Hello, as per the title I'm looking for some buying advice, I'm due a bonus in late January and after years of teasing myself I'm going to treat myself to a little weekend toy, I have been glancing over the 748's and 9's, as I'm not the tallest and it will be my first larger cc sports bike, price wise they seam similar, obviously with the newer 749's priced higher and the difference in miles and age ect, I must admit I prefer the looks of the 748 over the 49, I honestly have no idea what to look for whilst searching, best model, what mods people have added, reliability issues, weak points, servicing points ect. Any advice to help me from getting my fingers burnt would be greatly received, thanks, Benny Ps this model really caught my eye http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181042274.../sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=181042274256&_rdc=1
I was going to direct you to Anne summers Hello and welcome I'm sure the locals with better knowledge will be along shortly Enjoy
Hello and welcome. Doesnt look too bad a bike, but if 4k is your budget, there are plenty to choose from, especially at this time of year
Hey Benny I picked up the bike u posted yesterday but if your still after that model there is another one on MCN for sale slightly cheaper u should check out. Things to look for A service history and recent belt changes would be good Also valve adjustments at 12k and check the rocker arms for flaking as this can be a expensive problem. There is a post with more details from a chap called shazam and goes into a lot more detail. I'll try and find it
Matt is right but 12K miles is not a bad thing ... these climb rapidly up to 22 k over this number of years... it seems well kept to... as salbalboa just found out! congrats with the buy! welcome....
Check out this link lots of use full info on there http://www.ducati.org/forums/916-99...ing-about-buying-a748-996-need-some-help.html
First off welcome to the group. With respet to 748 or 749, I've owned a pair of 916s and a 999. These bikes are very near your desired models. Each have their advantages. I, like you prefer, the looks of the 748/916. The 749/999 are more adjustable, a bit quicker and offer a bit more room to move around on. Also easier to service if you are a do it your self type. In the end the only fair advise I can offer you is try each or at the very least sit on each and then make up your mind. I liked them both and am pleased to have owned and ridden each. Good luck with your choice, you really won't go far wrong. This is a good time to buy, merry Christmas!
if your going for a 748/996 go for the S (ohlins rear and a few other tweaks including 5 spoke marchesini's get one with cans+chip (termi's )+originals as these aint cheap , service history , etc etc the 748/996 is a cracking bike but........... getting used to it is gonna be a bitch (dry clutch screeeeeech) this side of a dry road (its not user friendly from the off) however once your used to it you'll love it ....you said your short ? you can lower it , I did for pixie ... but don't go extreme , at £4000 grand your close to a 996 there mate ......almost 998 ...as for problems yup there is a few but so do japs ......reliability is a myth !!!!!!!!!!!!! ducati years ago were working almost out of a shed using crap components and poor quality control ...and so the reputation grew ......ask my mates on japs ? nowadays there not perfect but but ive never really had a prob (ride the fackin thing don't just look at it ) ....have fun.... oh and the 749 seat height is not what it says !!!!!!!!!!!!! the tank/seat splays more than the 748 therefore lifting your legs up and out ...we tried for emma and failed , although up and out is not a bad thing for her hehehehehe :biggrin:
As others have said if you prefer the 748 then the only problems are 1 the charging circuit two yellow wires from the alternator to the rectifier are a bit undersized and need upgrading ( could already have been done) and the rectifier its self, again could have been done, 2 the rockers can flake meaning the chrome covering can flake of so need inspecting so check servicing to see whether this has been done, it can be expensive at £120 for one rocker. I have no experience of the 749 but the engine is known not to have the issues mentioned on the 748. Steve
maybe look outside the box at the 1000ss, 2 valve motor has far cheaper maintenance costs, far cheaper to buy and possibly is a far better bike on the road with better bottom end and mid range power however its not the fashion statement that a 748/749 is however if you want the 748/749 style you should look seriously at larger versions, 916/996/999
Hi and welcome ive had a few bikes in my time but I keep going back to the 748. Don't rush into it, take your time try the various models and see what suits you. It's always Sod's law that you buy one and the following day a better one comes along for cheaper. I've just recently purchased another 748 having been away from Ducati for 8 years. This search took me 6 months to find the right bike. History is a biggie, don't just buy the bike but buy the owner too. Good luck in your quest and here's a link to my bike to keep you thinking. http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f2/superbike-gallery-58/index16.html#post88839
Guys and girls, Thank you so much for all the advice, it will defiantly come in handy when I go out with cash in my pocket, I'm swinging towards the 748' s looks wise and I think I can get a good example within my budget, after looking at the larger 916's ect I think better examples are slightly out of reach, Am I right in thinking the S and R models are visually different with the rear in white??
Nice looking bikes - not the most comfortable, but they have character. I've had mine for five years now and can't see any reason to change.
Hi Mate The 'S' Models were available in both Monoposto and Biposto and the 'R' was only available as a Mono. With that said don't just assume that a bike with a white rear is either one of the 2 listed as a common modification was to swap the rear frame to accommodate either modification. Check the Log Book although sometimes that can also be wrong, end result is to email Ducati UK for clarification should any suspicions arise. I got a call from Ducati Italy within 3hrs of submitting my request. I was initially looking at an 'S' as I didn't want to spend the extra for an 'R' lets just say the 'S' was exactly that Sh@@ !!!! As these bikes are 10+ years old now some of them can be highly disguised to look like something there not. It's a hard and tiring process looking for a nice 748, most Ducati enthusiasts are renowned for a level of OCD therefore don't be put off. I went on the search looking for a Showroom example. Was it possible ? Indeed it was...... Like I mentioned in my previous post take your time and buy the one that makes you happy, for 4k (assumption based on the eBay bike)you can have a nice bike in your hands, plenty of enthusiasts outdoor there it's just buying when there selling, that's the key.
