Ducati 748 vs 848r or 916 vs 996

916 is the 'original'. 996 has more power but its not a 916. Not sure I'd want to pillion on either. The R may have an Alu subframe, in which case a pillion is not possible without replacing with a steel one. My money would be on a tidy 916Bip. Theres too much uncertainty around the SP's for me unless it had a documented history to re-assure me it was real and unfettered. I love 916's.

 

Ive an SP ally subframe on my 916Bip and I had to modify the ECU position to get it to fit okay. There are also a couple of differing ECU's, especially on the R's I think. So hopefully someone will confirm whether this is an easy job. Ive only done it the other way round.

 

Gotta ask Reece - why do you want to sell your 749 in the first place?

Obviously not power as you are prepared to go for less in a 748.

So is it the looks? :Arghh: (written by a new 999 owner)

 

Fair enough - when I was deciding it was between a good 916/996/998 , a tip top late 999, or a average 848 ( all for roughly the same price - say £5k to £6k ).
As you say power becomes a bit irrelevant (especially when, like me you're pushing 60) I know I will only be using 80% of the bikes capabilities if I'm lucky.

However I'm really pleased with my choice - the 999 grows on me every day,

If the Lotto comes in I'd have one of each of course!

 

Ive been browsing 749's and 748's over the last few months, still not quite sure what to buy, but most of the 748's seem to have had a pretty hard life, finding a really good one to replace a perfectly good 749 is going to be a tough job.

 

I have a 748R in a 748S chassis and it is better to live with than running a straight 748R. The large injectors do cause problems as fuel sits on the butterfly at times and when it tips in it stutters on pull away and the slipper clutch if not looked after properly can play up. Belts have to be changed every year on the R and they seem to be going for silly money in some cases.

Have you thought of a 748S (later model) or an SP or SPS. The SPS is very rare and not all that you see are UK models but it is a good bike though, but again to make it a biposto it would need a subframe swap. The ECU is the same as the base 748's and the 916.

Don't buy an E they are a real base model with a lot of decent bits missing like decent fuel hose connectors, screws to hold the fairing and not dzus fateners erc.

 

Lightbulb moment, 748 replica body kit to fit 749!

Anyone fancy shares in my new company 748lookeylikey.com

 

I don't think power can be your consideration here, AFAIK all 748's will have less power that a testastretta engine'd 749, so it has to be about buying the right bike.

I personally would go for a really tidy 996s (and nearly did) with Ohlins rear shock and the Tin coated Showa's at the front. There are a few kicking around where as 748's are rarer now and I think you will hate the drop in power. Obviously if you got an 'R' the engine has tons of character and would be great fun, but my Money is on a 996s.

If you can find a 998S then absolutely it trumps the lot, it's got the great engine in the beautiful body, but dealers want silly money for them. I looked at a few before realising they were more money than 848's and I couldn't not get an 848!!

 

Most 748's were cheaper at the time bar the 748SPS which was a staggering £12,250 to £12,500 a lot less than a new 998 Biposto 3 years later!

The cheaper bikes have been turned over so many times in a lot of cases due to cost of maintenance and possibly even reliability issues with early bikes. It's hard to find a decent 748 that is genuine, original and at a good price now.

I'd agree a 998 is a better way to go, but it really doesn't rev like the 748's, and having both, I do find the 748 more of a practical bike.

 

If Torque is high on your priority list plus you're after value for money at the moment, then a 996 is the way to go afaic.

 

Yep, seems the general feeling is that a 996 would be a good shout, go for a 996s would be my view, better rear shock for a start which may be more noticeable when carrying passengers etc

 

Most up to date would be a 998 or a 998S. Nice and torquey motor and old style looks with modern engine. The 998 biposto comes with an Ohlins shock as standard

 

Get the best you can afford, there aren't lots of these for sale that would be regarded as good'uns with many now being moth balled.

Having run a 996 for over 50k miles, I'd say one in a heartbeat, don't get hung up on which one, even most the bips these days have Ohlins at the rear as the Showas got upgraded during ownership and anything on the original shock will need an overhaul anyhow so good excuse to swop in an Ohlins unit.

Also don't get hung up on BHP as many of those horses will have fled.

The most important thing is how big is the stack of receipts for looking after it, mine may have high miles but the history is like war and peace, and look for respected names to have maintained it, the likes of JHP, Cornerspeed, Snells, Louigi Moto etc .... the ones that know their onions, not just the main dealers, some of whom are pants.

 

I was the very proud owner of a mint 748R and they are pleasure and pain in one beautiful package.The engine has a spanking top end surge and with 50 mm termi's has boom and more importantly bite to the sound track,still my favorite Ducati sound however the part throttle fueling is frankly terrible and the slipper clutch is not only laughable with its grab,let go grab again feel but you will get through a clutch pack rapid too.Ride it like you stole it everywhere and it'll be fine but any other time frustrating.Best mod,fit a 748S clutch.The fueling on a 748S is much better but no top end surge in comparison.The 749 is much more compliant and smoother all around.Don't get me wrong,the 748R is a very special bike but seems slightly underdeveloped for the road.

 

You're mad on 2 counts.......1, selling your 749 and 2, buying a bike at this time of the year.

So my advice (being a well respected forum member) is to keep the 749 and buy a fat arse 996 in November, if that's what floats your boat !