Did you ever regret getting that 748?
Discussion
rossb said:
Had these a few years ago - on left low miles 996r which i had a share in - in middle - 748r trackbike with 1098 forks/big brakes and on right - 853r - 20 or 25kgs lighter with mag swing arm/yokes - carbon everything including tank (never again - leaked continually) with hot motor with 128@wheel. all gone now - 853 is one i regret selling and would buy back if i could - combined revvy characteristics of 748 with more accessible low down grunt of 996's and had bits on it which transformed riding experience. Mine were reliable contrary to popular opinion - only needed belts and 853 needed a rocker replacing - not that surprising as it ran 748rs cams which were quite aggressive. Good thing about riding one - is that if you subsequently ever buy a modern sportsbike with a supposedly extreme riding position - you will find any bike after 748/916/996/998 - feel like an armchair.
slider2 said:
Short answer. Yes.
A 748 SPS no less, came up rather a bargain. Yellow. Mint. Term is. The lot. So I bought it. It was the most uncomfortable bike I've ever owned! And it's wasn't as fast as a car 600 it turned out... A 92 blade and even an MV agusta were more comfy and significantly faster. I'd say they were superbikes and the 748 was a sports bike.
Nah
Yep I bought just a standard 748 and felt exactly the same. Wouldnt want to ride it a long distance (my brother has a 749 and reckons its much better) and honestly it was gutless. I had an SV650S before with just a Yoshi and dynojet then an R6 then this. The R6 was way way quicker and the SV650S was not a million miles behind. Yes of course it was slower but Id be surprised if my 748 made 85 at the rearA 748 SPS no less, came up rather a bargain. Yellow. Mint. Term is. The lot. So I bought it. It was the most uncomfortable bike I've ever owned! And it's wasn't as fast as a car 600 it turned out... A 92 blade and even an MV agusta were more comfy and significantly faster. I'd say they were superbikes and the 748 was a sports bike.
Nah
Im sure many will say different but unless its just the looks and power isn't something that bothers you I would go 916/996
Hi Ravi, hope you're well. 
I don't often post in here anymore but thought I'd add my 2p worth. I went from a VFR400 (Great but too small unfortunately), to a Thundercat, which I could happily thrash the pants off, then on to a 748 because I'd drooled over them for years. First weekend I owned it a crankshaft bearing collapsed resulting in full rebuild. After that I was always worrying about it seizing and throwing me off so I sold it.
The servicing is a pain, as mentioned above, regardless of how little miles you do the timing belts are every 3 years. A £300 service then. Not a huge amount but given a blade or R1 only ever needs washing and oil changes a Ducati is an expensive way of doing things. I did love the noise and feel but again, as said, they just aren't that quick.
I had no faith in mine and I gave it 3 chances after the engine rebuild for things to go wrong before I sold it. They went wrong quite quickly and while i can't remember what they were now I know one was hydraulic clutch, so sometimes I'd dip the clutch and it would work, then the next time the lever would come back to the bar but the clutch wouldn't disengage. I sold it to a guy and later heard the rectifier caught fire on him on his way down south. Just a friday afternoon bike I think.
I bought my blade (then R1) after that. Lovely bike, quicker, easier and bomb proof. I still look at Ducati adverts from time to time but then I get my sensible head on. It would have to be brand new and under warranty for me to have one again.
A bike tester doing a big bike test summed it up well a few years back by saying "I'd choose one of the Jap bikes over a Duc if it was my own money, but every time I rode past a Ducati I'd think damn!".
I did have one more flit with a Ducati a few years ago when we were going to Lemans. My mates RV developed a bad wobble so we had to get the 996 off the back. I said I'd ride it the rest of the way through france. 30 miles in and the battery light came on. Rectifier buggered!
I am jinxed mind. I drove a mates Golf R yesterday. He said "just boot it", so I did and it broke. Started misfiring. It's going to garage today or tomorrow.
