness.

[D O G]

Duke 748 definitely on the shortlist (which is quite long!) for next bike.

I know why you want one! I don't have any experience to impart, but all i would say is check this shit out.

Makes you want one even more!

[gmanxiii]

dunno if this is any use, theres a small feature on the 748 in the new ride mag.
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I kills hondas

VFR400NC30 > ZZR600 > CBR600FX > CBR1000rr

[garth]

I'm test riding one saturday. I currently ride a k1 gsxr600.

Will let you know.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[crm250]

garth i put money on it you wont like it, it will feel skinny, hard, slow and just rough. no short test ride will allow you to exploit the good sides of a ducati. also if you have come from a jap IL4 and try and ride it the same, it simply just wont work. i sold my RRX blade for my 916 and hated it for 6 months, it was slow heavy, hard to ride and not that great tbh, but then suddenly it clicked, forget revving the spuds off it, change up at 7k so its perfectly in the power in the next gear and let the grunt drive you out of corners not revs. go in slow and fire it out of the bends. handling is surefooted. its also very firm and feels like your riding a girder.
i hope you like it but tbh i put money on you not liking it. also sorry but i can see the appeal over 748's people think they are cheaper to run and insure, they are not. they rev harder and wear quicker. they lack quite a bit of grunt that the 9x6 offers while about the same top end. save up and buy a 916 or even better a 996 and enjoy the experience far more. also cheap 748's can turn wealthy folk into debt ridden paupers. the 748 appeals to new ducati owners and get abused quite badly. the more mature / less skint owners go for 996's so a safer buy is for one of those. IMO early 748's are a time bomb.
i own an early 1994 916 and i wouldnt swop it for anything. i am lucky enough to ride other stuff and just about every other ducati model. sure the 916 is dead slow, its rough and lumpy, and the gold frame is so old school. but i like it exactly for that. it has a real soul, it breaks down from time to time with just daft stuff thats easy to fix and causes me stress, but to ride its like nothing else.
i am quicker A-B on the RC30 than anything else, then close behind is the 916, then the little NC30, then the 600RR so that will give you an idea that its real world real roads useable power unlike that sorry excuse of a CBR600RR5 - now that was a mistake

[garth]

I rode a 749 and loved it
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[crm250]

749's where to start with these. ok the 749S is not a bad bike, the 749R is IMO the best built and value ducati you can buy. the engine really is pure trick and its capable of so much more.
however the bp is pure dog crap. so many spun cranks, failed big ends, poor castings and general failures i would avoid any 749 or 999bp and go for a better spec model. i rode a 749bp that had spun its crank, the owner had over revved it and the bike was still going but it was horrible to ride. also crashed ducati's avoid. if left running on thier side it will starve the mains of oil, resulting in a dead motor very quickly. if its been tracked and low sided but left running till it stalls, prepare for a rebuild.
the stretta motors are very good and very reliable too. but the cheaper budget bikes are quite poor and at the other end of the spectrum. while the looks of the 999 may be questionable, its actually a fine bike and good value for money. you can buy a 2005 S for less than 7k now which is a steal

[garth]

@crm

Any knowledge on the late 900ss?

Cheers
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[crm250]

had a M plate one, it was one of the last and it was actualy a really good bike. no steering lock made for interesting u turns and could catch out the unwary, but it has useable grunt, and not too slow up top. brakes were good, handling even on the old oe michelin rubber was ok. worlds apart from the 8v engines, but so were the running costs.
electricaly they were still suspect then, even a late M plate bike may be a concern. however no worse than honda's of the same era IMO i have lost 3 rectiifers in 5 years on the 916, treat them as service items yearly, and carry a spare when aborad

[G]

Garth - considered a TRX850? To my mind, a bit more character than the ducati engines and prettier too.

Was going to mentioning it in your 'going to fast' post, but never got around to it.

[crm250]

good alternative for sure. not that quick or grunty but i think they sound superb. bit thirsty for oil but pretty bomb proof. cheap to run and parts are plentifull. or plump for a TDM, same motor and dead comfy

[garth]

G

Good handler?
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[Wave2k]

I Owned a 749S mono, Great bike, had the Termi assemetric system.
looked the part and sounded it, had no reliabilty issues and i toured scotland on it, all weathers.
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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

[St0rmer66]

G, I knew you'd be here twin bashing . Thanks for the info though.

garth, please let me know how it feels compared to your GSXR, almost a perfect comparison .

