I also have an 06 1000rr fireblade.

A to B the 749r is just as quick

Well i took a 749r out for an hour today, its at a local kawasaki dealer and they were most helpful!
Anyway all i can say is wow, brilliant!! However it was standard but whats happened to the noise? No intake roar and barely audible exhaust, does it all come back with filters and termis?
Also, the clutch, whats that all about? I see theres been a post about them being changed, why was this? On this particular bike the lever felt wierd(almost 2 stage) and almost every time i pulled away there was a horrible noise, very similar to the sprocket slipping on the chain...Nasty! It also cut out much to frequently in traffic..Only this puts me off, i certainly wouldnt buy this example but i really hope they dont all do this and that with a couple of mods you can add some soul (noise)

Trust me ,you do!
Butch

With the factory fitted clutch there is a click to be felt through the clutch lever,its not there with a bucci fitted,also it sounds like this example maynot have had the ECU change,if it has then it needs carefull setting up to cure the cutting out.
The soul is there with an exhaust change and filters.
they can sound awesome!
Butch

Thats it but what would the graunching sound be about? Really didnt seem good and i cant believe thats how there supposed to be

they all do that Sir.............have you ridden a dry clutch before? Only say that cos they are better to use as in or out. Ride it like a wet jap one and it wont last 5 mins!

Yes my 748 has a dry clutch, however i cant believe this is right...It sounds terrible and you can feel it through the bike, granted ive not ridden anything with a slipper before but this really put me off the bike

Putting new dished plates in the clutch is often a cure for the graunching. Just done mine.

Had a series of 748, 996, 749s, 996s, Fila 999r and now a 2004 749r.

The 749r is the best of the bikes I've had, handles, stops and turns perfectly.

If you buy new you will take a hit on depreciation, aim to pay £9k ish for a proper carbon 2004 model and the price will be reasonably static for ages.

£9k should get you a clean bike, 3,000 mile ish, full history, Termig and some extra carbon.

As for the graunching clutch. Mine was exactly the same when I bought it. Basically the clutch needs stripping, cleaning, dish plate checking and possibly swapping, pack height checking. Allow for 1 hour labour and £10 worth of bits. Will ride just perfect afterwards. A well set up slipper should feel and ride like a normal clutch when pulling away.

If you can find the right bike, buy it. You will not regret it.

Cheers Carbon, thats what i wanted to hear