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2357 Views 25 Replies 14 Participants Last post by waco748, Sep 7, 2009

waco748

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2009

Hey, I'm new to the Ducati forum; currently ride a BMW K1200LT and I'm looking for a Ducati that is more entry level than all-out track day/race bike. I've read some on the 748 and 749 and have considered the 900SS. For personal riding on the Duc, weekend trips 2-3 hours from here to ride twisties by San Antonio or 5-6 hours to Arkansas.

I teach the BRC and ERC and the bike will also be used to demo the MSF's Sportsbike class when I get that certification. Not wanting to plunk down a huge cash deposit, my budget is $4-5k.

What are your thoughts? Am I in the right ballpark with the model and the price?

Thanks,
Curt

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

kaos

· #2 · Jul 27, 2009

a $4-5 thousand dollar budget is looking for trouble in the world of ducati superbikes

waco748

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 27, 2009

kaos said:
a $4-5 thousand dollar budget is looking for trouble in the world of ducati superbikes

What's the price range for a bike that doesn't have sacked-out shocks and a neglected engine? Sentimental values left aside, the market price is down for motorcycles as most still consider bikes a "luxury."

My year range is probably 1998 - 2001 with that $4-5k price budget. Maintenance is extra; I understand Ducatis need more love and care if I expect it to perform well.

kaos

· #4 · Jul 27, 2009

personally 6,000 would be the minimum i'd budget for looking for a superbike.search here for the issues that can be common with the different model years.while you can likely find a 748 or 749 dark for that price point,its still a mine field looking at thet price point.look for service history and ''as new '' condition.as many owners are very particular about their bikes.fwiw don't be scared off by mileage.most ''major'' issues with ducatis i've seen(or read) have been on new or old low mileage bikes ,rather than bikes that have been ridden.at your price point they are well out of warranty,so get one with thats proven itself by mileage

jmastrol

· #5 · Jul 27, 2009

I agree with "Kaos" on his points and would like to add that it is possible to find a 748 in pretty decent condition for just a little under $6,000. When you start looking at 749s, my experience has shown about $1,000 more (minimum) for a well maintained specimen.

One word of caution on the 748s though. Having owned one previously, you probably want one with more than 6,000 miles because that's when the rockers start flaking if the owner has any defective ones. The owner would have had to address that known Ducati "issue" and have a few of them replaced. Ask to see any maintenance records and find out if they replaced them with something better than stock (like Megacycle hardened rockers).

I had a 1998 748 that I put a 853 kit on. Fabulous motor except for those darn rockers. I heard that later models (after 2002, I think) were much less susceptible to this issue. Other members here can probably speak up and verify that.

To my knowledge, 749s did not have this problem.

bruce19

· #6 · Jul 27, 2009

For $4-5K you can buy a perfectly fine SS. And, I've taken both a '96 & 97 SS/SP from CT to CO/WY a couple times. Great in the twisties and (for me) comfortable and reliable for 500-700 mi. days. The SS is a great bike and I will be looking for one soon as a 2-up and solo sport tour bike to complement my '02 998S Bayliss.

waco748

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 27, 2009

I appreciate all your comments; I'd rather buy a used bike with more miles than one with a few. Seals dry out, infrequent oil changes and setting up over the winter lets the acids wreak their havoc. I'm not afraid of high mileage; more mileage tends to support reliability.

I'll take another look at the 900SS; thanks for that tip on the 500-700 mile rides. After all, it's not about the comfort; it's all about the ride.

waco748

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 15, 2009

Found a 748

I'm looking at a 2003 748 tomorrow. 25k miles. Biposto aftermarket seat. Some spare body parts and extra wheels but needs tires. Says the bike has been well cared for.

What would be your bid?

esca_rossa

· #9 · Aug 15, 2009

wanna749 said:
I teach the BRC and ERC and the bike will also be used to demo the MSF's Sportsbike class when I get that certification. Not wanting to plunk down a huge cash deposit, my budget is $4-5k.

What are your thoughts? Am I in the right ballpark with the model and the price?

Thanks,
Curt

No offense meant to anyone...but this sounds more like Honda territory.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda...

I think Ducati's are best meant for the more experienced or at the least - passionately involved motorcyclist. Let them learn from a predictable, easily fixed and fondled bike, and they can graduate to aand dream about a Ducati if they make it...

:abduct:

waco748

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 15, 2009

esca_rossa said:
No offense meant to anyone...but this sounds more like Honda territory.
You meet the nicest people on a Honda...

I think Ducati's are best meant for the more experienced or at the least - passionately involved motorcyclist. Let them learn from a predictable, easily fixed and fondled bike, and they can graduate to aand dream about a Ducati if they make it... :abduct:

Thank you for your advice.

mbevans

· #11 · Aug 15, 2009

wanna749 said:
I'm looking at a 2003 748 tomorrow. 25k miles. Biposto aftermarket seat. Some spare body parts and extra wheels but needs tires. Says the bike has been well cared for.

What would be your bid?

IF there was documentation of valvetrain maintenance (this is number 1) and with that miles the entire clutch assembly should have already been replaced, I would not offer more than $4k, that's if everything is cherry.

You know for $5500.00 you can get nice 749's out there...

M

go_speed_go

· #12 · Aug 16, 2009

When i decided to buy a duc, i narrowed it down to the same options - i liked the looks of the 748 better but, not being really confident in ducati mechanics, i decided to get a 749 - newer bike, next gen motor (testastretta). i really liked my 749 - when she was stolen, i found a 748r and love her.