Impressive til it broke mind 
I don't often post in here anymore but thought I'd add my 2p worth. I went from a VFR400 (Great but too small unfortunately), to a Thundercat, which I could happily thrash the pants off, then on to a 748 because I'd drooled over them for years. First weekend I owned it a crankshaft bearing collapsed resulting in full rebuild. After that I was always worrying about it seizing and throwing me off so I sold it.
The servicing is a pain, as mentioned above, regardless of how little miles you do the timing belts are every 3 years. A £300 service then. Not a huge amount but given a blade or R1 only ever needs washing and oil changes a Ducati is an expensive way of doing things. I did love the noise and feel but again, as said, they just aren't that quick.
I had no faith in mine and I gave it 3 chances after the engine rebuild for things to go wrong before I sold it. They went wrong quite quickly and while i can't remember what they were now I know one was hydraulic clutch, so sometimes I'd dip the clutch and it would work, then the next time the lever would come back to the bar but the clutch wouldn't disengage. I sold it to a guy and later heard the rectifier caught fire on him on his way down south. Just a friday afternoon bike I think.
I bought my blade (then R1) after that. Lovely bike, quicker, easier and bomb proof. I still look at Ducati adverts from time to time but then I get my sensible head on. It would have to be brand new and under warranty for me to have one again.
A bike tester doing a big bike test summed it up well a few years back by saying "I'd choose one of the Jap bikes over a Duc if it was my own money, but every time I rode past a Ducati I'd think damn!".
I did have one more flit with a Ducati a few years ago when we were going to Lemans. My mates RV developed a bad wobble so we had to get the 996 off the back. I said I'd ride it the rest of the way through france. 30 miles in and the battery light came on. Rectifier buggered!
I am jinxed mind. I drove a mates Golf R yesterday. He said "just boot it", so I did and it broke. Started misfiring. It's going to garage today or tomorrow.
Impressive til it broke mind forums eh?...
I own a 2001 748S bi-posto (two seater) and it's a great bike. I'm 5'9" and do not find it uncomfortable to ride at all. I have more than once done 500+ miles in a day and lived to tell the tale. The riding position is focused and if you're unfit, not very strong or are not prepared to think about how you sit on the bike then it might not be to your taste. Many taller riders complain about the riding position, and I can understand this. The 748 is not a huge bike.
To ride: performance doesn't feel immediately apparent, sure it's quick but there's little shock-sensation in the acceleration... initially I used to think I was going slowly, and then I'd look at the speedo... This tells you something about how the 748 processes speed, it feels a lot slower than it is. This is a product of its general planted feel and the chassis finesse. Even in S trim (mid-range for a 2001 bike) the Showa suspension works well with the frame to deliver a highly enjoyable ride. Compared to the 916 it's a more rev-happy engine, and you might say the same for the 996 that followed. Many have been very happy with an 853 kit to increase the displacement and power output but retain the more revvy 748 characteristic. The 998 uses the Testastretta engine and that is a different kettle of fish altogether, and if you want the performance of a 999 with the looks of a 748/916 then other than some fine-grain bodywork differences, that's your girl. You won't find that on the roads the 748 is left wanting... anyone who is any more than occasionally riding a 748 to its limits on the public road and feeling held back by them is either a liar, an accident waiting to happen or headed for a licence time-out sometime soon. You *will* get closer to the limits of a 748 on the road than you will an S1000RR but some prefer to be winding their bike on a little more and riding with more brio than just short-shifting a 180mph missile. It could be said to be more engaging. The differences between the models are various, but the basic riding experience is consistent, except for the R, which has a more demanding character and was set up for track rather than road use.
