You have mentioned 4 models in your opening post, 3 you were going to but didn't purchase for different reasons and one you might be about to buy but not sure. Just sit and think for a while which you REALLY want, then start your search. Sometimes the hunt for the right bike can be enjoyable as well, you might find you end up with a 749R after all . Of the 4 you listed I'd have the S/L, in YELLOW of course.
I get it all the time, why do you need another bike ? what does it do that the others don’t, what’s the point, looks the same as the other one, why have you added the black ( carbon ) front mudguard etc etc. You don’t have to justify anything, if it’s what you want and you enjoy the research and owning experience just do it... Here’s mine, bought in 2015, added the high level Termis, love the white frame, black wheel model, always wanted one. Sold it 12 months later at a profit. Just wasn’t for me, I also preferred my MK1 Superlight just easier to ride..
For me the later 851s and 888 Stradas with their tapered rear seat fairings are the ones I found more attractive, personally. I had always wanted one and finally bought one in 2017 with big plans to get it to look like an SP5. I bought it with the knowledge that it was tired, had period upgrades, but was honest. I have spent a decent amount to get it to the bike it is today, but it has cost me way less than a SP5 is now and my bike still has all of the original parts to take it back to a fully functioning 2 seat bike, if the next custodian wants to share the experience. Do what makes you happy and enjoy what you want. Here are a few photos summarising the transformation my 888 has been on and I love it as much now as I did when I found it....
When I was looking to buy my first ducati I had fallen in love with the 900SS as it being my first pillion ride then the monster looked appealing and I liked the 848 in Pearl white even though Ducati is RED I sat on an 848 and I thought oh yes that's the bike for me until I went to see my dizzy and I knew instantly that was the bike for me I sat on her she fitted me perfectly. My friend took her for a ride around the block and said she will be great. I too would like an 888 it's been on my bucket list since 2008 I also do like the supermono. I have ridden a monster an ssie a multi a quick go on 996 and I always hankered after my SS each time. Not the easiest bike to ride quite heavy but lightens up riding. It's fast when you want it to be and slow enough to enjoy a Sunday ride. Everyone wants to look over it when it's parked up even the 1098 was over shadowed in one car park Filling up at the petrol station you get the thumbs up If it was me I would be finding the perfect 888/851 I think you need to see it in the flesh sit on it and follow your instincts The day I bought dizzy home
Wow wow wow!! So many replies....so many positive and encouraging replies, thanks folks, really appreciate it. I'll sit down later and go through them in more detail and reply. But, I think I may be forming a more concrete set of thoughts. The one that I'm absolutely smitten with, the one that gets the pulse racing, is the Superlight. I've now listened to so many YT video clips of that aircooled 2v engine, and the deep chested bellow, to my ears that sounds absolutely cracking but also suitably different from the DQ engine in the 748....I know it's virtually identical to the 900SS, so actually a very nice SS would also rush straight to the top of the list I think. I did read the "sticky" thread in the Supersport forum earlier, about things to look out for as prospective owners. Erm...it makes for sobering reading, but to answer one of the Q's above whether I'm handy with spanners, oh yeah, that's my passion. Restored an old 1970 Colchester Bantam mkII 3-ph lathe in the workshop along with an Elliott Progress No.1 pillar drill (proper solid British engineering!)...both bought to facilitate an 11yr project on an aircooled "squashed Beetle"....stripped and rebuilt that engine twice with a huge amount of mods, finally finishing the engineering side of things this time last year (just some light cosmetics to get done now). If anyone's particularly interested, I documented the full project here. The prospect of stripping a bike engine doesn't phase me, there's enough of a library of info and help to get that done, but of course, I'd rather not pay decent money for a basket case, so that list of things to look out for is invaluable.
Haha, not-silent-response > Lovely bike there Joe, stunning! Another cracker! Yep, that's exactly what I'm into, riding at my own pace either solo or leading a ride out with a mate. Muh-hah-ha....I don't think there is Paul, sorry....E45 cream perhaps? (yer kiddin' yerself)
Thanks Yellow, yep, I'm enjoying this slight indecision - weirdly - it's giving me time to dig into the various forums and research a little more before making any decisions. It's completely going against my impulsive nature, but I think with "youngtimer" generation Ducati's, that's a good thing. And it's this crazy inflation in values that's ticking in the back of my head - I'm certainly not a speculator, far too much of a hoarder, can't bear to part with ANYTHING....it's more the FOMO of not getting around to experiencing these things before they become unobtainable.
Yep, I'm more than comfortable spannering - like you, nothing gives me more pleasure that sticking the telly on, or Alice Coopers late night show on Planet Rock, and losing myself to a project for an evening. Or five. A good mate of mine has a D16RR in his living room...plus a very tolerant wife....it never goes anywhere, or gets started. I couldn't do that. Hahaha....low expectations, yep, where do I sign up for that? Damn you man! I thought I'd made some firm'ish decisions until I read the above; now that would be a cool project. Now, coincidentally, the Superlight I'm chatting with somebody about does have some of the same "period" modifications you list above. Not sure about fork mods, I don't think so but I'll ask. Thanks for the link to bikeboys writeups, I'll dig into those shortly! Great info there, thanks!!
Thanks mate, yep, I should live a little! One of my customers, lovely guy and also a biker, said to me the other day over a coffee...."treat the loss of that 749R the same as a relationship breakup - don't go and get something on the rebound". Sage advice. It has crossed my mind whether it will be a boomerang story with me circling back to a 749R, although in reality I think the sheer cost of using it and adding miles means that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I want/should.
Yep, a few people are asking the "why?"....my usual reply is "because I can" (happily single, and my daughter is a bit of a petrolhead as well) Ooof. Both of those are lovely Tricolore. Nice to tick the boxes, and interesting that you preferred the Superlight. God a white frame looks awesome!
That. Is. Stunning. I love it both in the before and after phases, but now it looks so clean and "period".....and a fellow workshop projecteer as well! Love the cerakoted engine components, definitely what I'll do if/when I strip the 748R engine (it has a little bit of flaking paint, but not enough to warrant a teardown just yet).
Yep, that slight indecision sounds very familiar! Sounds perfect, just what I'm looking for, rather than a point-n-squirt hooligan I think you're spot-on, time to stop analysing by laptop and get around to see a few; like you say, the pulse will either go through the ceiling....or it just won't. Awwww!!!
Thanks again folks for your thoughts and guidance. I think I've just created a good-excuse-thread for you all to post some awesome pics!! I'll keep you posted.....
