Introductions and 749 Advice
 

Hi all,

This is my first post on the board, pleased to meet you all.
I have 620 Monster at the moment, but looking for a change.
The Hot favourite, currently, is a 749s. I have insurance sorted and it seems to be the best bike for me. However, I am trying to make sure that I get a good one and would appreciate any pointers for things to look out for. I will not buy new, I have learned about depriciation on a new bike on the monster, so I am looking at an 04 or even 03 bike. Obviously, the bank account will prefer an 03 so I am wondering 1) what are the differences between the 03/04?
2)what problems am I likely to come across.
3) A termigionis going to upset the resale value.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Al

welcome aboard. mines a vodka redbull cheers.

im sure the 749 experts will be along soon.

The '03 749 and 749S have the same engine as each other. The S has full Showa suspension and titanium nitride forks, plus a Showa steering damper. The 749 has a Boge rear shock and damper, plus lower spec Showa forks.

The '04 749 and 749 Dark have the same engine as each other, which is the same spec as the '03 749. Chassis spec is the same as each other, but the Dark doesn't have a steering damper. The '04 749S has an upgraded engine with a touch more power. It has different cams and a higher compression ratio.

There are no major problems except for the usual used bike things. The only extra problem I would watch out for is stalling on idle on an '04 749S. They seem quite prone to it happening, but usually early in their life (under 1000m). My 749S started doing it at about 1200. It's fixed by getting a dealer to set up the cam timing correctly - they need a very accurate 'tool' of some description that was issued by Ducati after the first cases were reported.

Depending on the model of Termi fitted, they can add a few quid to the bike. I think the most popular is the asymmetric system (basically a slip on) and this would probably add about £500 to the price of the bike.

Hope that helps! A test ride on a 749 will probably sell you :D

Thanks Guys!
That would explain why there is a bit of a difference in cost between the 04s and 03s.
I have test ridden the standard 749 and loved it, but found that the insurance was the same for the S so have set my sights on that. I also find that the monos are more available on the S which, to me, is a real plus for the bike.
Are there any negatives for the S??
Thanks for your info!!

[Edited on 17-1-2005 by ak47]

Another issue is living with the 749.

I commute on my bike at the moment, I am the sort of person that will use the bike everyday, if I can. Not far, 6 miles through london. I am told that the pressure on your wrists is more bearable than the early bike, 748 say. However, on the test ride my back side was feeling it after little more than an hour. does it get better at speed? or can you get softer seats (I am sure that sort of ting is frowned upon but I thought I'd ask)?
The other option is to get a cheap "courier" bike and save the Duc for weekends, but that seems like a waste.

That's all for now, I sure I have more!

[Edited on 17-1-2005 by ak47]

I don't commute either, and I agree with DCR, it does get at your wrists when riding in town. The seat hasn't been a problem for me (guess its all the excess padding on the glutes!!).

Motorways are no trouble, and I found it a little comfier than 748s and 996s I tried before I bought the 749.

I've just had Termi asymmetric system fitted to mine (although its yet to be set up), and the sound is fantastic, really addictive!

I think you should go for it, theres plenty of knowledgable people here...you won't regret it at all. :D

I have seen one for sale with titanium cans, they sound flash.....are they?

Any idea of ball park cost for Termigoni carbon slip-ons?
Sorry for all the questions. One day i'll have answers

AK47,

I've got a '04 749s. Fantactic bike. Try and look for one with the asymetric muffler kit as they are around 800-1000 pounds to buy + fitting and setup.

Commutting that distance shouldn't be too bad either. The clutch is a little heavy but you soon get used to it

hey Ak, Guinness please.

i just joined the boards in the December after purchasing an 03 749s only done 600 miles, i havnt actually riden her yet, cant wait till march to get out in the fine weather.

There is a massive wealth of experience and knowledge on these forums that is priceless ! and everyones great.

ive been pricing up some Termis as well, here what ive found, this is the full price for some.

http://www.ducati-spares.com/acatalog/999_exhausts.html

/ian

I commuted 15 miles each way through London for 6mths on my 996. The 749 should be a doddle - you'll be fine.

JFDI, you know you want to ;)

Hi AK,

Welcome to the house of fun

When I lived in London, i used to commute on a daily basis on both a 748 and then a 996S and I didn't have any trouble (that's taking into account a badly broken wrist) apart from those gents that drive around in black cabs!

Go buy it you know you want to.

I'm commuting on my 749S at the moment - 10 miles each way - and it's fine on the wrists and backside. The cold is more of a problem! You can get a thicker seat from Ducati if it's that bad for you.

If you want Termis, I would get either an '03 or '04 749S in the colour you want. I wouldn't bother about the supposed extra power of the '04 as I don't think there's that much difference. I'd find the best example you can and enjoy it.

( By the way, the rare monoposto yellow 749S is the one to go for ;) )

That is good do know that there is little, noticable difference in the power.
If only I didn't like red so much as ducati Aylesbury have a yellow one with termigs for 7.2K

I take it that's an '03? Good price too.

it is an 03, mileage is a bit higher than I wanted, 6-7K....

Is there anything that I might need to expect to pay at that mileage, belts, chain?????

They should have done the one year/6000m service by now. That's a smallish one with fluid changes and lots of checks. Next year is the 12,000m or 2 year service that includes a belt change. You're looking at £550ish for that one.

Check that the services were done on time and stamped up so that the warranty is intact. They're time AND mileage dependent.

I tested a 749 at the time I bought the 999 and one of the things I found (specially if you're commuting) is be careul when you go to turn the lights on when at part throttle. Any brief movement of right hand and the front wheel paws the air - it's very very responsive.:D

The assymetrical system costs around £850-£1000 fitted.(depending where you go).The CPU and high flow air filters come in the box.
Most have a stainless steel can although some are Ti.The carbon fibre is just a shroud for the can.
As khu996 said,they sound fantastic.:D

much cheaper than I had been led to believe!! Brilliant!
I'm off to look, this weekend, at a few.
Thanks Everyone for your help, I'll let you know what I turn up with!

As promised. I picked up an 04 749s at the weekend.....I love it!!!! I am still getting used to the lack of visibilty, although I do have rather attractive elbows, and the proper riding position. I am going to put some serious miles on it this weekend.

Thanks for all the advise, I couldn't be happier!!

Oh and the termis are effing brilliant!! Hope to see you all soon!

good news.......glad you like it. should be a good weekend for gettiung out there too.

hope to see you on track soon.

I found that there is a knack for using the mirrors for anything other than admiring yourv elbows. I seem to have got better with time

Yep....me too. I find that rather than pulling my elbows in towards my body to get a view around them, it's actually better to tilt my elbow outwards & look through the gap between body & elbow.

[Edited on 17-3-2005 by Wylie1]