Hey guys! Festive greetings to everyone, just checking in and finding my way around the Forum; some fascinating reading and insight, and what appears to be a great atmosphere as well. Looking forward to hopefully becoming part of the community..... [apols for long intro post] So....I'm mid 40's and like many on here, grew up on a healthy diet of BSB & WSBK back in the early 90's, when GP was a Doohan-fest (and frankly far less interesting to me). I was hooked on SBK, specifically a massive Foggy fan but also the other guys as well - I just loved watching great racing and lusted after the 916/996/998's but have never owned one. After a marriage and then subsequent relationships where "thou shalt not get another bike", I'd taken a bit of a hiatus from riding until August. Finally after having had enough of ultimatums (and the whole Covid spiral of doom), binned off the GF and got back into it, buying an R1250GS from the good folk at Bahnstormer. No commuting role, just a toy for those longer rides out and hopefully some continental jaunts as/when we can. Thoroughly loving it, and kicking myself that I didn't put my foot down years ago. But...I think I may now be in a position to realise the adulthood dream of getting onto a "916" gen Ducati. A good mate of mine is a very serious collector, many SPS and R bikes, Desmo RR, 1199 Superleg, etc etc. His latest road toy for this season (!!) is a V2, having decided to now only use his V4R for track duties. We went out for a ride the other week, him on his V2. I have to say, I've never had jaw-drop quite so profoundly. I fell in love with this thing instantly. Not mega modified by his standards, just a full Akra system + remap with removed pillion pegs and single seat cowl....but it got me plotting. Which, I have to say, has buggered the plan completely. Because, the Ducati ambition was to get a 916. That's the bike that "did it" for me all those years ago. That's the bike I want to keep in my home office and admire every day whilst working, and then have the pleasure of wheeling out on those summer days, and step back to the 90's. Some studious reading of Ian Falloons excellent book, referencing of the Haynes and Red Barons manual and watching (what must be) every YouTube video and rebuild series on the model, I'm actually now erring towards the 748. I'm no wannabe TT hero, I know my limits and having never owned litre bikes before, I *think* a 748 with it's slightly less torquey delivery would perhaps be a better fit for me, without the electronics that todays Panigales come with of course. I love the idea of having a "special" 748, an R or SPS. This could perhaps then be the basis for a future 853 project. Or....I could go the V2 route, be somewhat comforted by the fact that all the electronics are there....but even so, it's still 155hp v 106hp of a 748R. Being a returning rider, I lost all my NCB from years ago, so a V2 would be >£1.1k, the 748 would be just over £200. Erring towards the modern classic route; it ticks that box of achieving my "grail" bike but I know the V2 will ride better and be more comfortable and therefore usable. The V2 will only depreciate...but be more usable. for what it's worth, just under 5ft11", 75kgs, keen cyclist as well so fairly fit and not physically hampered in terms of fitting on anything other than a 125/25cc size bike! I should know in the next few days what the budget will extend to (we're now in the vinegar strokes of a deal we've been working on for 2yrs, worked our arses off for it, and could well be about the best deal I've worked on in 20yrs doing this gig, hence me justifying a toy purchase). Anyway, all thoughts welcome (apart from "just stick with the GS and enjoy that for a couple of years"!!), what would you guys do and why? Look forward to virtually meeting everyone in due course. Cheers Spencer.
Welcome. Depends what you want it for. If you want to look at it then go the 748 route. If you want to ride it then the V2 route. I have a V2 btw
Yep, tough but pleasant dilemma to have Spencer. Agree with El T above, ride it, the V2, admire it the 748 but others will be along to tell you how great the 748 is to ride & I’m sure that’s right too. My only issue with the 748 is that it’s not a 916, the same reason I had to have the 1098s & not the 848 but again, others who have first hand experience of them, will be better placed to tell you about that.
I don't understand why you wouldn't ride a 748, and it's got more than enough power and is plenty fast enough for the road plus the money you save on insurance and zero depreciation will pay for many upgrades. But then I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow (and I do !)
On the days you want to ride a modern bike won't your R1250GS hit that spot? A 748 should be kept indoors in the office/ lounge through winter but after the fair weather returns you won't want to get off it. PS. Welcome!
The old classics are the best Great newbie intro I’m impressed apart from you missed the bit where you could post a picture of your rubbish bins to keep me happy while we wait for your bike pictures welcome into our mad house
There’s a lot to be said about the older bikes in my opinion. I think they have more character. Ultimately it really depends on what you plan on using it for and what your heart is saying
First thing first welcome to the forum,as for the two above motorbikes mentioned both will serve you very well indeed,but for me i'm stuck in the nineties & still popping love pills,so it has to be for me the 748 for the number one choice.
