SPS...only bike that ever scared me. And I've had a few others ;-) Also only bike I regret getting rid of, well actually I broke it because it got wrecked left in a damp garage for 3 months covered (unbeknown to me) in salt
For me I would rather go 853 and I do believe this is the best bike Ducati never made, possible followed by a 748R engine with stock 748 injectors in a non 748 frame\airbox combo. If you are a two stroke man of past or after something a bit revvier then that is an alternative. Each to his own.
Only coz you have the thrash it to get anywhere, nit just use that mad torq ;-) lightweight flywheel and a little work to lift the limiter and it revs ok ;-)
Have to say i have never ridden an SPS so can't compare directly but the 748 does have a special feel all of its own. Having to work it (and you) hard is very much part of the appeal.
Merry christmas lads! 853ing a r doesn't make much sense to me to be honest, but for sure any bike I buy will be tweaked to get the most out of it in a reversible sort of way. I think I have made my mind up. Think.. Going home to Sweden for new year but am gonna try and sow up a deal before then now a good drink is in order! Cheers
I jumped off a 748 E onto an SPS. Ok it wasn't an R but it was like getting off a 250 superdream and onto an R1
Nothing wrong with a super dream mate! actually I want a superdream in the stable, if only for the name :-D
i have severe withdrawl symptoms for my 748. and its still only december! have a pending speeding ban looming in feb as well. could be a long wait :-(
I had a 400N Superdream. Suppose I still had it. Is there any occasion I'd actually want to ride it? No. When I got my 500 Pantah, it was like moving to a different planet.
OK. Lost a bit of momentum on this one but things are happening. Dissmissed the 748 series and going 916, probably SPS. I do like the look of this one: Ducati 916 SPS 996cc limited edition no 154 | eBay However there are a few question marks.. It almost looks too good for the mileage of over 30,000 miles.. Sold by a backstreet car dealer who bought it of his mate who runs another car dealer doesn't do much for confidence. Don't think neither of them did many miles. Before that just the one owner from new. Blueprinted engine from new(!?) and some lock wiring (sprocket) suggests it's probably been raced(not necessarily a bad thing i guess), but the high mileage somewhat says it must have been on the road as its quite hard racking up such mileage racing. Also it's never run on the original wheels, just the lighter marchesini ones. Eccentric first buyer, or it went straight to the race track? I recon the above have most people running the other way, but I think it might be allright...? The mileage is so high it almost certainly have been looked after and most things that would break(rockers), have. If the above haven't scared you off, what would you look for when seeing this bike? Are there things on the SPS that wear out with this sort of mileage and isnt servicable or very expensive? (crank cases, frame...)? I do like the look of this thing but the milage scares me. Even though I will most certainly tackle any issues that arises myself I can Imagine there might be BIG bills lurking in parts cost alone? What is it worth? I can clearly see what other SPS's are advertised at but I haven't seen any sell.. Having zero experience with Duc's I.m not sure quite how to proceed... Any advice on how to (try to) avoid pitfalls are most appreciated! Cheers, Fred
Personally I am concerned by the lock wire on the sprockets as there is just no need on the road. I personally believe that blue printing is excellent for reliability but It wouldn't have been done from new which makes me think it's had a rebuild at some point due to a main bearing failure or valve failure. If this is the case it would be fine but they should just say. Do u know where the first long term owner is from? U could ring around dealers and ask them if they have any records or engine work done to that bike; chances are that dealers quite often remember the 'sp and Sps' models.
If the engine has been genuinely been blueprinted the seller should have a receipt to back it up. If he doesn't then it's only his word and one person's idea of blueprinting might not be what it should be. If he has a receipt then you could phone the dealer who did the work. Even a rebuild should at least be accompanied by a receipt, there's no reason a rebuild should not be declared. If it has no provable history I wouldn't touch it. There's always another one out there!!
Apparently full service history (up until a couple of years ago when it was bought by the first dealer guy) and paperwork to back it up. Sold new in the UK. Engine was blueprinted before delivery with paperwork to back it up. What makes me like this bike; 1997, so first SPS and I know it's a bit silly but I much prefer the graphics on this compared to newer bikes Upgrade wheels from new, and standard unused wheels comes with it Carbon Airbox (standard box comes with it) All original equipment comes with it One long term owner from new (plus unfortunately a couple of wannabe's ) IF all the paperwork is correct and it's been properly maintained then the mileage shouldn't be such an issue..? Lets say I get it for 7.5k, I assume the wheel would be worth a few hundred(3-400?), then the airbox another (300 again?), so a standard (though leggy..) SPS for about 7k..? Can you really get em much cheaper then that..?
