748R or 998 that is the question !

[greenmachine]

Hi all. After years of lusting i've decided to throw caution to the wind and seeing as prices are now pretty decent i'm going to go for a new (or at least 2nd hand) Ducati.

Main question is though - do i opt for the 748 (possibly in 'R' form) or for the same money get a 998? Decisions decisions.

Having ridder neither apart from on the shop floor i'd like to know the differences when riding - eg fit/shape, engine response etc?

I'm coming from a long line of inline fours and selling my Speed Triple as we speak. Oh, and had a Buell once too- which was nice!

Should i go for arguably the connoisseurs choice 748R or for the big 998? And I hear they're not too hard to service yourself too (belts and all) - is this truth or myth?

Many thanks and i've been enjoying reading all the posts on the board as i've been "lurking" these past few months.

Cheers!

[sye73]

Personally,I'd go for the 748R.All Ducati's are special,but the 'R's' just have that little bit extra!! Enjoy....

[GsxrAge]

I would go for the 998 mate can't beat the extra horses.

[Dibble]

I'd personally go for the 998, its the later Testastretta engine, pulls like a train and far easier to set up as they are not as highly tuned as the 748R, therefore easier to live with ......

Also being less "niche" they appear to be easier to sell on as you really need to "want" a 748R to buy one ......

Similar money £5500 - £6000 gets you a 749/999 as well at the minute, not something I'd buy but good to know you have the option ...

Best advice is buy what you "want" ... not what you are "advised" too ....

Dibs

[Stu748R]

I have ridden both and obviosly own one of them.i'm with Dibs on this one,the 998 is very smooth,with a good spread of everything everywhere,the 748R is fickled,horrible at partial throttle and requires a good deal of patiance in most aspects of ownership especialy if you are used to Jap stuff.But if you want a full on,go for it type bike with better brakes and suspension then go for the "R".

[dickieducati]

998

[JPM]

Suppose it depends on which model 998, but I'd go for the 998 everytime, having ridden a 748R quite a bit and owning a 998S there's no contest, power power power... plus non of these rocker worries

[Twinfan]

Depends where you're going to use it. If you're only on the road, get a 748S (not the R) and use more of the power more often. If you're a track monkey, get the 748R if you want the Ohlins and proper race bike feel. IF you need more power to keep with your IL4 mates, get the 998.

[Ray]

If you want to indulge in a regular rev fest go for the 748.

It's not only a power thing, a 998 with have a lot more torque to catapult you down the road without having a million revs on the tacho. It may well be a as lot less frantic to ride.

A 748r will get you a fair few more goodies chassis wise, maybe ohlins front and rear and maybe 4 pad calipers.

One factor may well be the cost of insurance, I know of a fair few that have gone for a 748 cos it saved them a packet on insurance, might be worth checking that out to see if that applies to your situation.

Difficult call.

You can check out the specs of older bikes on www.ducati.com

Ray

[Edited on 27-9-2005 by Ray]

[BDG]

I'd suggest the 998 as well, and there is a good one for sale on this here board.

Old yella is selling his 998, do a search under 998 for sale in Market Place. He looks after his stuff well, only problem is he's from Yorkshire:lol: and talks funny, yer may need a translator.

[Gaz 748]

748R = :D :D :D

[Jools]

Being a contrary bugger I'd go for the 748R to get all the bling suspension bits, then if I needed a more power after a year or two I'd look at an 853 conversion.

Of course that'd only work if you're the type of person who likes to hang on to a bike for a while, if you're the type of person who likes to change a bit more frequently go for an unadulterated 998

[Martin Dower]

I had a 748s and was given the opportunity to upgrade to a 748R and took it, didn't seriously consider the 998 route at all - just wanted some "R"-ness. It is very peaky in terms of power and I will have to be honest and say I have not really pushed the chassis yet but it feels a much different animal...raw :D

[greenmachine]

Thanks all for your valued comments. I think a test ride will be the only way to decide as some of you have pointed out so i'll bide my time and keep an open mind. My heart says the 748 (i take on board your comments and various other threads about the rockers) but my head says 998 - I guess we'll see what's availoable when i decide to buy.

On the servicing front how do the home mechanics amongst you cope? Easy to service? Frame get in the way? Need particular tools? Lots of skinned knuckes? Or best left to the stealers?

Thanks again, Russell.

[fil2]

more power than a 748R.........LOL..u lot mean more lazy power.....the 748R is revvy has plenty enough power for any1 ! sure you gotta work the gears a little more but thats part of the fun.....

If you want torque and lazy power to drive you down the looong straights then go 998.............but if you want all the best bits a revvy snappy motor with awesome brakes, handling, and kudos then the "R"all the way...

cant see why the " R " cost more to run or is more fickle to set up or run.?? i have had mine for 18 months without a hitch and has cost me no more than the 748S did............

guess im just lucky

748R all the way............................................... ...................

[Lily]

depends on what you want. I had a 748r and it is by far the more involving bike than the 998, but as Phil says the 998 is the lazy option.

If you are doing track days or want a bike that is desperate to be ridden hard and enthusiastically go for the 748, if you want to go on longer rides with mates on litre bikes and not come home as tired, the 998 is far easier to live with in terms of grunt, its simply pulls in whatever gear where the 748 requires you to think and react more.

if its the 748 you go for make sure the rockers are done before you buy, other than that not much difference in running costs from my point of view.