748 vs 916 dilema
Discussion
I have followed recent and searched old threads for the final answer and can't find one.
Bought a new 1200 bandit in September but have now finally decided that I should have bought a Ducati. Either 916 or 748--but which one?
I know the basic pros and cons of each, 748 is supposedly better handling and more revvy, 916 has more grunt in mid range etc etc.
One question remains unanswered, What is the Power output of each bike??? Can anyone give me that info?
So now I have a 5 month old bandit to get rid of and find a nice duc, either part ex/swap or private sale, the dilema goes on!
Bought a new 1200 bandit in September but have now finally decided that I should have bought a Ducati. Either 916 or 748--but which one?
I know the basic pros and cons of each, 748 is supposedly better handling and more revvy, 916 has more grunt in mid range etc etc.
One question remains unanswered, What is the Power output of each bike??? Can anyone give me that info?
So now I have a 5 month old bandit to get rid of and find a nice duc, either part ex/swap or private sale, the dilema goes on!
Not sure about RWHP but my 748 SPS is 106HP - which is a bit higher than a Bip - but needs more revs to give it's best. It was an easy decision for me - I wanted to buy what I still think of as the best looking bike ever. And I wanted Yellow single seat. The options in 1998 were to buy a 996 Bip and fit a single seat, or a 748 SPS. It's the same sort of performance as a top 600 from the same year, although the latest 600's would see it off. I still love my bike and spend money on nice bits for it all the time. I have never ridden any of the 9** range, but I think if I'd been buying in, say 2002, I would probably have gone for a 996S - in Yellow with single seat. Hard to say really, but there's still something very special about owning an SPS. Don't think I'd ever bother with a 748 Bip personally though.
IMO There's not really anything in the handling, the 748's were supplied with a lower profile front tyre and a narrower rear as new however most 748's probably have a standard 70 profile front by now and all models work better with a 180 rear (916's had 190), the only other difference is that the 748 is around 2kg lighter (because it has no oil cooler and carries less oil). Correctly setup I don't believe a 748 handles any differently to a 916, other than the fact it is 'easier' to get on the power out of a bend (due to having less grunt) as all the cycle parts are the same.
Power wise the 916's have (Ducati claimed) 105bhp and the 748's 97bhp but the difference feels more due to the extra grunt of the bigger engine, all are massively overgeared and respond well to a bigger rear (and/or smaller front on 916) sprocket, Top speed is around 160 - 165 for the 916 and about 10-15mph less for the 748.
Maintenance is the same for both, although it seems that the 748's tend to suffer more mechanical wear, particularly the infamous 'flaking rocker' issue, due to the higher revving engine.
748 has a close-ratio gearbox which adds to the 'revviness' which some prefer, personally I prefer the higher torque of the bigger engine.
Power wise the 916's have (Ducati claimed) 105bhp and the 748's 97bhp but the difference feels more due to the extra grunt of the bigger engine, all are massively overgeared and respond well to a bigger rear (and/or smaller front on 916) sprocket, Top speed is around 160 - 165 for the 916 and about 10-15mph less for the 748.
Maintenance is the same for both, although it seems that the 748's tend to suffer more mechanical wear, particularly the infamous 'flaking rocker' issue, due to the higher revving engine.
748 has a close-ratio gearbox which adds to the 'revviness' which some prefer, personally I prefer the higher torque of the bigger engine.
Thanks guys, always a mine of information on PH.
My heart has always been in the 748 camp but I do like the idea of the more grunty 916. The power difference isn't as much as I first thought, although in the delivery it will be noticable. Trying to compare things to the 955i Daytona I had a couple of years ago, but suppose that is unfair as it had 145bh and a real grunty tripple motor
Found a '97 R reg 916 with supposedly only 6k on the clock. No service history though so nothing to back this up. Probably one to keep away from.
My heart has always been in the 748 camp but I do like the idea of the more grunty 916. The power difference isn't as much as I first thought, although in the delivery it will be noticable. Trying to compare things to the 955i Daytona I had a couple of years ago, but suppose that is unfair as it had 145bh and a real grunty tripple motor
Found a '97 R reg 916 with supposedly only 6k on the clock. No service history though so nothing to back this up. Probably one to keep away from.
TOPTON said:
Found a '97 R reg 916 with supposedly only 6k on the clock. No service history though so nothing to back this up. Probably one to keep away from.