To own: this is a nicely made bike, and it's quite an easy bike to look at. The detailing is lovely and there's much to admire and enjoy. You'll want to keep it scrupulously clean and the bodywork is easy to get off (at least on S and above models as they come standard with Dzus fasteners) to help with that. Unloved and dirty examples soon look rough and things like original minor fasteners that are free from corrosion are a good indicator that the bike has been cared for. The rear brake master cylinder or chain guard bolts are good places to check. Keep in mind that the single-sided swinging arm requires a stand for this model and beware early models with a "self-retracting" side stand. Unweighting the bike allows the stand to fold and more than a few people have been caught out this way. Bodywork is beautiful in red or yellow and looks best when unsullied, too many "Ducati Corse" stickers and add on nonsense just makes the bike look tacky. Without too many decals or carbon tat the 748 still looks classy today. You'll notice that a lot of 748/916 bikes have "milky" headlights, this is remedied by removing and cleaning the headlamps periodically. Splashing some glass cleaner and hot water in there does the trick, slosh it around and let it soak and then dry it all out and polish in there and it'll look good as new. Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa gets the most from the bike IMO.
To service: you don't want to buy or own a poorly maintained 748. There's nothing too rocket science about it though. Oil is annual, belts are bi-annual (although many go to three years) and valve clearances are 12,000 miles. Minor service and Major services alternate. You'll want to keep all fluids clean and fresh as you'll get more life from the expensive bits that way. Clean, lubricate and adjust the chain every 500 miles or less. A main dealer will offer you preferential rates for pre-2003 bikes, and you might budget around £200 for a Minor service, around £500 for a major, or around £700 for a valve clearance service. A specialist could be cheaper. Independents like Louigi or V-Duo are known to be just as good as a dealer, and the UK forum is a good place to start to find your local dealer or specialist. Speaking for Lincolnshire, Italia Moto are a great dealer in Lincoln, highly enthusiastic and helpful and always welcoming of customers popping in to say "hi" and have a coffee. You'll not get the hard-sell from them.
Gotchas: rocker arms are known to suffer from flaking chrome. These can be replaced or refinished and there are known specialists who can repair rocker arms. You're probably looking at a bill for £1,200 if this happens, and it can... but not to every bike. You'll know if you're in that hole as you'll see shiny flakes in your oil, or your attentive dealer / specialist will.
To buy: you can get on a 748 from £2,500 privately, from around £4,000 from a specialist or franchised dealer and prices will go up to around £13,000 for something special (think about something like an SPS with an 853 kit) or with provenance. I saw an ex-race bike up for £20k last year but I don't believe it sold for that.
Is the 748 an everyday bike? Likely not... it's quite focused and when it's cold or you're struggling to get heat in the tyres, or on a day when you're not quite in the groove then it can be horrible to ride... doesn't steer and feels crap. You might think about selling it at these times and start keeping an eye on the current prices they're fetching... been there. Then you go out for a half-hearted ten minute blast to keep it limber and return home four hours later beaming, wondering whether there's anything on the planet that is so engaging and fun to ride!
For context, I also ride an '89 GSX-R 750, a '99 Blade, an '03 749, a '97 750 Supersport and a '15 Scrambler Classic. I'd say I'm a bit biased and a Ducati guy... but you'll pry the keys for my GSX-R or my Blade out of my cold dead fingers, so I'm not a Jap hater or an IL4 denialist either. Of all my bikes, my 748 is "the one".
Hope that's of use to the OP?
I own a 2001 748S bi-posto (two seater) and it's a great bike. I'm 5'9" and do not find it uncomfortable to ride at all. I have more than once done 500+ miles in a day and lived to tell the tale. The riding position is focused and if you're unfit, not very strong or are not prepared to think about how you sit on the bike then it might not be to your taste. Many taller riders complain about the riding position, and I can understand this. The 748 is not a huge bike.
To ride: performance doesn't feel immediately apparent, sure it's quick but there's little shock-sensation in the acceleration... initially I used to think I was going slowly, and then I'd look at the speedo...