I didn't / haven't experienced any unusual problems with either but it is true that 748's experience flaking rockers - i believe 01 / 02 models have fewer so i'd go with those years if you go w/ the 748.

also totally concur w/ a bike that has been ridden over a 'low mile' bike - if a bike has miles, you know what you have - if you can sit on both, do that, the feeling is different for different people - both great in my opinion.

Good luck - great fun to get a new bike...especially a ducati....

waco748

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 19, 2009

I've found 3 bikes in the area so far; rode one yesterday and I'm very impressed with the balance of the bike. She handles great in curves and really does go where you look and press.

I'm making a decision this week. Very responsive bike, particularly when compared to the LT with boat oar-length handle bars.

wawheaton1

· #14 · Aug 20, 2009

wanna749 said:
I'm looking at a 2003 748 tomorrow. 25k miles. Biposto aftermarket seat. Some spare body parts and extra wheels but needs tires. Says the bike has been well cared for.

What would be your bid?

Motomilano has a bone stocker for sale and it is a very good example. Gerry has had it for a while now and I bet if you call him you could hagle quite a bit and negotiate transport. www.motomilano.com. I am not a huge fan of him, but he has a great shop and does incredible work. If he says the bike is good, it is the best! Visit the site and check it out under used for sale. She is yellow and I have ridden her. Perfect example of a bone stock 748. Belts, rockers and everything have been addressed and I knew the owner. An older guy. She has not been abused. I am not propping the shop her so please don't delete this post, it is a perfect bike at what could be a great price.

wawheaton1

· #15 · Aug 20, 2009

wanna749 said:
I've found 3 bikes in the area so far; rode one yesterday and I'm very impressed with the balance of the bike. She handles great in curves and really does go where you look and press.

I'm making a decision this week. Very responsive bike, particularly when compared to the LT with boat oar-length handle bars.

One thing to consider is that we can only ride 6 months out of the year. 'And that is if you are hard core. Just PM chuck on that. I think that 748 has like 6k on it! As for you CA guys, Deanna (ya the girl with the boobs) are moving out next spring. I cannot take another winter like the last....... TOO MUCH!

nine16

· #16 · Aug 20, 2009

What about the ST series?

FWIW I ride a 748.

FuelIsFunToBurn

· #17 · Aug 20, 2009

I bought my Ducati 02' 748 used with 7k miles on the clock. The 02' was technically the last producion year. I have had no major misfortunes. I did get documented proof that the 6k service had been performed, by a dealer.

I had a dealer do the full 12k service. They did find a flaking rocker. Ducati paid for the parts. Pretty cool considering the bike was 5 years old and on the third owner. I paid for the labor. It wasn't that bad bacause the bike was already apart and Eastern Cycle Ducati is freakin awswome. The bike now has 20.5k on the odometer. It has the notorious cooked generator connector issue and it is ready for a pricey clutch.

That 6k/12k serivce record is the key. My flaking rocker didn't reveal itself until the 12k service. I've been assured it was caught soon enough not to cause wear on the cam. I'm not worried about it.

Nacademus

· #18 · Aug 20, 2009

My bike has 32,000 miles on it. I bought it 5000 miles ago (roughly)-3 months ago. The one thing that really snagged me on the purchase was a receipt of a 25000 mile maintenance totaling $2600 (chain, sprocket, a few rockers replaced, belts, valve adjustment, fork/shock rebuild, etc). I never would have purchased my Duc without the evidence of such recent maintenance. Look for that!

JDuc

· #19 · Aug 20, 2009

All I can say is for reliability go with the SS. 37k miles on mine.

The only issue you're going to have to look out for on the SSie bikes is the leaking gas tank, which is an easy fix if you're handy, or an inexpensive one if you're not.

It's inexpensive as far as maintenance at the dealership, and most of the work can be done by yourself if you're at least half handy with a set of tools. Very few specialty tools are needed and you can still buy aftermarket belts for it to boot! (@ $29 each instead of whatever the market is at....$80ish each??) I paid around $250 for a valve check as compared to over $400 on my husbands 4v for instance. We can change the belts on mt 900SS ourselves as compared to having to pay the dealership $400 to change the belts (including the cost of the belts) on his 4v thanks to needing special tools.

You can buy a set of MBP colletts for the 2v motors and extend the valve check, valve adjustment a great deal for under $150. You can do this as well in the 4v motors, but it's more expensive. Again, I have 37k on my motor, with 11 track days thus far and don't need an adjustment yet.

There's no coolant to take care of, and the 2v motors don't drain batteries like the 4v motors like to with all of their electronics.

All in all, the 2v motor is a FAR less expensive bike to buy, maintain, and ride (metter gas mileage - 55 around town and 60+ on the highway). It also doesn't go through tires NEARLY as quickly. I JUST had to get a new set of tires after 10 track days and quite a bit of commuting. My Power 2CT rear finally gave up on me.

Having said all of that, I'm waiting patiently on my 749R to come to it's new home from California in the next 2 weeks. But I'll be putting all of my miles on the 900SS still for commuting and other longer rides as well as still some track time. It's just entirely too much fun!

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delirious

· #20 · Aug 21, 2009

mbevans said:
IF there was documentation of valvetrain maintenance (this is number 1) and with that miles the entire clutch assembly should have already been replaced, I would not offer more than $4k, that's if everything is cherry.

You know for $5500.00 you can get nice 749's out there...

M

$5500 for a 749? Is that for a '03? Its crazy how the prices have dipped

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

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