Best/Worst Years for a 749 - Ducati.ms

slowerthan · Jan 27th, 2012, 9:43 am

For someone interested in purchasing, but not at all familiar with the 749, were there certain model years that were considered better than others, so as to specifically search and/or wait for? Conversely, were there certain model years that were more problematic and best to avoid?

Thanks for the input.

Jyrki · Jan 27th, 2012, 10:11 am

04 749R - carbon fairings
05-06 749R - other than missing carbon good stuff
05-06 others - red frame and box swinger
04 749S - Different style heads that accept 749R cams(not that many care)
03 749 and 749S - maybe some electrical gremlins, but should be fixed now(it's 2012, so if there was a problem it would have came up already)

So my top list:

1. 749R 2004
2. 749R 2005-2006
3. S models(04 the best?)
4. others

John Horsey · Jan 27th, 2012, 10:26 am

I bought an '03 749 a year ago, and it's been a great bike so far. There is a recall on 2003 models to have their oil coolers replaced, so you can easily check at a dealer to see if it's been done to a bike you want. My opinion of the brake and clutch masters (all years) is low, but 848/1098 masters are readily available and fit right up. Presumably the 05-06 swingarm is better, but at my lap times, the cast is fine.
Aftermarket parts availability (which seems to be important to you) seems to be better for '05-'06, so that might be the issue that tips it for you.
Whatever year, you'll get an awesome bike. Have fun.

hump3 · Jan 27th, 2012, 11:37 am

I have a 2005 749 - so the facelift model with red frame, black swingarm, updated fairing. One issue mine suffered from was a rusty fuel tank.

Symptoms were fuel starvation (splutter and stalling.....like running out of fuel with a full tank). The dealer knew EXACTLY what the issue was before he even looked at the bike:- by all accounts there were a batch of tanks that suffered from this issue (the symptoms being caused by flakes of rust getting stuck in the fuel filter).

The dealer replaced fuel tank and pump free of charge eventhough the bike was out of warranty, no questions. His view was it was a "known issue" & the other dealer who had serviced it before should have spotted the issue earlier during it's service.

I found a few threads that seemed to substantiate this as an issue on some bikes but to be honest I do not know if it was specific to 2005 bikes or not. Other than that my bike has never missed a beat.

May be worth a bit more of a check though as new fuel tanks and pumps arent cheap!

bahula03 · Jan 27th, 2012, 12:11 pm

I guess clarifying which 749 you're looking for (dark, base, S or R) would be helpful. At the end of the day, *any* well maintained 749 will be a great bike.

slowerthan · Jan 27th, 2012, 7:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by bahula03

I guess clarifying which 749 you're looking for (dark, base, S or R) would be helpful. At the end of the day, *any* well maintained 749 will be a great bike.

Not a dark, and most likely not an R. Would ideally want an S, but would certainly settle for a base model.

GeoffM · Jan 27th, 2012, 7:21 pm

05-06 also gained gloss black wheels

jturco · Jan 28th, 2012, 5:57 am

If they knew the rust caused that issue I take it that was due to poor paint application (as opposed to water in the gas)? Was this a onsie-twosie thing that came up?

kaos · Jan 28th, 2012, 9:53 am

Xx9 tanks are bare steel inside,I would think its more environment than a part problem .
Fwiw I have a 03 ,and would base any purchase decision on what look I found attractive more than thinking one year was better than another

hump3 · Jan 28th, 2012, 11:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaos

Xx9 tanks are bare steel inside,I would think its more environment than a part problem .
Fwiw I have a 03 ,and would base any purchase decision on what look I found attractive more than thinking one year was better than another

I can only comment about my own experience:- the dealer did not describe the exact cause (I am sure the words "a known issue" were used) but the fact that he replaced 1800GBP of parts on an out of warranty bike for free speaks volumes.

If it was a case of me being unfortunate enough to get water in the tank from a dodgy petrol station or condensation due to poor storage over winter I expect the bill would have come my way.

I didn't ask too many questions once he said "don't worry, I will sort it free of charge"

Slowerthan:- however back to your original question; my choice would be an S (i have a base and would love the bling of the ohlins!!

Other than the one issue I mentioned my 2005 has been fantastic. I prefer the "facelift" model but that's purely a personal choice (the black wheels sealed the deal for me!)