Has anyone driven all three of them or at least two? I am interested how they compare on regular roads not racetrack?
Hi. I have owned an 02 748r (slab side, full Öhlins) and a 1995 748. On the road both are great, really involving bikes that you can actually take up to the limiter without going stupidly fast. The R does spin up quicker and has better suspension obviously. But on the road you would be hard pressed to notice the base being significantly worse. They both love to rev. Bang for buck it’s the lower spec that is much better value for only a marginally “worse” performance. To counter that the R models are sought after and are more likely to appreciate. If you want to ride it regularly get the lower spec and use it. The R would be more for special occasions and sunny days I think. Either way, you can’t go wrong. Brilliant bikes for the road. By coincidence I was watching this video earlier. I completely agree with the report.
I’m curious about these comparisons because I own , like new, 2005 749. I’m torn between selling it and upgrading to a 749R or simply upgrading the suspension to Ohlins and replacing the wheels with lighter ones. I believe the 749R is a better investment in terms of maintaining its value.
Oh. I misread your original title. I own a 749r Gen 1. I’ve not ridden the lower 749 models but the R is great. Very special bike. The real conundrum would be a 748r or a 749r. It would need to be an immaculate 748r to trump the 749r gen 1. If it was a 749r gen 2 then I would pass. Gen 1 or don’t bother. The 749r is also epic on the road.
anything without an R isnt special enough so sell what you have and get an R. youll instantly feel like a racing god
I’ve got what started life as a 2006 749 Bip. Many years ago I fitted 1098R front end, well ProTwins did for me. I remember the first time I rode it home and put the front brakes on, I nearly went over the handlebars. I still love riding it although I’ve never ridden an R. I only ride on the road so other than car park bragging rights I don’t see the need for an R. Mine has lots of R parts it wasn’t my intention to build a ‘look a like’ or fake R. I wanted a single seat from the outset and then being a carbon fan I sourced some fairings and I like the look of the larger tank. I’ve owned this bike for 18 years now.
no idea what the R rides like yet and its a 999 the track bike is a 749 dark. slow as fuck but im a track day newb but i like the torque and it makes me smile im scared to ride the R but its not a fair comparison being so much bigger/powerfuller etc let us know when you get your R and you can gloat about belonging to this elite cabal
Very basic input from myself, I have both dark and s, I rode my s all of 100 miles( short trips) pokey fun, I’ve put around the same miles on my dark, doesn’t feel as fluid didn’t feel as much of a kick, but still fun. take that info with a grain of salt as it’s limited miles spread apart and quite some time ago. I think I will sell my dark and look to pick up an r this year or next.
Saw this post when it first came up and finally sat down to find a few pics in the archives. Brief synopsis, 2011 crashed my RC8 on the road, insurance claim paid up but I kept the bike as a track bike. Remaining money I decided I needed a Ducati in my life having never owned one. Found a tidy 749 bip on a 56 plate. Bought it. As soon as I got it and started digging into what Ducatis existed I knew I needed an R. The biposta lasted about a year before I chopped it in and got a 2004 749r from Snells. Still got it. In terms of riding experience on the road; I immediately noticed the difference between the two bikes as expected. The biposta was plenty for the road and very forgiving which I'm sure you know. The R is much more free revving and noticeably more powerful. In terms of handling it felt sharper and the brakes better. At the time I hadn't done much on track but I've subsequently done a lot of racing on various bikes and without doubt the R is the better bike. That said the main reason I got the R in the first place was financial as you've mentioned. I knew I was unlikely to lose money on the R whereas the biposta was only ever going to be worth a certain amount. The only downside I find now is it doesn't have a pillion seat. I don't have any other bikes capable of taking a passenger and as the kids grow up I'd like to be able to take them for a ride. An excuse to buy another bike I suppose but doubt that'll wash. I'd say if you can afford it then get an R, preferably an early one, they are lovely bikes. I do about 1000-1500 miles a year on mine for the most part. Some years I've not ridden it at all but I try to use it rather than let it sit there. Mine has had its issues but nothing major. Standard niggles as far as I can tell but as long as you can live with that then I'd say get one. I won't be selling mine, my little boy will get it eventually. He was born in 2012 a few months before I got the bike and I told my wife I'd bought it for him, she didn't believe me. Pic of each:
just by a Biposto subframe and back end assembly - job done and still something you can pick up for pennies, and you can just swap them out on the days you need to carry the pillion.
It actually has a biposta subframe already on it as I got fed up with the alloy one cracking all the time. I cut the lugs off for the foot pegs though. It would mean changing insurance too amongst all the other bits. I'll likely get something a little more comfy at some point for pillion stuff. I've had the boy out with me on my brother's Gixxer thou and although it's fun for a short ride it gets a bit tedious for him perched on a little seat. Plus the R is just nice to ride alone without a care in the world.