Not necessarily Topton : I've had my SPS from new and I've only covered 3200 miles on it. Embarrasing really, but I defend myself by saying I have a few summer toys and don't get time to use them all fully. Until the 1098 came out I also thought I'd never change it - and probably still won't anyway. Whatever, I haven't had my bike serviced every year. It doesn't need it with my mileage, some years only about 300 miles. It's kept in a dehumidified garage, uses only synthetic oil which doesn't go off the same way as mineral does. I keep a close eye on fluid levels etc. and treat it with care. I'm not afraid to ride it hard and do enjoy it when I use it though. I have had the belts changed and had it serviced professionally every 2-3 years though. Luigi Moto did a full belt service for me last year and pronounced it one of the nicest 748's they'd seen. Completely free of any problems. This year I've noticed the rubber tubes from the clutch and brake reservoirs are sweating, something they do over time. I'm changing all of those now and have just fitted a new battery. Stuff like this goes over time regardless of service history. If I were selling my bike I could easily prove the mileage with MoT's and the receipts for the services I have had. However, if a potential buyer were concerned I'd say take it to any specialist of your choice and have it inspected, and I'd say the same for the bike you've seen. That said, a complete lack of receipts or MoT's would maybe concern me. Also, if the seller has no verification of the mileage then I wouldn't pay for a 6K mile bike either. Bottom line ? I'd say if the price is right for the bike, and cheap for a 6K mile bike, take it to a good independant specialist and have it properly inspected. If they pronounce it good then that would count for a lot to me. Even a bike with service history can give trouble - the dealers don't take the care and time that a good enthusiast would with servicing.
Edited by yellowvette on Tuesday 20th February 12:33
Check out this site. Lots of info and a real friendly bunch !
www.ducatisportingclub.com/index.php
www.ducatisportingclub.com/index.php
Well I went and done it, feet first all the way in.
Beautifull 916
It is a 97 R reg with no service history or MoTs to back up the 6k mileage. But IMHO it does look correct. The bike is immaculate, everything looks relatively new (for a 9year old 6k mile bike anyway). Tried to contact previous owner to get any history from him but he not replied to my letter. I am the third keeper now.
Dealer gave me a warranty which gives some short term peace of mind. Oil and filter changed by garage before i bought it so my first job now to do are the cam belts. Pretty straight forward as far as I have read. I always do servicing myself (mainly because I am tight!!) but I do enjoy it also.
Where do I sorce service parts, any recomendations????
I am just hoping that this Italian beauty doesn't turn around a bite me in the wallet!
Beautifull 916
It is a 97 R reg with no service history or MoTs to back up the 6k mileage. But IMHO it does look correct. The bike is immaculate, everything looks relatively new (for a 9year old 6k mile bike anyway). Tried to contact previous owner to get any history from him but he not replied to my letter. I am the third keeper now.
Dealer gave me a warranty which gives some short term peace of mind. Oil and filter changed by garage before i bought it so my first job now to do are the cam belts. Pretty straight forward as far as I have read. I always do servicing myself (mainly because I am tight!!) but I do enjoy it also.
Where do I sorce service parts, any recomendations????
I am just hoping that this Italian beauty doesn't turn around a bite me in the wallet!
no photos yet as its too wet to get it out of bed, but hopefully tommorrow.
Rides like a dream and what a noise!! Had a SV650 a few years ago but that was nothing to this, even with an aftermarket can.
Ordered new cambelts today, £68 a pair.(must buy new adjuster pulley nuts) Hopefully I will get them fitted this week but definatly before I do any more riding. New plugs were £12 a piece
Happy to do most things on engines bu may struggle doing the valves so may have to pay someone
Took the fairing off for a fiddle and the engine is really clean and all the wiring very neat and tidy.
Big risk buying this but what is life without risks.
Note to self: remember about the sidestand! not sure if self retracting is a good thing or not
Rides like a dream and what a noise!! Had a SV650 a few years ago but that was nothing to this, even with an aftermarket can.
Ordered new cambelts today, £68 a pair.(must buy new adjuster pulley nuts) Hopefully I will get them fitted this week but definatly before I do any more riding. New plugs were £12 a piece
Happy to do most things on engines bu may struggle doing the valves so may have to pay someone
Took the fairing off for a fiddle and the engine is really clean and all the wiring very neat and tidy.
Big risk buying this but what is life without risks.
Note to self: remember about the sidestand! not sure if self retracting is a good thing or not
Asked Baines racing about the side stand issue but they did not recommend taking the cut out spring out, can cause some disaster, opted to leave my in....
As for belts my friend fits Renault cam belts (think old Clio belts can find out if you like) to his 916 pays a couple of quid for the belts, has had his 916 for 8 years odd! But he as also admited that he'll never sell it so can get away with this.....
As for belts my friend fits Renault cam belts (think old Clio belts can find out if you like) to his 916 pays a couple of quid for the belts, has had his 916 for 8 years odd! But he as also admited that he'll never sell it so can get away with this.....
996 sps said:
As for belts my friend fits Renault cam belts (think old Clio belts can find out if you like) to his 916 pays a couple of quid for the belts, has had his 916 for 8 years odd! But he as also admited that he'll never sell it so can get away with this.....
OK if he keeps an eye on them, Ducati now uses Kevlar re-inforced belts as the old model (without the Kevlar) were prone to breaking due to the high stress placed on them, some even broke before the first service. So I would be wary of using Clio belts unless you know that they are suitably re-inforced, of course if you change them often enough then should be OK.
Personally I'll stick with the Ducati belts......
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff