With "possible" rocker issues in mind, buying a 748/916/996 bike with all recent engine servicing and thorough checking having been done recently by a reputable person is a must here, if the top price is being asked.
Go with your heart on the model you want mate. Don’t be put off or you'll never buy anything. Like any bike, choose one that’s sensibly priced with middling mileage and a decent RECENT service history. P.S. red ones are faster…
Edited repost:- i have contacted the seller, the belts have now been done and MOT expires 7th April 2023. Mileage is 5,973. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195581755055?hash=item2d8994beaf:g:vC4AAOSwF09jLGx0&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoESDIjyjerJo683sa+E4Ik7Ib2CxymHtlmjH6nxCg+IxkgXgWJeuNh69YiiQ9hGxCJI2vOAEYPQOi53eQx/ilRI8htMvylZwFNKraMi141qmjBJWlOVJQxVYwnnOWD9Cqs9Sz3UAgKuSabaBfj/cNlsxGonCnqvAnwl40ixP4EOWEYoRd7xDded9NQofzH4GFubcfkFhRwPv6l/swmtdQJo=|tkp:Bk9SR9jml_bQYQ
Plural, so without wishing to become grammar police, the plural of 748 is 748s (no apostrophe needed). Unless of course I've taken your post the wrong the way in which case I apologise. Now, if we talking about a 748S, then it has to be a grey one with red wheels.
there’s a few clean 998’s for around £10k, which would be a cool option as the testastretta engine is a big step forwards. Of the older bikes, especially coming from an R6, your best bet is the 748r as it revs and makes all its power right up at 10k revs, where as on a 996 it’s making its peak power around 8500k rpm. it all comes down to what you want, if you want big stomp from little revs a 996 will partially do that, although I think the 998 is still a much better option. If you go down the 748r route, it’s an amazin bike but HAS to be really well set up or they are frustrating as hell. The issues you have is that the r6 is so buttery smooth, that any of these bikes will feel like tractors for a while. Stick with it though
For that "occasional track day" you mentioned, the 748R will see you mixing it up with the big boys on the twisty bits...
Don't be fooled that a 748 is light, the difference in weight between a 748 and a 916/996 is only a couple of kilos (basically the oil cooler and a tad more oil) and the 1098 is lighter than all the 916 range. Agree that a 998 is probably the best of the bunch, given it's more modern/powerful engine but of the Desmoquattro models, I'm partial to the 916 for the extra grunt over the 748 and that it's slightly more revvy than the 996. Of course it has the lower output single-phase alternator (as per early 748) but that works fine if you keep on top of it and, with a bit of gas-flow work to the heads, it can make more power than a (standard) 996 anyway.
Over the years I've had a 748/996 and now own a 998. Out of all of em, my riding favourite was the 748. Just seemed to suit my "style" better I suppose.
I agree. My 996 SPS is a brute of a thing ripping rubber throughout the curve. The 748 R & RS are just rev machines that require a proper front end set up, 10s rather than my usual 9s and real finesse on the brakes with later and harder the preferred technique.
Could you elaborate please? What are 9s and 10s? How would I set up my 748 for the track considering new tyres (120/70 on the front) on forged magnesium marchesini.
To the OP (and indeed anyone else): I have a recently fully restored / serviced 996S (in glorious red!) that I could be persuaded to part with for a sensible price (around your budget). Rides gloriously after a suspension refurb, and subsequent setup by ex Ducati race engineer. PM me for details.
What are 9s and 10s? Fork springs. 9 soft and 10 hard. I found suspension on my R (Showa) was a little soft with 9s. On the RS (Ohlins) I changed to 10s with Metzler 120/70 TD slicks. Much more stable braking, deeper and harder into turns. In practice you sail past the bigger bikes between turn in, mid turn and exit. Obviously "overtaking with respect" at all times . Set up is very import and way above my incompetence level, but once done needs very little attention as temps rise and fall. Just adjust tyre pressures if you see tearing. Here is the RS at Cartagena last year.
Whatever you did with the camera angles made me feel travel sick watching it! HAHA, it's amazing though how many shifts etc you do around there compared to my R1, what sort of laptime did you do? I've probably said it above, but 748's are where it's at, if you can afford an R then it's the best option of the lot, with a 998 coming next.
Hey Phil, I cracked 1:49.90. Yeah, working the box like a madman to maintain momentum. Me and the GoPro have a patchy relationship. I should read the instructions really.
Hahaha fair enough, my best was a 1:49.99, admittedly on an R1 but still I was fairly happy with it, it's such a physical place to ride around, especially with the thing trying to wheelie the whole time, really showed me that 600 class bikes are where it's at..
