Triumph 675 or Ducati 749?
Discussion
I rode an FZ6 Fazer on Tuesday, I was going to buy it but on the test ride I just found it boring, with a heavy throttle. Plus, being upright, it's just a more powerful and reliable version of what I already have.
I've decided to save 4-4.5k and get something a bit special (to me). Mainly for 1-2 track days a year and sunny Sundays/the occasional commute if the weather's nice and the Bonneville/Starfire are being fixed. I do want it to be reliable though.
What's people's experiences with either? Or indeed, alternatives.
I'm a short arse, if that matters. I'm going to test ride both and see what I'd prefer, but I'd love to be better informed.
I've decided to save 4-4.5k and get something a bit special (to me). Mainly for 1-2 track days a year and sunny Sundays/the occasional commute if the weather's nice and the Bonneville/Starfire are being fixed. I do want it to be reliable though.
What's people's experiences with either? Or indeed, alternatives.
I'm a short arse, if that matters. I'm going to test ride both and see what I'd prefer, but I'd love to be better informed.
Edited by crofty1984 on Thursday 13th April 13:23
I've owned a 675 and ridden a '749'.
They are both small bikes, but in my opinion the 675 is a better looking and I found it easier to ride and get used to.
I love the sound of the V twin, but a dry clutch makes me cringe, where as the 675 triple sounds different and the induction noise is a little addictive
I would say neither are particularly comfortable for me but the 675 was better.
Unless you are sold on a Ducati (I understand why, I have one!) then the sensible money would be on the triumph to be honest, but then bikes aren't always about being sensible!
The mate who had a 749 seemed to think servicing was more expensive than expected and had a few electrical issues and finally an idle problem. Don't recall what caused it and can't comment on which is more reliable (my 675 had no issues, but that's a sample size of one).
I believe they did a 749S and R. These may well be very different to the standard.
Finally, tracking a bike - definitely the 675 - I would not like to think of the repair bill for any Ducati, but if the parts aren't Ducati parts the sell on value will be hurt.
They are both small bikes, but in my opinion the 675 is a better looking and I found it easier to ride and get used to.
I love the sound of the V twin, but a dry clutch makes me cringe, where as the 675 triple sounds different and the induction noise is a little addictive
I would say neither are particularly comfortable for me but the 675 was better.
Unless you are sold on a Ducati (I understand why, I have one!) then the sensible money would be on the triumph to be honest, but then bikes aren't always about being sensible!
The mate who had a 749 seemed to think servicing was more expensive than expected and had a few electrical issues and finally an idle problem. Don't recall what caused it and can't comment on which is more reliable (my 675 had no issues, but that's a sample size of one).
I believe they did a 749S and R. These may well be very different to the standard.
Finally, tracking a bike - definitely the 675 - I would not like to think of the repair bill for any Ducati, but if the parts aren't Ducati parts the sell on value will be hurt.
I've owned mine from new, it's a 2011 SE - so prob something you're looking at price-wise - apart from regular servicing and a battery, hasn't ever put a foot wrong (touch wood). I try and do a few track days a year and it comes out on sunny days from time to time, very occasionally commute into C.London too. Fantastic bike, feels like a little 250 vs my 899. Makes a lovely noise. I tend to get two days track-time out of the rear (14stone, setup for my weight), second set of pads in 5k miles and about to change the front discs. There is a quickshifter available which would have been nice from the outset. Still gets plenty of attention for an old bike. Confidence inspiring in the twisties. I'm not the quickest of riders at all but do love the thing.
I've only ever test-ridden a 749 and recall the dry clutch very snatchy indeed, to the point of being a nuisance in traffic. Other than that can't really remember much else i'm afraid. Definitely marmite on the looks.
I've only ever test-ridden a 749 and recall the dry clutch very snatchy indeed, to the point of being a nuisance in traffic. Other than that can't really remember much else i'm afraid. Definitely marmite on the looks.
When I bought my first bike I had the same two lined up. In the end I went for the 675. The 675 is a bit more modern compared to the 749. Also it had about the same purchase price, although the 749 was 2 years older and had done considerably more km's (or miles in old money). Back then I knew s
t all about handling characteristics, all I knew was that both handled well for my first km's (picked up my license the day before).
Looking back though, the 675 is a much sharper ride than the 749. The 749 has a pretty long reach to the bars, the 675 feels as if you're steering with your knees riding them back to back.
A 749 though is more of an occasion to ride. The noise, the power delivery, those make it more fun to ride at lower speeds. The 675 is a bit tame compared to the 749 at those speeds. Wind the 675 up though and you get that gcrazy three cilinder howl. I loved it, had some great fun on it.
