Hi everyone! I am looking to buy a 748, but undecided on which. Leaning towards an R, but which is the one to get? I realise the differences between the models, but which one is more desirable and also which colour is more desirable? Or am I missing a trick here and should go for an earlier model? Or am I really missing a trick and should go for a 916 variant? The bike will definitely be ridden, but also keeping value in the thing is important to me. Value retention is more important than purchase price if you know what I mean. Thanks, Fred
Thing is I always had a thing for the R, but was running jap bikes and strokers when I was still riding. (still have a Honda RS250 in the back of the shed). So I just started looking for a Duc, and am wondering what is the best buying proposition as I have not followed the marketplace at all.
an R is a nice spec bike - get ohlins front and rear spec one. Red998 will be along shortly telling you how many of each model where made and imported each year, then saying model "X" because there where very few imported would be you best bet because it will only go up in value etc etc blah blah blah blah blah. Get a tidy one, dont be afraid of sensible mods, OEM stuff can be put back on and the carbon/bling bits sold on.
The R had various iterations during it's life. Early ones (MY2000 IIRC) didn't have ohlins. The last ones are very nice IMO, ohlins and slab fairings... But these are fetching bigo moneyo these days...Usually advertised for £6k.+
What are the going prices for the R at the moment? The only one I've seen sold was a heavily modified example with 853 conversion that went on ebay for 4500 iirc, but asking prices on standard bike seems to be 5-6k..?
For whatever reason I like the idea of an early yellow bike. But if the latest iteration is regarded as much better maybe I am shooting myself in the foot buying a y2k bike..?
I had an early one in yellow. Destroyed by a dopey Polish bint looking the wrong way at a T junction! Enormous fun bike!
So in short go for an 748SP or better a UK 748SPS, only 100 imported over the three years (40,40,20) or go for a 748R with full Ohlins like a 2002 model, that will be the dearest of the lot. An SP or SPS will be cheaper and they only came in Yellow. I have an SPS which was staggeringly expensive (£1,2250 in 1999) with full history and original bill of sale, when new compared to the other models. If you go the SP or SPS route try and get all the extras that came with it like a stand, cover and Termignoni's. Better performance than a stock 748 also.
Are you saying a SP/SPS would be a better route then an R? How much was the R when it came out, out of interest? What are the details of the SPS you are selling?
Do you plan on doing servicing yourself to save costs. I ask as 748R need belts changing every 6000 miles ie every service is a big one instead of 12000 like all the other ducatis of that era.Something to factor in maybe before choosing 748SPS or 748R.