This tells you something about how the 748 processes speed, it feels a lot slower than it is. This is a product of its general planted feel and the chassis finesse. Even in S trim (mid-range for a 2001 bike) the Showa suspension works well with the frame to deliver a highly enjoyable ride. Compared to the 916 it's a more rev-happy engine, and you might say the same for the 996 that followed. Many have been very happy with an 853 kit to increase the displacement and power output but retain the more revvy 748 characteristic. The 998 uses the Testastretta engine and that is a different kettle of fish altogether, and if you want the performance of a 999 with the looks of a 748/916 then other than some fine-grain bodywork differences, that's your girl. You won't find that on the roads the 748 is left wanting... anyone who is any more than occasionally riding a 748 to its limits on the public road and feeling held back by them is either a liar, an accident waiting to happen or headed for a licence time-out sometime soon. You *will* get closer to the limits of a 748 on the road than you will an S1000RR but some prefer to be winding their bike on a little more and riding with more brio than just short-shifting a 180mph missile. It could be said to be more engaging. The differences between the models are various, but the basic riding experience is consistent, except for the R, which has a more demanding character and was set up for track rather than road use. To own: this is a nicely made bike, and it's quite an easy bike to look at. The detailing is lovely and there's much to admire and enjoy. You'll want to keep it scrupulously clean and the bodywork is easy to get off (at least on S and above models as they come standard with Dzus fasteners) to help with that. Unloved and dirty examples soon look rough and things like original minor fasteners that are free from corrosion are a good indicator that the bike has been cared for. The rear brake master cylinder or chain guard bolts are good places to check. Keep in mind that the single-sided swinging arm requires a stand for this model and beware early models with a "self-retracting" side stand. Unweighting the bike allows the stand to fold and more than a few people have been caught out this way. Bodywork is beautiful in red or yellow and looks best when unsullied, too many "Ducati Corse" stickers and add on nonsense just makes the bike look tacky. Without too many decals or carbon tat the 748 still looks classy today. You'll notice that a lot of 748/916 bikes have "milky" headlights, this is remedied by removing and cleaning the headlamps periodically. Splashing some glass cleaner and hot water in there does the trick, slosh it around and let it soak and then dry it all out and polish in there and it'll look good as new. Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa gets the most from the bike IMO.
To service: you don't want to buy or own a poorly maintained 748. There's nothing too rocket science about it though. Oil is annual, belts are bi-annual (although many go to three years) and valve clearances are 12,000 miles. Minor service and Major services alternate. You'll want to keep all fluids clean and fresh as you'll get more life from the expensive bits that way. Clean, lubricate and adjust the chain every 500 miles or less. A main dealer will offer you preferential rates for pre-2003 bikes, and you might budget around £200 for a Minor service, around £500 for a major, or around £700 for a valve clearance service. A specialist could be cheaper. Independents like Louigi or V-Duo are known to be just as good as a dealer, and the UK forum is a good place to start to find your local dealer or specialist. Speaking for Lincolnshire, Italia Moto are a great dealer in Lincoln, highly enthusiastic and helpful and always welcoming of customers popping in to say "hi" and have a coffee. You'll not get the hard-sell from them.
Gotchas: rocker arms are known to suffer from flaking chrome. These can be replaced or refinished and there are known specialists who can repair rocker arms. You're probably looking at a bill for £1,200 if this happens, and it can... but not to every bike. You'll know if you're in that hole as you'll see shiny flakes in your oil, or your attentive dealer / specialist will.
To buy: you can get on a 748 from £2,500 privately, from around £4,000 from a specialist or franchised dealer and prices will go up to around £13,000 for something special (think about something like an SPS with an 853 kit) or with provenance. I saw an ex-race bike up for £20k last year but I don't believe it sold for that.
Is the 748 an everyday bike? Likely not... it's quite focused and when it's cold or you're struggling to get heat in the tyres, or on a day when you're not quite in the groove then it can be horrible to ride... doesn't steer and feels crap. You might think about selling it at these times and start keeping an eye on the current prices they're fetching... been there. Then you go out for a half-hearted ten minute blast to keep it limber and return home four hours later beaming, wondering whether there's anything on the planet that is so engaging and fun to ride!
For context, I also ride an '89 GSX-R 750, a '99 Blade, an '03 749, a '97 750 Supersport and a '15 Scrambler Classic. I'd say I'm a bit biased and a Ducati guy... but you'll pry the keys for my GSX-R or my Blade out of my cold dead fingers, so I'm not a Jap hater or an IL4 denialist either. Of all my bikes, my 748 is "the one".
Hope that's of use to the OP?
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