Test ride both and see what gives you the greatest smile, in my opinion you can't go wrong with either.
(In the end I traded in my 675 for a Ducati 848. I went for the first one I saw/rode and it appeared to have been a track bike. You live and learn I guess)
t all about handling characteristics, all I knew was that both handled well for my first km's (picked up my license the day before).Looking back though, the 675 is a much sharper ride than the 749. The 749 has a pretty long reach to the bars, the 675 feels as if you're steering with your knees riding them back to back.
A 749 though is more of an occasion to ride. The noise, the power delivery, those make it more fun to ride at lower speeds. The 675 is a bit tame compared to the 749 at those speeds. Wind the 675 up though and you get that gcrazy three cilinder howl. I loved it, had some great fun on it.
Test ride both and see what gives you the greatest smile, in my opinion you can't go wrong with either.
(In the end I traded in my 675 for a Ducati 848. I went for the first one I saw/rode and it appeared to have been a track bike. You live and learn I guess)
nervous said:
We did this already. Why are we doing it here, too?
Because if any of the advice here disagrees with what you've said, then that person can be told they're wrong and buy the right bike. It's a service. Like care in the community.Now back in your box, I'm already in a bad mood that I forgot to use the term "felch
ing" when describing the accounts people that have delayed my bike shopping by another month.
Shadow R1 said:
It doesn't matter what anyone puts to your endless what bike threads, you won't buy anything anyway.
Now that's not very nice. I have bought this
And a BSA Starfire and a ZZR 600 in the last year. But I'm not too familiar with sporty modern bikes (the ZZR was a right nail) so thought I'd ask the people that knew.
But well done you, you've certainly put me in my place, your penis must be jolly impressive.
To everyone else, thank you. Whether or not I buy what you recommend, I do appreciate the time you take to help, it means I'm better informed whatever way I go.
I'm currently looking at getting a 749s. They look like a great package and can be fairly reliable if serviced and maintained properly. Go for 2004 onwards.
Also if your top end budget is around the 5k mark you'll probably be able to get a 999. A 675 will be quicker than a 749 but I think if you like the character of the ducati you'll fall in love with it more.
Also if your top end budget is around the 5k mark you'll probably be able to get a 999. A 675 will be quicker than a 749 but I think if you like the character of the ducati you'll fall in love with it more.
crofty1984 said:
Now that's not very nice. I have bought this
And a BSA Starfire and a ZZR 600 in the last year. But I'm not too familiar with sporty modern bikes (the ZZR was a right nail) so thought I'd ask the people that knew.
But well done you, you've certainly put me in my place, your penis must be jolly impressive.
To everyone else, thank you. Whether or not I buy what you recommend, I do appreciate the time you take to help, it means I'm better informed whatever way I go.
No it wasn't, sorry about that.And a BSA Starfire and a ZZR 600 in the last year. But I'm not too familiar with sporty modern bikes (the ZZR was a right nail) so thought I'd ask the people that knew.
But well done you, you've certainly put me in my place, your penis must be jolly impressive.
To everyone else, thank you. Whether or not I buy what you recommend, I do appreciate the time you take to help, it means I'm better informed whatever way I go.
Ive ridden an 09 675 and a 11 675r.
Im 5ft 11 and the owner is 5ft 8 fitted both bikes ok.
It has good torque for a supersport class bike, compared to a 2010 R6.
The 749 I went on was a dark edition, can't remember what year it was.
I don't think that one was a very good example, as it felt heavy (clutch, throttle), engine was ok.
My money would head toward the triumph, however buy on condition as there should be plenty to pick from.
I have been making a lot of these threads recently, so fair enough
Thanks for the info though (and everyone) I'll put a post up about it when I get one. Shame living in the sticks means the nearest example of either for a test ride is about 100 miles away from deepest darkest Norfolk - hence the threads, but as soon as I get my money I'm off shopping!
Thanks for the info though (and everyone) I'll put a post up about it when I get one. Shame living in the sticks means the nearest example of either for a test ride is about 100 miles away from deepest darkest Norfolk - hence the threads, but as soon as I get my money I'm off shopping!
crofty1984 said:
I have been making a lot of these threads recently, so fair enough
Thanks for the info though (and everyone) I'll put a post up about it when I get one. Shame living in the sticks means the nearest example of either for a test ride is about 100 miles away from deepest darkest Norfolk - hence the threads, but as soon as I get my money I'm off shopping!
We.Thanks for the info though (and everyone) I'll put a post up about it when I get one. Shame living in the sticks means the nearest example of either for a test ride is about 100 miles away from deepest darkest Norfolk - hence the threads, but as soon as I get my money I'm off shopping!
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