What would you have, 996 or 749?
 

About £4k to spend on a Ducati and both of these appeal. I've ridden a 996S on track and loved it, never been on a 749. Just wondering if the lack of torque on the 749 will make it a bit uninspiring, or if it being a later model, the better handling and stuff will outweigh that disadvantage?

What say you lot?

What's it for? Road, track?

I was going to say about rockers being the only thing that would stop me going back to a 996 ... but a 998!

Get a 998 Lucie!

Yep :D For everything...well, maybe not off road, but you know ;)

998's are a bit over budget. It would be lovely, but no.

A 1000SS?

Nah, been there, not keen to repeat. They're good, but the 996 was leagues better.

Then I would have to say 996 - the 749 just wouldn't have enough.

Budget for rockers :)

check out that 998 up there ^^^ his reserve seems to be about 4400 form what I read so may be a possibility.

I've had a 996 for years. Some time back I thought about swapping it for a 749S, got as far as test riding one, but it didn't do anything for me, left me cold.
996 for me everytime.

Complete bollicks,....you obviously have'nt seen Glyn on his 749S.You would not believe that bike is a 750.

Ridden the 749s and 996 back to back when I bought my 2000 996Bp.

996 all the way!!

I had a 749 bip and it was great,you can use all the power all the time,and if you like to rev a bike the 749 is the one for you and as kB says if you have seen glyn on his 749s,!!!!!!!!

Power
 

Coud'nt agree more Having had many bikes any 750 has got to be more user friendly on the road. The litre class bikes need longer more modern roads to get that ride it like you just stole it feeling. Personaly I like the grunt of the bigger bikes maybe because I'm older now. The thing is now that most bikes say 600 and up if you wring there necks they can outride most riders on british roads. Now on the track and thats a different story.

Agreed-but it a well established fact that Glyn is completely barking-have you seen him ride his S2.........:lol:

John

I wouldn't make the decision on the engine. As above, most of us make better use of the whole package in smaller bikes and nevr really use the full potential of bigger engines, road or track. I've not ridden a 749 but have ridden many litre bikes back to back with smaller bikes and always prefer smaller, much bigger grin factor, useable power.

I would buy on age and condition and service history and what looks and feels the best. A cracking 996 would do it over a tatty 749 and vice versa, I've never been a fan of the 999/749, but I'd choose a well kept 749 over an average 996.

And Monty....I recall a certain person overtalking me on the outside on an ST......barking indeed you are

WeeJohnyB

996 Just on looks alone:D

Heart or head?

749 will hopefully avoid any rocker issues and maybe be a bit cheaper to insure.

996 nicer to look at (IMHO), a biking Icon, bit better suited to lollaping along on a "tour", a bit more oomph when/if required.

It might be a tough call for you but the key is what floats your boat, not what floats other peoples.

If I'd taken the advice of others I'd never have bought a Ducati 10 years ago.

A test ride made my mind up and de bunked some of the myths surrounding the bike I rode, it suited me so I bought one.


Ray.

For me it would depend on "buying with the head or Heart"
I have had the pleasure of both, If it were to use day in day out the 749 wins hands down, If it were to admire and Show off it would be the 996.
Glyn

I could 'ave 'im :lol:

So could I . The only time I got in front of him was when we called in to Jacks Cafe on the A5 when the lovely Big Bertha was behind the counter, talk about back off :lol: What would I have after owning a 996 for 6 years ============= I did ride a 749R for only about ten miles and it was fun but i did miss the stomp of the 996 they are ten years old or more now and dispite the iconic design, technology has moved on, for better or worse. I guess it depends on what you will do on either bike and what mileage you intend to do, a 749 may be cheaper to run when it comes to servicing and you do not have to worry about replacing expensive rockers,some on here have had four if not more on one service,some (not many) may be none. I personally had three done over the years (not bad I suppose as the bike had done nearly 36,000 miles ) but it can make a £600 (12000 mile service) into a £900 service. OK if you can budget for it I guess. In the end what ever you decide, Im sure you will enjoy and be proud of your machine you wont be the first to debate over this issue I happened to have faced the same situation only recently. Time to use your head not your heart 4D

996, wish I had kept mine....a perfect partner for the 848.