| Author | Message | ||
     Vanvideo |
I'm considering getting a 2005 Ducati 749, about 3,500 miles on her. Anyone have experience with these bikes? | ||
| S1wmike |
The LOW miles is good but you are coming due for a 6k service soon. I believe it was originally a 2 year/6K service. Get all and any service history from the current owner. It is a very capable bike and has the Tessastretta engine, an improvement over the original Desmoquattro (916 based) engine. Maintenance is critical. Find a shop that has trained technicians to service your bike. Ask any Ducati owners in your area on where they take their bike for service. That will be a good indicator. I bought a low mileage 02 998 with only 4790 miles on the clock in November 2007. I was nervous about the age on the belts but the made it to the 6K service without any problems. If you are in the Virginia area service with Joey at Richmond Superbike is excellent and they KNOW Ducatis!!!! I hope this helps Mike | ||
| Reepicheep |
I chased one around a MSF Experienced rider course day. All tight low speed stuff. First, the bike looks and sounds beautiful. Second, the rider was having one *heck* of a time with the low speed drills. He was doing even worse then the GSXR-1000 guy, and about on par with the guy one the Warrior cruiser. He wasn't a great rider, but he wasn't awful either, so the bike's low speed handling and turning radius was clearly a factor. None of this is to say that it isn't a great bike... just don't go into it thinking you are getting a "no end of fun tossing it around a parking lot" bike like an XB9S. You are getting a "semi naked high speed track bike that can be ridden on the road" bike... FWIW. Which makes me wonder what the Hypermotard is like... | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
make sure that the owner has the RED key. Without it, you can not make duplicate keys without replacing the entire electrical system and instrument cluster, tank fill cap etc. cost about $2k. The timing belts are supposed to be replaced every two years, cost about $300, valve adjust every 6K miles. Parts and service are in a different league cost wise than the Buell. On the plus side, the bikes are beautiful and handle absolutely superbly. New tires will enhance the handling, Michelin Pilot Power 2CT or Dunlop Q2's are nice. Not sure about all the cost reductions on the Dark, but I do know that they have no steering damper, and lack the adjustable shock strut in the rear. | ||
| Glitch |
Which makes me wonder what the Hypermotard is like... The Duc dealership here lets you do test rides. They know us, so we don't need an escort, unless someone feels like a ride. The Hypermotard will be a BIG help if losing your license is your goal. What a fun hooligan bike this is! Wheelies with ease, but don't keep the wheel up for too long, as oil will go in the carb and start to smoke out the tail pipe. Other than that it's a hell of a fun ride! Not real comfy, but then again, that's not what is built for. Sorry for the hijack. The Ducati 749 is a good bike. Personally I like the air cooled Ducs more. Less maintenance, less headache, more ride time, and less weight. They make for a very flickable, dependable bike. | ||
| Vanvideo |
I thought the maintenance intervals are every 7,500 miles. | ||
| S1wmike |
I thought the maintenance intervals are every 7,500 miles. That is on the 2007 and up model year bikes | ||
| Vanvideo |
Thanks for the info, guys. The bike does have the red key, thanks for that interesting tidbit. What's also interesting is I got more responses from my questions from this Buell site than I did from a Ducati forum. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
What's also interesting is I got more responses from my questions from this Buell site than I did from a Ducati forum. Without putting too fine a point on it, one might surmise that Buelligans are perhaps real enthusiasts, Ducatisti more poseurs, not in every case, naturalmente  | ||
| Hughlysses |
Regarding the 6k valve adjustment, an aftermarket company makes improved valve retainers that allow the interval to be greatly increased (maybe 12k?). http://www.mbpducati.ca/can/shop/product_info.php? cPath=67&products_id=242 They aren't very expensive either (~$120 for a 2-valve engine). I was looking seriously at Multistradas before the Uly came out and I planned to install those at the first valve service. There are also several good pages on the internet showing step-by-step how to adjust the clearances on the desmo valves if you want to do your own maintenance. (Message edited by Hughlysses on August 21, 2009) | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Most of us don't really "hate on" any other brand. Hell if I could afford it I'd have one of every brand and type of motorcycle there is. Personally I'm one of those that really liked the styling of the 999/749 Ducati's. When I have the time and money to keep a dedicated track bike, that's what I'd pick. | ||
| Vanvideo |
Jon, I do agree, this site has a lot of true bike enthusiasts. I sold my Firebolt two years ago, and I still frequent this site more than any other motorcycle forum. I'm not fond of some of the sometimes snooty remarks you can get on Ducati forums, and I don't want to be "one of them," but there are also the true riders who love the uniqueness of the Ducati bikes. A lot like Buellers, actually. | ||
| 2kx1 |
The 749 has kevlar belts, they do not need to be replaced immediately. I would recommend the in-tank fuell lines be replaced along with the fuel filter. How much?? | ||
| Vanvideo |
Asking $7,200. I talked to the owner of a Ducati dealership in Ocala, FL with a sterling reputation. He thought the bike could use the belts replaced, based on age. He also said it could wait until 7,500 miles for the scheduled 6,000 service. Apparently the new Testaressa motors are a bit more robust than the desmos before them. | ||
| 2kx1 |
Mechanically, the the testastretta is much closer to bulletproof than the desmoquattro that preceded it. I would check insurance rates and then make my decision. Also keep in mind that the 999 is not much more expensive and is considered a better street bike, the 749 are considered better on the track. |
