Duc 748 or F4 750 ?

[Motorsport3]

I have an 899 for a couple of years now and loving it. I've shipped it to my holiday home and thinking of something to keep here.

So I am toying with the idea of getting a Ducati 748 or MV F4 750 as these are bikes that always liked but thought would be too early to get on previously (maybe still is).

I would appreciate opinions particularly from people who have experienced both. Are they comparable?
Is either considered a "better bike" ?

[T6 vanman]

Had a 02 748,
More than swift enough for me
Servicing was hugely expensive but didn't have a single thing wrong with it,
Absolutely loved it - but for similar money can't you get a 848 / 1098?

[nervous]

I’m just about to sell my 748R if it’s any use to you.

[Motorsport3]

T6 vanman said:

Had a 02 748,
More than swift enough for me
Servicing was hugely expensive but didn't have a single thing wrong with it,
Absolutely loved it - but for similar money can't you get a 848 / 1098?

Probably, but i pref the 748/F4 looks

[dibblecorse]

I wouldn't get hung up on a 748 if going for that style, buy the best 748/916/996 you can find, cost of insurance, maintenance etc will be nigh on identical, so set your budget and buy the best bike rather than be too specific, I'd have one of those over the MV simply because I view the MV as a trinket.

[Motorsport3]

dibblecorse said:

I wouldn't get hung up on a 748 if going for that style, buy the best 748/916/996 you can find, cost of insurance, maintenance etc will be nigh on identical, so set your budget and buy the best bike rather than be too specific, I'd have one of those over the MV simply because I view the MV as a trinket.

I broadly agree with your view on choosing on condition than just price, though price here reflects rarity as well and not particularly fused with limited editions. I am primarily concerned with originality though. Not after the example with carbon/after market parts/exhaust etc which makes a bike more appealing/expensive.

[dibblecorse]

Motorsport3 said:

I broadly agree with your view on choosing on condition than just price, though price here reflects rarity as well and not particularly fused with limited editions. I am primarily concerned with originality though. Not after the example with carbon/after market parts/exhaust etc which makes a bike more appealing/expensive.

Makes sense, lots of good quality close to original cooking models out there, most will have some kind of mod as quite often as bits wore out owners fitted the upgraded part from STM or Ohlins etc, they will hold their value if looked after but don't expect it to be an investment, that only comes with the SPS/R type bikes in whichever flavour .... look for good history and invoices .....

https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/forums/

Loads of good info there and also a fairly active For Sale section .....

[yajeed]

dibblecorse said:

Makes sense, lots of good quality close to original cooking models out there, most will have some kind of mod as quite often as bits wore out owners fitted the upgraded part from STM or Ohlins etc, they will hold their value if looked after but don't expect it to be an investment, that only comes with the SPS/R type bikes in whichever flavour .... look for good history and invoices .....

https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/forums/

Loads of good info there and also a fairly active For Sale section .....

Speaking of which, this sounds like a honest bike:

https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/2002-998s.61...

[dibblecorse]

Yep, thats a good buy that, Mike Dawson at MD Racing is fairly well regarded and if Wilf and the boys at MotoRapido have given it a clean bill of health then thats a good sign, they know their onions.

Looks very original, even the heel guards and exhaust guards are the original, most people swopped these out for carbon fibre, the Termis are a nice touch and as for the paintwork, I wouldn't spend a grand on that bike as it will never be a 'collectible' as its a dual seated cooking S, personally I'd want to haggle a few quid off but its not unreasonable and also gets you into the slightly later Testastretta engine which from memory didn't have the flaky rocker issues of the 996 before it ..... early history is irrelevant as the last few years looks good, usable bike that ...

[Motorsport3]

That 998s looks very nice. But it is on the higher end of my budget. Should i stretch that much for a good one?

The alternative i have in mind is to get a bip 748, garage queen for say 4k (a few available) and take recommission it as I want to end up with a bike to use.

[yajeed]

They’re not cheap, though I’d strongly advise buying a sorted bike rather than a project.

I bought a 4K 748sp years ago and immediately spent another 1500quid sorting the flakey rockers amongst other things. Cosmetically it looked brand new.

I’d also advise you ride one; the 748 was a little gutless, although a really fun bike to ride. Coming from a later, faster machine, I’d be worried you may also be underwhelmed.

The 996/8 felt to have much more grunt to me.

[NITO]

MV F4 750 all day long for me

[CQ8]

dibblecorse said:

Yep, thats a good buy that, Mike Dawson at MD Racing is fairly well regarded

From another thread last year

dibblecorse said:

CQ8 said:

I would also recommend MD Racing in Walton on Thames. Primarily Ducati's but will work on anything.

http://md-racing.co.uk/

I wouldn't, reports on MDR from within the Ducati community are far from favorable generally.

[Ho Lee Kau]

NITO said:

MV F4 750 all day long for me

For me as well. Looks so good. And you can always say it’s I Robot bike. :-)

[dibblecorse]

CQ8 said:

dibblecorse said:

Yep, thats a good buy that, Mike Dawson at MD Racing is fairly well regarded

From another thread last year

dibblecorse said:

CQ8 said:

I would also recommend MD Racing in Walton on Thames. Primarily Ducati's but will work on anything.

http://md-racing.co.uk/

I wouldn't, reports on MDR from within the Ducati community are far from favorable generally.

Indeed, maybe should have said ‘was’ as when he looked at this bike his rep still appeared in tact, but fair comment.

The fact that MotoRapido have seen it since would satisfy me.

[Motorsport3]

Went to see her and now I'm in love...

[yajeed]

How’d it ride compared to your later bike?

Hope you managed to strike a deal!

[Motorsport3]

So I've done 3h of riding over the last day and compared to the panigale the 998 feels a lot more mechanical and communicative
E.g. electronic throttle vs analogue.

Also the 998 feels more eager to turn (though haven't built confidence yet). The suspension feels less stiff and i would say it sounds better too.

The 899 however has much better built quality and the electronics is just helping trust it more.

[yajeed]

Sounds like a good pairing, and not too similar.

Congratulations on your new purchase, let’s hope the sun stays out so you can continue to get to know it.

They’re still such a beautiful design and I’m sure way more capable than most of us to exploit, especially on the road.

Did you decide what to do with the fairing? Quick repair? Full repaint? Leave it original?

I’m currently sat deliberating whether to take the car or bike to work. It’s cloudy and there’s rain in the air, so I think I’ll be taking the easy option...

[Motorsport3]

yajeed said:

Sounds like a good pairing, and not too similar.

Congratulations on your new purchase, let’s hope the sun stays out so you can continue to get to know it.

They’re still such a beautiful design and I’m sure way more capable than most of us to exploit, especially on the road.

Did you decide what to do with the fairing? Quick repair? Full repaint? Leave it original?

I’m currently sat deliberating whether to take the car or bike to work. It’s cloudy and there’s rain in the air, so I think I’ll be taking the easy option...

The fairing is not a problem for me. The scratch are low down so not that prominent and besides I intend to use it (just not on commuting!) so don't think worth spending there.