749S owners pls comment
 

got the insurance from the 748, after much deliberation scraped together some more money (kids piggy banks are no more), searched out a great deal on a 749S '04 spec and having test ride this weekend - anything i should be aware of, things that need checking, recalls etc etc. All help and comments appreciated - a neew bike ..yipppeee.:D

My '03 model has been recalled twice. Once to fit an extra bracket to re-route the front brake lines, the other to check the oil cooler. There were some problems (leaks) with KTM supplied oil coolers. I've also heard of some failures (early 2003) to rear mono subframes.

I presume these problems have been sorted on later bikes.

Oh, & nearly everybody complains about them cutting out. Mine used to do it, until I had it serviced at Pro-Twins.

I purchased an 04 model 749S last November, so far done about 300 odd miles.

No recalls or any issues. Have experienced engine cutting out a few times on one ride, dealer assured me this would be corrected at the first service.

One thing I found confussing was different dealers gave different advice on fitting Termis, a couple said fit when new all the rest said at first service and then the bike will be really well set up, hence mine go on when it goes back hopefully soon.

Other than that been really impressed with my first Duke.

I'd check the front brakes are OK before riding it anywhere. My accident appears to have been caused by a faulty calliper so if the brakes seem squeaky/sticky take care!

Case proven yet T/fan?

Only problem i've had with mine is the brakes sticking on like twinfan, but the dealer changed the calipers and discs under warranty for me. I guess just be vigilant and ensure that it is a decent example. I do still like my bike despite my problem with the brakes.

I don't think you'd be dissapointed, though i've never ridden a 748 so can't compare.

Ive ridden the 748 and it felt flat and a little bit gutless compared to the new bike. Mine used to stall all the time until it got 1000 mile on the clock and its been fine every since. The clocks sometimes play up and go blank but this is cured by pulling the top fuse in the R/Hand side of the nose cone and then putting it back in.
dont get the michelin pilot sports on it as there crap check whats fitted before you pick it up.
Hope you can afford the servicing costs !!!
How much you paying for it cause my dealer offered me £6300 for mine -12 months old and 2.2K on the clock !!!! Thats a loss of £3400 in 12 months and it needs a £440 service now !!!!
best of luck.

Not yet. That's why I said 'appears'.

have been keeping an eye on your brake reports Twinfan - really hope it is dealt with correctly - i know i would be pretty shaken up by that sort of thing and has given me second thoughts - good luck. first service quoted at £170 - not much to do at that one though. i usually have my service done by an independent ducati specialist. Price??? can't afford "official" ducati price so got a parallel - £6995 OTR - I was looking for a multistrada as an option - but the insurance was HIGHER on the MS than a 749S ? whats that all about then? sunny morning so off for my test ride ciao4now.

What dealer are you haviing your test ride at??

Let us know how you get on Mr Pink - I loved my 749S from the first mile or so of riding it :D

ducati london central - nice people, easy to arrange and would buy a bike there if i was minted...took a new '05 749bip and my mate an '04 MTS so i could try both. the 749 was great, brakes amazing compared to the old 748 things, engine smooth and handling the usual ducati thing. minor disappointments were the finish, the air intake tubes don't finish flush with the fairing, the wiring is all over the place and exposed(worse than the 748) and the disc carriers were all corroding (1000miles). swingarm paint(black) looks nice but scratches and the mirrors!!!!! make the 748 ones like they are off a cruiser or tourer - i got plenty of view of my arm. deceptively fast tho' you end up going up to rounabouts at a fair pace and need those sharp stoppers to wash off the extra pace quickly. But the MTS is still in the frame - even tho' it feels agricultural in the engine dept against the 749....watch this space oh - are the '05 brakes and '04 brakes the same? and the lever has a funny little plastic wheel to adjust span unlike the gold wheel of the earlier 748 series - easy to have someone fiddle with?.

Brakes are the same as 04 on 05 model

Have you enquired about a deal on an 04 model from official dealers as had heard there were good savings on these as well through official models ?

had a 749s last year and it never missed a beat for 3000 odd miles until it was nicked in london in the middle of the day!!

...err except for the clocks going crazy until first service and DLS replaced them under warranty with no fuss

enjoy

best 749 deal from official dealer was an '04 Bip at £6,995OTR - what do you think? an "S" for the same money but not from an official dealer? but you have got me thinking......Can't stretch above this figure so need to maximise what i get for that amount of money - if anyone knows of a good deal let me know.

what about ducati aylesbury(on yer bike) they are normally one of the best onrs for deals

I found Glenn at Ducati Leeds the most willing guy to do a deal, tore Aylesbury (Steve) to shreds.

aylesbury and daytona were same - daytona are closer with the deal as above, P&H and Pegasus had great deals on '04 MTS - will give Leeds a call on monday - even a pair of gloves thrown in would be useful (as i need some new) thanks guys.

I live in Surrey and got the bike from Leeds as he did the best deal money wise. Even delivered free of charge.

Did everything over the phone / email although I did go up one Saturday just to shake the mans hand.

Service really was head and shoulders above London South, Aylesbury, Pro Twins, P&H and Ashford. Also tried Wolverhampton and Manchester but nobody got near.

Hi,

I just bought a 749s, 04 spec from Ducati Bristol. I paid £7499 for it. Mine keeps cutting out, but hopefully this will be sorted after the first service. It's an awesome bike apart from that. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I'm enjoying mine!

Those Multistrudle riders are usually a right bunch of nutters,thats why...............;):devil::D

ive got an 03 749s and it hasnt let me down yet, amazing bike.
i love it and never want to get rid of it !!!!!!
exept maybe for an R.

/ian

give Martin a ring at Forza Italia (Silverstone)
01327 858916

I had an 04 749S last year and was totally in love with the bike apart from when the engine cut out at slow speeds, e.g. approaching a roundabout.

Bought it new from Woods in Abergele – excellent dealer, first class service. It went back to the workshop a couple of times to try and fix this, but as the bike was written off after 1789 miles we’ll never know if it was permanently sorted!

I’d definitely recommend the bike but please check out this little “problem” first. Good luck.
:roll:

Hi, I did exactly the same as you ... 748 to an imported 2003 749s. I'm assuming that Ducati issues frame numbers etc in numerical order, so the lower the number the earlier the bike ? Not about to give the frame number out on the net but the frame number and engine number are under 250.

Had early problems with ECU and Clocks, and recent problems with the Battery not holding charge. All work carried out under warranty at JHP Coventry.

As for the bike itself .... AWESOME. Better than the 748 and much easier to ride fast. Love the way that it rev's so easily. After reading threads on here I think I will go up 2 teeth on the back sprocket to give it better acceleration. You will not regret the change, but, I would say go for the best model you can afford. I've never quite understood why "imports" are frowned upon .... every Ducati on the road is an import :)