crm250, I read through some of your posts before but it was a while ago, I'd forgotten who it was. Lots of info there. I'm thinking that a 996 would probably be a bit too much for me considering I'll be going from a lowly GPZ500! They aren't much more expensive though really, but insurance would be. Luckily cost wouldn't be a problem really, but I still don't like to "waste" money if I can help it . Do you really think it would be a good idea?

wave2k, already seen yours plenty of times, you whore those photos all over the place .
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:: Honda XR 125 L ('53) => Kawasaki GPZ 500S ('02) => Suzuki SV650S ('00) => Aprilia RSV-R ('51) ::

[Wave2k]

[crm250]

how do you know the insurance is more expensive ? if it is it will be negligable in cost.
the 996 is a superior motor in most areas over the 748 but not as good a the stretta motors (998 / 999S or R)
if money is the main concern and you feel you should be biking on a budget then stop right now, do not even think of a ducati. assume you average blade costs between £300 - £600 a year in tyres and servicing and general maintenance, then on a tired poor example of a 748 you could expect upto £600+ for a major service alone. rocker wear on 748's and 996's can be a problem. we have seen the following trends over the years with rockers.
early 916's seem pretty ok.
748's wear rockers possibly due to the revvy nature of the engine and the type of owner it attracts (usualy first time ducati owner coming from jap, and doesnt warm the engine before trashing, revs it from cold in the first 35 seconds, and skips service's)
996 some do some dont.
stretta motors are not really a problem due the to advanced design.
a loved bike taken to ducati for servicing, if it goes in for a 2 year major, shims are checked and if within tollerance they are left alone. problem is for the next 2 years they could be borderline / out of tolerance and next service = new rockers @ £85+ each x 8
most independant will set the tollerances to the optimum so you know its right. independant service costs are not usualy as expensive so bear that in mind.
if you want advice you are welcome to PM me for a number and i will talk ducati till you are bored, i appreciate ducati ownership is not for the timid, and like i say if slightly skint or wondering where your next meals coming from then forget it. stick with a TDM or TRX or even a Mille.

and if you wonder how i know a bit about ducati's then see one of my posts. Billy (wlracing) built this bike. we are part of the furniture up there hence why we see such exotica and ride some special kit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGNu7sHlM3I
check out jonnys hair when it starts (guy on the donkey) this is a 998 RS02 bike which is running a 998R motor with RS box and lots of RS parts. it was built so the owner could trackday it and start it on the button yet was cheaper to run and maintain than the RS motor. but the bike still retains the RS injection and electrical trickery inc the dash with a hand built loom. quite a special bike when ducati said it couldnt be done.

[mark83]

Wave, can I just say that the third pic in your post makes me wanna cry for not having bought a ducati!!

That is one AWESOME pic.

If I could give it 2 "cool" karma ratings I would.


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Kawasaki ER6n -> Honda CBR600RR -> Honda VTR 1000 -> Moto Guzzi Norge 1200
Buy my Mercedes 350 Sport AMG Evo

[EllioTT_GiXXeR]

I used to own a 748, never had any problems from what i can remember, when you ride it, it makes you feel the dog bollocks, i would say everyone should own at least one in there lifetime.

I would recommend one but i found the 748 didn't have enough power and would say go for a 998 or bigger.

https://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007%5C04%5C28%5Cbikepics-879230-full.jpg



^^^^^^^^ that used to be mine
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www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net www.gixerjunkies.net

[St0rmer66]

[GiXXXer]

St0rmer
Im 19 and I too have just bought a 748 6k miles on it for £2400 in MINT condition, pleanty of insurance quotes for £2k plus but I tried Carole Nash and with 2 accidents (both non fault) they wanted £748.36 TPF&T, which i thought was pretty reasonable all things considered

cheers
adam
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Soo close to buying a 748 Biposto
Current Bike-1999 600 bandit

[Reevo8]

So you payed 748 for your 748!? Thats kinda cool!

[GiXXXer]

yeah i thought that too,
btw £748 insurance
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Soo close to buying a 748 Biposto
Current Bike-1999 600 bandit

[crm250]

998 is the later stretta motor and even in bp form (expect to pay 5k+) they are seriously quick compared to the 748 / 916 / base 996. funnily enough i have never ridden an R so i can only imagine about how good they are.
at 19 the insurance would be shocking, i had no idea you were so young. being an old gimmer at 38 helps but can you believe it costs more to insure a 1989 mint low miles RD125LC mk3 than my RC30 - go figure that one..
buy a late 748bp for 3.5k and spend the extra on a good service to know you have worry free for 12 months, do 2 extra oil changes per year and enjoy one of the finest riders bikes out there to date. sure there are faster, cheaper, more reliable but few that offer the same satisfaction.