If you get a V2 you will still have the 90's itch. If you finally decide to scratch it you will most likely lose money on a V2 selling it to fund the purchase Buy a 748/916 Scratch that itch. If you then decide you want the V2 I doubt you will loose much money selling your 748/916
Welcome mate If it were me, it’s a 916 all day long, and I’d chop the GS in for a mutley. You’ve got your all round bike and then you’ll have the 916 which is brilliant to work on yourself and use on those sunny days. They are WAY too good to just have as decorations, they love to be ridden, they are not like a modern bike, loads of power, ABS, traction control etc, and it’s because of that you get to enjoy every bit of the horse power rather than what the modern bikes decide to feed you, it’s like a V twin viagra And like a true girlfriend, you’ll end up spending loads of money on her (but it’s worth it)
Thanks for the warm welcome folks, and really appreciate you all taking the time to reply with thoughts...could be a long reply to address each comment, lol. Thanks El Toro, yep that's the exact dilema - although the 748 may spend some time in my office, I do fully intend on riding it as well, rather than just staring at it. Yep, complete first-world-problem! Yeah, I really am split between the 748 and 916....every review you see/read is beyond positive about the 748, in fact some saying it's a sweeter ride than its bigger brother. I kind of like that less-trodden-route as well, and the thought of having a special variant with some trick parts and made in far more limited numbers does massively appeal. And I'm sure the budget won't stretch to a 916SPS or 996SPS. That's in no way meant as a derogatory comment to 916 Bips and Stradas, btw. Exactly this!! Cards on the table, I don't necessarily trust myself or have faith in my ability to deal with big horsepower bikes - it's that constant reservation (paranoia) that will hopefully keep my right-side-up. Much as I'd love a 916/996 (and again, maybe overthinking it) but aren't they wheelie monsters at the slightest twitch? Likely to highside me on all but the driest or tarmac? Aware that the throttle works both ways, it's those unexpected cock-ups where you genuinely weren't "going for it" but you get caught out that scare the crap out of me. Thanks Jez, yes, the GS does a fine job of the modern road bike - a point made by another mate of mine before Christmas. I do love that thing, it's a big old beast, can hustle when she needs to and does everything I ask of it. Thanks Ducbird, haha! Ah, the bin gags....righteo, am onto it! Yep....it's that analogue-ness that's massively appealing. Guilty secret is that I'm a massive car nut as well and have spent 10yrs on a Porsche 964 Turbo project - complete engine rebuild(s), suspension teardown, etc etc - it's almost driven me to distraction and bankrupted me along the way (there's a massively long build thread on one of the Porsche forums that is a very honest start to finish writeup, if anyone's sufficiently bored....er, interested). It drives me nuts each time I roll it out the garage insomuch that it's SOOO different from anything modern or that you could buy today - it's hopelessly outclassed in terms of ergonomics...but drive it for a day and get it into its sweetspot, and it gets back under your skin very quickly. Thanks mate, yep, I think we're singing from the same hymn sheet on this one. Fine logical advice, thanks Higgy. I think this is the way I'm leaning right now. Thanks Pete - "Mutley"?...a snotter? (sorry, new round 'ere) If so, then nah, the GS is absolutely staying. I don't need an all year round bike. Thankfully a few other toys in the garage mean I can share the love, and reserve the GS for fun stuff. Besides, I'd lose a fortune chopping it in at less than a year old having just been superceded by this MY editions (#puke, but that's another topic altogether). I don't intend on only using a 748/916 as an ornament, no way. A recent home office re-org has freed up space to use as a convenient parking spot rather than a display area. I *could* store it alongside the GS in the garage/workshop but then massively limits access to all the tool chests, lathe, pillar drill, press, and so on....I'm a tinkerer with greasy fingernails and a "working garage" rather than marble floors, if ya get my drift. Think I'm 80% leaning to the classic, will keep you posted Thanks again!
Hi Spencer That’s got to be one of the most detailed first-member posts almost ever glad you found the place. After reading all the above, I was trying to work out your approach to the 748 rather than 916/996. If one of the main considerations is the ease of riding/docile-ability then my input might make things harder, it is only my opinion. The 748 is a really engaging machine, you have to get everything really synchronised to get the best out of it, no time to relax and you have to ring its neck* pretty much whereas the 996 comes over as a pussycat in comparison and much easier to ride in most conditions, despite the extra power . This post will get chewed up and spat out by several following posts I would imagine, but this was my experience anyway. * this is not meant as a negative criticism, this engaging aspect of the 748 is enjoyed by many and often the sole reason for owning one.
Hi Chris, Many thanks for your thoughts - this and the other replies is exactly the sort of commentary that I'm finding useful and fascinating! Do love the low down grunty engines; in no way am I comparing, but I adore the tractor like shove of the GS, winding it open at low revs, working the engine, hearing the induction and riding that wave of torque. Bit more "socially acceptable" these days as well (bloody snowflakes ruining the fun, lol)
@Ducbird - here you go! Bin day tomorrow, too good an opportunity to miss (the bin most certainly does not live here!)
Welcome to the forum ,great first post Personally i would go for the 916 /996 etc ,for the extra power /torque which will make them IMHO easier to ride .As you say the 748 has 106bhp but to exploit this performance you need to be on it ,but as people say very engaging to ride,a nice dilemma to have .
Hey folks, just a quick update; over the last couple of weeks since the last check-in, I've found the new prospective steed. Not going to say too much about it just yet for fear of jinxing the whole bloody thing, but needless to say I'm beyond excited. For various reasons long and tedious, it won't be with me until the end of Feb, but the vendor is happy with this arrangement and a deposit has secured it.....only 7 weeks to wait ...but at least it's being kept safe and warm where it is. New tyres and fork reseal being done in the meantime. Will post pics as soon I get my grubby mitts on the keys. Maybe with another bin.
If there is one thing I've learned about classic cars and, presumably bikes, they are happier being regularly used. Buy with your heart, which I'd say is 916 from what you've said.
