Looking for advice regarding 749s purchase please. - Ducati.ms

hurley209 · Jan 12th, 2012, 1:30 am

Hey guys, so I'm looking at a 2006 749s, it's pretty nice besides some tiny blemishes, but does have 19k miles.
Price is 5k$
What do you guys think?
I have heard so many "19k miles? It's done" comments, but I've also read of many owners riding their ducs thousands of miles fine.
Needless to say its hard to decide so any help would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance!

John Horsey · Jan 12th, 2012, 9:32 am

For a properly maintained bike, 19k miles is nothing. That's 3 to 4 thousand per year, which is pretty light use. I bought an '03 last year with much higher mileage, did an oil change, and had a trouble free season of track riding.
If the owner has service records, $5k sounds like a good price.
Good Luck.

DMCTRUBY · Jan 12th, 2012, 9:55 am

What was done on the 19K ? Do you have proof from the owner that the rockers were checked, all in spec and no issues with wear ? Were all fluids changed (brake and clutch). All filters (gas and internal oil filters ?) When were the forks lasts serviced, an 06 will be due for fork seals at that age & mileage ($add 300). Clutch plates, clutch basket good ? Clutch rod bearing ok, 999/749 can wear out the external and internal clutch parts pretty fast.

19K should be nothing for a well maintained regular bike but superbikes age quickly. I just spent $1200 this weekend on my 12k service, which covered a few extra things like hose replacements. It is a 2006 and the 3rd bike of this model I have owned. No matter how much you care for them proactively they get expensive to maintain if you want them to start crisply, not run hot, idle well and perform at speed well.

Sounds like you may have found one that was well taken care of, just be aware they are expensive to maintain and even the well maintained ones at now 6 years old have issues that pop up. Market will determine fair price but your in the ballpark

hurley209 · Jan 13th, 2012, 12:21 am

Hey guys thank you all for the replies.
So as for maintenance records, well not really any, just the person saying it was taken care of.
So the miles and lack of maintenance records make me nervous about it.
I can do most of the maintenance my self and for those which I wouldn't feel comfortable doing I wouldnt mind paying.... But still. Regardless of that I remain iffy about it.

At first I thought it was an awesome deal until I saw the mileage and stuff.
It's a tough choice, i don't really know what to decide.

kope999R · Jan 13th, 2012, 2:26 am

its a good price... no doubt about that... 06 is a great bike with final development, no doubt about that... and ducs are expensive to maintain, no doubt about that... but if you want one, it won't get much better than that, either way. Or you pay more for less miles, or you get older bike, or one with dodgy background... a nice bike is always worth 5K... enjoy!

Koen

galaxy · Jan 13th, 2012, 9:36 am

Some may disagree, but here's a different spin on Ducati maintenance that you can/maybe take away from this thread and find a happy medium somewhere. I'll just use me as an example...

I can honestly say this because I'm currently shopping for a bike, but I place little to zero value on the basic maintenance history of the bike. Why? Because I'm so anal, the first thing I'm gonna do when I get home is valves, belts, install my own oil and all other fluids, and whatever else needs done or I just feel like doing. It's kinda that bonding thing for me that truly makes it officially mine. Plus this way I know the exact status with no wondering or digging for proof.

Now I said find a happy medium, because this doesn't mean I suggest you or anyone should just pick up some random POS (unless a project bike like that is what you're looking for) but just something to think about.

If you're like me and can find a bike that's clearly in great shape and been well taken care of, odds are that owner refleted the same care towards the motor/drivetrain.

**deluxe68** · Jan 13th, 2012, 11:44 am

It sounds like a good deal. I would just factor in the cost of a complete engine rebuild and plan for it. If you can justify the total cost then go for it, if the engine grenades then you will not be surprised by the expense. If it just keeps on going then in a few years you have a nice farkling fund.

jcns · Jan 13th, 2012, 12:19 pm

2005 999 with 31k miles
Bought it new
street riding only
If properly maintained is important.
Here is why.
At 30k clutch bearing leaking
24k miles, swingarm bearing totally rusted and missing ball bearings
18k miles, heat shield over muffler cracked
Clutch still original, basket and plates are pretty worn but no slippage. Again street riding is gentler than tracking.
I am sure I had other issues but I can't remember them all now.
Valve check history - 6k miles 2 or 3 were out of spec. At 18k miles one was out of spec. Valves have been within spec since. Street riding is gentler on valvetrain.
I would not buy a Duc with 19k miles without a service history.

DMCTRUBY · Jan 13th, 2012, 1:06 pm

749/999 are well sorted bikes, with the exception that that entire clutch system sucks, which can put stress on the starter clutch. Perhaps some with 05/06 models are still running on the stock stuff, my view is clutch lines, master and slave, bearing, basket, clutch plates, and internal starter clutch drive will likey need to be replaced if your looking at riding over the next two years. That and the battery cabling and starter motor is crap...add in a rebuild on the starter, new bat and hi-cap cables are those are something every 999 owner should do if they want to enjoy quick and consistent starting. The only thing that was consistent on all the 999's i had was the fork seal weeping at 5 or 6 years of age or after 30K miles. The rest of the issues were minimal, loose hoses, slip on leaks, easy stuff. All those bike however always had the regular service done by a good Duc mechanic.

asphalt · Jan 13th, 2012, 2:27 pm

I just saw a 749 biposto sell at auction, wrecked, with 40K miles for $2000. I think you are getting a good deal. Like others have said, change all the fluids, and belts, and do your valves, start fresh so to speak.

Oh, and the S is a great bike. You should be able to pull some great HP from the motor. Remember the heads, cams, valves, pistons, and crank are different from standard.