I'm a fair way off a ducati tbh but I find myself on here most days ogling the galleries. It was a yellow 749 that sparked my interest in motorbikes many moons ago and I always said I'd own one some day. Got my license in September and on a yamaha thundercat to cut my teeth. I'll be on that for the forseeable future but there's a ducati looming somewhere and I think it'll need to be before babies start appearing or else it'll be after I retire! Looking through threads it seems, superficially at least, that it's worth paying more for an 848 as it'll be cheaper to run than a 749? Discuss.
I think if the deciding factor between which ducati is which one is cheapest to run you may be in for a long wait. They are all comparabley reasonable to run and maintain. SP's and R's may be a bit more to maintain and run. A 749 would be cheaper to buy than an 848 but petrol costs as much as your wrist is prepared to pay. They are no worse than other bikes. Well not for me anyway. Just stay on top of the maintenance and buy a bike with full history that has been looked after and you will have a wonderful machine which ever one you decide to buy. My money would be on a 749. As I have an 1198 and a 916 but do not have a 749/999 shape and they are really giving me a semi right now. Plus a good 749 is reasonably priced but will undoubtedly only get pricier as they disappear into peoples collections. Plus they make a great track bike. The world is your cucumber. Babies may be prevented easily. Women love pearl necklaces.
The 848 in theory should cost a bit less in servicing costs as long as you don't do a lot of miles. My 748 only does about 1000-1500 miles a year so i have a big service done by a specialist every other year and do an oil change and basic stuff myself in between.
I had a 748 and loved it to bits. I now have an 848 and love it to bits. Personally I'd say go for the 848, they are a great bike with more reliability than the older Ducatis.
