Crunch time need advice
 

i found a buyer for my gsxr, and i have the money for the 749S
but before i got and buy it i just need to know a few things.

Do these really break down all the time ?

Are the service costs that expensive ?

What should i expect to pay for an exhaust ?

i have a max of 6k to spend and in either colour( would prefer red)
anyone know any bargains for sale at the moment.

of and what do i look out for ?

Although if the bike is out of manufacturer's warranty then a lot of the work is simple enough for you to do yourself and thereby save heaps of cash plus gain valuable experience, confidence etc, etc.
Ducatis are far from the horror stories that MCN 'll have you believe and once you're hooked you'll stick with them. I've done the jap thing and come back again. Never again!

749S - Be aware that the 2003 bike is the same motor as the BP, you just get gold nitrided forks and the adjustable headstock, NOT the more powerfull motor.

The better motor was fitted 2004 onwards BUT the '03 bike didnt sell well so there are lots and lots of 749's with 04 registrations that are 03 bikes. there were also a load of cheap imports out there, import dealers still have new, unused 2003 bikes for sale, these are NOT covered by the Duc factory warranty.

If in doubt about what year/spec the bike is just get the chassis number and call Ducati UK, they can tell you.

Seen it a lot recently when people bring in their new pride and joy for a service etc and we have to tell them that its an 03 not 04 bike.

Also, used 749's are often sold when 2 years old as the big service is due. make sure you budget for this.

Good luck!

there is a 03 749S on biketrader as you said with a 2004 reg, the only thing that attacts me to it is the fact it has a Termi already fitted and only 900 miles on the clock.

Ray kay is right about Dukes reputation.

Bloody hell!!! Only 900 miles and termi's??? It's not even run in!!!
If it's in your budget then do it man!!!
Promise you won't look back.
The termi's themselves are worth paying out the service cost's for. Just make sure that it's a reputable mechanic that you take it to...ask advice on here for one near to you.
I'd say book it in with Cornerspeed but you may not be happy with the travel unless you ride up north or get a van.

if its only 900 miles, i know its older than 2 years, so should it really need the full 12000 mile engine out jobbie service.
i was going to take it to a ducati mechanic anyway ( any reccomendations) to check all the main parts.

i bought a 04 model 749S last june brand new today i have done 10010 miles yes ten thousand miles on it. Yes it has broken down a couple of times (I ride it in the wet!) but it has been fixed under warranty with first class service
I still love the bike

Mark

Sod the Termi's spend your money on getting the suspention sorted and the bike setup.

i test rode a standard 749S a while ago and was very very pleased as it was, have to admit the standard cans rob the ducati of its sound.

the bikes in Crawley if anyone wants to come and inspect tomorrow :)

dont care what faults they have got
I WANT ONE

Wave,
You have u2u.
FE

Service the bikes properly and they are very reliable. OK, I'm only a weekend warrier and only when it's dry, but, have owned a number of Ducati over the last 6 years and apart from a snapped throttle cable they have all been perfect.

OK, my latest bike has leaking fork seals, but, they are Ohlin's so it is only to be expected :mad:

As for the service costs, shop around and try using the smaller dealers and authorised service outlets etc

If you have the filters done, oil, brakes and full check over you can get this done for around £220. Similar with a belt change for around £300.

Id stay stuff the fact that its an 04, if it has a full history then what's the problem. The 916 had an awful reputation but many people bought them regardless and never heard a peep out of them.
The ride is an aquired taste and they pop and bang at strange intervals which if you have never ridden one before can be disconcerting.
If you don't like it you can always flog it!!!....believe me you won't tho!
I'd say you need the service, whatever the mileage. At least you know then what's been done and that everything is tickety boo!
Go on, go on, go on!
If it's not that one then wait till another one comes along. You never know you may get one on here!

went to look at it today, its was a beautiful bike, service history everything, the Termis sounded beautiful.
then my mate found a tiny oil leak by the cylinder head.
doh

How much of a leak?A puddle?Drip?Fine mist?
Dont let that put you off.It may just be from the crank case breather.(They all do that sir!)
Dont expect a Ducati to be as oil tight as a Jap bike.

i believe it was the breather, just a fine bubble.