Advice on 748s - should I buy one?
 

Hi all,

I am after a bit of advice. I currently have a M600 and have decided to sell her for another Duke. I envisage a bit of commuting, mostly cross country and a bit of mway.

I have been considering a post 98 900ss or a 748s I have seen advertised (both are similar money). I have ridden a 916 Foggy Rep before so am a little bit familiar with what to expect.

Really I just want peoples opinion on what would be a better bike. I say commuting but I would only envisage 10% of my work journeys ever being on the bike so if a 748 is not such a good commuter, I am not overly bothered. I am 6ft1 and about 15 stone. Anyone on here of similar build? How comfortable is the bike on a day to day basis?

The 748s in question has done 14k miles with the 12k mile service carried out. Anything particular to look out for?

Thanks in advance everyone. Experience shows that owners club members are ALWAYS the best people to ask (very much a better bet than any dealer!).

Best regards

Hogfisch

hi hog, welcome aboard

have you considered a multitarter? could be a practical option which you could chuck about on your day off:burn:

I quite like the look of the stradas but are out of my price range unfortunately.

My head says 900ss but my heart says 748. Ever since I saw first saw a 916 my heart missed a bit (sad, I know.....!)

Hi HogF,

I have a (newer model) 750ss and a 748s. I'm 5ft 11, and less than 15 stone, (but not much).

To be honest, I don't find much difference in comfort between the two. The 748 does have better suspension though. Neither would be my no.1 choice for commuting, but if only 1 in 10 rides is commuting then they can both do it. I use the SS if I commute, but the 748 can do it as well. The real point is what you will be happy with on the other 9 out of 10 rides! You really have to try them both. I have to say though that I am really happy with the 748.


Has the 748 got a full service history prior to the 12k service? That's important.

Good luck.

Hi Hog,

I have a 748s and love the looks and the feeling of riding a duke, a commuter it ai'nt though maybe just me got used to the wrists but find my legs get numb like pins/needles some times and on motorways to where youre not moving for corners.

I'm about 5'9" and 12st, I still love it though just the usual high servicing and stuff to watch out for, cant wait to get some cans to and lower the gearing to:D:D:D:D

Hi Hog,

Welcome to the board. :D

I'm same build as you and have had both 900ss and 916 for both hooning and commuting. The 916 was fine as long as I didn't commute on it every day or my wrists we mincemeat. Not sure I'd want to do a long commute on one unless it was all over 70mph!

I've currently got a 900SL and love it to bits. If I had the cash I'd still get a 998 as it was, is, and will always be, one of the best bits of design ever penned. Buy the 748 for the design and the bills, or the 900 for the soul, torque and laugh.

Have fun either way.

Cheers,

ali

Thanks for all the replies thus far guys. The bike is FDucSH so has been looked after. I am leaning towards the 748 in that I if I got the 900ss I wonder if I would always be thinking I should have gone for the 748. On top of this the 748 is only 100 quid more than the 900ss I have been looking at but 4 years newer (although the 748 has done 10k more).

I am resigned to the service costs being more, although I did much of the servicing on my M600 (except valves and belts) so things like regular oil changes do not bother me.

U wont regret it hog but what colour is???

Grey ones are fasted then yellow then red slowest !!:lol::lol::lol:

[Edited on 5-1-2005 by Lee1980]

Hog
I know exactly wot you mean! When I saw the first picture of a 916 in MCN I wanted one, and don`t anyone tell me that there not one of the most beautiful machines ever built................ along with the Vincent Black Lightening.

i wanted a 916 ( or 748- 9** ) since i first saw one when i was 13 my dream bike and now i have one and it will take something just as special to make me part with it. Well the badge will have to be the same too

Ah.....looks like it's a slow coloured one ;)

I'm same build as you and commuted about 20 miles a day for a year, first on inj.900ss and then 748. The 748 was a little more cramped but I found I got used to it pdq. I loved the ss but it doesn't quite compare to that feeling of waking up in the morning not quite believing you have this beautiful object in your garage/drive/garden/living room. Once you've got the itch I think you have to go down the 748/9** road.

unless you need a bike for a specific purpose, say busy city commute, ALWAYS buy with your heart, not your head......what do you want it for, cause it's practical, efficient, cheap to run, comfortable.....or it looks the nuts, goes like stink and handles better than pretty much any bike out there.....plus you've quote "always wanted one"....well flippin buy the 748 then:lol:

Mine was a basic 748e with plenty of bling bits and I loved it, even commuted for a year into London on it and tracked it for a year....it was going better when I sold it with 25k on the clock than the day I bought it new.

WeeJohnyB

Buy the 748S simply brilliant at everything

Make sure that it has lots of service history:lol:

Advice on 748s - should I buy one?

Of course you should.

I bought one last Feb ('97 BP best graphics IMO)after 4+ years of R1's and other big bore IL4's before that. Never looked back since.

I was the same, always wanted one, ummed and ahh'd for years then bit the bullet. Best decision I made since taking my test.

Try to get the next service carried out first, as I think that's the head overhaul (rockers....)

Otherwise, Just do it.

748
 

I have always wanted a sports Ducati, since I was about 10 anyway, I'm now 37 and have had my 748 2 years.
If it's something you've allways wanted, then go for it, if after a year you can't get on with it then change it, at least you can say you have had one.
I love mine and would'nt change it for anything. I use it all year round and I have never had a problem, Sometimes after a long ride the comfort is a bit of a pain, but then all I have to do is look at the bike, and the noise it makes, and it's all well worth it.

:D

I commuted on my 996 into London from Twickenham, 15 miles in and 15 miles back - all city riding, no motorway. It was fine, I was just riding around with a grin on my face all the time anyway, even when I had worked late to 11pm and was riding home in the rain.

If you don't get the 748 you will always have something hanging over your head, never knowing etc. If you have the opportunity to get the bike of your dreams just do it. This is exactly the situation I was in when I decided to buy the 996, I got the 996 and I'm so glad I did!!

Do it, you'll regret it if you don't!!

Hi,

Myself am a newbie not just to Ducati but biking in general.
I was adament I wanted a CBR6 or GSX6.

Went for a test ride on the GSX and fell in love. But when I returned to the dealer forecourt and parked the thing it dawned on me that it was one of many GSX's lined up outside.

I told the dealer I wanted something a bit more excusive and he showed me the 748. I test rode it, heard the Termi's and went straight back and purchased it. Never imagined, me, a Ducati owner ?

I have only managed 270 dry miles since December but loved every one of them. Ducati's rule !

Delooney.