Hi All , been looking at a 748SP for sale locally, can anyone tell me the differences between the SP model compared with the base and other748's ,i'm not too clued up with this model, also its a Japanese import. were there any major differences with UK/European bikes apart from mileage reading in kph. Ta.
Back in 2000 my new order SP came with additional Termi end pipes & e-prom, paddock stand and cover. Back in those days you could dodge import tax if it came from a country like Germany, so mine was Kph as well and I cannot remember if the lights pointed correctly, but all fine with DVLA.
Alloy rear sub frame, straight though link pipe and termi pipes, ohlins rear shock, early graphics on the body work, mono seat, oil cooler fitted, think the early sp had steel conrods fitted in the engine but different cams for extra power.
As above steel rods in the SP and Titanium in the SPS. Alloy clutch cover as opposed to the thin steel one. The SPS used to come with carbon Termignoni's and a chip to match as well as stock silencers. Dealers often split these though and did not supply the Termignoni's. Yellow dust cover and gold stand and with the SPS the handbook was for that specific model, again SP may be the same as there was a separate handbook for the 748\748S. Cams were higher lift but not as high as on the 748R. Oil cooler fitted as stock along with quick-release fuel hoses. 748's especially the E models did not have this. The gear ratio on the SP and SPS was 2.64\1 and the 748 was 2.71\1. That equates to one tooth different on the back sprocket as standard. UK imports came with Fahrenheit temp. gauges instead of centigrade. As mentioned older style graphics were used on the side panels and tank. Wheels were three-spoke gold the same as the 748, although some models had silver wheels depending on year. Early models used to have Ducati racing moulded into the rear wheel. Alloy mono subframe fitted along with the mono seat with Ducati Campione del mondo superbike sticker and white number boards with gold edging and lengthened wiring loom as the ECU is positioned further back in the subframe. Floating front cast iron discs with Brembo 4 pot calipers with 40mm spacing as opposed to the later 65mm. Stock 748 is steel. Showa front forks and Ohlins rear shock, stock 748 had Showa all-round or a Sachs shock on the back. Black mirrors fitted and grey levers for brake and clutch instead of silver levers. A number of SP's were imported into this country compared to just one hundred SPS's. I have an SPS and the price new was £10,250 in 1999. I think that's about it and i would imagine a Japanese import should not be much different to the above.
